Glass News November 2021

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SUPPLIERS JOIN FORCES TO PEN AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FENESTRATION INDUSTRY

THE UK’S LEADING TRADE NEWSPAPER FOR WINDOWS, DOORS AND CONSERVATORIES

THE RIGHT PEOPLE READ GLASS NEWS Issue 128 | November 2021

Nineteen independent suppliers to the home improvement market have penned an open letter to the fenestration industry, as the sector looks to balance unprecedented demand with global supply chain pressures.

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AUTUMN EDITION OUT NOW!

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We write this letter as a collective of nineteen independent fenestration companies, spanning all shapes, sizes, and different specialisms within the supply chain. Each of us have our own unique products and clients, but what unites us are the unprecedented and unrelenting challenges we’ve faced since the first day of lockdown back in March 2020.

We would now like to put on record and address several issues regarding the current state of play in our collective supply chain.

Bosses, from companies including Clayton The purpose of this letter is toOutlet, explain and rationalise where Glass, Conservatory Consort, we are, and to call for everyone in our industry to show a #unitedfront in order to weather a commonNationwide storm.

Emplas, Glazerite UK Group, Windows & Doors, Framehopefully and give The following areas, althoughSolar not exhaustive, an idea of the impact Covid-19 has had on construction and Sternfenster, have joined forces to address related industries across the UK. several Covid-19 related issues that are currently hampering how they can meet the national appetite for doors, windows, LABOUR SHORTAGES roofing systems and glazing products.

Brexit has impacted heavily on recruitment in our industry, especially in our ability to recruit and retain logistics and manufacturing staff. This has been further compounded by the ongoing challenges of Covid-19 isolation requirements, which has seen some of our signatories lose 30% of their workforce overnight.

The firms, which are based across the UK and span all the different specialisms of the supply chain, clearly lay out three of The of our industry workforce that allowed thehistoric mainstability challenges currently facing them, for high levels of reliability has been replaced with the need to manage a moredisruption transient and volatile including with landscape. materials, rising prices/energy costs and significant labour At the heart of this will be a commitment to investing in our people, their wellbeing and job security, and we will continue shortages dueand to development the pandemic Brexit. to focus on training acrossand all sectors.

AThey POSITIVE call FUTURE for industry

to show a united front of solidarity in that every supplier The complexity of the fenestration supply chain today means is weathering the same storm and that, there have been, and will continue to be, occasions where all suppliers and fabricators are forced to make unprecedented by giving customers an understanding, last-minute changes to their production schedules, commercial terms and delivery dates. they can quickly work together to provide solutions get effect backattoconsumer delivering We accept theand knock-on level can cause unjust damage to the long-standing reputation of strong, continuity of supply. resilient businesses who are fighting tooth and nail for their So where does this take us?

customers and livelihoods. Consumers, on occasion, are also not receiving the service they have been accustomed to.

“I don’t think anyone could have prepared us for what has happened in the last twenty months - from having to close due to Government guidance and making our factories Covid-19 secure to then having It is categorical that each of the above issues will self-correct and only timing of when this will to stabilise, scale up tothecope with what hashappen beenisa unknown.

130% increase in demand for many of us,” explained Green, Managing Director Collectively, weRyan hope this letter goes some way towards explaining the current challenges we are facing, and please of Clayton Glass, one of the driving forces be rest assured that we are all doing our utmost to support customers against the odds. behind the letter.

Our eyes are wide open to this, and on behalf of the wider supply chain in which we all operate, we would ask for your continued patience and understanding whilst we continue to work round the clock to deliver a product and service that you are happy with.

If any industry can adapt and emerge from this year stronger than ever, it’s ours.

“It would have been a big enough challenge on its own, but we are having to achieve this

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Ryan Green (Clayton Glass)

“I don’t think anyone could have prepared us for what has happened in the last twenty months - from having to close due to Government guidance and making our factories Covid-19 secure to then having to scale up to cope with what has been a 130% increase in demand for many of us." against a backdrop of global shortages in our core materials, workforce uncertainty due to isolation/a lack of workers and now rising prices across the board.”

He continued: “This cocktail of issues has unfortunately caused suppliers across our industry significant difficulties, and we can’t escape the fact lead times have been pushed out and supply has been disrupted.

“The letter isn’t a sob story, it’s more a case of trying to give our customers and, in turn, their customers, a clear insight into what we are all dealing with. It’s not one company doing something wrong, these issues are affecting all of us.”

The open letter to the fenestration industry will be posted on the website of all signatory companies and shared across their social platforms, with the content also distributed to local, b2b and trade media.

Continued on page 4...

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NOVEMBER 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

BEING AWAKE TO SENSITIVE SOCIAL ISSUES AS WELL AS INFLATIONARY CONCERNS I found myself hitting Google, yet again. It’s not unusual to find myself roaming the ‘Net as I research someone, or something, as I try and put a piece of prose together.

However, on this occasion I had been worrying about how to address a body of people in this ‘woke’ day and age.

The problem is that how we have been brought up sticks with us throughout our lives and after over 70 years of addressing bodies of people whether as an auctioneer, a presenter at bathing beauty contests (definitely unwoke!), lecturing on e-commerce, addressing conferences or presenting live shows on stage, the use of the greeting ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ simply trips off the tongue. A bit like standing up when a lady enters the room, holding doors for people, walking on the outside of the pavement, offering your seat to a lady or someone more disadvantaged than yourself, on a bus or the underground. The list goes on and on and it seems that these are all things we mustn’t do in 2021.

Your ever friendly search engine was full of information on companies who have announced that they are gender-neutral and that normal greeting or introduction should not be used. What was harder was finding out what should be used in its stead. There was plenty of comments to the effect that if people objected to being addressed as Ladies and Gentlemen then they need a reality check, and these types of people are those that spend all their days finding something to be offended over. What to do? ‘Welcome everyone’ sounds suspiciously like the greeting a vicar would give to his congregation and is, perhaps, a little too chummy or informal. Deeper research found a list of gender-neutral alternatives which

includes the following: Folks, Friends, Comrades, Assembled Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, Gentle Beings, Colleagues, Y’all, Humans, Allies, My Dears, Esteemed Guests, People, Collaborators, My Companions, Friends and Foes, Partners, Gathered Associates, Patrons and All Assembled.

You may shake your head at my rambling and obsessing over this problem, wondering what on earth it has to do with the fenestration industry and how it merits mention on Page 3 of this highbrow journal? Very simply, we are back to meeting people, face to face, and the next function that will have come and gone by the time you read Glass News is the Glazing Summit. The last thing I want to do is offend the fine body of people who will be attending so if I greet everyone with ‘Y’all’ or ‘Comrades’, don’t be surprised, although ‘Friends and Foes’ is currently high on my list of possible greetings! Christina and I are thoroughly looking forward to seeing everyone in Birmingham this week.

One of the important subjects being talked about at the Glazing Summit is, of course, the supply chain issue. The situation we find ourselves in reminds me much of the early ‘70s when we bought our first house. Inflation was rife with mortgage rates hitting 17% by the end of the decade – not easy for a young family trying to make their way through life. Prices now are climbing and, just like the ‘70s, oil prices have gone through the roof – indeed most staple products are seeing significant increases.

Whether glass is back in production and resin and steel are available, the simple fact is that prices for everything will go higher before stabilising. Will prices come down? I have my doubts. There are calls for wage rises and although there are more jobs advertised than the number of unemployed there seems to be a reticence to fill these vacancies. It does seem as if there are real parallels between the present day and the ‘70s – a winter of discontent with power outages?

Mercifully, we don’t have the strong unions that clamoured for strikes, with rubbish piling up in the streets, but there is the prospect of power supplies being diverted from industry to private homes, just to keep the lights on and the home fires burning.

We are certainly not out of the woods yet and even if the provision of raw materials stabilises, production issues and costs will undoubtedly increase.

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

www.glassnews.co.uk | November 2021

October 2021 crossword solution:

CONTENTS 4 Front Cover Story 6 Glazing Summit 2021

CONTACT DETAILS

10 Trade News 42 Coloured Products

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

45 Marketing 46 Hardware & Security 52 What Door?

‘TIME OUT’WINNERS – OCTOBER! Sudoku: Mr S Turner, Cardiff

56 Windows 60 Face To Face

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

62 G21 Preview 66 Machinery

Eye Spy: Mrs R Kyte, Carnforth, Lancaster

68 Case Study

Spot the Difference: P Butler, Littleborough, Manchester

72 Glass

Crossword: Rosie Webster, Norwich, Norfolk Congratulations to all our winners! Good luck in this months Time Out pages!

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

68 A Window Into Aluminium 75 Cold Calling 76 Letters 76 Charity News

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

78 Careers & Qualifications in Fenestration 80 Time Out! 81 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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3

FRONT COVER STORY “If any industry can adapt and emerge from this year stronger than ever, it’s ours.”

Continued from page 1...

Ryan concluded: “We will continue to work round the clock to deliver a product and service that clients are happy with, and we are confident that together we will correct these issues and things will stabilise – it’s just the timing that is currently uncertain.

“If any industry can adapt and emerge from this year stronger than ever, it’s ours.”

Signatories to the letter, include: • Ryan Green - Clayton Glass • Greg Kane – Conservatory Outlet • Steven Williams – Consort • Jeff Hooson – Custom Glass • Dan Sullivan DOORCO • Ryan Johnson – Emplas • Kevin Harvey - Future Products • Jeff Dunn - Glazerite UK Group • Mark Rowland Lancashire Trade Frames • Roy Frost - Lister Window Systems • John Whalley Nationwide Windows & Doors • Paul Williams – Northern Express Glass • Jeff Walsh – Pearl Windows • Chris Cooke - Prefix Systems • Guy Hubble – Regalead • Steve Jones - Sierra Windows • Steve Taylor - Solar Frame • Mike Parczuk Sternfenster • Sean Parnaby - West Port Timber Windows & Doors

4

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE WIDER FENESTRATION INDUSTRY We write this letter as a collective of nineteen independent fenestration companies, spanning all shapes, sizes, and different specialisms within the supply chain. Each of us have our own unique products and clients, but what unites us are the unprecedented and unrelenting challenges we’ve faced since the first day of lockdown back in March 2020.

We would now like to put on record and address several issues regarding the current state of play in our collective supply chain.

The purpose of this letter is to explain and rationalise where we are, and to call for everyone in our industry to show a #unitedfront in order to weather a common storm.

The following areas, although not exhaustive, hopefully give an idea of the impact Covid-19 has had on construction and related industries across the UK.

CONTINUED SUPPLY CHALLENGES Overwhelming demand for construction products since the easing of lockdown restrictions has left many resources in short supply, with much longer than usual lead times.

An industry web forum attended by many of us during the first closure, predicted that post lockdown demand would drift back up to perhaps 70% of normal levels by late September. In reality, most of our industry peers saw demand of 130% within 6 weeks of reopening - initially a huge relief of course, but with that relief came a number of subsequent serious issues.

Basic building materials, such as cement, timber, steel and paints, quickly became and continue to be heavily restricted, along with composite door slabs, uPVC profile, glass and other components.

Manufacturers have quite rightly shrunk back to focus on delivering their core products in volume, and so the huge choices our consumers and retail customers have enjoyed in recent years, are suddenly limited.

These factors have made it much harder for manufacturers, processors and fabricators to manage continuity of supply, often having to deal with last-minute shortages and delays beyond our control.

We fully acknowledge the impact this has had on the ability of our customers to forward plan their own scheduling requirements, and we are constantly working to improve forecasting and communication.

PRICE RISES Global shipping costs have risen sharply due to a shortage of empty containers caused by Covid-19. This, coupled with massive demand and competition from Europe, has meant most raw materials and components

involved in construction have been subject to overwhelming price rises.

For the time being at least, the days where price could be leveraged with scale of purchasing and volume buying are over, with all levels of the supply chain opting or needing to prioritise margin on a scarce resource over their top line.

This ultimately makes all our products more costly to manufacture and leaves us with no choice but to pass on surcharges and rises to our customers if we want to keep trading. Energy costs are also looming large on the horizon and may prove to be the toughest nut to crack long-term.

Please be assured, only those costs that can’t be fully absorbed are passed on, and, in all cases, limited to the lowest extent possible. This must be an approach taken by every level of the supply chain, with the focus moving away from undercutting rivals to focusing on long-term sustainable business planning.

LABOUR SHORTAGES Brexit has impacted heavily on recruitment in our industry, especially in our ability to recruit and retain logistics and manufacturing staff. This has been further compounded by the ongoing challenges of Covid-19 isolation requirements, which has seen some of our signatories lose 30% of their workforce overnight.

The historic stability of our industry workforce that allowed for high levels of reliability has been replaced with the need to manage a more transient and volatile landscape.

At the heart of this will be a commitment to investing in our

people, their wellbeing and job security, and we will continue to focus on training and development across all sectors.

A POSITIVE FUTURE So where does this take us?

The complexity of the fenestration supply chain today means there have been, and will continue to be, occasions where all suppliers and fabricators are forced to make unprecedented last-minute changes to their production schedules, commercial terms and delivery dates.

We accept the knock-on effect at consumer level can cause unjust damage to the long-standing reputation of strong, resilient businesses who are fighting tooth and nail for their customers and livelihoods. Consumers, on occasion, are also not receiving the service they have been accustomed to.

Our eyes are wide open to this, and on behalf of the wider supply chain in which we all operate, we would ask for your continued patience and understanding whilst we continue to work round the clock to deliver a product and service that you are happy with.

It is categorical that each of the above issues will self-correct and stabilise, only the timing of when this will happen is unknown.

Collectively, we hope this letter goes some way towards explaining the current challenges we are facing, and please be rest assured that we are all doing our utmost to support customers against the odds.

If any industry can adapt and emerge from this year stronger than ever, it’s ours.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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GLAZING GLAZING SUMMIT SUMMIT 2021 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

THETHE FUTURE FUTURE OF THE OF THE GLAZING GLAZING INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

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The GlazingThe Summit Glazing returns Summit to Edgbaston returns toConference Edgbaston Conference Centre on 21st Centre October. on 21st October.

Two years ago, Twowe years brought ago, together we brought 350together business350 owners, business owners, leaders and leaders decisionand makers decision frommakers across the fromindustry. across the industry.

Now, we’re Now, doing we’re it again. doing it again.

Glazing Summit Glazing 2021Summit will tackle 2021head-on will tackle thehead-on issues the issues facing the industry, facing the fromindustry, supply from chainsupply to consumer chain to trends, consumer trends, technology to technology sustainability to sustainability and new regulations. and new regulations.

Everything has Everything changed. has Fabricators, changed. Fabricators, installers, glass installers, glass companies and companies component and suppliers component willsuppliers come together will come together with a host ofwith industry a hostexperts of industry and experts keynoteand speakers keynote forspeakers for this one-daythis conference. one-day conference.

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“You gave the “You industry gave the a tremendous industry a tremendous boost with this boost with this superb event.” superb James event.”

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Over 400 people attended the Glazing Summit “The last Glazing “The last Summit Glazing wasSummit a breathwas of fresh a breath air. of fresh air.

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The 2021 event The 2021 looks set event to be looks bigger set toand be better.” bigger and better.”

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With the UKWith now the looking UK now beyond looking the pandemic beyond thetowards pandemic towards the economictherecovery, economic Glazing recovery, Summit Glazing 2021Summit will sell2021 will sell out fast. out fast.

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– ANDREW SCOTT ON THE GLAZING SUMMIT 2021

MILLION MILLION

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Social Media Social Media Expert Expert Major Industry Impressions Impressions Industry Leaders Industry Leaders Speakers Speakers Major Industry

Topics Topics

The Glazing TheSummit GlazingOrganised Summit Organised by by

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Andrew Scott, founder and CEO of the Glazing Summit, reflects on the event’s triumphant return to Edgbaston Cricket Ground. To some, glass and glazing is just a job – a place to work. But to me, it’s a passion.

I’ve given decades of my life to UK fenestration, first as a fabricator, then as a marketing strategist and business consultant - and between now and the day I retire, I’ll be doing everything in my power to help drive this sector forward. It was that passion that, back in 2018, led me to found the first ever Glazing Summit.

The idea was simple – fenestration faced big challenges and even bigger opportunities. By gathering the sector’s key decision makers in one place once a year, we could pool our talents and resources, overcome those challenges, and take full advantage of those opportunities for the benefit of everyone in our industry.

Back then, the big talking points were skills shortages, automation, regulation, sustainability, and the then stilllooming prospect of Brexit. But we had no idea what was around the corner.

TUMULTUOUS TIMES

L-R: Paul Godwin hosts the ‘Who wants to be an installer in 2021?’ debate with panellists Ryan Breslin, Business Pilot; Mike Adderley, The Window Centre; Paul Tripp, Paul Tripp Installations; and Will Hickman, Solarframe

complicated by severe supply chain disruption, shortages of even the most basic components and materials, spiralling prices and a Brexit-exacerbated skills crisis. And for me, one of the most frustrating things of all was that we couldn’t get together and talk about it. If ever there was a time for a Glazing Summit, that was it – but social distancing measures made that impossible.

Just a few years later, we’d be hit by the worst public health crisis in a generation, which shut down virtually the whole sector for the best part of a quarter. Then, following the relaxation of the first lockdown measures, consumer demand would come roaring back, resulting in one of the biggest home improvement booms in living memory.

Now, though, we’ve finally been able to meet – and it was definitely worth the wait. We welcomed over 400 of glass and glazing’s most influential people to Edgbaston Cricket Ground for a phenomenal day of insight, debate and discussion.

With that came incredible success for thousands of UK glazing businesses – but before long, that success was being

We were hugely fortunate to benefit from the expertise of respected people from across multiple fields. From the GGF,

BACK TOGETHER

L-R: Chris Champion hosts the debate on ‘Mergers & Acquisitions – Buy, Sell, or Bust’ with Sarah Hitchings, Residence Collection; Gary Morton, Central Window Systems; Andy Jones, Masterframe; and Gary Hyem, FRP Advisory

6

we heard from David Borland, Senior Technical Officer at Arbuthnot Latham, who shared insights on the everchanging regulatory minefield.

Bloomberg correspondent and Chief Investment Officer Greg Perdon was listed by Citywire as one of the Top 100 most influential wealth managers in Britain, and gave a presentation comparing Britain’s economic outlook to that of other major economies. Crucially, he foresaw a promising 2022 for UK home improvements.

Throughout the day, panel debates featuring sector VIPs also tackled the industry’s biggest issues, expertly compèred

by Chris Champion and Paul Godwin. With COP26 looming, attendees addressed climate change – questioning whether end-users really care about the environment, and whether the industry’s much talked-about commitment to sustainability is actually just a box-ticking exercise.

L-R: Mark McMullan, Astraseal; Guy Hubble, RegaLead; Ian Duckworth, Thermoseal; Daryl Cashmore and John Whalley, Nationwide Windows

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

GLAZING SUMMIT 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

THE FUTURE OF THE GLAZING INDUSTRY

EDGBASTON CONFERENCE CENTRE

THURSDAY 21ST OCTOBER

Book your place today.

The Glazing Summit returns to Edgbaston Conference Centre on 21st October.

L-R: Mark Hickox, Thermoseal; Bradley Beazant and Steven Massey, Regency Glass

Two years ago, we brought together 350 business owners, leaders and decision makers from across the industry.

Now, we’re doing it again.

Glazing Summit 2021 will tackle head-on the issues facing the industry, from supply chain to consumer trends, technology to sustainability and new regulations.

Everything has changed. Fabricators, installers, glass companies and component suppliers will come together with a host of industry experts and keynote speakers for this one-day conference.

LIMITED SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

“You gave the industry a tremendous boost with this superb event.” James Lee, Director of External Affairs, The GGF “The last Glazing Summit was a breath of fresh air.

The 2021 event looks set to be bigger and better.”

Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director, Yale

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With the UK now looking beyond the pandemic towards the economic recovery, Glazing Summit 2021 will sell out fast.

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L-R: Chris Champion hosts the debate on ‘Conquering the Supply Chain Crisis’ with panellists Samantha Nuckey, Window Ware; For more information, call Dean Bradley, Glazpart; Paul Sullivan, Anglo European and Guy Hubble, RegaLead

2019 IN NUMBERS

L-R: Charlotte Hawkes, Edgetech; Nigel Bishop and Sue Davenport, Liniar

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email hello@glazingsummit.co.uk or visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk

ONE

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350

24

Industry Leaders

Sean Scott, Purplex Marketing and Richard Bryant, Window Ware

Expert Speakers

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Greg Perdon, Bloomberg correspondent and Chief Investment Officer for Arbuthnot Latham presents the keynote speech on the UK Economic Outlook

business is better with insight

Geoff Burch, Author and International Business Consultant delivers the keynote entitled ‘Growth Through Leadership’

Leading installers debated the soaring cost of materials, and whether the drastic price rises they’ve received are really justified given the poor quality and service many continue to experience.

Industry VIPs contemplated the supply chain crisis, the changing dynamic between customers and suppliers, and when the industry will return to pre-pandemic levels.

Andrew Scott addresses the Summit

And a panel of experts discussed the growing number of mergers and acquisitions in fenestration, predicting further consolidation in the months and years ahead as a result of Brexit, changes to consumer demand, and the continuing fallout of COVID-19.

Sunil Patel, Unique Window Systems

Our industry is at its best when it’s together, engaged in lively discussion and debate, and working to overcome the obstacles ahead of us.

I left Edgbaston more energised and inspired than ever – and convinced that the sector’s passion and entrepreneurial spirit will see us through whatever the future throws at us. I can’t wait for next year.

For more information on partnering with the Glazing Summit next year, visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk.

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR FACE TO FACE But aside from all the fantastic content on the stage, one of the most gratifying parts of the day was simply watching attendees talking to one another – some meeting for the first time, others reconnecting after years.

Zoom has its place, and I suspect it will be part of our lives for some time to come – but what the Summit confirmed for me was that there’s no substitute for face to face.

Panellists John McComb, Reynaers Aluminium; Mark Gajda, Rehau; Charlotte Hawkes, Edgetech; and Leandro Peraro, Assa Abloy discuss ‘Is it time to embrace a sustainable future’.

Host Sam Cross poses audience questions to keynote speaker David Borland, GGF who spoke on ‘What you must know’ regarding regulation changes

Editor's comment: "There is no doubt that Andrew Scott and his team at Insight Data and Purplex should be congratulated on putting on an excellent event – the Glazing Summit had something for everyone and the first real chance for the industry to get together (after the best part of two years), to learn, discuss issues and socialise."

"The organisation by Andrew’s staff was impeccable and the venue ideal, as long as you weren’t trying to get out of Birmingham at around 17.00 hours! I’m sure we shall all look forward to the Glazing Summit 2022 and no doubt Andrew will welcome ideas on topics to discuss and thoughts on how such a great event could actually get better – the 2021 event is not an easy act to follow!"

Andrew Scott, Purplex Marketing & Insight Data and Mark Gajda, Rehau

www.glassnews.co.uk | November 2021

7

LEADERS LEADERS

GLAZING GLAZING SUMMIT SUMMIT 2021 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

THETHE FUTURE FUTURE OF THE OF THE GLAZING GLAZING INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATING FAST, SAYS INSIGHT DATA

EDGBASTON EDGBASTON CONFERENCE CONFERENCE CENTRE CENTRE

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The GlazingThe Summit Glazing returns Summit to Edgbaston returns toConference Edgbaston Conference Centre on 21st Centre October. on 21st October.

Two years ago, Twowe years brought ago, together we brought 350together business350 owners, business owners, leaders and leaders decisionand makers decision frommakers across the fromindustry. across the industry.

Now, we’re Now, doing we’re it again. doing it again.

Glazing Summit Glazing 2021Summit will tackle 2021head-on will tackle thehead-on issues the issues facing the industry, facing the fromindustry, supply from chainsupply to consumer chain to trends, consumer trends, technology to technology sustainability to sustainability and new regulations. and new regulations.

Everything has Everything changed. has Fabricators, changed. Fabricators, installers, glass installers, glass companies and companies component and suppliers component willsuppliers come together will come together with a host ofwith industry a hostexperts of industry and experts keynoteand speakers keynote forspeakers for this one-daythis conference. one-day conference.

LIMITED LIMITED SPONSORSHIP SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES

“You gave the “You industry gave the a tremendous industry a tremendous boost with this boost with this superb event.” superb James event.”

Lee, Director James Lee, of External DirectorAffairs, of External Affairs, The GGF The GGF “The last Glazing “The last Summit Glazing wasSummit a breathwas of fresh a breath air. of fresh air.

The 2021 event The 2021 looks set event to be looks bigger set toand be better.” bigger and better.”

Paul Atkinson, Paul Sales Atkinson, and Commercial Sales and Commercial Director, YaleDirector, Yale

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Insight Data, the glazing industry research and data company, has reported another decline in companies active in the market.

email hello@glazingsummit.co.uk email hello@glazingsummit.co.uk or visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk or visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk

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Social Media Social Media Expert Expert Major Industry Impressions Impressions Industry Leaders Industry Leaders Speakers Speakers Major Industry

Topics Topics

The Glazing TheSummit GlazingOrganised Summit Organised by by

insightdata insightdata business is better business withis insight better with insight

The latest 2021 report shows some stark facts and figures that were presented at the recent Glazing Summit Conference by Insight Data’s CEO, Andrew Scott. But it’s not all bad news says Alex Tremlett, Insight’s Operations Manager, who points to consolidation creating further opportunities in the industry.

Alex commented; “Andrew announced at the Glazing Summit some interesting trends which point to some realignment in the industry. The number of firms has declined, but this creates less competition and could be good for the industry.”

The number of fabricators and installers has dropped below 14,000 firms for the first time on record. Indeed, over the last two years (October 2019 to October 2021) a staggering 709 firms have been removed from the Insight database.

Some of these have gone bust, but many have simply retired and closed their doors, the impact of the pandemic being the final straw. Others have been the subject

of a takeover or merger, particularly as companies utilise low-level acquisitions as a way of acquiring staff and resources.

PVC-U FABRICATOR DECLINE The most striking figures show a significant drop in the number of PVC-U fabricators.

Over the last ten years (2011 to 2021) this has reduced year-on-year from 1,860 firms to just 1,195 – a drop of 35%.

The three primary reasons for this are; • Companies ceasing to fabricate to focus on installation/supply only • Mergers and acquisitions as companies acquire competitors • Business failure, most recently Sash UK, Total Glass and Indigo Products While some capacity has been absorbed by the existing manufacturers who have increased production output, the drop in fabricators has resulted in less supplier choice for those buying in frames, and reduced competition among fabricators.

It should be noted that while the number of PVC-u fabricators has declined, the number of aluminium fabricators has increased by 18% from 750 to 884 over the same 10-year period – with many PVC-U fabricators now adding aluminium to their portfolio of products.

"The number of fabricators and installers has dropped below 14,000 firms for the first time on record."

Number of PVC-U Fabricators

8

Number of Window and Door Installers

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

GLAZING SUMMIT 2021 THE FUTURE OF THE GLAZING INDUSTRY

EDGBASTON CONFERENCE CENTRE

THURSDAY 21ST OCTOBER

Book your place today.

The Glazing Summit returns to Edgbaston Conference Centre on 21st October.

Two years ago, we brought together 350 business owners, leaders and decision makers from across the industry.

Now, we’re doing it again.

Glazing Summit 2021 will tackle head-on the issues facing the industry, from supply chain to consumer trends, technology to sustainability and new regulations.

Everything has changed. Fabricators, installers, glass companies and component suppliers will come together with a host of industry experts and keynote speakers for this one-day conference.

LIMITED SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

“You gave the industry a tremendous boost with this superb event.” James Lee, Director of External Affairs, The GGF “The last Glazing Summit was a breath of fresh air.

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Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director, Yale

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With the UK now looking beyond the pandemic towards the economic recovery, Glazing Summit 2021 will sell out fast.

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ONE

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350

24

Industry Leaders

Expert Speakers

7

Major Industry Topics

INSTALLERS AT THE SHARP END

BUILDER-INSTALLERS

The number of installers across the UK has steadily increased year-on-year until 2017, when the trend reversed.

This was driven mainly by owner retirement, but also through a string of mergers/acquisitions and the collapse of several firms.

While the number of double glazing firms has declined, there is a rising movement among general builders now focusing directly on windows and doors and providing homeowners with extensions and other home improvements.

There are now 12,209 specialist double glazing installers on the Insight database. Most have now diversified, offering a wider range of windows and doors, conservatories and other home improvement products.

In fact, within the Insight Data ‘Local Builders Database’ over 10,400 builders say they actively advertise or promote windows and doors and so in reality, we have over 22,000 firms selling windows, doors and conservatories, many of which source their supplies through builders merchants and trade-counters, not necessarily directly from fabricators.

Despite the move to online sales experienced by many industries, installers with showrooms appear to be faring better than ever, and indeed many are investing in new and improved showrooms to demonstrate a wider portfolio of products.

Insight Data tracks in-depth installer information, including which systems they use, product volumes, financial data, showrooms and other information.

It is interesting to note that despite extremely difficult supply-chain issues, most installers remained with their existing suppliers. Loyalty may be a factor, but lack of supplier choice may be another as fabricators reach capacity and turn-away new customers.

While order books and sales remain strong, labour shortages and supply-chain issues have resulted in most installers having much larger pipelines and extended lead-times, at a time when material pricing is very unstable.

www.glassnews.co.uk | November 2021

The Glazing Summit Organised by

insightdata business is better with insight

Interested parties can register to receive a copy at www.insightdata.co.uk/reports/

"There are now 12,209 specialist double glazing installers on the Insight database."

CONCLUSION From a fabricator and installer perspective the industry is consolidating, with fabrication capacity reducing at a time when demand among homeowners has increased. Coupled with supply-chain issues and labour shortages the sector has faced the ‘perfect storm.’

However, with signs of the supply-chain improving and consumer demand predicted to continue in 2022, less competition in the marketplace may prove beneficial for all concerned.

This is an extract from the full Insight Data Report 2021, which will be available shortly.

Number of Double Glazing Installers & Builder Installers

9

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

PERFECTLY FRAMED VIEWS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT

Located next to Leigh-on-Sea, previously crowned Britain’s happiest place to live, the quaint town of Hadleigh in Essex recently welcomed in its newest housing development.

With the new block of flats and penthouses overlooking the scenic Salvation Army Field, installers SGC Glass were under pressure to deliver a high-performing and appealing window solution that would do justice to the development’s excellent views.

When the team at Springfield Residential Limited (Springfield) were looking for eyecatching windows for their new Hadleigh build, it was clear that only the best would do. This ambition was further amplified by the architect’s demands for a specific design that would complement the surrounding scenery.

Such strict guidelines meant the company needed to be sure of any potential solution’s quality, and were just about to place an order elsewhere when they were approached

by SGC Glass (SGC) and their eye-catching product solutions. Springfield’s Director, Dave Springfield, was particularly interested in SGC’s respectably priced REHAU TOTAL70 casement product offering that not only promised aesthetic appeal, but full functionality and low maintenance.

Impressed with the products and pricing, Springfield placed an order the very next day. In total, SGC installed 103 casement windows, nine French doors and four arched universal casements, all in white uPVC. The development’s owners were keen to ensure that the modernity of the buildings was reflected in all aspects of its design. This included any window solution products, which needed to be energy and thermal efficient, yet cost-effective. As well as ticking these boxes, REHAU’s double-glazed window systems contained a compound

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which allowed for a smooth gloss finish. As a result, they require very little follow-up work, ensuring they continue to look and function as good as new for years to come.

Chris Cottage, Director of SGC Glass, noted that the developer was already aware of REHAU: “I don’t know what was in mind previously for the development, but as soon as we mentioned REHAU, Dave was very interested. He knew that REHAU produced good, highquality windows, so he trusted us. He was also very impressed with the price, as REHAU Windows are known for adding value to any build at a reasonable rate.”

Instead of just replacing tired, old windows, SGC Glass found it refreshing to work on a clean new build that would complement the beauty of the surrounding area. The priority was to make sure everything suited the plan and to follow exactly what the architect had approved.

To ensure that the developers were happy with everything that had been required, SGC were efficient in providing an install evaluation.

Chris was particularly taken with the simplicity of the installation process. He said: “It was a really nice hassle-free job, and ideally we would want to try and get more work like that.

Besides the penthouse suites, many of the windows were repetitive in sizing and all in white – they were all two-bed flats with two sets of windows and doors each, so if adjustments were required, they were easy to make.”

In response, Dave was very pleased with the build: “Generally, the whole installation was very satisfactory. It took approximately two weeks to complete and we encountered no problems during the entire time.

“It was exactly what we asked for and I would definitely recommend any of the REHAU TOTAL70 casement products in the future for any similar projects. I look forward to working with SGC Glass again.”

Barry Gilligan, National Sales Director of Window Solutions at REHAU commented: “We have a longstanding relationship with SGC Glass, and we are proud of their professional and reliable installation service. The TOTAL70 range guarantees both aesthetically and performance pleasing results, and we are sure that the residents of the new Leigh-on-Sea development will be thrilled with the TOTAL70 range.”

For more information about REHAU’s TOTAL70 range, visit: www.rehau.com/uk-en/casement-windows

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

MODPLAN THANK STAFF WITH COMPANY CELEBRATION The senior management team at leading trade fabricator Modplan recently held a celebratory afternoon for all their employees at their Newport-based head office. All staff across the entire business downed tools and came together to enjoy a fun afternoon on Friday 1st October to recognise their hard work and commitment throughout the pandemic.

Heidi Sachs, Managing Director of Modplan, explains: “Since the end of lockdown one, our business has seen an unprecedented rise in demand for our products which has impacted the entire business. Whilst we have proactively put in place several new business measures and made considerable investments in manufacturing equipment to increase our output, we couldn’t have achieved our record growth without our talented staff.

And our celebratory afternoon was a way of us showing our continued appreciation to everyone at Modplan.”

Modplan is a successful fabrication business that builds strong partnerships with a growing customer base and drives product innovation. But behind the scenes, there beats a company whose core principle of appreciating their staff is first and foremost, as this employee afternoon

demonstrates. Held on site in a large marquee, the Modplan branded event saw a hog roast taking centre stage, with snacks and refreshments running throughout the afternoon.

To protect the safety of all their staff, the company was conscious of following strict Covid protocols that included track and trace by table, temperature checks on entry and a one-way system within the marquee.

Heidi said: “Throughout the business, we have adopted the strictest Covid safety protocols to keep all our staff safe. So even though we wanted this to be a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon, we still ensured measures were in place for the protection of everyone.”

In nearly five decades of trading, Modplan has worked hard to ensure they have a happy and committed workforce who understand the needs of the growing business. And throwing the afternoon employee event reaffirmed the commitment.

Heidi concluded: “It was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves after such a difficult 18 months. We are immensely proud of all our employees who remain dedicated to Modplan and our customers.

As such, it was only right that we thanked them for their efforts.”

Tel: 01495 246844 – www.modplan.co.uk

SWISSPACER LAUNCHES NEW PREMIUM CANOPY FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Leading warm edge spacer bar supplier SWISSPACER extends its range of innovative glass solutions with a new premium canopy system for commercial applications.

LUMIA, a continuous glass canopy made

by Logli Massimo, part of the Saint-Gobain group, joins La Pensilina - a frameless glass canopy designed for use above entrance doors and patio doors; and La Defender - a suite of high-performance balustrade systems.

An extremely versatile system, the maximum length of each LUMIA profile is 6m and any number of profiles can be combined to create a continuous and seamless façade. LUMIA is therefore ideal for a wide range of commercial applications.

The system offers unrivalled safety performance, designed to hold a vertical overload of 400kg/m2 without breaking.

LUMIA is not only safe, adaptable and functional, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing. The stylish system makes the most of light, with a backlit glass option

SWISSPACER launches new premium canopy for commercial buildings

providing a decorative touch and functional lighting allowing users to feel safer and more comfortable. The patent-pending, canopy system is easy to install and includes single, multi-glass and linear layouts.

John Cooper, Commercial Director of SWISSPACER UK & Ireland, says: “LUMIA is a great-looking system and we are delighted to add it to our existing range of Logli Massimo glass solutions. LUMIA combines style with safety and versatility, making it ideal for any type of commercial project or renovation.

“LUMIA opens up new selling opportunities for us and our customers, extending our suite of glass canopy solutions for residential and commercial buildings.”

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3jioKTx, call 01908 335 190 and follow @swisspacer.

EXPRESS TRADE FRAMES SAYS SHEERLINE IS ‘AHEAD OF THE MARKET’ Express Trade Frames (ETF) is one of the latest fabricators to manufacture Sheerline, the innovative aluminium window and door system from Garnalex.

Managing Director Scott Law says: “We knew Sheerline was going to be a great system and we wanted to get on board and grow with them as they grow. It’s ahead of the market. We’d followed Roger Hartshorn’s success at Liniar and wanted to be part of it.

“For us, the speed and ease of fabrication is important, and Sheerline really delivers. The market is asking for lower U-Values, especially on new build sites to meet tighter building

12

requirements, and this is easily achieved with Sheerline. We fabricate the flush sash option as standard and it’s beautiful with low sightlines. The feedback we’ve had from installers has been really positive, they say it’s easy to install and glaze up.”

sorted any queries we’ve had quickly and easily.”

Roger Hartshorn, CEO of Garnalex, says: “We’re delighted to have Express Trade Frames as one of our Sheerline partners.

And we’re particularly pleased

that Scott refers to our quick delivery service and ‘faultless service and support’. One of my objectives from the very start was to build Garnalex’ service and support around customers’ need to provide their customers with first class service and support.

Based in Fleetwood, Lancashire for 22 years, ETF has been fabricating aluminium for just three, but aluminium has grown so fast it now exceeds its PVC-U sales. It’s grown fast because of its sustainability credentials, colour choice and slim sightlines.

Scott adds: “The market has responded very well to Sheerline and we’ve already picked up several commercial contracts on the back of sending out samples.

As delivery times from Garnalex are so quick - within five working days – we’ve been able to reduce our stock levels. The support and service from the Sheerline team has been faultless, they have

That’s why its ‘Made in Britain’ here in Derby, and why we keep all our profiles and components in stock. That gives us complete control over our short supply chain and enables us to offer the shortest lead times in aluminium.

Customers get delivery of Sheerline profiles in 12 stocked colours in just five working days, or – for normal aluminium - an amazing 10 working days for bespoke colours. Not only is Sheerline ahead of the market in innovative design, it’s beautiful, and it’s ahead of the market in terms of service and support too.”

For information about ETF, visit www.e-t-f.co.uk.

Express Trade Frames says Sheerline is ‘ahead of the market’

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

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Aluminium done the Emplas way

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

VEKA GROUP COMMITMENT TO RECYCLED PVC-U MARKED

BY TANKER DELIVERIES

GRANADA SECONDARY GLAZING TO HOST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH EVENTS IN NOVEMBER Granada Secondary Glazing is to host three launch events in November to give trade customers and commercial partners the opportunity to see their new high-spec secondary glazing product range firsthand.

It will be the first time that the secondary glazing specialist has showcased its new products ‘out on the road’ following the postponement of the FIT Show earlier this year.

On display at the events will be six main product types – Horizontal, Vertical and Tilt-In Vertical Sliders and Lift Out, Hinged and Slimline Units - specially chosen to give attendees an idea of the aesthetics of the entire range, rather than just specific products. Guests are welcome to attend any time to view the products.

The roadshows will also feature presentations outlining the key features and upgrades of the new range, plus a short CPD overview from Commercial Director Mike Latham. A free lunch will be provided for all those attending.

The dates and venues are: • Tuesday November 2nd, Birmingham City Football Club, 10am to 2pm • Thursday November 11th, Pullman Hotel, St Pancras, London, 10am to 2pm • Thursday November 18th, Leeds United Football Club, 10am to 2pm Developed following extensive customer consultation, the entire new range features ultra-slim, durable aluminium frames creating even narrower sightlines than its predecessor. It offers the most discreet secondary glazing system available for homeowners, trade customers and

commercial partners and the frames can be powder coated in over 200 RAL colours.

Zoe Grafton, Trade Sales Manager at Granada Secondary Glazing, comments: “Given the way the world has been over the past 18 months, it is fantastic to be able to host these events and bring our trade customers and commercial partners together in a face-to-face setting.

“Images and videos, whilst incredibly powerful, don’t truly do justice to the unobtrusive aesthetics of our new product range; it really has to be seen in the flesh.

We look forward to seeing as many of our partners at these events as possible.”

Lewis Hartley, Marketing Manager at Granada Secondary Glazing, adds: “Given the considerable size of our customer base, we felt it was important to offer separate events in the south, the north and the midlands.

“We have selected venues that are easy to access and give our customers the best chance of being able to take time out of their busy schedules. If the demand is there, we may well look to expand these events across other locations throughout the country and Scotland.”

Anyone interested in attending is asked to let Granada Glazing know beforehand on 01909 499899 or to contact their local Granada business development manager.

More information is available at www.granadaglazing.com.

A commitment to recycling PVC-U by the VEKA Group that spans almost three decades, is epitomised by a photograph that captures a delivery of recycled PVC-U pellet by VEKA Recycling Ltd, to sister company, systems extruder VEKA PLC. VEKA was the first major PVC-U window brand to realise the value and commit to the recycling of the material, which may be recycled and remanufactured into new products as many as 10 times, when it opened the first dedicated recycling facility in Behringen, Germany, in 1993. The tanker deliveries of high-quality recycled pellet to VEKA PLC’s Burnley plant, mark the latest phase of the Group’s commitment to the promotion of PVC-U as a sustainable material, with the completion of VEKA Recycling’s state-of-the-art facility in Wellingborough at the end of last year.

Deliveries by tanker allow 26 tonnes of high-grade PVC-U pellet – enough to provide 75% recycled content for 27500 metres of profile - to be transferred at each end of the journey in less than a couple of hours, with as many as three deliveries per week. The process is considerably quicker than the alternative delivery method of one tonne bags that are lifted on and off the delivery vehicle by forklift truck.

“The completion of our Wellingborough plant enables us to supply our sister company in Burnley not simply due to the availability of high volumes of recycled material, but also because the quality satisfies VEKA PLC’s exacting standards for quality,” explained VEKA

Recycling’s Managing Director Simon Scholes. “Although we are both part of the VEKA dynasty, we have not been given the automatic right to supply Burnley. We had to demonstrate an ability to supply high volumes of the finest quality material, on a regular basis. There was never any question of a silver spoon,” added Simon.

VEKA PLC MD Neil Evans said that the completion of the Wellingborough plant, followed by strenuous trials, enabled his company to honour its commitment to the inclusion of higher levels of recyclate in its products: “This commitment is contained in our latest CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility] manifesto published in 2021, which details our commitment to sustainability in every aspect of our business. I am delighted that our sister company has been able to open as scheduled despite the difficulties of building the plant during the pandemic, and also that the quality and volumes are to our very exacting standards at Burnley.”

VEKA recycling Ltd continues to supply a number of other established customers with recycled material, including manufacturers of electrical conduit, air conditioning ducting and other building materials: “VEKA PLC has become an important customer, together with others with whom we have traded for many years. But it feels very special to see end-of-life window and door profiles, being re-manufactured into new frames,” added Simon.

AS SIMPLE AS SKETCHING ON A PAD

TOMMY TRINDER GET PATENT FOR UNIQUE DRAWING INTERFACE The ability to free draw windows and doors with your finger (or mouse) has become an iconic feature of Tommy Trinder’s Framepoint® platform. And now the technology is protected by patent.

Chris Brunsdon, founder and CEO, is chuffed: “Installers want quoting software that is easy to use, and It doesn’t get any simpler than free-sketching your windows and doors.

There’s a real wow moment for homeowners when they see it in action too. We’re so chuffed this ground-breaking technology has finally been recognised with a patent.”

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Getting a patent for software applications is notoriously difficult, and it’s been long process for the firm. Chief Technology Officer, Robert Franks, explains:“We started developing our free-drawing technology a little over eight years ago. Chris showed me how he sketched out windows and doors on an A4 pad when he was selling to a homeowner and told me he wanted to be able sketch windows on a computer, in the same, simple way. New technology to render shapes and images via the web was just emerging at that time, and we moved quickly to leverage this to develop our

interface for hand-drawing windows and doors. I’m really proud of what we managed

to deliver - the images are super-fast and photo-realistic throughout the system.

Getting the patent is the icing on the cake!”

Commenting on what this means for Framepoint® subscribers, Chris Brunsdon says:“This patent means Framepoint® will be the only software that can do this for the next 20 years, so it gives our subscribers something even more unique to set them apart from the competition.”

Installers can find out more about Framepoint® and book a free demo at www.tommytrinder.com.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

MRA MARKETING SHORTLISTED FOR 4 CONSTRUCTION MARKETING AWARDS Full-service agency MRA Marketing has been shortlisted for awards in four different categories at this year’s Construction Marketing Awards (CMAs).

Despite industry supply problems, high demand and COVID-19 constraints, the prestigious awards have again attracted the best and brightest from across the sector.

Winner of 20 previous CMA awards, and twice winner of the CMA’s Agency of the Year, MRA Marketing has been selected as a finalist in two categories for their work with Deceuninck: in the prestigious Strategic Planning & Management award, and for Best use of Press & Public Relations. The company is also a finalist in Best Built Environment Member Organisation Marketing Campaign for the Construction Products Association’s highly successful Building Safely consultation.

MRA Marketing’s Verity Bailey was also shortlisted for Emerging Agency Star of the Year. Verity is a recently promoted Middleweight Designer who has established herself as a true star, taking a leading role in a number of high-profile projects since joining the agency a year ago.

Phil Boyland, MRA Marketing’s Operations Director says: “MRA Marketing has a long legacy of wins at the CMAs, and we’re

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“To be shortlisted in four categories is a fantastic achievement and a true representation of the commitment of our team and their dedication to helping customers grow and win in their markets.

I, for one, can’t wait to celebrate in-person with customers, colleagues and industry partners at the awards ceremony in December. Good luck to all the finalists!”

The winners will be announced at a ‘live’ gala dinner on 2nd December.

See the full CMA 2021 shortlist here: https://bit.ly/3jBzm05 For more information on MRA Marketing visit www.mra-marketing.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @MRAMarketing and LinkedIn @MRA-Marketing

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

DELIVERING CERTAINTY FOR INSTALLERS What installers want most at the moment is certainty.

After so much disruption in the supply chain, they’re quite rightly looking for fabricators who won’t let them down.

There can’t be a single fabricator in the UK that hasn’t had to apologise to customers at some point over the past year because of extended lead times or dips in service levels. Certainly, at AluFold Direct, we faced sudden shortages in the summer of both aluminium and polyamide and we were acutely conscious of the impact that had on our customers. It was a humbling experience for a business like ours to fall short in terms of customer service, even for a short time, and it is one which we are determined never to have to repeat.

However, the idea that fabricators just have to survive this period, wait for supply levels to be restored and then resume normal service afterwards is fundamentally wide of the mark. If they genuinely want to remain a supplier of choice for installers, then fabricators have to be doing so much more than that.

At AluFold Direct, we’re nearing the end of a major investment in a new factory, new machinery, new software and a new management team, all designed to ensure that we can massively increase capacity while maintaining outstanding quality levels and market leading lead times. We’re determined to make buying and installing frames in aluminium as fast and accessible as buying in PVC-U. We spent the pandemic transforming our entire operation so that we now have an industrial scale manufacturing facility, capable of delivering consistent, highly repeatable precision outputs in windows,

AluFold Direct's factory in Blackburn

doors and rooflights. There have been some growing pains of course, but we have a platform in place to build the certainty which installers demand.

Unlike most aluminium fabricators who put multiple products down the same assembly lines and accept the limitations that puts on speed and volumes, we now have three dedicated high-speed lines, each with their own top of the range cutting and machining centres and fully automated four head crimpers. Each of these lines has huge capacity to grow as demand increases and our customers expand.

The new software we introduced into the business over the past year is already improving the flow of information right the way from order to despatch. It gives us full traceability through all of the core business processes and means that the new management team have all the insight they need.

And, this new, expanded team has brought substantial new experience and expertise

Windows, patios and bifolds are manufactured on separate lines at AluFold Direct to maximise efficiencies

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into AluFold Direct ensuring that we have the essential skills right across the business to guarantee best practice processes are being implemented throughout. When you’re looking to grow at the scale we are and to fundamentally improve the quality of customer experience, it’s not enough to rely on a small number of individuals – no matter how talented they might be.

Of course, the whole of the market is still, to a degree, constrained by limits on supply but we have acted more quickly and certainly more effectively than most fabricators to reach agreements which have made our supply chain substantially more robust.

Over the Summer, consultants McKinsey published an interesting report asking: ‘What’s next for consumers, workers and companies in the post Covid-19 recovery?’

One of the points it made was that it was mostly bigger businesses that took bold actions during the pandemic in the adoption of technology and in speeding up operational innovation. Unsurprisingly,

Machinery investments are part of the operational efficiencies at AluFold Direct

these ‘superstar’ companies that invested most in R&D saw the gap between their profits and the rest of the market widen.

Interestingly, the report also pointed out that, if the actions of these ‘superstar’ companies spread widely amongst businesses of all sizes, then the disruption caused by the pandemic could actually offer a path to broad-based growth and higher productivity – potentially a 1% increase in annual productivity right up until 2024.

That’s as true for this industry as it is for any other. Those businesses that are best placed to move forward into the recovery are those that have prioritised growth rather than just survival.

By Russell Yates, Managing Director, AluFold Direct More info: www.alufolddirect.co.uk

Quality and efficiency hand in hand at AluFold Direct

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Ultimate Security With HighPerformance and Low U-Values

System 10-35 Hi / Hi+ Commercial Door and Framing Providing high-performance strength and security, Metal Technology’s new innovative, commercial door and framing system has been developed to offer exceptionally low U-values, delivering as low as 1.27 W/m2K with double glazing and 0.93 W/m2K with triple glazing. Ideal for high traffic locations within the commercial, health, education or retail sector.

Multi-point locking is achievable on sash heights up to 3 metres and 100kgs with glazing from 28mm to 44mm units. With the full 10-35 range of door and framing systems tested to PAS 24, designers can specify security doors with confidence.

Further info & technical data at

metaltechnology.com

PAS 24 security tested to comply with Secured by Design criteria (in single or double door applications).

Multi-Point Locking Mag Locks Panic Exit (Push Rail or Touch Bar)

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FREEFOAM, HERO’S OF ZERO As many manufacturing plants strive towards operating in a more sustainable way to help reduce waste and manage valuable resources Freefoam Building Products announce a significant milestone on their journey. Working with waste and energy partner BIFFA, Freefoam send no site waste to landfill.

turned in to energy, which is subsequently sold back to the National Grid.

Energy recovery is a technology that sees non-recyclable waste burned at high temperatures under carefully controlled conditions. The process is extremely efficient, robust and safe, with emissions from the process treated to meet stringent European guidelines.

So what happens to the energy once generated? Taking one month as an example the energy provided by Freefoam

Production and site waste is processed in three ways.

In the year to date 44.43% of our general waste was foam and rigid plastic which is collected by our waste partner who process it in to shredded PVC recyclate format. This material is a valuable commodity and can be used to manufacture many other products. The remaining 8.77% of packaging and cardboard is also sent to be recycled.

Our commercial waste, that cannot be recycled, goes to Energy Recovery. It is also collected and transported to a nearby Energy Recovery Facility. Here it is processed and

Zero Waste Infographic

waste could have powered a 400 watt fridge freezer for 354 weeks, or 6.8 years or a 1500 watt dishwasher for 118 weeks, or 2.2 years - amazing!

Herbert Livingstone, Quality, Safety, Health & Environmental Manager (QSHE), commented “We are very proud to be operating our plant in such a sustainable way. We have worked hard to separate and manage waste on site so that we don’t need to send any to landfill. This work is just a small part of a much wider programme to ultimately deliver a circular business model and help towards the UK’s target to become a net-zero economy.” www.freefoam.com

SWAINSTONS AGREE THREE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH PROFILE 22 Domestic, trade and commercial fabricator Swainstons has agreed a new three-year partnership extension with popular Epwin Window Systems’ brand Profile 22. The agreement will see Swainstons celebrate 25 years as a Profile 22 fabricator. Karl Swainston, Managing Director at Swainstons, said: “We are delighted to have agreed this partnership. Optima from Profile 22 is an award-winning, quality system that works in all the sectors we operate in. We also enjoy excellent support from Matt Scott at Epwin Window Systems, which is a great bonus.”

Matt Scott, Business Development Manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “Swainstons has been trading since 1964 and is a well-known name in the North East. It’s great news they will be continuing

to supply our Optima system to their customers and we’re looking forward to supporting them.”

factory which means it is able to guarantee quality and turnaround times, which gives it a reliability its customers appreciate.

Like so many businesses, Swainstons has seen increasing interest in feature-rich products over the past few months. Karl said: “There’s definitely a shift taking place but with Optima we’re well placed to deliver on the increasing expectations.

It has all the high-end aesthetics and superior product performance that our customers demand.”

Profile 22 is the UK’s biggest window and door systems brand and is home to Optima, the award-winning PVC-U window and door system designed to look better and perform better than any other system on the market. Combined with a proactive package of sales, marketing and technical support that delivers at the highest level, it’s a compelling proposition for any future-focused business.

Swainstons is a second-generation familyrun company based in Stockton-on-Tees that supplies customers across the North East and Yorkshire including Thirteen Group, Cleveland Police, Cygnet and Stockton Council. All its products are manufactured in its 20,000 square foot

Repeat custom is a good indication of a quality product. So, when Swainstons looks towards celebrating its 25th anniversary as a Profile 22 customer, it’s a powerful testimonial.

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

L – R Karl Swainston, MD at Swainstons. Matt Scott – BDM, Epwin Window Systems

MERCURY MAKES THE SHORTLIST IN THREE NFA 2021 CATEGORIES Specialist aluminium and PVC-U trade fabricator Mercury have been named as finalists in three categories at the 2021 National Fenestration Awards.

The categories include Bifold Door Manufacturer, Fabricator/Manufacturer and Vertical Sliding Window Company.

Steve Cross, Director of Mercury, said: “Everyone at Mercury is delighted to have been shortlisted in three categories. These nominations celebrate the hard work and efforts of our talented internal teams along with the continued support of our voting customers and supply partners.”

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The National Fenestration Awards are the industry’s fastest growing, independent awards event. Launched in 2013 and now into its ninth campaign, the National Fenestration Awards aims to be the fairest, all-inclusive fenestration event, rewarding the very best in the sector and voted by the participation of the industry.

The voting closes on November 4th at 9 pm, and the winners are announced live at the dual winners’ event being held on November 6th at Doncaster Racecourse.

This new event will also recognise the winners of the 2020 campaign that was disrupted by the pandemic.

The nominations come on the back of a successful eighteen months for the Gloucester-based business who have made several largescale investments as part of their continued growth strategy. Steve said: “Since 2020, we have doubled our turnover and remain well on track to continue to meet our growth strategy over the next four-years. We recently opened a second high-end manufacturing plant and recruited several high-level appointments to our internal team.”

Mercury offers a comprehensive product portfolio to help add value to its customers’ businesses across all market sectors.

Steve concludes: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted and wish all finalists the best of luck.”

To vote for your winner, visit https://www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa21/

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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PART L ROUND TABLE

– AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD NOW AluK’s Part L Round Table, held at its London Design Studio on 5 October and chaired by Glass News editor Chris Champion, was the latest in a series of initiatives by the aluminium systems company to try to increase awareness of the changes on their way to the Building Regs.

Recorded as a podcast, which is available to download via the AluK learning platform (http://www.alukgb.com/learning/fhs) or the usual podcast outlets, it covered everything from whether the changes coming to Part L have been communicated well enough, to the design and manufacturing implications, and of course the likely costs.

The round table panel comprised: Sioned Roberts and Dale Pegler from AluK, Gareth Allen from Saint Gobain, Craig Bryant from Maco, Ryan Johnson from Emplas, Kevin Jones from the GGF, John Miles from Assent Building Control and Mark Taylor from architects Allies and Morrison.

Each contributed a different perspective on the likely implications of the proposed two stage reduction in U-Values between 2022 and 2025, and there was plenty of discussion and debate on who would be required to pay for that.

suppliers shouldn’t be afraid to recoup their investments if they deliver real benefits to the customer and ultimately to the sustainability agenda.

Panellists agreed though that fabricators and installers will need meaningful support in order to communicate to homeowners why windows and doors may look a little different in the future and to be able pass on increased costs, and there was a real willingness from suppliers and from the GGF to make that happen.

down the line and welcomed AluK’s proactive approach.

There was also a consensus that there needs to be better collaboration right across the industry on developing holistic solutions to the challenges posed by what are quite significant reductions in U-Values – moving from 1.4 to 1.2 for windows in new build homes next year and then potentially to 0.8 by 2025.

Dale Pegler reported that AluK is already undertaking elemental design changes ready for 2022 but pointed out that the 0.8 target would require much broader collaboration between systems houses, glass and hardware suppliers.

On the question of whether it meant a wholesale shift towards triple glazing in the future, most on the panel agreed that, at this point, it seems inevitable; with Gareth Allen from Saint Gobain confirming that his business was gearing up for that kind of change, and Craig Bryant from Maco reporting that the hardware sector is already assessing how hardware designs would have to adapt to allow for that.

What came over loud and clear during the discussion is that all the design and development investments being made across the industry will have to be paid for at some point, with Sioned and Craig putting forward a similar view that

Towards the end of the debate, some interesting points were made by Kevin Jones from the GGF about the potential conflict between the proposed changes to Part L on performance, Part F on ventilation, Part Q on security and what is expected to be named Part S on overheating.

John Miles and Mark Taylor agreed that Part L on air tightness and Part F on controlled ventilation are particularly difficult to reconcile in U-Value calculations for existing housing stock and in refurbishments, with Mark arguing that there are unrealistic expectations in the UK as to what can be achieved in terms of carbon reduction in older buildings.

He made the point that the Building Regs need to be seen in the context of the government’s overall zero carbon strategy, which encompasses a move towards heat pumps and decarbonisation of the grid.

With AluK determined that the window and door industry should have a bigger share of voice when it comes to how the Building Regs are updated and ultimately policed in the context of government policy, it is already planning to host a follow up Round Table and has announced that this will be the first in a series of podcasts tackling the big industry issues.

In terms of themes to emerge, there was general agreement that not enough had yet been done to communicate the likely changes to Part L to either the specification or manufacturing sector. Ryan Johnson felt that fabricators grappling with demand and supply chain issues have simply been too busy to pay attention to what is coming

More details including a link to download the podcast are at: http://www.alukgb.com/learning/fhs

Comment by Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion: “I was very happy to be invited to be part of AluK’s Part L round table as it is clear that many in the industry are not ready for the changes that are coming. I commend AluK for producing the podcast and hope the discussions that took place, and the guidance given by the various experts present, will help towards providing greater clarity to the updated Building Regulations that our industry faces. The two stage reduction in U-Values between 2022 and 2025 will have a serious effect on design, fabrication and installation of product and it is vital that we all get to grips with the implications that the changes are bringing.”

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Benefits without compromise with TOTAL70 Our TOTAL70 window and door system achieves the highest possible energy ratings and performance. With two aesthetic options to choose from, TOTAL70c (chamfered) and TOTAL70s (sculptured), REHAU opens up a world of choice to complement any style of property.

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EMBRACING THE GREAT

WOW-TDOORS!

2020 kickstarted a home improvement trend like we’ve never seen before, with more homeowners than ever dedicating time and money to projects to improve their property. This trend has continued right the way through 2021, and there’s no sign of it waning.

The uplift in demand is particularly noticeable at the top end of the market ‘The Haves’, where already well-off homeowners have accumulated significant savings during lockdown. This group want great-looking products with a wow factor, which is why aluminium bi-folds, orangeries and statement colour windows have all been growing strongly within this market segment.

We are also seeing increasing demand for products that enhance outdoor spaces.

Earlier this year, a survey by home design platform Houzz.co.uk revealed that more than a third (36%) of homeowners planning renovations wanted to upgrade their gardens. This trend is inspired by the pandemic, as people spent more time in their gardens, either for socialising or sanctuary.

NEW PRODUCTS, NEW MARKETS SWISSPACER’s exclusive range of glass solutions by Logli Massimo is giving window and door installers an opportunity to diversify their portfolio with new, premium products. These include glass balustrades and canopies.

La Defender is an innovative balustrade system that provides a versatile solution for inside and outside the home. The stylish system is available in a range of sizes and designed for easy, one-sided installation.

Its slim profile is most suited to high-end residential properties, creating a feeling of space and openness. However, size options are available up to 3KN loads, making this system also suited to large-scale commercial projects, like shopping centres and sports venues.

Launching soon is La Defender 1010 MS - a ground-breaking single-sided balustrade ideal for high-rise developments, with all fixtures and fittings on one side for easy installation and ongoing maintenance.

22

The premium home improvement trend shows no sign of slowing, so it’s a great time for installers to offer something new to customers that will give their home a wow factor, says John Cooper, Commercial Director at SWISSPACER.

La Defender systems are tested to British and European standards for glass barriers.

Continuous gaskets maximise performance through the glass, and anodised aluminium covers enhance durability.

SWISSPACER’s La Pensilina is a versatile cantilever, load-bearing external glass canopy system, providing outdoor shelter with a modern edge over traditional fabric canopies. This contemporary solution can be installed above entrance doors, sliding doors or folding patio doors so homeowners can enjoy their outdoor spaces come rain or shine.

La Pensilina has no visible screws, adding to its minimalist design and creating an eyecatching ‘floating’ effect. The continuous aluminium profile of up to 3m with a maximum projection of 1.2m is strong and can hold a distributed load of up to 350 kg/ m2. It’s simple to install, with no rods or glass cut-outs required.

The super-stylish canopy system recently caught the attention of aluminium specialists Montane Projects, who specified La Pensilina for a Crest Nicholson development in Solihull. The glass canopies were installed across six exclusive apartment blocks at Blythe Valley Park.

Adrian Locker, Owner of Montane Projects comments on the superior quality of La Pensilina compared to other systems on the market: “The design is simple and contemporary with minimal amounts of material on show. It is slim and easy to install and, unlike other products, doesn’t need lots of support to keep it in place.

Installation was straightforward too. We will definitely be adding La Pensilina to our portfolio.”

and seamless façade. The system offers unrivalled safety performance and is designed to hold a vertical overload of 400kg/m2 without breaking.

LUMIA gets a wow factor for its aesthetics and practical benefits, with a backlit glass option and functional lighting. The patent-pending system is also easy to install and includes single, multi-glass and linear layouts.

For installers who want to offer something different and exciting, it’s clear that glass canopies and balustrades can create new business opportunities across premium residential and commercial markets.

For more information visit www.swisspacer.com/en or call 01908 335190.

GROWING DEMAND, NEW SOLUTIONS Responding to the high demand for glass canopies, SWISSPACER has also recently introduced a new commercial solution for restaurants, shops and light industrial units. LUMIA is a frameless glass canopy with a maximum profile length of 6m and a maximum projection of 1.5m, but any number of profiles can be combined together to create a continuous

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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DECEUNINCK UK PROCESSES MORE THAN A MILLION LINEAR METRES OF FOILED PRODUCT IN ONE MONTH

INDUSTRY IS READY TO GET BACK TO FIT

Deceuninck UK has underlined its position as the UK’s leading supplier of foils and colour by processing more than a million linear metres of foiled product in September.

Organisers of FIT Show, the UK’s only dedicated trade show for the glass, glazing and components industry, have announced strong visitor appetite for its May 10 - 12 event.

The systems company has invested significantly in its manufacturing capacity, including a multi-million pound spend on new extrusion lines and an additional Luna R automatic profile lamination machine.

When FIT Show opens its doors at the NEC next May, organisers are anticipating record levels of visitor numbers as it brings the industry back together for the first time since 2019. Over 80% of space has already been allocated to exhibiting brands.

Part of a dedicated, state of the art foiling facility at Deceuninck’s 140,000ft2 facility in Calne, Wiltshire, the latest Luna R machines represents the cutting edge of lamination technology.

Designed to process highly complex profiles and delivering an exceptional quality of finished product, they have further enhanced Deceuninck’s class leading colour offer and its ability to supply more than 30 different colourways from stock.

“Demand for colour has increased massively and our customers can benefit from that because we are able to supply them with product ‘off the shelf ’,” said Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck UK. “We operate a similar model to Amazon.

Orders are placed remotely, through Deceuninck Online, and as soon as they

come in, we are able to access the stock that’s required from our warehouse, so there’s no additional lead time.

“And as soon as that has been selected and despatched, orders are automatically raised with our production department to replace the profile that’s been sent out,” continued Rob. “We are replenishing our stock, rather than manufacturing to a just in time model.”

Operating six foiling lines, each dedicated to a specific product type, Deceuninck is also able to supply an additional 20 colours in just 15 working days.

“We know from our research with YouGov that homeowners want colour, but not all installers have been able to take advantage of that because they’ve been increasingly compromised on the price and availability of foils from their supplier,” said Rob. “For our customers that’s not the case, on average they are selling twice as much colour as their competitors, and for some it represents as much as 60% of their total order volume. It’s proved to be a key driver for growth,” he concluded.

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

Visitor pre registration figures continue to track well above the numbers for the same point in the campaign for 2019, reinforcing the appetite to get back to live events. Over 400 people registered in one week alone in June.

Organisers have observed a broadening of the types of people who have registered to visit the exhibition, as well as a change in focus for reasons for attending and the products that they want to see at FIT Show 22.

Installers (over 25%) top the main company activity for those who have pre-registered to visit FIT Show in May, closely followed by fabricators (12%), glaziers (11%) and builders/property developers (9%). The broad mixture of categories spans right through to merchants, architects and local authorities.

Doors remain the number one product that visitors will be attending FIT Show to see, compare and purchase. Bi-fold doors just top the list (5%) with an even spread of appetite for aluminium doors, windows, composite products, hardware and furniture. Garden accessories feature more prominently than previous years at 2% reflecting the growing trend for outdoor living.

FIT Show typically attracts 10,000 visitors across the three days of the show. A large proportion of those who have registered early to visit are C-suite level, with company director (22.5%), business owner (17%) and MD (12%) all featuring as the primary visitor job title.

Reinforcing the importance of face-to-face business and the appetite to get back to live events, the main reasons that pre-registrants have highlighted as their reasons for visiting include; to see new products and equipment (24%) and to meet suppliers, customers and network (23%.)

There is also a clear appetite for FIT Show’s learning programme with 21% of pre-registrants wanting to keep abreast of changes in the industry (21%), as well as specifically wanting to attend seminars (7%).

Speaking about the encouraging visitor data, FIT Show event director, Nickie West comments: “It’s hugely encouraging to see such a strong appetite for FIT Show, as reflected in the high number of visitors who have pre registered much earlier in our campaign. With no industry event since 2019, it’s time to get back together and reconnect.

“I’m always eager to dig deeper into our visitor data and have been encouraged by the breadth of interest we have received from various job functions. But what I am most excited to see within the data is the broadening of the areas of interest from our pre-registered visitors. It’s far from being isolated just to windows and doors, with different materials featuring prominently as an area of interest amongst visitors, and significant interest for new products to enhance outdoor living.

“After an extended period of restricted face-to-face business we hope that the entire industry will share in our enthusiasm at getting back to doing what we do best. FIT Show is the UK’s flagship event for the glass and glazing industry and we are excited to showcase all of the latest products and innovations when we return next May.”

PARTNERSHIP WITH REYNAERS ALUMINIUM EXPANDS PYROGUARD PORTFOLIO OF FIRE SAFETY GLASS SOLUTIONS Pyroguard, part of the Technical Fire Safety Group, is pleased to announce a series of successful test results following an ongoing partnership and international test programme with leading aluminium framing manufacturer, Reynaers Aluminium.

insulated and suitable for a complete range of applications including; doors, windows, façades, curtain walling and glazed partitions up to five metres in height.

The global provider of fire safety glass can now offer even more choice to its customers with an extended portfolio of industry-approved solutions in a series of different classifications ranging from EW30 to EW60 and EI30 to EI60.

Speaking about the partnership, Richard Ainsworth, Group Technical Director at Pyroguard, said: “It’s been great to work closely with Reynaers Aluminium on developing and testing this new series of glazed fire safety systems, and we’re delighted with the results. At Pyroguard, we are always looking to expand our portfolio allowing us to offer our customers even more choice.

Providing architects, specifiers and contractors with even more choice, these unique designs are elegant, highly

“This collaboration with Reynaers Aluminium and these recent test successes now provide us with new capabilities

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and enable us to bring further aluminium system solutions to the UK and European markets.”

For more information, please visit: www.pyroguard.eu.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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NEW DOORCO WEBSITE NOW LIVE! Ben Aspinall, DoorCo’s IT & Marketing Manager gives Glass News an exclusive insight into the leading composite door manufacturer’s brand new website which showcases the company’s updated brand and growing product range in a modern, stylish and useable way.

DoorCo has undergone a marketing revolution since March 2020. There has been a change in strategy, promoting our product offering through an increased and redesigned online presence on social media, and in particular Instagram. We have also undertaken a large re-branding project, from the top down. Our new DoorCo brand which focuses on our core values that are the cornerstones of our business, marks

DoorCo’s brands and services, the new website has been developed to be functional too. It includes new features that allow us to easily support our customers. For example, there is a new Asset Portal where customers can log in securely and download whatever they need from marketing materials to technical information.

There’s an Inspirations gallery where we’re collating images of our doors in real-life and designer situations to help showcase DoorCo doors in a multitude of properties, without customers having to rely on their own stock of photos, which are always hard to find or require a huge photography budget. The real-life images come from customers and homeowners that have shared their new doors with us, and all submissions are credited to the owner. It’s a potentially great sales tool for everyone.

our progression and the evolution we have undergone to become a serious player in the composite door market. Despite the turbulent trading period we’ve all been

experiencing, we have also launched two ground-breaking new products: our new solid timber core door engineered with GRiPCORE technology and FLiP, our revolutionary glazing cassette system with unique Foam in Place technology. So, it was time to bring our website in line with where DoorCo is today.

Working with our web partners The Consultancy, the new website clearly demonstrates our new house of brands, what DoorCo stands for, and what we want to achieve going forward in an engaging and modernised manner. Our new products, our revitalised foam core ORiGINAL door, our updated PAiNT and GLAZiNG ranges and a few new brands that will be coming online in the coming months, are all clearly demonstrated.

Finally, there is the online Door Designer that has been updated in line with all our changes – new categories, products, glass and glazing options, colours and hardware options, including smart technology that we now supply. The Door Designer is an important tool for collating leads for our customers from homeowners who submit their door designs via this portal for a quote.

We’re delighted with the new website – the structure, design and useability has modernised the DoorCo offering in a unique and creative way, and it stands us in good stead to enhance our communication with customers and potential new customers for years to come. So far, the feedback has been great, and we’d love to know what you think.

Have a browse: www.door-co.com.

COLLECTIONS Another change we have instigated is the way we categorise our door collections.

Up until now, the choice has only been Traditional and Contemporary, but as the composite door market expands, new options are introduced which are a cut above the rest. We call them Designer.

Our Designer collection includes some of our best products, like Links and Monza II (especially when coloured with our unique PATiNA range) that really are in a league of their own. The Traditional collection contains our moulded and farmhouse/ cottage style doors. Contemporary contains the Flush and Inox styles.

DEVELOPED FOR CUSTOMERS The aim of the website is to continue growing our online brand and making us more accessible to our customers. The website clearly demonstrates what we can offer each type of customer in a professional and creative manner. As well as showcasing

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

INTRODUCING THE NEW CORTIZO ALUMINIUM PATIO DOOR FROM MERCURY INTRODUCTORY OFFER – JUST £500 PER PANE

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To add value to your portfolio by working with the industry’s specialist aluminium fabricator call 01452 383 344 Email sales@mercuryspecialistframes.co.uk www mercuryglazing.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

MARTIN ALTHORPE AWARDED BRITISH CMS GROUP CHOOSES STELLAR PLASTICS FEDERATION’S GOLD MEDAL ALUMINIUM FROM EPWIN WINDOW AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES SYSTEMS FOR CMS TRADE DIVISION CMS Group, Scotland’s leading facades and window provider, has selected Stellar from Epwin Window Systems to be the aluminium system for its CMS Trade division. Commenting on his company’s choice of aluminium system, Stephen Anderson, Managing Director of CMS Group, said: “Stellar is designed and developed by Epwin Window Systems – a byword for product innovation in the retail sector. It is cost-effective while offering high quality and consistency that’s difficult to match.”

Martin Althorpe, Technical Director of Epwin Window Systems, has been awarded the British Plastics Federation’s prestigious Gold Medal Award for Outstanding Services to the BPF and the wider industry.

Philip Law, Director General at the BPF, said: “Martin’s award is the result of decades of outstanding and steadfast support for the British Plastics Federation’s Windows Group and the wider Federation. Martin was the longstanding Chairman of the BPF Windows Group Technical Committee and has since served many years as Chairman of the whole Windows Group.

These were testing times for the industry which was the object of unwarranted environmental attacks and was also undergoing a period of rationalisation.

Martin’s leadership brought the Group through these difficulties intact and provided a very strong sustainability story.

Following his longstanding role on the BPF’s Council and its Strategy and Finance Committee, Martin was elected as BPF President in 2019 and then served through the most difficult time in the BPF’s history until 2021. Martin’s calm, measured approach to the BPF’s business was an inspiration to the members

From left to right: Martin Althorpe – Epwin Window Systems and Karen Drinkwater, the current President of the BPF

and staff in so many of the crisis meetings held. He is uniquely qualified to be the recipient of the BPF’s Gold Medal Award.”

Martin said: “I am honoured to receive this award. The industry has an impressive track record of producing innovations that have changed people’s lives for the better and I am proud to be a part of it.”

Martin has been Technical Director at Epwin Window Systems for over 10 years and Clare O’Hara, Managing Director of Epwin Window Systems, commented: “We are delighted that Martin has received this award. It’s fitting recognition of his work and commitment throughout the industry.”

The Gold Medal Award is voted for by senior members of the BPF. Martin is the first representative of the window industry to receive the honour and joins an elite group of individuals who have made a significant contribution to the UK plastics industry. He was presented with his award in front of 440 guests by Karen Drinkwater, the current President of the BPF, at the BPF’s 88th annual dinner, which was held at the Royal Lancaster London on 14 October 2021.

The BPF is the world's longest running plastics trade association. It was established in 1933 and has represented and promoted the UK plastics industry ever since. It has more than 450 member companies that span the entire plastics supply chain.

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

Mark Austin, Sales Director (Aluminium) at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We are delighted that CMS Trade chose Stellar.

The company is undoubtedly one of the heavyweights in the aluminium sector and their decision to partner with Epwin Window Systems is testament to Stellar’s qualities.”

CMS Group undertook an exacting research process to make sure Stellar was the right aluminium system for their trade customers, including trialling the products through its own manufacturing processes.

Stephen Anderson commented: “We liked Stellar’s unique flush aesthetics, which will appeal to today’s design-conscious consumers. We were also impressed with the system’s excellence in design at every level. The aluminium experience and credentials of the in-house Epwin Window Systems’ team offered a further level of reassurance.”

CMS Trade is committed to working with the latest product innovations to help its customers secure a competitive advantage, so Stellar fitted the bill perfectly.

Stellar is a multi-award-winning aluminium window and door system that was purposely designed for the domestic sector.

It delivers unique slimline aesthetics and is straightforward to fabricate and install,

raising the bar in aluminium systems. The system offers several unique innovations including a Reverse Butt Joint, which means no dummy sashes or reverse adaptor profiles are needed, saving up to 30% on profile consumption. There are also patented pre-gasketed knock in beads delivering faster, easier glazing.

CMS Trade offers a comprehensive range of high-quality windows and doors tailored exclusively to the needs of trade installers and every kind of building project. It has a dedicated 25,000 sq ft factory in East Kilbride that adheres to the same rigorous standards and commitment to quality as every other aspect of CMS Group’s business.

It is fully fitted and constantly evolving in line with the latest technologies to ensure it continues to deliver the best window systems available to meet its clients’ needs.

Stephen Anderson commented: “Reliable service and premium product quality are consistently cited as our customers’ two most important requirements – and that’s exactly what our trade factory delivers.”

Stellar has been making a name for itself ever since its launch in 2019. When fabricators with the calibre of CMS Group choose it, you can be sure it’s offering something special.

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

‘THOU SHALT HAVE A FISHY….’

It’s 1986. The year the late Diego Maradona knocked England out of the World Cup; and the year that VEKA Plc and Window Warehouse opened their doors in the UK. Fast forward quite a few years later, Malcolm Cake, Managing Director of Window Warehouse in Portsmouth, was discussing his ambitions for the company with Neil Evans, the (then) Sales Director (now Managing Director) at VEKA Plc. He also reminded Neil of a key growth milestone that the previous owners of the Halo Brand, prior to acquisition by VEKA, had promised to celebrate with Fish and Chips.

During their conversation, Neil promised Malcom that when Window Warehouse hit

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this ambitious key milestone, they would go out for fish and chips to celebrate. Still with plenty of this year to go, Neil noticed that milestone had been reached and needless to say, it was an unusual but fitting agenda point during his next discussion with Malcom.

here at Window Warehouse. Even during the most challenging of times they have pulled together and worked immensely hard.

Thank you to Neil and VEKA for helping us commemorate this special occasion!”

Always keeping to his word, Neil felt it was only right to extend the invitation to the people of Window Warehouse who have worked incredibly hard to achieve such great results. And so earlier this week, the whole team at Window Warehouse were treated to a Fish and Chip supper.

Neil Evans, proud Geordie and Managing Director at VEKA Plc said: “Here at VEKA we stick to our promises and do what we say we’re going to do. Hats off to Window Warehouse for its achievement, even more so after such a challenging time. It was great to see the team at Window Warehouse tucking into a well-earned treat!

Malcom Cake, Managing Director at Window Warehouse, said: “I am so proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the team

We look forward to working with our partners at Window Warehouse for many years to come.”

Over their combined 70 years history, both companies remain proud and committed to the family values upon which their businesses are based.

Windows Warehouse started as a manufacturer and supplier of PVCu, having gone from strength-to-strength, offering a large range of market-leading products. www.veka.co.uk

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

NEW VEKA RECYCLING VIDEO SHOWS THE COMPLEX PROCESSES THAT ARE CONVERTING OLD WINDOWS INTO NEW VEKA Recycling has launched a stunning new video that shows how its state-ofthe-art recycling processing facility is playing its part in transforming endof-life PVC-U frames into brand new windows and doors. The Wellingborough, Northamptonshire plant, which was completed at the end of 2020 after a two-year build at a cost of £15 million, is reputed to be the most sophisticated of its type anywhere in Europe.

The 2-minute video is compelling and beautifully shot, with jarring images of waste being ground-filled, followed by sweeping views of a VEKA Recycling tanker wending its way through the countryside laden with tonnes of processed PVC-U

pellet. Adding impact to the striking imagery are the mountains of frames at the five-and-a-half-acre site being fed into the plant, with dramatic shots of the various stages of processing.

“We are immensely proud of what we have built here,” said VEKA Recycling managing director Simon Scholes. “After our plans to show people round were severely curtailed

by Covid we decided to make this video, to ensure we can show the importance of recycling old PVC-U window and door frames, and how efficient our new plant is at doing so.

“Whilst the UK is very good at recycling most of the old windows and doors

removed from homes, there is still a significant volume that is unaccounted for.

I am sure that many homeowners - and perhaps others in the supply chain – have no idea what happens to the old frames that are removed and this video will provide a compelling glimpse of what happens to

them. And actually, that disposing of old frames using our slick, audited service, can be just as simple as dumping them. And much better for the environment and sales.”

The VEKA Recycling video can be seen at: https://veka-recycling.co.uk

DORMER TRANSFORMATION Whilst homeowners take pride in their home, and want it to look it’s best, it can sometimes come at a price. Many are looking for low maintenance options to free up precious time and save money over the years.

One such family in Banbury, Oxfordshire, turned to local Freefoam Registered Installer Ricky Romera of Professor Windows to help them with an ongoing issue with their property.

The house featured ten dormer windows around the front and back elevations covered in painted concrete render. With

The homeowner is delighted with the results, and has had lots of positive comments about the transformation the cladding has made from neighbours and friends.

constant exposure to the elements cold frosts caused the render to separate and become cracked and discolored. Consequently to keep the property water tight and tidy this meant the homeowner was spending thousands of pounds every year on scaffolding and repair. They needed a long term solution.

Replacing with a traditional timber cladding was an option, but again would involve regular maintenance. Professor Windows had undertaken other work for the homeowner and recommended Fortex embossed PVC cladding, in the Weatherboard option. Having used Freefoam cladding on other properties Ricky was confident that it would be the ideal solution for this situation.

Ricky explained “We’ve used the Freefoam cladding before on dormer elevations, and it works really well. This property took us a couple of weeks. With scaffolding in place we removed all the render, fitted battens and installed the cladding on each dormer. It was easy to fit and we used the matching trims to give each one a neat, professional finish.”

Fortex embossed cladding is available in a wide range of colours and the homeowner was able to choose the Sand option,

Before and After dormer

which was a similar colour to the original painted render, and coordinates very well with the windows and brickwork.

Ricky summarized “The homeowner is delighted with the results, and has had lots of positive comments about the transformation the cladding has made from neighbours and friends. He is also very pleased to be saving a considerable amount of money each year, with no costly repair and maintenance. We’ve seen a big increase in requests for PVC cladding and have more jobs lined up. It’s a cost effective, easy care solution that can completely transform a house and makes a great addition to our business” www.freefoam.com

CAB JOINS THE BIM ALLIANCE The Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) is delighted to announce a formal affiliation with the UK BIM Alliance. BIM has been central to the continuing digital transformation of the built environment in the UK, whilst CAB Members are at different stages of implementing BIM, we need to continue explaining the benefits of BIM to all decision makers and ensure that each organisation that implement’s BIM, has its own “BIM Champion” in place.

The UK BIM Alliance, launched in October 2016 is a cross-industry alliance initially formed to drive leadership

30

around implementation of BIM Level 2. The purpose of the Alliance is to lead the industry-wide drive for awareness, education and adoption of BIM principles and realise its universal benefits. The alliance will provide a common and clear point of reference for built environment companies of all disciplines, with a view to enabling and supporting their BIM journeys.

Andy Boutle, UK BIM Alliance Engagement Co-Lead “We are really pleased to welcome CAB into the affiliate programme, trade associations with wide reaching membership across the

supply chain are exactly what we need to help broaden the audience and drive the information management agenda.”

CAB look forward to working with the UK BIM Alliance to continue to inform and assist our membership in the digital transformation journey.

The Association continually supports the wider industry with technical support across the aluminium fenestration supply chain and staff are on hand at the CAB offices to answer any questions.

Information is regularly updated on the CAB website at www.c-a-b.org.uk.

For Association Membership enquiries, or should you wish to attend the next members meeting as a guest of CAB, please contact Jessica Dean at the CAB offices by email jessica.dean@c-a-b.org.uk or telephone 01453 828851.

By Phil Slinger - CAB Chief Executive

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

PART OF THE COURSE

Managers have had to adapt to immense pressure since COVID-19. So, it pays to support them. Glass News reports on how management training has never been more important and how fabricator, Emplas, is helping managers to shape their futures.

It’s been tough in management since COVID-19. There’s been pressure on supply, orders unfulfilled, suppliers to manage. And on top of that, people management - the teams companies rely on to get the job done.

Despite this, the training record of UK business falls woefully short, with nearly a third (30%) of employers according to a recent poll, failing to invest in any training or upskilling of staff. At the same time, the CBI argues that billions could be added to the UK economy if companies invested more heavily in the skills sets of their staff.

Closer to home in the window and door industry, there are a number of concerted efforts being made to attract new recruits into the sector and to upskill them.

But investment in management training, in the people who are expected to guide a new generation of recruits through their career path, is less established, and less structured.

“If we’re going to be successful in upskilling, introducing new professionalism – and ultimately delivering a better service to our customers – we need to apply the same focus to leadership teams, and those who will are responsible for managing them”, says Judith Chadwick, Head of HR, Emplas.

“People have been through the millstone in the last couple of years - colleagues and managers”, she continues, “that’s created a number of additional challenges for managers, particularly in relation to employee welfare and people need to be trained effectively so that they’re equipped to manage them.”

Even before COVID-19 turned the world upside down, mental health related absence was the most common cause of long-term sickness absence in UK workplaces.

Stress-related absence has, however, increased since COVID with 37% of respondents to a recent CIPD and Simply Health health and wellbeing survey, saying that the number of stress-related absences they had dealt with were up significantly in the last year.

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Clodagh Driscoll, Emplas’ Customer Services Manager

Work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounts for 44% of work-related ill health and 54% of working days lost, in 2018/19 (HSE, 2019). As well as sickness absence, poor mental health at work can lead to increased staff turnover.

While Emplas has continued to invest in its apprenticeship programme, Emplas Group’s Graham Bawden becoming the very first apprentice to complete the new Fenestration Installer Apprenticeship Standard in the summer, it has matched it with a corresponding investment in its management team.

Clodagh Driscoll, Emplas’ Customer Services Manager, is one of them. She joined Emplas at the start of her career as a new business and sales assistant in 2008, working her way up through the ranks to become Customer Services Manager in June 2020, to head up Emplas’ 15-strong customer services team.

been possible because of COVID-19 and disruption to our supply chain.

“We perhaps face the consequences of delays to deliveries a little more directly than other areas of the business because we’re speaking to customers every day.”

Delivered during Lockdown and remotely via Zoom, Clodagh completed a 10-month ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) accredited programme included 10 modules covering everything from customer experience skills, project management, to employee health and wellbeing.

“It’s great. You’re working with people from other sectors”, continues Clodagh. “There were people with a completely diverse range of skills in my group. We even had a flavourist, who worked in the food and drink sector, so as a starting point it’s great to share different experience.

“It has been difficult. We always want to do our best for customers and one way or another, COVID-19 has meant that we have always been able to deliver the service that we have wanted to, so people have felt the strain”, she says.

“It was also so relevant to what we were going through at the time as a business.

We’d go through training on employee welfare, we’d do role plays to develop skills to handle the challenges that as managers we’d face as managers.

“That’s impacted everyone throughout the business because everyone really does care and we want to do our best for our customers on every job. That hasn’t always

“Literally, the next day I walked into the office and was faced with the scenario that we had role-played the day before as part of our training.

“That’s what was so good about it. It was so completely relevant to my role and it’s given me far more confidence in my ability to handle things, what I was learning just flowed into my day-to-day work.”

Delivered by independent training provider, Beyond Theory, the Emplas/ILM management training programme is focussed on three key areas; increasing productivity; decreasing costs; and delivering higher levels of service to the customer.

Modules are focussed on practical application of ‘classroom learning’ in an operational environment. This includes leadership v. management; time management and prioritization; project planning; performance management; team building; coaching; change management; and presentation skills.

Judith continues: “Often as a manager you’re given a title and told to get on with it, without really being prepared for how to get the best out people.

“That can have a massive impact on organisational culture and how effectively teams work. By investing in our management team, we’re able to better communicate and drive shared values, helping them to achieve more as individuals but most importantly as part of the Emplas team.”

For more information on Emplas visit www.emplas.co.uk , email info@emplas.co.uk or call 01933 674880.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

VEKA RECYCLING APPOINTS NEW TRANSPORT MANAGER Tim Tofte has joined VEKA Recycling as Transport Manager, the latest in a series of new appointments at the PVC-U window and door recycling specialist as the business continues its drive to strengthen operations.

Tim brings with him 13 years of experience in road haulage, including as a Transport Manager for third-party logistics companies including Bibby Distribution, Maritime Transport Ltd and Wreford Transport, which ran contracts for Coca Cola, Mercedes, Amazon, Carlsberg, Royal Mail, Salvation Army and Wicksteed, among others.

In his new role at VEKA Recycling Tim is looking forward to building on existing and new business, strengthening both his team and the wider VEKA Recycling operations.

“My immediate role includes the management of yard staff, weighbridge staff, drivers and the transport office, all of which involves effective planning of both time and resources,” said Tim. “In the medium to long term, I’m hoping to grow customer relationships, help set up new customers and manage their expectations within the business.

wider VEKA Recycling operations in the process.”

VEKA Recycling has announced a series of new appointments since its state-of-theart Wellingborough headquarters became fully operational earlier this year. With all materials extracted and processed on site, the new plant is totally self-sufficient and capable of recycling in excess of 35,000 tonnes per annum.

“Since our Wellingborough plant became fully operational we've appointed a new Business Development Manager, Quality Engineer and Yard Supervisor, as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen our operations and be Europe’s most advanced specialist windows recycler,” said VEKA Managing Director Simon Scholes. “We’re delighted to welcome Tim aboard such a strong team and look forward to what his, and our, future holds.”

“I am looking forward to helping identify any areas within transport that may need refining and implementing any changes needed. I’ll also be encouraging the team to take on new challenges and further all of our knowledge and skills, helping improve the processes of both my team and the

NOT THE GREEN BUDGET HOUSEHOLDS NEEDED, SAYS FMB Despite welcome announcements on funding for skills, business rates and housing, it’s disappointing that the retrofit challenge to make our homes greener and more energy efficient has not been grasped by the Government, just four days ahead of the COP26 conference, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to today’s Budget and Spending Review.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “The Chancellor has missed the

opportunity to give householders peace of mind about how they can tackle the net zero challenge. With nothing on retrofit for owner occupiers in last week’s Heat and Buildings Strategy, I’m struggling to see how the country will reach its legally binding net zero targets by 2050 if it doesn’t fix the UK’s 29 million leaky homes.”

Berry continued “I do, however, welcome the investment for skills and training confirmed at £3.8bn over this Parliament.

Long-term skills shortages are delaying jobs for builders, with 60% reporting paused jobs in the latest FMB membership survey.

"I’m also glad to see further investment in housing, and warmly welcome the grant funding for local authorities to free-up small brownfield sites for housing given that land availability is the major obstacle to SME house builders. Relief for businesses by reducing the burden of the business rates system will be well received by some firms.”

BUILDERS MERCHANT BUILDING INDEX

BMBI REPORTS STRONG YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH ACROSS THE BOARD The latest figures from the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), published in October, reveal that total value sales by builders’ merchants across Great Britain were 23.0% higher in August 2021 compared to the same month last year.

Helped by one more trading day this year, eleven out of twelve product categories sold more over the period. Timber & Joinery products topped the list of best performing categories (+51.5%).

Compared to August 2019, a pre-pandemic year, total merchant value sales were up 18.2% on August 2021, with no difference in trading days. This growth was largely driven by Timber & Joinery (+48.4%) and Landscaping (+29.7%).

LAST THREE MONTHS Total sales for the three months June to August 2021 were 22.1% up on the same period last year, with one less trading day this year. Total sales were also 20.9%

higher than June to August 2019, with no difference in trading days.

MONTH-ON-MONTH For the second month in a row, total merchant sales were down in August compared to July (-7.9%) with no difference in trading days. Workwear & Safetywear (+3.1%) was the only category to sell more.

YEAR-TO-DATE Total value sales January to August 2021 were up 39.6% compared with Covidaffected January to August 2020, with two less trading days this year.

Sales were also up 14.0% on the same period in 2019.

INDEX August’s BMBI index was 139.3, helped by strong performances from Timber & Joinery Products (182.6) and Landscaping (175.3).

GfK’s Builders Merchant Panel GfK’s Merchant Panel includes national, multi-regional and regional merchants such as Buildbase, Jewson, Travis Perkins, EH Smith, Gibbs & Dandy, MKM and Bradfords. GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data represents more than 80% of the value of the builders’ merchant market. GfK insights can trace product group performance and track relevant features. GfK can also produce robust like-for-like market comparability, tailored to the requirements of an individual business.

The Builders Merchant Building Index Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) appears every month, in print and online. A full quarterly report is published every three months. The BMBI is a brand of the Builders Merchant Federation.

Launched and produced by MRA Research, it uses sales-out data from GfK’s Builders Merchant Panel. BMBI includes a panel of leading industry Experts, who speak exclusively for their markets.

For the full report, including comments from the BMBI’s panel of leading industry Experts, please visit www.bmbi.co.uk.

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

KEEP ENERGY BILLS LOWER AND STAY WARM WITH SECONDARY GLAZING Secondary glazing specialist Granada Secondary Glazing highlights a simple home improvement measure that could help homeowners keep their energy bills lower despite rising energy prices.

retention solution - especially for older, singled-glazed properties - that reduces utility bills. The discreet internal windows eliminate draughts and can reduce heat loss by as much as 65%.

will also benefit from a better Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

Suitable for all types of properties, including historic and listed buildings, the heat retention capabilities of secondary glazing can dramatically improve insulation and contribute to a warmer, more comfortable and energy-efficient property. Homeowners

A secondary glazing system comprises an internal window installed either face-fixed or reveal-fixed on an existing primary external window. This extra ‘barrier’ creates a 10-20cm air gap which dramatically improves thermal performance, as well

HOW DOES SECONDARY GLAZING WORK?

With millions of households set to face higher gas and electricity bills in the coming months due to soaring energy prices, staying warm and conserving expensive heat in the home is going to be a key concern for many.

as reducing outside noise through better insulation.

To maximise energy efficiency, a low-E glass system is used with a reflective coating to direct heat back into a room. This helps to conserve heat and reduce energy consumption, thereby saving on heating costs.

Added insulation provided by the pocket of trapped air between the secondary glazing and external window acts as an extra layer of defence against heat loss – similar to loft insulation under your roof. It’s all about keeping your home warmer, more comfortable and less expensive to heat.

WHAT DOES SECONDARY GLAZING LOOK LIKE?

Bills for those on standard tariffs with typical levels of energy use will rise by £139 to £1,277 a year, while prepayment meter customers will see a £153 increase, as a new higher energy price cap takes effect, according to recent press reports.

Slimline aluminium frames support the glass and are virtually invisible once installed. The frames can be powder coated in over 200 RAL shades to blend in and match any existing interior décor.

Due to the current crisis, trying to save money by switching to a cheaper deal is not an option. Therefore, it is essential to address the thermal efficiency of our homes to prevent heat escaping and keep energy bills in check.

Designed in various configurations to suit all types of primary windows, secondary glazing offers a flexible range of access solutions for cleaning, opening and ventilation – even arched and unusual shapes.

More information is available at www.granadaglazing.com or call 01909 499899.

Installing quality secondary glazing is a cost-effective, unobtrusive and heat

PASSIVE HOUSE IN COLOUR WITH KOMMERLING proStratoTec is the new technology from KÖMMERLING and with their System 88 tilt and turn platform they can now achieve the Passive House according to Dr. Feist Standard in full colour.

Thanks to an innovative manufacturing process, the high-tech material Ultradur® from BASF is firmly integrated into the profile structure using a tri-extrusion process, making it possible to completely do without steel even with coloured and foiled profiles. Historically System 88 has only been able to achieve the Dr. Feist Standard in white until now, which opens up endless possibilities for building specifiers with a certified Uf = 0.79 W/(m2K).

PVCu window profiles with the fibreglassreinforced proStratoTec material are characterised by a particularly high degree of dimensional stability and rigidity. proStratoTec is extruded, similar to PVC, and if required also simultaneously with PVC. The material can also be recycled

36

without any problems, separated perfectly using colour sorters and later fed back into the production process as recycled material.

There are a number of advantages of proStratoTec, as it helps insulate much more effectively than steel and drastically improves a window's heat transfer coefficient.

In addition, there is an enormous weight saving which pays off in production, transport and installation, especially with ever larger window elements. There are also no other restrictions or changes in manufacturing and installation processes and proStratoTec products can be processed on any production line without any special conversion.

Robert Thiroff, managing director of profine UK and the KÖMMERLING brand

commented: ‘Our System 88 platform is a flagship product from a technical perspective and this latest development of proStratoTec opens up considerable opportunities in colour whilst meeting the important Dr. Feist Standard. Innovation, research and product is very much part of the KÖMMERLING DNA as is our commitment to a better world for all.’

For further information please visit www.profine-uk.com, e-mail enquiries@profine-uk.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.

"PVCu window profiles with the fibreglass-reinforced proStratoTec material are characterised by a particularly high degree of dimensional stability and rigidity. proStratoTec is extruded, similar to PVC, and if required also simultaneously with PVC. The material can also be recycled without any problems, separated perfectly using colour sorters and later fed back into the production process as recycled material."

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

OPTIMA WINDOWS CHOSEN NINE OUT OF TEN SMALL FOR PRESTIGIOUS OSWESTRY BUILDERS' PROJECTS ARE DELAYED DUE TO MATERIAL REFURBISHMENT OR SKILLS SHORTAGES

Profile 22 installer Oswestry Window & Doors has completed an extensive refurbishment to a prestigious detached property in Cae Du Edgerley near Oswestry, Shropshire. The home refurbishment project involved the installation of twelve Optima Flush Casement Windows, which included gable-shaped frames, three sets of Optima French Doors and one four-pane PatioMaster sliding door.

The original building plans specified aluminium windows and doors for the project, but the experienced team at Oswestry Windows & Doors were able to demonstrate that the Optima PVC-U system would deliver greater high-end aesthetics. Matthew Smith-Dunne of Oswestry Windows & Doors commented: “We showed the Optima Flush Casement Window system to the customer, who was very impressed with the aesthetics of the product. Having taken the time to run through all the options, they could see that the combination of the equal window sightlines coupled with the smooth foil finish in Anthracite Grey would create the high-end contemporary aesthetics they

were seeking for their home.”

All the products were fabricated by Oswestry Windows & Doors’ long-term fabrication partner Emplas Window Systems Ltd.

The project was undertaken during the pandemic, which brought obvious challenges. However, thanks to Oswestry Window and Doors’ combined 75 years of experience plus a guarantee of a quality, reliable and professional service that ensures complete customer satisfaction, the company was able to overcome every difficulty to put the homeowners’ minds at ease. Matthew commented: “Stringent health and safety protocols were followed to protect everyone on site. We also needed to liaise closely with the Emplas team and maintain transparent communication with everyone involved so we could deliver the white glove service we pride ourselves on.”

The end result is a sophisticated home that showcases the ability of the Optima system to bring stunning aesthetics to any project.

Matthew concludes: “Optima is the perfect window and door system for us because it allows us to fit all styles of properties.

Its quality, versatility and performance has helped us achieve sales across several large-scale and high-end projects. As a result of this recent project, we have already secured additional new work and like the homeowner, we are delighted with the finished result.”

Oswestry Windows and Doors are a complete home improvement specialist covering Shropshire, Chesire, Mid and North Wales and the surrounding areas.

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

An overwhelming majority, 89 per cent, of local builders are reporting delays because of supply chain issues or difficulty recruiting staff, according to a survey of SMEs. And 60 per cent of respondents to the Federation of Master Builders, FMB, state of the trade survey for the third quarter, July to September, said they had halted projects due to lack of tradespeople.

Nearly all survey participants, 97 per cent, said material prices had shot up during July to September and expected this to continue in the fourth quarter. More than three quarters said they would be passing the increased cost on to the consumer.

FMB Northern Ireland director Gavin McGuire said: "The continuing pressures to find skilled tradespeople and crippling price increases have caused many contractors and clients added stress. We need to see a period of stability to help deliver the infrastructure and social value society demands.

"The Department for the Economy's skills strategy urgently needs to encourage apprenticeships in construction to develop a pipeline of key tradespeople."

JOINERS ARE STILL THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER Joiners and carpenters are still in short supply with 47 per cent of respondents saying they were hard to recruit, although this was six per cent lower than the previous quarter.

Bricklayers are in strong demand with 45 per cent of builders struggling to hire them - two per cent down on the second quarter.

General labourers are hard to find with 42 per cent of small builders saying they couldn't get hold of any, six per cent up on the previous quarter. Plasterers were also increasingly difficult to hire with 37 per cent of builders struggling to recruit them, a rise of six per cent on the second quarter.

Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said

"We need to see a period of stability to help deliver the infrastructure and social value society demands."

38

development finance lenders were there to help builders who needed extra finance with instant bridging finance to help with any project delays.

The FMB estimates 500,000 more workers will be needed in construction to meet the country's net-zero challenge.

The Construction Products Association has revised construction growth for 2022 from 6.3 per cent down to 4.8 per cent due to supply chain constraints.

Skill shortages, product availability, lack of lorry drivers, the impact of rising energy prices and delays at ports are expected to cause unprecedented challenges.

Output in private housing, the largest construction sector, is forecast to rise by 17 per cent by the end of 2021 and 6 per cent in 2022, down from an earlier forecast of 8 per cent. This reflects concerns about the sustainability of doubledigit house price growth, particularly in the light of rising inflation.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

GET A HANDLE ON DELIVERIES WITH DOOR SUPERSTORE It’s been a tough time lately for the industry, which is why online builders’ merchants Door Superstore, part of the CMO Group, is helping its trade customers get back on track with free delivery and next day delivery options available on a wide range of doors and hardware.

The superstore’s current offers include free delivery on all orders over £150+ VAT, and next day delivery on a range of door lining sets, locks, handles and both internal and fire rated doors. Further discounts are currently available, with 5% off all orders over £500 and 10% on orders over £1000. Whether you need inspiration or help with installation, the Door Superstore website also features a variety of how to guides and technical articles, with the team’s customer service advisors on hand to provide support from start to finish.

Turrou Landesmann, from Door Superstore said: “With the post-pandemic disruption

many of our trade customers have faced owing to supply chain delays and materials shortages, we want to be able to make their lives, and their workloads, as easy as possible. We’ve always been committed to offering a reliable service and convenient online ordering but we’ve taken this up a gear by making sure that our customers can not only get what they want, but get it at a time and a price to suit them.”

Door Superstore stocks a wide variety of doors, hardware and accessories from leading manufacturers such as Deanta, JB Kind, Jeld Weld, XL Joinery, Atlantic

and Stormguard. Ideally suited for jobs that require high-quality doors and a quick turnaround, Door Superstore can supply internal doors in a range of designs, including modern glazed styles and traditional cottage doors. T he external door range includes composite, softwood and hardwood doors, and a number of options to meet the required fire safety standards and Part L of Building Regulations.

To find out more about Door Superstore’s product range and latest special offers, please visit www.doorsuperstore.co.uk.

As part of the retailer’s commitment to exceptional customer service, Door Superstore has made it easier than ever to choose, purchase and install products from across its 14000 strong range of internal and external wooden, glazed and composite doors, and accessories.

“We’ve always been committed to offering a reliable service and convenient online ordering but we’ve taken this up a gear by making sure that our customers can not only get what they want, but get it at a time and a price to suit them.”

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

R E G I O N A L I N STA L L E R , N AT I O N W I D E B R A N D I N G O R L E A D G E N E R AT I O N ?

S O C I A L M E D I A & H O M E O W N E R M A R K E T I N G PA C K A G E - o n l y w i t h I m p ro v e !

I m p ro v e M a g a z i n e t a rg e t s h o m e o w n e r s a c ro s s t h e U K a n d i s d e d i c a t e d t o o u r i n d u s t r y.

Ta k e a l o o k a t t h e p a c k a g e w e a re o ff e r i n g :

We promote companies who sell windows, doors, conservatories and garden rooms to homeowners and we do this via our lifestyle magazine through email and social media.

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W i t h a F a c e b o o k re a c h o f o v e r 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 h o m e o w n e r s , w i t h i n t e re s t s i n h o m e s , D I Y a n d g a rd e n i n g , I m p ro v e i s t h e p e r f e c t p l a t f o r m t o a d v e r t i s e y o u r p ro d u c t s a n d s e r v i c e s . We a l s o u s e a t a rg e t e d e m a i l d a t a b a s e o f A B C 1 h o m e o w n e r s , t o g e t y o u r p ro d u c t s i n f ro n t o f p o t e n t i a l c u s t o m e r s .

W h a t ’s m o re , w e d o a l l o f t h e w o r k f o r y o u , f ro m a d c o n c e p t to design, Facebook ads and social media posts.

• E d i t o r i a l f e a t u re c o n v e r t e d t o a Facebook ad and advertised w i t h i n y o u r p o s t a l re g i o n • F a c e b o o k a d s l i n k b a c k t o y o u r a r t i c l e o n o u r l a n d i n g p a g e , w h e re c u s t o m e r s c a n e n q u i re • We b a d d re s s a n d y o u r c o n t a c t details also included on the l a n d i n g p a g e f o r d i re c t w e b t r a ff i c • We e k l y p o s t s o n s o c i a l m e d i a p l a t f o r m s : Tw i t t e r, I n s t a g r a m a n d P i n t e re s t • P ro m o t i o n l a s t s f o r a t h re e m o n t h period • A l l t h i s f o r j u s t £ 3 9 5 + VAT ( o n e invoice to cover a three month period)

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COLOURED PRODUCTS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

ADD A SPLASH OF COLOUR

TO YOUR PRODUCT RANGE

Choice. If you’re in a Sales role, it can be the best tool at your disposal.

its 70mm chamfered profile in 2008: “When we launched our first window profile, we knew it was important for fabricators to be able to offer their customers a range of coloured finishes with short lead times.

Being able to offer customers alternative product options could make all the difference when it comes to making a sale. If your product range is limited to one or two styles of window, one of the easiest ways for your sales team to offer choice is through the different colours they can recommend.

“An in-house lamination department was therefore critical from the start. We started with just two stocked foils and since then our stocked and ‘made to order’ ranges have both grown substantially. Of course, it helps to have a great facility with plenty of storage space for our growing range of foils.”

That’s why it’s important to partner with a systems company that’s able to offer a wide choice of colour options across its profile ranges – like Liniar.

INVESTING IN PERSONALISATION The whole industry has seen unprecedented turmoil over the last 18 months or so, not least of which has been a series of interruptions to the supply of raw materials and components. This hasn’t stopped the demand for foiled windows and doors, however – on the contrary, homeowners appear more determined than ever to personalise the style of their home and are prepared to wait for the privilege.

Innovative PVCu systems company Liniar has always invested heavily in its stock of laminated foils – not just in terms of stocked profiles but in a wide array of foil logs ready to create ‘made to order’ items too. The company purchased a fully automated Luna R Automatic Profile Wrapping Machine from Italy last year and an additional £1.5 million investment has been agreed by parent company Quanex for similar equipment to further increase capacity.

The colour range offered by Liniar is constantly under review with an eye on market trends, with Agate Grey soon to be added to the stocked range of profiles for its 70mm window system and other updates in the pipeline for 2022.

This ongoing investment and development means Liniar is proud to be able to offer one of the widest colour ranges in the industry - 3,224 different colour combinations inhouse with many more available!

3,224 COMBINATIONS Liniar’s claim of being able to offer 3,224 colour combinations is a staggering number! Colin goes on to explain the maths behind this claim: “Each Liniar product range has a number of stocked foil options.

This doesn’t just apply to windows, doors, roofs and building products – we also manufacture a hugely successful outdoor range which includes decking, balustrade and fencing in a variety of colours.

“Our investment in the stock of foil logs themselves means we can offer a basic range of 36 different colours, which can be applied on one side only or on both sides, across 5 different coloured substrates – some customers even choose a different colour on each side. This means when the options are multiplied out, they amount to that fantastic number of 3,224 colourways – something we believe other systems companies find difficult, if not impossible to beat.

Colin continues: “Imagination is a customer’s only limitation when it comes to Liniar’s PVCu products. If someone requests an unusual colour for a specific project and it meets our minimum order quantity, we’ll purchase the foil and produce it – the Luna automated machinery makes this really easy, so the possibilities really are endless!”

“We started with just two stocked foils and since then our stocked and ‘made to order’ ranges have both grown substantially.”

A FLEXIBLE APPROACH “Our team has a proactive approach to colour options, listening to customers, looking at the relative demand and researching trends,” Colin explains.

“This is why you’ll soon see Agate Grey added to our main stocked ranges – it’s been the most popular choice for the Resurgence flush window range and demand has been growing steadily across casements and doors too.

“Our flat structure and collaborative decision-making process also helps us to be quick to react to changes in the market.

It’s simply part of our ethos and helps us perform better as a business,” You can see Liniar’s full range of colour options on its website at www.liniar.co.uk/colours and find a Liniar stockist at www.liniar.co.uk/stockists.

“Imagination is a customer’s only limitation when it comes to Liniar’s PVCu products.”

LINIAR’S PHILOSOPHY ON COLOUR Colin Sharpe, Liniar’s Business Services Director, provides some insight into the company’s philosophy on colour and how it may develop even further in the future.

As Colin explains, Liniar recognised the importance of choice from the inception of

42

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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COLOURED PRODUCTS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

MORE COMPOSITE COLOURS FROM ENDURANCE Endurance Doors have extended their range of colours and finishes for their solid timber core composite doors to 19, with the introduction of Brilliant Blue and Sage.

Glass News has successfully adapted its model to change in the media landscape. This includes the extension of its digital offer, creating a multi-media strategy combining print, online and social channels.

This has meant that as a sector specialist marketing agency we’ve been able to not only tap into its direct audience reach, but also to amplify the reach of client-owned social and digital channels, through our relationships with it.

We’re also big fans of the integration of video and the written word, something embraced by Glass News across its digital platforms.

The reach and influence that industry media exerts in the digital arena is often overlooked. Independent media titles are key ‘influencers’ online, print editions provide a further platform.

In its proactive approach to bring those channels together, the team at Glass News have created a series of carefully considered media titles with a proven reach among trade and home improvement audiences. These extend beyond print to a comprehensive and integrated digital offering.

John Warren Director Lasco PR and Marketing

• Interviews, Face to Face Articles and Editorial Features • PR, Video, Weekly E-Newsletter and Website • Print Advertising, Digital Advertising and Find A Supplier • Yearly Packages with Full Service Multi-Marketing Channels Full Service Marketing & All General Enquiries: christina@glassnews.co.uk

foiled frame as Scott Foster, Head of Group Sales and Marketing for Endurance Doors explains: ‘Sage is an olive grey toned colour with a matt embossed surface texture. It’s an elegant green sitting midway between Chartwell Green for a bolder statement and the much paler Pearl Grey for a lighter appearance and we expect this to be a popular choice.’

The introduction of Brilliant Blue reflects the anticipated trend towards blue as the next ‘in vogue’ colour, which has been identified by many influential interior design and paint specialists over the last 12 months, including Dulux and Pantone.

According to sampleboard. com ‘the colour blue is evocative of the sea and the sky. It brings together the deepest depths of the ocean with the lightness of the seventh cloud. It stands for integrity, power, tranquillity and health, and is considered as beneficial to the mind and body.’

He continued: ‘At the same time the introduction of Brilliant Blue shows that as a business we’re quick to adopt the latest interior design trends as a forward-thinking business and one that has a very healthy product development programme, thanks also to our in-house foiling facility for PVCu frames.’

For further information on the Endurance Solid and Secure composite door range, including the latest colours and finishes, please call the sales office on 01652 659259, visit https://endurancedoors.co.uk, or e-mail marketing@endurancedoors.co.uk. You can also add to the Twitter following @EnduranceDoors.

While Brilliant Blue reflects a new trend, the introduction of Sage is a nod to heritage and the Country Collection, both with a perfectly matching

DECEMBER FEATURES Product Review Spotlight Special The G Awards - The Winners!

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Deadline Date for Booking: 19th November.

Email: emma@glassnews.co.uk November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

MARKETING

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

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HARDWARE & SECURITY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

ULTION 3* SECURITY SOLUTION FOR NATIONWIDE MAKE A SMART NEW SHEERLINE BI-FOLD DOOR DEBUT AT THE CIH SHOW Working in partnership with Garnalex, hardware house Brisant Secure has provided a security solution for the new Sheerline Prestige bi-fold door.

Available now for Sheerline’s range of Prestige bi-fold doors, the innovative new Ultion 1* Plus 2* security solution combines the Ultion one star lock with the gamechanging two star security handle. Brisant worked closely with the Garnalex technical team to understand their requirements and produce an exclusive folding Ultion key for

“We are delighted to be working with Garnalex on a bespoke solution that combines our ultra-secure Ultion one-star lock and brand new two-star handle with a unique folding key for the innovative Sheerline bi-fold door. We believe our new security solution will change the market’s perception and use of security handles.”

the Sheerline bi-fold door to protect the frame from damage in the fold position.

The Ultion 1* Plus 2* offers the very best in security alongside very beautiful looks.

With the two-star handle, the latest product from Brisant Secure, its unique seamless curves prevent burglars from ripping it from the door and the molybdenum cylinder shield protects against drilling and lock snapping. It’s also designed to last while keeping its looks. Compared with normal handles that struggle to withstand the corrosive effects of saltwater weathering and fail within a week or two, the handle still looks stunning after a full year in the weather test chamber.

Sheerline’s new bi-fold door is the latest addition to the popular range of Sheerline Prestige aluminium windows and doors.

The Sheerline Prestige bi-fold offers the perfect balance of style, security, innovation, and sustainability with extremely low U-Values which meet the more stringent Building Regulations energy standards, due to come into force next year.

Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant Secure, says: “We are delighted to be working with Garnalex on a bespoke solution that combines our ultra-secure Ultion one-star lock and brand new two-star handle with a unique folding key for the innovative Sheerline bi-fold door. We believe our new security solution will change the market’s perception and use of security handles.

“Working in close partnership with the Garnalex technical team on their Sheerline bi-fold door is just one example of how we go the extra mile to provide innovative solutions for customers. We are excited to see our new security handle, in combination with the one-star Ultion lock, on one of the most revolutionary and beautiful bi-folds on the market.”

Roger Hartshorn, CEO of Garnalex, adds: “The new Sheerline Prestige bi-fold door is a game changer in many respects – in looks, performance and energy efficiency, and in security too. Not only does Ultion offer innovative three-star security protection, but it also looks great on our new innovative bi-fold door. The new folding key, developed with the Brisant team for our bifold door, prevents scratching or damage to the frame, a huge benefit for homeowners.

Couple that with the three-star security solution and you’ve got a top quality lock, security handle and folding key option on the Sheerline bi-fold and it’s available now.”

To learn more about Sheerline, call 01332 978000, email info@sheerline.com or visit www.sheerline.com. Follow @ SheerlineSystem and @GarnalexSystems for the latest news and updates.

Brisant Secure has provided a security solution for the new Sheerline Prestige bi-fold door

46

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

Nationwide Windows, in partnership with Kubu, returned from Housing, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference and housing festival, which was held in Manchester, with a number of firm enquiries for the revolutionary smart-sensor technology in windows and doors.

Held over three days at Manchester Central, there were over 6,000 attendees, 350+ speakers, and 350 exhibitors including Nationwide Windows at the event. Housing 2021 was described by the organisers as a must-attend event for local authorities, housing associations, key partners and suppliers, government, housebuilders, and developers.

Nationwide Windows theme of “making windows & doors smart” showcased a number of products on their stand that work with Kubu smart-sensor technology. This included the new Kubu window lock range with shoot bolt and standard security espags, and importantly, was the first public preview of the new Kubu window smartsensor.

From left to right: Kevin Caveney (Nationwide Windows), Ryan Bromley (Kubu) and Dave Gomersall (Nationwide Windows)

of the new window smart-sensor. It was also important to be able to speak to influencers at the sharp end about our vision for a Kubu connected home in the future.’

Kevin, Caveney, commercial director of Nationwide Windows who was part of the conference team added: ‘We already have an idea of how a smart future will look like with Kubu, but the response from the show was overwhelming. The opportunities for us are considerable as we look to embrace the smart home market through commercial specifiers. They’re hugely interested in becoming part of this smart revolution too and we’re already engaging with a number of potential suitors.’

For further information on Nationwide Windows & Doors, please visit www.nwd.co.uk or e-mail enquiries@nationwidewindows.co.uk. For information about becoming a manufacturing partner or Kubu Pro Installer then 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.

Also on display was the Kubu multi-point door lock, featuring 25mm hooks and a 20mm compression deadbolt with the Kubu smart-sensor fully operational within Nationwide’s composite doors.

It was also an opportunity for Kubu to present the ‘Kubu Connected Home’ philosophy with Nationwide Windows and the partnership opportunities open to housebuilders, local authorities, housing associations and other specifiers in the sector, as Ryan Bromley, head of tech for Kubu points out.

He said: ‘This was a hugely exciting opportunity for us, working closely with Nationwide Windows, as it was the first public premier

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Our knowledge & experience of hardware for aluminium windows & doors is unrivalled

ALWAYS EVOLVING - ALWAYS HERE Find out more at: titon.com/aluminium alum@titon.com

HARDWARE & SECURITY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

SOFTWARE INVESTMENT HELPS AT PRECISION STREAMLINE PROCESSES AND GEAR UP FOR GROWTH

CARL F GROUPCO: 20 YEARS SUPPLYING UNI REVERSIBLE WINDOW GEARING

Delivering excellent customer service relies on careful pre-planning and organisation behind the scenes, which is why leading aluminium bi-fold hardware supplier AT Precision has invested in a new open source ERP software to help streamline its services.

Leading hardware distributor, Carl F Groupco, is celebrating 20 years of supplying the market leading fully reversible Roto FRH UNI window hardware in the UK. During the past two decades, the FRH UNI range has become the most successful window product range in Carl F Groupco’s portfolio, owing its success to the functionality provided and the strong reputation of the UNI brand in the UK market.

The cloud-based business management software includes tools for CRM, e-commerce, billing, accounting, manufacturing, project management and warehouse management, and has been tailored by the company’s own programmers to meet its specific needs.

Sales Director Michael Hewitt comments: “This investment has allowed us to integrate our services, manage our finances, and streamline our inventory and purchasing operations, allowing for a seamless process from purchasing and production, right through to sales and customer service.

“We also use it to calculate exact stock numbers, which allows us to draw up accurate product sales history reports and helps us estimate forward plans in terms of stockholding, ensuring we always have the products our customers need, and that they never fall short.

“We also plan to upgrade the software system in the near future to include an online ordering portal, making purchasing from us even easier for our customers.”

The software investment is the latest in a series of big developments from AT Precision. The Durham-based company recently expanded their manufacturing facility to 18,000 square feet, ramping up production and ensuring they always have at least three months’ worth of stock in their warehouse.

Serving to over 100 fabricators across the country, AT Precision manufactures the Everglide range of bi-fold hardware, which includes rollers, top guides, pull handles, hinges, cleats and shootbolt handles, all of which are made from cast aluminium and are compatible with major systems.

The company manufactures all bi-fold hardware inhouse and supplies directly to fabricators, meaning customers can access highquality products at a very affordable rate.

AT Precision also manufactures the Everseal range of gaskets compatible with major systems, and supplies door locks and plastic ancillaries, which

Michael Hewitt

include injection-moulded cill end caps and adapter caps.

Michael continues: “Thanks to careful pre-planning and clever investments, combined with the excellent job management features of our new cloud-based software, we’ve managed to maintain a 99.9% OTIF score throughout the pandemic, while keeping our price increases to a minimal 6%, a lot less than many other suppliers.

“Investment in this new software has been very rewarding, as it’s streamlined processes across the board, allowing us to really focus on what’s important – delivering high-quality products, on time, to our valued customers across the country.”

Call AT Precision on 0191 581 6508, email sales@atprecision.co.uk, or visit www.atprecision.co.uk.

FRH UNI hardware is designed to suit traditional reversible window profiles, including PVCu, timber, aluminium and timber/ aluminium composite windows. It’s a robust hardware system designed for situations where safe control of the window opening is necessary: including high-rise applications where wind and height issues are of concern. Safety features such as integral child restrictors and reverse catches provide ultimate protection.

Catering for all project requirements, the FRH UNI system offers multiple options for opening, including top swing hinges, which allow end users to fully reverse the window, and Projecting side/top hung hinges for standard

Roto’s FRH UNI Top Swing fully reversible window gearing

outward opening window operation. These hinges utilise the same sash and frame details, allowing any style to be fitted without changing profile routing.

This ensures a uniform aesthetic appearance of all window designs and provides a standardised window style throughout a property.

Commenting on the milestone, Carl F Groupco’s Roto Product Manager, Julie Warner said, “It’s been a pleasure to be a part of the FRH UNI’s growth and success over the last 20 years. Since Roto acquired the brand in 2016, we have seen major

product developments to futureproof the range.

The biggest enhancement has been to upgrade all components to Grade 5 corrosion resistance as standard, which has been a massive appeal to new and existing customers.”

With a trading history dating back over 70 years, Carl F Groupco has a strong reputation for hardware expertise. Since Roto acquired the FRH UNI range, the distributor has taken on the TSL and SSL espagnolettes, NT and Designo tilt and turn gearing plus the Inowa patio hardware. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Chris, I felt compelled to write to you after reading the United Front open letter from nineteen fenestration companies.

I’d like to congratulate them on their approach to the current ‘unprecedented and unrelenting challenges’ that we as an industry have faced since March 2020.

As an independent hardware distributor of leading manufacturer brands, Carl F Groupco have always been at the mercy of price increases from our partners and distribution costs. During my 32 years as managing director for the company,

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never have we experienced the volume and consistent, unpredictable nature of price increases that we have incurred over the past 12 months. As stated in the open letter, price rises are global and are impacting the whole construction industry and further afield.

Supply chain issues for hardware seem to be levelling out with many of the issues resolved following the post-lockdown boom and issues arising from restarting production lines and importing goods. We have significantly increased stock levels, ordered hardware further in advance and work with our manufacturers and fabricator customers to ensure we mitigate the risks of any shortages.

I’d like to pass on my gratitude to all the companies that signed the open letter. It’s important that these messages are passed down the supply chain and this is a powerful statement covering the complex issues we collectively face. Far too long our industry has had a tarnished reputation, however the professionalism and clarity shown in with the #unitedfront letter is refreshing.

We sponsored the Glazing Summit held in October which provided further proof of the enhanced professionalism within the industry. With 425 delegates attending to discuss the most pressing issues we face; the importance of collaborating is evident. We are a resilient industry, and we

John Crittenden

will continue to successfully manage the challenges that lay ahead, especially as we collaborate and put value on the products and services that we offer.

John Crittenden Managing Director, Carl F Groupco

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

HARDWARE & SECURITY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

UAP LTD REVAMPS INTELLIGENT HARDWARE ‘ESSENTIAL’ RANGE TO BOOST PICK AND GO SALES POTENTIAL UAP Ltd has refreshed its Intelligent Hardware ‘Essential Range’ with new products, new packaging and new graphics to help builder’s merchants, wholesalers and trade counters benefit from increased pick and go sales.

Available with a compact, flat-packed and easy to assemble point of sale (POS) display to help entice customers to buy, the Intelligent Hardware Essential Range includes over 100 products across internal door hardware, external door hardware and window safety. All items are clearly branded and labelled, with eye-catching graphics for ease of identification and blister packaging for ease of display and robust protection of the product.

New lines including letterplates, door knockers and door viewers have been added to the popular range, which is now co-ordinated and instantly recognisable in its new format.

The varied products are all stamped with the Intelligent Hardware ‘Best by Design’ seal of approval and have been selected by UAP Ltd’s experts to ensure the range offers excellent choice and compatibility. Every item is supplied with full fitting instructions and UAP has also produced literature to help customers familiarise themselves with the

“The new look, packaging and POS will help merchants and trade counters to attract increased sales and, because UAP has such extensive UK stockholding, the wholesale sector can rely on consistent availability too.” range and select the right combination of products for their needs.

The free-standing, metal POS unit, which has been specially designed for the Intelligent Hardware Essential Range, allows everything to be displayed neatly so that customers can view what’s on offer. The pick and go packaging and displays are designed to reduce wait times and entice impulse buyers, making it quick and easy for customers to select the right items with the innovative product selector.

The Intelligent Hardware Essential Range includes handles, escutcheons and bath turns, hinges, door locks and complete door packs for internal doors. For external doors, the range offers handles, cylinder locks, mortice locks, letterplates, knockers, viewers, numerals, door chains and hinges, and for windows it provides window restrictors and window

locks (sash jam). All items are supplied with a 5-year mechanical warranty where applicable and are fully-tested where required.

Simon Marr, general manager of Intelligent Hardware commented: “Many of the products in this range are already popular with builders, joiners and DIYers, and are go-to lines for merchants and trade counters.

“Our aim with this revamp was to co-ordinate the range with consistent branding, packaging and installation instructions so that customers can instantly identify what they need and trust every item in the Essential Range for quality, ease of use and value for money.

“The new look, packaging and POS will help merchants and trade counters to attract increased sales and, because UAP has such extensive UK stockholding, the wholesale sector can rely on consistent availability too.” www.uapcorporate.com

DHF ANNOUNCES MARTIN KEELAGHER AS ITS NEWEST BOARD MEMBER Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced that its newest Board Member is Director of Security Access Systems Ltd, and Chairman of DHF’s Automated Gate Group, Martin Keelagher.

Following eighteen months of unprecedented challenge, during which DHF has flourished as an organisation, it is continuing to strengthen its infrastructure and plan for the future. Martin’s presence on the Board also ensures vital representation from the automated gate sector.

Working in the industry since 1997, Martin is a fierce advocate for safety across the profession. This passion, and his support for DHF’s clarion call that ‘safe gates save lives’, has enabled him to make a tremendous success of his position as Chairman of the Automated Gate Group, a role he has held since 2019.

His mission remains that of spreading the message that those with responsibility must be legally compliant, and of the importance of education through training.

www.glassnews.co.uk | November 2021

“Martin is a highly skilled and seasoned professional whose objectives are perfectly aligned with our own,” says DHF’s Head of Commercial Operations, Patricia SowsberyStevens.

“Martin possesses a raft of strengths, knowledge and experience that he brings to the Board and we are delighted that he has made this commitment. Furthermore, his appointment also comes at a time when DHF is celebrating ten years of support for the automated gate sector. Martin’s continuing dedication to DHF and to

making the industry safer is widely known, and we are thrilled to have him on board, particularly as this is a voluntary role.”

“I am very honoured to have been voted to join the DHF Board and look forward to working with them to ensure that progress in achieving greater standards of safety, continues to be made,” adds Martin.

“DHF has created an enviable training programme that not only offers accredited training that educates the gate sector, but that of the Industrial & Garage Door sector,

Martin Keelagher

and with its collaboration with BRE, fire door sector. It is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected trade associations and its tireless efforts in promoting industry standards are renowned. I look forward to contributing to their future endeavours.”

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HARDWARE & SECURITY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

SUPPLY CHANGE RESILIENCE IN A CHANGED MARKET The ongoing effect of the pandemic and the surge in demand from the domestic sector has highlighted problems caused by overstretched supply chains in the industry. Chris Pell, General Manager of Total Hardware discusses the importance of working with suppliers with robust and transparent supply chains to support a changed market.

Let’s face it, supply chains were designed for stability, not uncertainty. This was the assumption that most, if not all industries, were accustomed to with high availability of stock to support any fluctuating demand considered the norm.

But then the pandemic hit - which created unprecedented demand and supply disruption on a scale that this industry has not seen before. As a result, businesses were blindsided by rising shortages and increasing costs which further exposed the frailty of supply chains to scale up quickly to support the rise in demand.

The stresses of the last eighteen months have revealed the fragility of the modern supply chain across the industry. Rarely has supply chains been faced with more complex and changing conditions. As a result, a new paradigm for competitive resilience to support the supply chain is necessary, with companies applying a systematic approach to their sourcing strategy rather than a return to prepandemic practices.

Like the rest of the industry, we have been affected by current market conditions too.

Unprecedented demand for window and door hardware has never been higher with some of our products showing an increase of 110% growth. No company could have

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"The suited hardware range is available in nine different finishes, white, black, chrome, gold, satin silver, flint, tungsten, anthracite grey and antique black, and includes window and door handles, letterplates, door knockers, letters and numbers."

anticipated this rise in product demand but by upscaling our business quickly and efficiently, we have continued to deliver on our promises for our customers.

Demand forecasts and product inventory allocation is crucial. Having said that, using previous estimates or historical data is no longer feasible when planning. As a result, we have increased our stock levels considerably to keep pace with demand.

This has also resulted in us extending our Leeds stock distribution centre by a further 20% to allow us to hold more stocks from our multiple ranges of hardware. And investment in additional local workforce and the purchase of new operational machinery, has ensured quick and accurate output has been achieved across our distribution centre.

As a large nationwide supplier of marketleading window and door hardware for the trade, we offer a comprehensive range of products, suitable for all projects at competitive industry prices. We have strong partnerships with several leading worldwide hardware manufacturers and also offer our own quality hardware ranges.

It’s the breadth and scale of our offer that customers really appreciate.

In an industry which is dominated by highquality products and reliable service, we are

passionate about our offering. We provide a quick quotation turnaround and due to our planning, investments and increased stock inventory we have continued to offer reliable next day deliveries on a nationwide basis.

Competitive and reliable delivery times are essential to our customers. And by holding greater levels of stock supported by our procurement team’s meticulous planning have we been able to supply more of our hardware ranges to customers quickly.

Every product in our vast inventory is designed to deliver at the highest level

and are suitable for all market sectors.

For example, our own Quantum range of premium hardware for windows and doors is aimed at fabricators who want to differentiate their own product range. The suited hardware range is available in nine different finishes, white, black, chrome, gold, satin silver, flint, tungsten, anthracite grey and antique black, and includes window and door handles, letterplates, door knockers, letters and numbers. A 10-year mechanical guarantee is available across the range.

For customers working in the premium end of the domestic market our Superior 25 door hardware is a popular choice.

Manufactured from 304 Grade stainless steel, Superior 25 door hardware is suitable for all door projects, including doors situated in demanding environments and projects with a high-end focus on enduring quality. And with a 25-year surface finish guarantee and 10-year mechanical guarantee, installers can fit with absolute confidence. Add in our partnerships with Kenricks, Yale, UAP and GU, and we deliver a formidable product offering for our customers.

How long this boom in demand will last is yet to be seen. But in order to mitigate the risks to your own business, you need to work with suppliers with a robust and diverse supply chain to support this new business landscape. And at Total Hardware, we offer just that.

For more information visit www.totalhardwareltd.co.uk

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Complete Hardware Complete Hardware Support Support

Technical advice from industry experts

Technical advice from industry experts

Comprehensive manufacturer guarantees

Testing and accreditation guidance

In house fit ups and training

Testing and accreditation guidance

In house fit ups and training

£millions in stock to support OTIF delivery service

Comprehensive manufacturer guarantees

Speak to the Experts in Hardware today: t. Peterborough: 01733 393330

e. sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk

t. Cumbernauld: 01236 721557 w. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk Speak to the Experts in Hardware today:

£millions in stock to support OTIF delivery service

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

DOORCO® REVEALS BRAND EVOLUTION

ODL EUROPE LAUNCHES NEW COMPOSITE DOOR BROCHURE ODL Europe has just published a new composite door brochure to support their growing customer base. Ian Glenister, ODL Europe’s Technical Sales Manager, said: “Our new brochure showcases our complete composite door collection, including our newlylaunched Deco and Moderne door ranges. The brochure will continue to support our customers while appealing to today’s design-conscious consumer by demonstrating the wide choice on offer.”

The comprehensive 60-page brochure is filled with high-quality images throughout covering the full range of doors and multiple glazing options available from the Bootle-based business.

The contemporary new brochure design perfectly demonstrates their extensive door range including the widest selection of composite door styles, choice of finishes, four glazing frame collections, large colour palette and extensive decorative glass options. Ian said: “Our new brochure will not only support our fabricating customers but also translates

into a better representation of our doors for the domestic market.”

The new brochure has lifestyle imagery throughout and is supported with technical information to help homeowners choose the right door for their home. Ian said: “The brochure stresses the technical benefits of our products so today’s consumer can buy with increased confidence. We have developed a range of traditional and contemporary door styles that will suit all tastes, house styles and budgets, along with some unique door styles to satisfy the most discerning customers.”

ODL Europe is the company that builds value into building products. And as this new brochure shows, it also helps build value into its customers’ businesses, which is why it is such a proactive and valuable composite door partner.

Copies of the new Composite Door brochure can be downloaded from the website at www.odleurope.com or requested directly by emailing enquiries@ odleurope.com.

DoorCo® MD Dan Sullivan unveils the brand evolution the company has recently undergone: “Over the last decade DoorCo® has grown to become a serious player in the UK composite door market.

When a company goes through such exponential growth, you would expect it look different. DoorCo® may be bigger, but it is also better than ever before.

We strongly believe this is because the foundations of our business have remained consistent: the fundamental beliefs and behaviours set out back at the beginning, still underpin everything we do today.

“A big change this year has been the creation of our house of brands, developed to give individual identities to our products under the DoorCo® umbrella.

Creating these separate brands gives them personality so they stand out from the crowd and appeal to customers with different tastes and requirements.

But it is what sits at the top that is the most important factor, and following the work done with our creative partners to launch our two new products GRiPCORE® and FLiP®, we were inspired to look at how DoorCo® itself is represented.

“DoorCo® is still essentially a composite door component supplier, and while our company name

might be obvious, it is synonymous with what we do and the reputation we have developed. This is as much our brand as our logo is and therefore, it was important that this exercise focused on evolution, not revolution. It had to mark the progression of DoorCo® as a business but retain our identity that has been with us from the beginning and is still important to us today. This is represented by the Co in DoorCo®.

“Although the visual identity has been modernised, our logo has been given a facelift with a new font and colour scheme, we’ve added a new tag line - ‘Whatever it takes’ – which aligns with our attitude and indicates what you can expect from dealing with DoorCo®, and we have developed stamps and idents that show we’re proud of the quality of our products and services, the same core logo remains. This is because for us, the Co represents a set of principles that we live and work by. The foundations of what makes us, us and the cornerstones of our business.

These are our compass and include values like Conscientious, Committed, Collaborative, Considered, Connected, Consult, Complete, Communicate and Committed.

“For the last 18 months we’ve all been at ‘code red’.

New customers that have joined DoorCo® since March 2020 probably aren’t aware of what we truly stand for, so the rebranding has given us an opportunity to take stock and re-group, and most importantly remind everyone of the spirit that built DoorCo®.

Our foundations are what has seen us through a very turbulent period and has enabled us to emerge stronger. It’s time to reestablish the ground rules and set the compass to take us on to the next level.

“Our compass and the meaning behind our values, and our brands are all demonstrated on our new website, that has been given a full overhaul in line with the new brand. Take a browse: www.door-co.com.

MERCURY RISING IN SLIDING DOOR SALES Specialist fabricator Mercury Glazing has announced a tenfold increase in demand for its popular aluminium sliding doors. Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, explains: “As a specialist aluminium window and door fabricator we offer our customers the reassurance that they are working with an expert business when it comes to the manufacture of high-quality aluminium sliding doors.

As the boom in the sliding door market continues, we’re becoming the obvious partner for installers and builders looking to tap into this growing market trend.”

Steve reports that the sales growth comes across the entire aluminium patio door range that the Gloucester-based business offers, including wide-span sliding doors.

Steve comments: “In the domestic sector, more and more consumers are discovering what sliding patio doors have to offer when it comes to the trend for big expanses of glass.

“The aluminium sliding patio door delivers on this trend better than any other option as the construction allows for

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wider glazed panels, up to 3000mm wide, and fewer vertical frames to break the view, which customers find appealing.”

The company manufactures the Cortizo 4700 aluminium patio door, which delivers superb energy efficiency and thermal retention with contemporary aesthetics at an attractive price point. Steve says: “Our aluminium patio doors are suitable for both commercial and residential projects and we have recently offered an introductory price of just £500.00 per pane, which is proving popular with customers.”

The aluminium patio doors are manufactured at Mercury’s new dedicated aluminium manufacturing centre in Gloucester. As with all Mercury’s products, the quality of their aluminium sliding doors is evident at every level. This includes stainless steel rails for trouble-free use, a 40mm slim interlock allowing more glass appearance, superb strength and weather residence and PAS24:2016 upgrade.

And for customers tapping into the trend for colour, the aluminium sliding doors are available in a wide choice of single or dual colour options.

Since 2020, Mercury has doubled its turnover and remains well on track to meet its growth strategy over the next three years. Having opened their second bespoke manufacturing unit, the company has made a sizable six-figure investment in automated machinery and recruited several high-level appointments to their talented 60-strong team. And when it comes to delivering the products the market and their customers need, the tenfold sales growth shows the company clearly has its finger on the pulse.

Tel: 01452 383344 – www.mercuryglazing.co.uk

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

SUSTAINABILITY IS MORE THAN AN ‘A’ ENERGY RATING Asa McGillian, the head of composite door maker Apeer, says that the implementation of sustainability strategies throughout the business has brought significant and measurable benefits.

With soaring energy bills continuing to dominate news headlines and editorials, homeowners are turning their attention to the energy performance of windows and doors once again. With many homeowners previously paying more attention to aesthetics than energy efficiency, thermal performance is now likely to come under much closer scrutiny than for many years.

The marketing-led retail window and door industry is likely to

respond quickly, with ‘U’ values and especially the ‘rainbow’ charts of Window Energy Ratings, gaining new prominence in showrooms and on websites.

Including our own retailers of course, who will be delighted with the ‘A’ rating that all Apeer doors offer, achieved through the solid foam core and coated, triple glazed cassettes, where fitted.

However, whilst our products have been ‘A’ rated for some time, rather than being a knee jerk reaction to the new emphasis on

the processes by which we fill the cores of all Apeer doors with PU foam have been improved to reduce overfill and therefore waste of that material. The spinoff of the improvements in these two practices alone, has reduced manufacturing costs and also sped up the production time for each unit.

Apeer Managing Director, Asa McGillian

energy efficiency, we believe that a focus not just on the performance of our products but our whole organisation, is far more important. Whilst our collective efforts are far more difficult to communicate, the efficiencies that we seek and apply throughout our organisation, bring rewards to everyone in the route to the ultimate customers for our products, in terms of reduced energy and environmental impact of course; but also, in the inherent efficiencies that the introduction of sustainable strategies bring with them.

Like many organisations I suspect, we began with a series of individual processes that have built into what is now a clear and identifiable strategy under the all-encompassing concept of ‘sustainability’. Our instinctive dislike of waste has resulted in a 93% reduction in the amount of non-recyclable packaging materials for example, whilst

The energy efficiency of our production and logistical processes, from glass toughening ovens to delivery vehicles, is continuously evaluated, with existing equipment improved where possible and with a close eye on energy efficiency when we replace and renew. Heating 120,000 feet2 of factory space, especially here in the gusty, often inclement weather of our region, is becoming a particularly heavy burden with efficiencies in the heating system now a priority.

However, the benefits of seeking out and applying ‘sustainable’ practices throughout our business have far wider implications than cost savings and energy efficiency, as important as these are.

STRENGTHENING OUR BRANDS As a business we invest a great deal of money and effort on marketing. As such, we have come to recognise the importance of our brands being associated with environmentally conscious practices by consumers, especially as younger buyers move up the purchasing ladder.

With millennials now increasingly driving trends, each generation on is increasingly aware of the

sustainability of the products and services in which they invest. A new video that we are about to launch addresses the sustainability of our brands precisely for that reason.

MEETING THE DEMANDS OF CONSUMERS Research increasingly confirms that the majority of consumers (66%, according to Neilsen) are prepared to spend more money on products that have strong sustainability credentials, a figure that I believe might have increased significantly following recent events.

INCREASED EFFICIENCY By definition, the implementation of sustainability strategies will result in efficiencies, even if that was not the intended outcome.

Collectively, we believe that the sustainable measures that we have implemented in our production facilities, for example, have resulted in increases in output of around 65% during the past three years, despite that not being the intended outcome. These include energy efficiency, waste reduction, improved tolerances, recirculated water, heat exchangers and other measures.

ATTITUDE OF MIND Somewhat more difficult to measure but important nonetheless, is what I believe to be a significantly improved attitude throughout the workforce and at every level. Staff have an improved outlook when they believe that the purpose is not merely to make money but to improve conditions for their workplace, for their community and therefore, for themselves.

The existence of an ongoing commitment to sustainability is also beginning to make itself felt during recruitment, with younger applicants increasingly asking about the company’s carbon footprint and policies, for example.

Like many SMEs, the pursuit of sustainability may have been begun somewhat piecemeal at first. But now everything that we do, is closely examined for the impact our business has way beyond our factory gates. www.apeer.co.uk

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Oh so BEAUTIFUL It’s beautiful just to behold the precision and detail that goes into every Virtuoso composite door. Each one is painstakingly designed to represent the authentic look of natural timber or the contemporary finish of powder-coated aluminium. The finished result is Virtuoso beautiful.

There’s oh so much more to discover at virtuoso-doors.co.uk/oh-so-beautiful

WINDOWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

OPTIMA WINDOWS USED SPECTUS WINDOWS SELECTED FOR BESPOKE ARCHITECT-DESIGNED IN EXTENSIVE HOME REMODELLING PROJECT HOME IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Optima windows from Profile 22 were selected for a high-end contemporary property refurbishment in Orpington near Bromley in Kent.

The window installation was part of a wider refurbishment to remodel a bungalow into a twostorey house. In total, 18 windows were installed, including a striking three pane bay window. Floating mullions were used and fire egress windows were required to meet building regulations on the upper floor. The design featured equal sightlines to help the homeowner achieve the high-end aesthetics they wanted which were further enhanced with the choice of Anthracite Grey on both sides.

The windows were manufactured by Emplas, one of the UK’s largest window manufacturers.

Installation was by Affix Windows of Sidcup, Kent, a market-leading installation company in London and

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Kent that focuses on delivering a high quality and successful result every time.

Callum Hennessy at Affix Windows, commented: “Having listened to the vision from the homeowner, Optima windows were the perfect choice for this project and were invaluable in creating the sophisticated appearance the homeowners wanted to achieve.”

He continued: “Because the window installation was part of a much wider building project it was vital to work closely with the homeowner to keep everything on track. Our expertise and experience were invaluable in ensuring the installation was straightforward from start to finish.”

The end result is a stunning testament to the quality and style of Optima windows. The homeowner commented: “The choice of window was critical to this project and the attention to detail and the supporting customer journey from Affix Windows was impressive. They took the time to discuss the window aesthetics with us and showed us real-life applications so we could

visually see the end results.

They even took time to advise us on the type of windows needed for the upper floor to meet current building regulations. It was an end-to-end professional service.”

The high-end finish of the remodelling project is impressive and has already attracted local attention. The homeowner commented: “We’ve had several neighbours and passers-by comment on the refurbishment and asking us where we got our windows. We have had no hesitation in recommending Optima products and Affix Windows.”

Spectus windows were selected for a stunning modern architectdesigned home in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

The windows were manufactured and installed by longstanding Spectus fabricator, McIlhatton and Company Limited.

The detached stylish new home was designed to make the most of the stunning views over the local countryside so the choice of windows was especially important.

Patrick McIlhatton, Managing Director at McIlhatton and Company commented: “Spectus casement windows provided the high-end sleek aesthetics this project demanded to support the contemporary

architecture of the new home as well as being able to meet the thermal efficiency requirements.”

In total, McIlhatton and Company manufactured and installed 24 casement windows and one set of French doors. The highlight of the installation was the large apex feature window situated at one corner of the property.

McIlhatton and Company recommended a steel support top and bottom for this window to ensure the building was sufficiently reinforced.

To help meet thermal efficiency requirements, all the windows had a Window Energy Rating of A, which is McIlhatton and Company’s standard rating. The frames were manufactured in Anthracite Grey outside and white internally, which helped to create the sophisticated required aesthetic.

The windows were manufactured in McIlhatton and Company’s state-of-theart factory in Ballymoney.

They were installed by the company’s team of skilled tradesmen over two days

and thanks to careful planning, everything ran smoothly.

Patrick commented: “We have manufactured Spectus windows for over 20 years. We like the multi chambered frame, the sleek appearance, the durability, energy efficiency and colour selection that comes with Spectus products.

The high-end quality of the system delivers at every level and allows us to secure top-level projects such as this unique bespoke property.

We are delighted with the finished result which showcases our work perfectly.”

Established for over 30 years, McIlhatton and Company is Northern Ireland’s foremost manufacturer of PVC-U windows, doors and conservatories. It serves both the retail and commercial markets and prides itself on its excellent reputation for quality and customer service, both attributes that are in clear evidence on this bespoke project.

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

The completed project has proved so successful it has won the Installation of the Month on Epwin Window Systems’ Connect platform.

As a result, Affix Windows has won a £250 credit to use on marketing materials to promote the business and secure further sales. Callum concluded: “This was an important installation from start to finish and we are delighted to have been recognised for our work by winning the Installation of the Month.”

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

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Whatever it takes Email. info@door-co.com | Visit. www.door-co.com Motorway house, Charter Way, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 2NY

WINDOWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

250 SPECTUS ELITE 70 WINDOWS INSTALLED IN A NEW GREATER MANCHESTER NEW BUILD DEVELOPMENT Longstanding Spectus fabricator Jade Windows has just completed the manufacture and installation of 250 Spectus Elite 70 casement windows and 12 sets of French doors in an exclusive development of 19 two, four and fivebedroom cottage-style apartments and townhouses in Monton, Greater Manchester.

The project was a Homes England-funded new build development on behalf of Snugg Homes, part of the Jigsaw Housing Group.

The project’s main contractor was Tyson Construction and Jade Windows secured the window and door contract thanks to an impressive track record of working with Tyson on previous contracts.

To help create the modern cottage style the project required, the window specification was for high quality casement windows in black woodgrain foiling. All the windows and doors needed to meet PAS 24:2016 and Secured by Design requirements.

The project took six months to complete and faced the same issues as every other project that’s taken place during the pandemic. As a highly experienced contractor, Jade Windows was able to mitigate and manage the difficulties.

Its expertise is recognised in its status as a Spectus Approved Commercial Manufacturer, which means it has proved its capabilities and is able to meet the highest quality and service standards. Ryan Fozard, Director at Jade Windows commented: “We had to deal with the global shortage of materials as a result of the pandemic, but

we worked closely with Tyson to ensure realistic time frames and meet set deadlines.

This meant exceptional project management was required at every stage. We also had to be mindful of the people involved – we took extra safety precautions to ensure the health of our staff and were particularly respectful of other trades on site.”

Jordan Whelan, Contracts Manager at Tyson Construction, said: “We worked closely with Jade Windows to ensure a controlled installation was achieved.

There is no doubt that the professionalism and expertise of the Jade team were instrumental in ensuring the project ran smoothly.”

Now that the new vibrant city development is complete, Ryan and his team can look back on a job well done. “Our solid relationship with Tyson and the trusted quality of the Spectus products allowed us to deliver this project with confidence. We are proud that we’ve delivered a high-quality installation that is providing much-needed new housing in the area.”

Tel: 0808 101 4143 - www.spectus.co.uk

KÖMMERLING’S GETTING FLUSHED FOR THE FUTURE KÖMMERLING has just launched a new 6-chambered flush sash profile for its 70mm platform that will achieve a U-value of 1.2 (W/m2K) as standard and in line with the eagerly anticipated new building regulations for the new housing and replacements sectors.

Available in 21 different colour combinations from stock, along with a fast-track service for other finishes, this new next generation flush sash has been designed with the future regulations in mind. It’s also a product development that has been specifically engineered for the latest TimberWeld, MechWeld and seamless welding technologies.

Glazing options are from 28 to 40mm and the cleverly designed steel reinforcement helps create a pseudo 7th chamber for enhanced energy efficiency credentials. It’s a design option capable of satisfying the requirements for a contemporary equal sightline window, or a traditional one, depending on the colour and finishing hardware chosen.

Robert Thiroff, managing director of profine UK and the KÖMMERLING brand commented: ‘The introduction of this new flush sash has been done so after a carefully orchestrated development process that befits the KÖMMERLING brand. It’s packed with technical features and performance

credentials, along with a wide range of finishes and several of our manufacturing partners are already looking to invest in it with a product launch programme.

He continued: ‘It’s a pity we couldn’t showcase this at the FIT Show this year, but we will certainly do so next, along with other product and service initiatives.’

For further information please visit www.profine-uk.com, e-mail enquiries@profine-uk.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.

MAKE IT EASY WITH SENIOR’S PURE® ALUMINIUM WINDOWS Building regulation compliance doesn’t have to be a chore thanks to leading aluminium fenestration manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems, whose patented thermallyefficient PURe® aluminium windows not only work with the new lower U-value targets but are also easy to work with.

Senior’s patented PURe® aluminium window system has been specifically developed and refined through close collaboration with the company’s extensive fabricator base to ensure that it is simple to fabricate, install and maintain.

Despite its impressive thermal-efficiency and unique PUR thermal barrier which gives the system the potential to achieve U-values as low as 0.71 W/m2K when

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calculated as a CEN commercial standard window, the PURe® window system doesn’t require any special tooling or training. It is also competitively priced, representing excellent value for money and significantly out-performing standard systems in terms of its thermal efficiency.

Non-toxic and safe to handle and manufacture, Senior’s PURe® aluminium windows have been constructed using mitred corners, joined with crimped or mechanical cleats. The system also features alignment chevrons to assist in achieving clean and accurate mitres and in line with good practice, a propriety sealant is used on all metal joints. For further ease of fabrication, the system’s integral transoms and mullions are scribed around the outer frames and fixed with either screw ports or shear blocks.

Senior’s PURe® range of aluminium windows are available in a variety of styles and configurations, including casement, tilt and turn, overswing reversible and parallel push opening, each able to achieve low U-values that exceed current building regulations. Offering exceptional design flexibility, the PURe® aluminium window system is also available

in a wide range of colours and finishes via Senior’s in-house powder-coating facility.

Senior’s sales director James KeelingHeane said: “We’ve always worked closely with our fabricators and installers to give them what they want, when they want it and we’re pleased that we’re ahead of the game in terms of offering our customers a compliant, low U-value aluminium window that not only complies with the new targets but is easy to work with. It’s also tried and tested, having been used extensively on projects since its launch in 2015 and becoming a popular choice with both main contractors and architects alike. At a time when the industry is experiencing so much change and upheaval, we’re committed to helping our customers stay on track by giving them a reliable, cost-effective and compliant solution – and that solution is PURe®, pure and simple.”

To discover more about Senior’s PURe® range of low U-value aluminium windows and doors, please visit www.seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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FACE TO FACE

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

THIS MONTH: David Jennings, CEO, UAP Ltd David Jennings, CEO of UAP Ltd, the specialist in door and window hardware and locks, discusses how he stumbled into the sector by chance 25 years ago and is now the head of a £22 million business

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...

Where were you born and live currently?

I was born and grew up in Prestwich, North Manchester and currently live just a few miles down the road in Bury

Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled I went to grammar school in Whitefield (which is half way between Prestwich and Bury and where UAP is based) and then on to Sheffield University where I gained a 1st Class Hons degree in Business Studies. I was offered the chance to do an MBA at Harvard but I turned it down – after taking UAP from start-up to a £22 million business over the past 25 years I think I can claim to have excelled at business and finance, without studying at Harvard!

Your favourite Sports or Interests I’ve always been a big football fan and a lifelong supporter of Leeds United, which started as a great way to irritate classmates who were all Man City and Man Utd supporters! I also loved playing table tennis when I was younger and my new passion is netball – I co-own Manchester Thunder, which is a super league team.

Something or someone that inspires you I’m inspired by what people can do if they put their mind to it. The charity initiatives that UAP has been involved in are a good example. Thanks to the money our team raised, there are hundreds of kids who can attend school in their village because we were able to pay for the schools to be built.

We’ve created a forest of 56,000 trees too – all thanks to the determination to turn an idea into reality.

The temptation you can’t resist I’m a self-confessed chocoholic and used to have a terrible chocolate digestive habit before the pandemic. Being away from the biscuit supply in the office and spending

more time walking the dog since the first lockdown has helped me lose three stone!

YOUR CAREER...

When and how did you join this industry?

It’s actually all thanks to a former neighbour of mine and a chance conversation about how his business had got into financial trouble due to a late payment. I lent him some money to help him with cash flow and, six months later when he was declared bankrupt, I was listed as a creditor so I asked him what had happened.

He supplied door knockers, but he was buying in the product, getting it drilled in one place, powder coated in another and then delivering it to the customer. I knew nothing about ironmongery, but I’d been involved in overseas manufacturing for the games industry and I knew that, with my contacts and business background, I could develop a leaner business model. From that first door knocker and a desk in my spare bedroom, I built a viable business and a talented team, both of which have grown to make UAP one of the largest independent hardware companies in the UK.

people and direction they need to keep the business on plan.

Your greatest achievement When I first started in this sector there were a few who predicted UAP’s demise within a couple of years. 25 years later, the company is not only successful but a great place to work.

Proving the naysayers wrong feels great.

The mistake you’d like to correct I don’t regret any mistakes because every decision I’ve made has put me on a course to where I am now. For me, mistakes are not problems to lament but opportunities to learn.

The talent you would like to enhance I’d love to be a great orator. I think the talent to choose the right words and deliver them well so that they inspire and influence people is quite rare and as useful in business as it is in politics.

AND YOUR FUTURE...

The job you do in 25 words

What would you like to do if you weren’t in the industry?

I oversee the company’s strategy and ensure our leadership team have the resources,

I have been involved with a lot of charities and sporting initiatives over the years,

most recently as the Vice President of the Encephalitis Society, so it would definitely be something that uses my skills to help charities raise funds and deliver projects.

A particular ambition When I step back from UAP I plan to establish a charity that focuses on making sure that all kids with a sporting talent have an equal chance at excelling and pursuing their dreams.

The way you want to be remembered I’d like to think that people will remember me as fair and consistent.

I’m very driven but treat everyone with respect and UAP has been built on the principles of fairness and respect.

If you would like to appear in ‘Face to Face’, or would like to nominate someone else to be featured, simply email chris@glassnews.co.uk.

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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G21 PREVIEW

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

LINIAR FEELING DOUBLE THE LOVE WITH G21 AWARD NOMINATIONS Industry-leading systems company Liniar was recently announced as a finalist in the prestigious annual G Awards in two categories: COVID-19 Business Hero Award and Best Component Supplier. After more than a year during which the whole industry has seen disruption, the nominations come as a welcome highlight for the team at Liniar’s Derbyshire HQ. COVID 19 BUSINESS HERO AWARD A special category added for the 2021 G Awards, the COVID 19 Business Hero Award recognises businesses that have gone above and beyond for their customers, their communities, and their employees throughout the pandemic.

“I’m so proud of this team, who regularly donate their time and pull together to collect food, toys, clothes and toiletries for those less fortunate. The nomination for this award is a very special one to us all.”

BEST COMPONENT SUPPLIER Liniar’s finalist status for this category focused on its community engagement throughout 2020 and 2021, including the PPE project which has provided free of charge more than 35,000 protective face shields for front line, NHS and healthcare workers from the early onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, ongoing community projects pioneered by Liniar have helped support charities and those less fortunate throughout its local community – which has been more important than ever during 2020 and 2021.

Sue Davenport, Group Marketing Director, comments, “We’re very conscious of how lucky we are compared to so many other industries, charities and people who have been severely affected by the pandemic.

“At Liniar this means we continually do our best to make a positive difference in our local area and beyond.

This G Awards category was open to any manufacturer who provides components to the glazing industry. Liniar’s entry stood out for the support it has provided to its fabricators throughout the pandemic. With a focus on transparent communication from the very start in March 2020, Liniar ensured its customers were informed what was happening every step of the way.

Group Sales Director Nigel Bishop explains, “Two-way communication was vital throughout the pandemic, both for us and for our customers. From the initial decision to close, to liaising on reopening dates and helping customers get to grips with LiniarConnect, our online system, the feedback has been phenomenal. In the midst of general confusion across most industries, I’m delighted that the Liniar team was able to work together to cut through the external noise and focus on what was important – our customer service levels.

“Whilst we’ve often had to put out news that wasn’t great to hear, customers have appreciated our open and transparent updates. It’s enabled them to pass on messages through the supply chain regarding Force Majeures, shortages, price fluctuations and lead time changes, helping to avoid nasty surprises. That can only be achieved through a fully joined-up leadership team, which I’m proud to be part of.”

The 2021 G Award winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony in London on 26 November 2021; good luck to all the finalists!

See the full shortlist for all award categories at https://bit.ly/3iK8TNv

THERMOSEAL GROUP SHORTLISTED FOR THE BEST COMPONENT SUPPLIER AWARD The UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of insulated glass (IG) components Thermoseal Group - has been shortlisted for ‘Best Component Supplier Award’ in the 2021 G-Awards. Winners are to be announced at the G-Awards Gala Dinner presentation evening hosted at the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel on Friday 26th November.

The G-Awards is the industry’s most established awards event when the best performing businesses are presented with esteemed awards for demonstrating exceptional standards within the year preceding entry.

Ranked no.96 in the Sunday Times HSBC International Fast Track 200 and voted

Spacer Bar Manufacturer of the Year in the last NFA’s, Thermoseal Group’s business development has been non-stop. In 2020, in the face of the backlash of Covid-19 and Brexit, it saw a 21% increase in export sales whilst coping with massive swings in UK trade. With an eye on the future requirements for its Thermobar and Thermoflex warm edge spacers, the Group set up a new ‘Centre for Innovation and Manufacturing’, expanded its technical centre, increased production capacity to meet growing demand, and achieved Investors in People 6th Generation standards… all whilst offering a first-class service to its customers.

months have been an immense challenge for the whole industry, so the Gala Dinner is a welcome opportunity for us all to relax and raise a glass to everyone.

“We are co-sponsoring the Champagne reception with Emplas, so we’d like to invite anyone attending the event to come and join us in a toast to all of the finalists. We wish you all the best in the awards and thanks to all those who have supported us over the years.”

Managing Director Gwain Paterson, says: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award which is testament to the hard work of our team. The past 18

Contact Thermoseal Group on 0845 331 3950 or Intl: +44 (0) 121 331 3950. Alternatively, visit www.thermosealgroup.com or e-mail us on sales@thermosealgroup.com.

RESIDENCE AND WIDGETS AMASS 6 OF THE BEST AS G-AWARDS FINALISTS The Residence Collection and Window Widgets have been nominated as finalists for 6 awards across 5 different categories in the industry-wide G-Awards, which celebrates the very best performing brands and businesses across 12 categories in the fenestration and glazing sectors.

The Residence Collection has been nominated for Best Commercial Project – Sewell Park, with a unique heritage school project in a conservation area in Norwich and Best Customer Care Initiative for the new customer on-boarding programme.

The premium window and door brand has also been put forward as a finalist in the Best Promotional Campaign category for its work promoting the opportunities for

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projects in conservation areas, with article 4 directives and those involving listed buildings.

Similarly, Window Widgets has been nominated for 3 awards as a finalist for Best Component Supplier, Best Promotional Campaign through their 21-year business anniversary, supporting two industry charities with a forthcoming sponsorship laden Pink Book production and finally, for the Best Sustainability Initiative. This latter entry is based upon the fact that in February, 2021 the business managed to achieve a zero-landfill mark and it is believed it’s the first businesses of its kind in the sector to achieve this wonderful milestone.

Jo Trotman, Marketing Manager for both brands enthused: ‘We are delighted to be finalists in so many categories, along with so many other amazing finalists and congratulations to them too. This achievement showcases the way in which we look to be the best in what we do.

2021 has been an amazing year already as a Real Homes Awards 2021 winner, Highly Commended in the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2021 and again shortlisted in the NFA’s.

She continued: ‘It’s hugely rewarding to receive such lofty accolades and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for the G-Awards night later this year, where we can all celebrate as an industry together once again.’

For further information please visit www.residencecollectiontrade.co.uk. For further information on Window Widgets please visit www.windowwidgets.co.uk.

Also look out for the social media handle of #widgetscomedy and please be a part of it, to help raise much needed funds for two very worthy industry charities.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

R E G I O N A L I N STA L L E R , N AT I O N W I D E B R A N D I N G O R L E A D G E N E R AT I O N ?

S O C I A L M E D I A & H O M E O W N E R M A R K E T I N G PA C K A G E - o n l y w i t h I m p ro v e !

I m p ro v e M a g a z i n e t a rg e t s h o m e o w n e r s a c ro s s t h e U K a n d i s d e d i c a t e d t o o u r i n d u s t r y.

Ta k e a l o o k a t t h e p a c k a g e w e a re o ff e r i n g :

We promote companies who sell windows, doors, conservatories and garden rooms to homeowners and we do this via our lifestyle magazine through email and social media.

• I m p ro v e M a g a z i n e - f u l l p a g e a d w i t h e d i t o r i a l f e a t u re

W i t h a F a c e b o o k re a c h o f o v e r 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 h o m e o w n e r s , w i t h i n t e re s t s i n h o m e s , D I Y a n d g a rd e n i n g , I m p ro v e i s t h e p e r f e c t p l a t f o r m t o a d v e r t i s e y o u r p ro d u c t s a n d s e r v i c e s . We a l s o u s e a t a rg e t e d e m a i l d a t a b a s e o f A B C 1 h o m e o w n e r s , t o g e t y o u r p ro d u c t s i n f ro n t o f p o t e n t i a l c u s t o m e r s .

W h a t ’s m o re , w e d o a l l o f t h e w o r k f o r y o u , f ro m a d c o n c e p t to design, Facebook ads and social media posts.

• E d i t o r i a l f e a t u re c o n v e r t e d t o a Facebook ad and advertised w i t h i n y o u r p o s t a l re g i o n • F a c e b o o k a d s l i n k b a c k t o y o u r a r t i c l e o n o u r l a n d i n g p a g e , w h e re c u s t o m e r s c a n e n q u i re • We b a d d re s s a n d y o u r c o n t a c t details also included on the l a n d i n g p a g e f o r d i re c t w e b t r a ff i c • We e k l y p o s t s o n s o c i a l m e d i a p l a t f o r m s : Tw i t t e r, I n s t a g r a m a n d P i n t e re s t • P ro m o t i o n l a s t s f o r a t h re e m o n t h period • A l l t h i s f o r j u s t £ 3 9 5 + VAT ( o n e invoice to cover a three month period)

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G21 PREVIEW

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

VEKA ANNOUNCED AS FINALIST FOR TWO G AWARDS! VEKA Plc is proud to have been shortlisted for not one, but two categories at this year’s G21 Awards.

The winners will be announced at the famous G Awards dinner which will take place at Park Lane’s London Hilton in November and will see VEKA among those named as a finalist in the ‘Best Sustainability Initiative’ and ‘COVID 19 Business Hero’ Award categories.

The Best Sustainability Initiative looks to honour companies who have adopted measures to minimise, reuse and recycle waste, protect the environment, and minimise energy use. They are

also interested in measures that have demonstrated the mitigation of climate change.

VEKA demonstrated to judges its ongoing commitment to sustainability after publishing its second comprehensive CSR, (corporate social responsibility), report earlier this year. Not only is CSR a key strategic objective for the business, but it also inspired VEKA’s new positioning statement for 2021, ‘We Care | We Act’ and new mission statement, ‘We care about our partners, our people & our environment.”

Like many businesses in the last 18 months, VEKA had to remain firmly focused on survival and the continued supply of product, to protect the welfare of its employees, suppliers, and customers. For many that would mean that CSR would take

“We’re honoured that our strategic approach to sustainability and our actions during the pandemic have been recognised by the prestigious G21 awards.”

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a back seat, and although they were honest in admitting they haven’t been able to achieve all the goals that they identified in their 2019 CSR report, they have still made progress and reported some impressive energy savings, ways to reduce waste and community support.

The ‘COVID 19 Business Hero’ Award looks to play tribute to the businesses that have reacted to the global pandemic and pivoted the way they operate to be a force for good within the glass and glazing industry.

VEKA’s strategic response to the pandemic protected the welfare of its customers, suppliers and employees. VEKA supplied material essential in the manufacture of the ‘Nightingale’ hospitals and helped to support 200 local families with food over Christmas. Despite unprecedented demand and shortages of raw materials, VEKA’s innovative approach has resulted in continued supply to its customers.

Dawn Stockell, Marketing Director at VEKA plc, said: “We’re honoured that our strategic approach to sustainability

and our actions during the pandemic have been recognised by the prestigious G21 awards. Like many businesses, our crisis management plans didn’t include a global pandemic. However, by the time the national lockdown was announced in March 2020, our management team had a robust plan. With a newly earned respect for the need to be able to flex our strategy, our plans remained ambitious, but sustainable, as we will never put the stability of the business or people at risk.”

Dawn added: “We are also very proud that our sister company VEKA Recycling is also a G21 Awards finalist. I believe that having two independently managed companies from the same group appearing amongst the finalists in this category, offers a very clear picture of the commitment the VEKA Group has to sustainability.

We’re looking forward to what promises to be a great event and we wish all the finalist the very best of luck.” www.vekauk.com

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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MACHINERY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

FENTRADE MAKES NEW MACHINE INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT CONTINUED GROWTH We enjoy working alongside the team at Glass News because they clearly care as much about our business as we do, always wanting to ensure they get everything right, and that our messages and the presentation of them are tailored perfectly for the audience receiving them.

It is always a plus to receive a proof in advance of publication, not only to check any final details, but also to get a ‘wow’ from the way things are going to look. We know our clients really appreciate and benefit from this.

The team has developed a really good mix of marketing tactics over the years, ensuring that the messages we want to send out are delivered through multiple channels to hit the widest possible audience.

I would have no hesitation recommending the team at Glass News to anybody who is thinking about working with them; they deliver great value and are a pleasure to work with.

Chris Globe Director Inside The Box Marketing

• Interviews, Face to Face Articles and Editorial Features • PR, Video, Weekly E-Newsletter and Website

Aluminium trade manufacturer Fentrade has just purchased a new machine from Elumatec as part of its continued business expansion.

Chris Reeks, Director of Fentrade, said: “The machine represents part of a significant investment programme linked to our overall growth strategy, which has included expanding into new premises and the introduction of new software and hardware systems.”

Fentrade has invested in an SBZ/122 70 Plus CNC profile machining centre and Chris says that it will bring multiple benefits to fabrication. “We will be able to rout, drill and mill practically every profile section that requires work, enabling us to achieve more efficiency in the production, increase our capacity with automation and further enhance the quality of the finished product.”

The delivery, installation and training for the new machine was carefully coordinated over five days to minimise disruption to production with specialist local contractors brought in to undertake the offloading and siting. Chris commented: “New machinery

installation is notoriously complex, but thanks to the expertise of Elumatec, the local contractors and our in-house team, everything ran smoothly.”

Fentrade is based in Newport, Wales, and works with trade and retail customers throughout Wales and the West and along the M4, M5 and M6 corridors. The company offers a wide product range and a commitment to customer service and quality, underscored by being nominated in no less than three categories at this year’s National Fenestration Awards. It’s a valuable combination and this latest stage of its growth strategy will enable the company to deliver the rapid lead times its growing customer base needs.

Chris concluded: “We’re a young company but our growth demonstrates that we’ve got our offer exactly right. We’re keen to capitalise on the strength of the current market and we have the strategy in place to do that. As a further part of the strategy, we’ve committed to exhibiting at next year’s FIT Show and we’re already looking forward to meeting existing customers and welcoming new ones.”

Tel: 01633 547787 fentradealuminium.co.uk

“New machinery installation is notoriously complex, but thanks to the expertise of Elumatec, the local contractors and our in-house team, everything ran smoothly.”

• Print Advertising, Digital Advertising and Find A Supplier • Yearly Packages with Full Service Multi-Marketing Channels Full Service Marketing & All General Enquiries: christina@glassnews.co.uk

www.glassnews.co.uk 66

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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CASE STUDY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

CUSTOMER CASE STUDY:

FORTRESS WINDOWS AND CONSERVATORIES Glass News catches up with Steve Duddridge, Managing Director of Fortress Windows and Conservatories, who says that consumer appetite for higher value products is increasing and how Sternfenster’s EasyAdmin and Sternfenster Plus systems have proved vital in managing high levels of demand.

Tell us a bit more about Fortress Windows...

Steve Duddridge: Myself and my dad, who are both joiners by trade, set up Fortress about 26 years ago. To start with we had a relatively small shop as a showroom, with a storeroom out the back – I remember painting the shop sign by hand!

We’ve grown considerably since then.

In addition to a separate conservatory showroom, we now have a 5,000ft2 premises, split equally between offices and a showroom and a store and we also have room to expand.

How are you managing current levels of high demand?

Steve Duddridge: It’s certainly very challenging at the moment, there’s a lot of pressure to keep up with demand, but we enjoy some outstanding support from our supplier, Sternfenster.

That comes from the customer service and technical support teams, but also through systems such as Sternfenster Plus and EasyAdmin.

I use Sternfenster Plus for everything – I’d go as far to say that it’s become almost a necessity to the day to day running of the business. I can see everything I need to see at the push of a button, I wish every supplier had a system like it!

The news feed is very useful, it’s a great tool to have. It lets me know if there’s an issue with materials or a problem in the factory that might effect delivery times, and that helps me to plan and to manage my customer’s expectations.

The same goes for the capacity planner. I can see exactly how much capacity there

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the standard white PVC box, people are prepared to pay much more for a space that’s useable all year round.

Do you think demand will continue? is in the factory, for any of the products in Sternfenster’s range, from the moment I place an order. To be able to communicate that to my customers is invaluable.

EasyAdmin is also fantastic, it’s clear that Sternfenster has put a lot of effort into it.

For me, the quoting system is the most useful element. If we’re sat down with homeowners, we can produce a professional looking quote very quickly. That creates a strong impression, it means there’s a much greater chance of closing on those quotes, it’s a definite advantage.

We’ve also recently invested in a new website and we have signed up for the new Proposal Builder system from Sternfenster.

That’s going to give us the ability to follow up enquires that come through to the site with a digital quotation pack and for homeowners to place a deposit or book a survey online. It all links with EasyAdmin and will integrate with our existing digital order processing.

Have you noticed an increase in homeowner demand for higher value products?

Steve Duddridge: Flush sash is a massive seller for us. Sternfenster’s StyleLine flush casement range, which comes with seamless welds, mechanically jointed mullions and transoms and dummy sashes, is one of the best on the market. We find that if our customers can afford it, then they will have it.

We’re also doing a lot more orders with foils, around 50% of our flush sash sales are optioned with a colour. Anthracite grey has been very popular, but my prediction is that black will be the next big colour.

We’re also pushing aluminium, and we’ve seen an increase in demand for conservatories and extensions with solid roofs. There’s been a big shift away from

Steve Duddridge: Unspent holiday money has been the biggest driver for the home improvement boom. I think a lot of people will remain cautious about travel for some time and we’ve also had feedback from customers we have said they plan to take less holidays, because they’ve realised how much money they can save.

Working from home is also contributing to demand. We ran a successful ‘work from home’ campaign through Facebook under lockdown, and I think the requirement for more home office space will continue.

We have some big, high end residential projects in the pipeline and we are booking jobs now [September] for early 2022.

We could do with some more fitters – it seems young people looking for a trade are more interested in being a plumber or electrician – but we have the capacity to grow and with the service and support we enjoy from Sternfenster, we are confident for the future.

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The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

FUTURE HOMES SUSTAINABLE CITIES Around a third of all our energy use in the UK is used in our homes. With the majority of this energy used in heating, this equates to about forty MTOE (million tonnes of oil equivalent) used every year.

The UK Government have some ambitious plans to cut energy usage by 2050 in many sectors. Glasgow will be hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), from 31 October to 12 November 2021 and the UK is striving to take a global lead to drastically cut carbon emissions.

The last change to our legislative window U-values for new homes was implemented in Approved Document, Part L in 2013.

Little has changed since then, but, that is all set to change following the Government’s recent Future Homes Standard Consultation. The updated Part L will likely be finalised and released at the end of 2021 to be introduced into legislation early in 2022. This will likely mean the introduction of window systems having to meet a lower U-value of 1.2 W/m2K (in England) for the ‘notional’ building and the possible introduction of triple glazing. Following this change, it is likely that Part L will be further revised in 2025, possibly taking window U-values down to 0.8 W/m2K. The changes are the result of the Government mission to achieving net-zero carbon by 2050 and ensuring that new homes are built to be “zero-carbon ready” as the National Electricity Grid decarbonises.

With the introduction of revised air tightness requirement, down from the limiting value of 10 m³/h.m² at 50Pa to 8 m³/h.m² at 50Pa (with 5.0 m3/h.m2 at 50Pa for the notional building) using the ‘blower door’ test method or a new ‘Pulse’ test method, our building structures are likely to become even more airtight. It is suggested that a house achieving an airtightness of 5 m³/h.m² will use 40% less energy on space heating than a house built to 2013 standards of 10 m³/h.m². With stricter airtightness, this calls into question how we can retain heat in our buildings in winter whilst maintaining healthy indoor air quality for well-being with controllable natural ventilation.

Will the change in thermal requirements in Part L and the revised guidance in Approved Document L Volume 1 change the material of choice for specifiers?

Probably not, as both of the predominant materials chosen for new construction, aluminium and PVC, can achieve the U-values required, albeit they will be thicker, more thermally efficient and may carry triple or quadruple glazing, consequently products will become more expensive. Balancing this increased cost will be increased product quality which is likely to offer products an increased in-use life, possibly up to twice the current life expectancy.

There are three areas of carbon emissions we have to remember; the production and

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a move to sliding systems for large glazed opening doors and the adoption of tilt turn window systems. Will this herald a move away from the UK’s love of the outward opening ‘casement’ window?

installation of a product, what the product can save (or use) during its useful life and what value it has at its end of life, or how it can be reused or recycled. Reducing the rate of replacement will significantly reduce carbon. In the future, we may be required to prove a carbon payback if a lesser performing product is to be replaced with a newer carbon saving product. Aluminium has proven its almost 100% recycling ability with no loss of structural strength, however, with long life comes the shortage of end of life recycling and currently, we can only supply up to 50% of the global demand for the material. Product recycling and sustainability are crucial if we are to ensure cyclical ‘cradle to cradle’ material resources in the future. Specifying aluminium will ensure its continued use for generations to come. 75% of all aluminium ever produced since 1880, when it became commercially viable, is still in use today.

There will likely be a move to adopting differing designs of windows and doors in the future to make the most of high insulation glazing, such as reducing sightlines to a minimum. This may mean

What does seem to be missing in this rapid move towards increasing thermal efficiency and airtightness in our future builds is the need for air ventilation, particularly in our homes. This is crucial for our wellbeing and continued health. We know that sealing up a small dwelling will eventually lead to condensation appearing on the coolest elements in the room, sometimes a wall or an abutment with a ceiling, where dampness can turn quickly into unhealthy mould growth. This is particularly relevant in social housing where occupants may be reluctant to ventilate due to the cost incurred in reheating. It, therefore, seems logical for future legislation to include mechanical ventilation with efficient heat recovery, or indeed cooling of incoming fresh air depending on the time of year.

Another issue that we do need to attend to as an industry is the robust detailing of interfaces between windows and doors and the building structure. Cold bridges often decrease the claimed efficiencies within a building construction that can reduce the effectiveness in use of a designed build by up to 50% of its claimed thermal efficiency.

As an industry, should we be doing more to incorporate or encourage the specification of interface designs that reduce cold bridging to an absolute minimum?

Here at Aluprof we already have an approved range of high-efficiency windows, doors and curtain walls which all meet Passivhaus accreditation. As a member of the Passivhaus Trust in the UK we are supplying systems for new and refurbishment properties whilst working closely with the trust regarding installation.

In each of our technical manuals, we show how our products can be installed to ensure the minimum of cold bridging. Our team of engineers are also on hand to work with architects and designers to help detail thermally efficient interfaces for Aluprof windows and doors into any structure.

Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their high-performance architectural aluminium systems. Further expansion of the company’s headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view. With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in the East of the USA, the company is becoming a global player in facade supply. Further information is available on the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005.

DECEMBER FEATURES Product Review Spotlight Special The G Awards - The Winners!

Software & IT Energy Efficiency Deadline Date for Booking: 19th November.

Email: emma@glassnews.co.uk

By Wojciech Brozyna - MD of Aluprof UK

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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GLASS

INTRODUCING QUALICOAT 3.0 In 1986 several national associations encompassing coaters of architectural parts formed a quality label organisation called QUALICOAT. The aim was to standardise procedures and increase the quality of powder coatings for its membership.

As an association it is our membership who continue to work together and undertake research which enables the QUALICOAT Standard to be updated on a yearly basis.

The aim of the membership continues to be to produce the highest quality coatings for extended life expectancy. With membership that includes the coaters, pretreatment suppliers and powder manufacturers QUALICOAT licences members encompasses the complete supply chain.

QUALICOAT is a worldwide organisation which works to a single standard, so a specification by an architect in London for a QUALICOAT finish will be coated to the same standard in any city across the globe. Membership continues to grow and includes all of the professional architectural coaters in the UK & Ireland. To ensure standards are maintained coating members welcome unannounced inspections twice a year by an association nominated test house. Members who fail the inspection could loose their QUALICOAT licence.

As with any applied finish, pretreatment is crucial to ensure that the bond of the finish is maintained, one of the crucial elements is the alloy substrate and its cleaning. In the QUALICOAT standard and the BS EN 1279, the surface is to be etched with acid or alkaline to remove impurities which is followed by a pretreatment system that seals the substrate and creates the key for coating adherence. QUALICOAT 3.0 goes further by looking at the alloy structure itself.

With the extensive research completed by the QUALICOAT membership it is now recognised that the alloy makeup can effect the extended life expectancy of the powder coating. Enter the QUALICOAT 3.0 Label for premium corrosion resistance class.

The QUALICOAT 3.0 Label allows for the use of both primary and recycled aluminium and is to be awarded to

Preparing aluminium for powder coating

the aluminium extruder. Aluminium QUALICOAT 3.0 requires an aluminium grade 6060 or 6063 where the relationship between alloying elements, extrusion quality, microstructure and corrosion potential meet the details laid down in the appendix of the latest QUALICOAT Standard. A QUALICOAT 3.0 specification will require a coating member to carry the ‘Seaside’ class membership as this is a prerequisite coating procedure for QUALICOAT 3.0.

The aluminium extruder will then get the “Aluminium QUALICOAT 3.0 grade” Label after a satisfactory result the following tests; an Optical Emission Spectroscopy test; an Anodic Cyclic Polarisation test and an Metallographic Study.

QUALICOAT 3.0 will be driven by specifiers who are looking to achieve even higher levels of robust coatings for extended service life. Further information is available from QUALICOAT UK & Ireland.

The next QUALICOAT UK & Ireland members meeting takes place on 19th October 2021, at the Arden Hotel & Leisure Club, Solihull , please contact the General Secretary, Jan Lukaszewski, via the QUALICOAT UK & Ireland website, should you wish to attend. For details on the availability of various colours and finishes contact any QUALICOAT UK & Ireland member for more information. For updated information about the use and specification of QUALICOAT in the UK and Ireland, please visit the UK & Ireland Association website at www.qualicoatuki.org

By Angus Mackie - QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Chair

PYROGUARD INFINITY THE PRODUCT OF CHOICE ON EXCITING IRISH REGENERATION PROJECT With glass an ever-popular building material, Pyroguard has helped to combine contemporary aesthetics with fire safety and sympathetically blend the old with the new on an exciting regeneration project in Cork, Ireland.

To ensure that the desired aesthetic was achieved, while also meeting building safety regulations, Pyroguard Infinity T-EI30/24-2 SWS fire safety glass was chosen by KCC Group and installed in the glazed partition, within a Jansen steel profile system.

A dynamic regeneration project in Cork, Ireland, Horgan’s Quay is a six-acre mixeduse development located on the River Lee, next to the Port of Cork. Centred around the conservation of the site’s industrial heritage, Horgan’s Quay features three contemporary office buildings, apartments, a hotel, leisure facilities, shops and restaurants, including the restoration of the site’s heritage goods shed, carriage shed and original station house.

Pyroguard Infinity is a range of fire safety glass certified for butt-joint applications.

With no vertical frame profiles required, it’s the ideal solution for providing visually appealing seamless partitions.

Manufactured to EI classification, Pyroguard Infinity provides the highest level of integrity and heat insulation, protecting against flames, smoke and heat.

No. 1 Horgan’s Quay is one of the development’s three office buildings, with the upper floors of the new modern structure cantilevered over the site’s original Goods Shed. The lobby area features a large glazed partition on the first floor, helping to create an open, light space, as well as sympathetically blending the old restored structure with the new.

KCC Group, a door and glazing contractor, were appointed to deliver the EI30 SWS Screen works on the project. Site Contracts Manager, Ger McNamee, said: “In order to ensure the safety of those within the building, 30-minute fire protection was required for the reception area, providing a fire barrier between the lobby and the first floor. Once we had the fire safety glass specification from the architect, O’Mahony Pike Architects, it was up to our team at KCC Group to source a supplier – this is when our relationship with Pyroguard began.”

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Ger continued: “Pyroguard has been a really great support on this project and we’ve developed a good working relationship.

Michael Shoer, Pyroguard’s Technical Sales Manager for Ireland, has been especially helpful; he’s always there to provide advice when needed, and all the products have been delivered on time, which is key when working on any construction project.

“We now plan to work with Pyroguard and use its range of fire safety glass solutions on other upcoming projects in Ireland.”

In addition to No.1 Horgan’s Quay, Pyroguard Protect T-EI60/25-3 was also installed in the development’s Dean Hotel, used within the Jansen EI60 insulated steel double doorsets.

Part of the Technical Fire Safety Group, Pyroguard has been delivering its fire safety glass solutions to the construction market for over 30 years, helping customers to create beautiful and safe living and working spaces.

For more information, please visit: www.pyroguard.eu.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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GLASS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

RITEC LAUNCHES FASTEST EVER WAY TO APPLY CLEARSHIELD® ‘NON-STICK’ EASY-CLEAN GLASS PROTECTION Ritec International is introducing QuickSpray 300™, the fastest ever way to apply Ritec ClearShield® ‘nonstick’, easy-clean protection on glass surfaces. This is in response to industry demand for a cost-effective yet quick and simple method of applying award-winning ClearShield® protection onto new glass. To make QuickSpray 300™ even more appealing, Ritec is offering an introductory 15% discount for a limited period.

As the name suggests, QuickSpray 300™ allows users to simply pick up the spray applicator and quickly apply Ritec ClearShield® in their own premises. This makes it ideal for smaller sized or smaller quantities of glass, or for infrequent users of ClearShield®. For those who have never tried ClearShield® before, the QuickSpray 300™ kit allows users to try it out with minimal financial risk.

Should there be a need to adapt to greater volumes of production, semi- and fully-automatic application methods are available.

QuickSpray 300™ is available in kit form which includes the 300ml QuickSpray 300™ refillable spray applicator, 500ml of non-flammable Ritec ClearShield® protective surface treatment and 300ml of Ritec Clean-All, an after-care product.

Ritec ClearShield® works on both new clear float and sandblasted glass, as long as there is not already a coating on the surface.

As with all methods of application, it is safe to apply as it is non-flammable and not classified as hazardous. The QuickSpray 300™ spray applicator is non-pressurised, propellant-free and ozone

friendly. Unlimited shelflife on product refills, available directly from Ritec, ensures there is no product wastage.

With over 40 years of proven experience, Ritec ClearShield® glass surface treatment upgrades ordinary glass surfaces to ‘non-stick’, easy-clean ClearShield Eco-Glass®.

This special type of glass has many benefits: • Resists staining and discolouration • Makes ordinary, unprotected glass easier to clean and keep clean • Glass looks like new for longer • Improves hygiene, as it is independently proven to resist the adherence of bacteria In today’s hygieneconscious times, and because Ritec ClearShield® resists bacterial adhesion, QuickSpray 300™ is perfect for use on glass sneeze screens.

THOSE IN THE KNOW CHOOSE TUFFX Aluminium and uPVC specialists Framex prides itself on offering customers the highest quality products in the market. So when a homeowner came to them asking for three bespoke rooflights, Framex chose leading safety glass specialists TuffX to fulfil the brief.

The rooflights were required for a ground-floor residential extension in Rossendale, with the customer requesting blue-tinted solar glass to maximise the light, comfort and ambient feel of the space by reducing both glare and heat from the sun.

“We are seeing more and more customers requesting these flat rooflights to zone up the open plan living spaces within their properties, by introducing floods of natural light,” said Framex Director, Tim Mooney, “We are very happy using TuffX’s Infinity rooflight products; they are always easy to install.”

TuffX’s Infinity fixed flat rooflights are available in clear, blue and privacy glass finish options, in five standard sizes as well as bespoke measurements. Three rooflights of a standard size, 1000 x 1500 mm, were chosen with the blue glass option. The delicate blue tint provides 62% solar heat reflection to protect from the sun’s solar rays and 51% light transmission to reduce the sun’s glare, ensuring indoor spaces are bright, welcoming and full of natural daylight.

Framed in contemporary anthracite grey powder-coated aluminium, TuffX Infinity rooflights are available as either double or triple-glazed, which has an insulating u-value of 0.7 w/m2 – 30% better than rooflights with standard double glazing.

“Infinity rooflights look as great as they function, are easy to drop into place and are delivered direct to site – making them extremely popular with homeowners and installers alike,” said TuffX’s Managing Director Graham Price.

“With a range of standard sizes available, as well as the option for custom sizes, with double or triple glazing and the choice of a variety of glass finishes, by choosing Infinity rooflights you can be confident you are offering your customers the best way to achieve exactly the results they are after.”

For further information on the full Infinity range from TuffX visit https://www.tuffxglass. co.uk/ or call 0845 3400 200.

To find out more about Framex visit https://framexuk.com/ or call 01706 587836.

Martin Burkett, Ritec’s General Manager, says: “We are excited with the launch of QuickSpray 300 as a fast and cost-effective method of applying ClearShield.

Whether you are a large volume glass processor or a glass artist, QuickSpray 300 is perfect for getting professional ClearShield treatment on smaller quantities of glass for instant added value with minimal fuss.”

The 15% introductory discount applies to any purchase of QuickSpray 300™ kits in the UK directly from Ritec International until 10 December 2021.

For more information, visit www.ritec.co.uk/ quickspray300.

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

COLD CALLING

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

DANNY WILLIAMS

‘COLD CALLING’

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

“I have been reading the Open Letter sent out by various suppliers to the window and door industry (didn’t see your name there Danny?!). As a retail installer I found it interesting but it’s a bit late as we have been putting these fires out with our customers for some time now with most of the issues covered having largely been resolved. The exception is rising prices of course, but our customers seem to have accepted that they are paying more for their windows and doors than they would have done even a few weeks ago. None of it resolves the Big Issue of people however, specifically fitters, which we can’t get for love nor money. Do you have a magic wand for that Danny?”

PJ Lincolnshire Thank you for pointing out my newfound professional status as Billy No Mates PJ! Of course, I read the letter signed collectively by some of the UK window and door industry’s finest, including some with whom I have very good relationships. What they said was bang-on of course, but as you point out, a tad late in the day: many of us, including one or two of the signatories, have been banging this drum for at least a year now, so the timing is a little behind the curve, almost certainly delayed by getting everyone to agree.

The problems the letter discusses that have beset all of us in this industry during the past 18 months, are well documented. And as you observe, are edging behind us now (though in this upside-down world, no outcomes can ever be guaranteed!). But as an industry of entrepreneurs, we are excellent at responding positively to challenges and many of us will come out of this better than we went in.

My loyal reader may recall previous episodes, some selfinduced, where we have faced threats to which we have responded and emerged as an improved business. And heaven knows, this past 18 months have provided the greatest test that most of us have ever faced.

At Pioneer, our fortunes have improved considerably during the past 18 months. This has been for various reasons of course, but not least because we have gained a lot of new business from installers whose key suppliers shut the door

"At Pioneer, our fortunes have improved considerably during the past 18 months. This has been for various reasons of course, but not least because we have gained a lot of new business from installers whose key suppliers shut the door on them when the brown stuff hit the fan in the early days of the pandemic." on them when the brown stuff hit the fan in the early days of the pandemic. Just like me, they didn’t forget who stood by them, and who let them down. We kept our factory running throughout, not least because we have a number of supply and fit contracts with NHS estates, which in turn enabled us to quickly kick-start supplies to our installer customers as we were all allowed out again. We didn’t have to re-boot from scratch.

More importantly, the pandemic has forced us to improve every single element of our business, to sharpen up our processes, our infrastructure and not least, our attitudes.

And behind all of that, we have all just worked harder.

Our turnover is 50% higher than pre-Covid, with output around 40% up. A huge marker of just how much harder and better we are working is that we are achieving this with around 15% more people that we had as the bug bit last year.

We fought back with new kit, new and revised processes, better monitoring, and management. And also by working both harder and smarter.

Incentives and targets for our people are even more direct and are clear and identifiable; and when the chips are down, the managers, including yours truly, are out there in the yard, the factory and behind the wheel of our delivery trucks, putting in the sort of day’s work that most of us thought was well behind us.

The result goes way beyond increasing and maintaining, despite everything, at least reasonable delivery schedules to our customers. Because they tell us that they have noticed a change in us, that we have more energy, more urgency, that we are slicker, better to work with. That they also enjoy working with us more, a very pleasant and unexpected outcome of the changes we have made.

The upshot of all this PJ, is that whilst I am beating our own drum, we will not be alone in becoming better at what we do, in finding strength through adversity. Which means that our industry should emerge far better than when we went into what many thought might be the end.

I am conscious that I have not answered your key point however, that of the crippling shortage of fitters. The Open Letter is of course addressing the difficulties facing the supply side. But the difficulties that every installation business has in finding and securing even half-decent window and door fitters, threatens the success of our industry more than any other issue. And which is where the leaders of the window and door industry need to direct their attention and whatever resources that they have at their disposal. Until we find a solution to that, however well the supply side is doing will largely be irrelevant.

"The result goes way beyond increasing and maintaining, despite everything, at least reasonable delivery schedules to our customers.

Because they tell us that they have noticed a change in us, that we have more energy, more urgency, that we are slicker, better to work with.

That they also enjoy working with us more, a very pleasant and unexpected outcome of the changes we have made."

* 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.

www.glassnews.co.uk | November 2021

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CHARITY NEWS

YOUR LETTERS

LETTERS

F*CK INSULATE BRITAIN SHIFTING THE DYNAMIC UAP LTD AIDS ENCEPHALITIS SOCIETY OUTREACH ACROSS THREE INITIATIVES Dear Chris, Dear Chris, We have been designing sustainable fashion since 2015.

We are passionate about anything that we can do to combat the acceleration of climate change but we have been so disgusted by Insulate Britain’s actions over the past few weeks that we have just released a F*ck Insulate Britain sweatshirt and t-shirt, because we feel they are doing such damage to the reputation of eco activists: https://bit.ly/3Dn548N https://bit.ly/3alDRXI They claim that they are trying to “save the human race”, yet all we can see is utter disdain for humanity and human lives in their actions. Their blocking of the M25 in September reportedly caused a woman to be paralysed. On another occasion this month they had to be physically removed from the streets of London, where they were blocking a sick elderly lady from getting medical attention that she desperately needed.

Are they sorry for their actions?

Far from it. In fact Insulate Britain mastermind, Roger Hallam, has said he would have refused to move for a crying woman trying to get her mother to hospital.

Supposedly the reason they believe they can directly cause people to die or be permanently paralysed is because they think insulating your home is a matter of life and death… but Liam Norton, their leader, hasn’t even bothered to Insulate his own home!

When this got revealed on Good Morning Britain, he stormed off the set.

If he can’t afford it, why doesn’t he borrow money to pay for it? If home insulation really is the deciding factor in terms of the potential immediate end of the human race, surely getting into debt will be well worth it?

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? Feel free to get in touch with your views on the industry, legislation, government, or even the newspaper.

Contact Chris: chris@glassnews.co.uk

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According to Insulate Britain it seems it is ok if people are killed so they can protest but it’s not ok for Liam to borrow the money needed to insulate his own home?

We are no longer going to sit and listen to Liam and Insulate Britain compare people to Nazis and, if you have any opportunities for us to comment on this reprehensible behaviour that is ruining our chances of collectively becoming more sustainable, we would love to have a conversation with you.

Over the past year, we all know there’s been a fairly radical shift in the supply chain dynamic – and not just when it comes to demand, supply and labour.

One of the most interesting changes that’s taken place is in the relationship between the supplier and the customer.

Where once the onus was on suppliers to invest in the relationship and try to build customer loyalty, that’s been completely turned on its head and it’s now customers having to do most of the hard work.

I’ve been in this industry for decades and I’ve never known a situation like we are in now where customers at various points in the supply chain are having to compete with one another to get hold of stock.

Understandably, there’s allocation going on at every level – from raw materials and profiles to hardware, glass and finished frames, but the decisions about who is getting that allocation seems to come down to relationships as much as it does to buying power.

I’m regularly hearing of component suppliers and fabricators shedding customers as they prioritise those who are easiest or most profitable to deal with, and certainly I know plenty of installers have found themselves almost without stock as a result.

As a commercial installer buying upwards of 500 frames per week and with a track record for always paying our bills promptly, we would consider ourselves to be a ‘good customer’.

Certainly, we’ve never had any problems getting hold of frames before, but this year that’s been as much down to the time we’ve spent visiting suppliers, negotiating on deadlines, and dual and triple sourcing, as it has to our ability to pay.

Would you be interested in covering our F*ck Insulate Britain campaign?

I’m not sure how long this situation will continue or whether it represents a permanent shift in how the supplier/ customer relationship will work but, if it does, where does it leave the smaller installers in this industry who don’t have time to invest in keeping their suppliers on side and who don’t have the resources or buying power that we do?

Kind regards, Deborah Marx www.tomcridland.com

David Thornton Chairman, The Window Company (Contracts)

Dr Nicholas Davies, Chair of the Encephalitis Society’s Scientific Advisory Panel

Leading hardware and locking systems specialist, UAP Ltd, has helped provide support to those living with the effects of encephalitis and to further research into diagnosis and treatment with a triple charity donation initiative.

The company’s CEO, David Jennings, was appointed vice president of the Encephalitis Society in January. He is passionate about research into treatments and prevention for the condition, which is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or a faulty immune response. He is also keen to help those living with the condition, having lost his own brother, Phillip, to encephalitis at the age of just 17 in 1975.

UAP Ltd has a long history of raising money for charity and helping communities local to their Manchester HQ and around the world, so David was keen that encephalitis would be a key focus for this year.

The company has contributed to a travel bursary to help medical professionals from low-tomiddle income countries attend the Encephalitis Conference in London in December, hosted by The Royal College of Physicians, so that they can benefit from knowledge sharing and the latest insights and research into the condition. UAP has also contributed to seed funding to help researchers in developing countries to further their programmes in the field.

Closer to home, UAP Ltd has also co-funded a respite weekend for children living with encephalitis and their families in the Peak District. The first ‘in person’

event held by the Encephalitis Society since the beginning of the pandemic, the actionpacked weekend included zip wires, archery, raft building, orienteering, abseiling, and a singalong with a storytelling folk singer, along with focus groups to discuss topics as diverse as coping at school and how the Encephalitis Society can improve its outreach work.

David Jennings commented: “From raising money to help build schools in Nepal to donating PPE supplies to local faith groups and community services during the pandemic, charity initiatives are embedded in our culture at UAP Ltd. “I have very personal reasons to want to help those working towards encephalitis prevention, treatment and support for people living with the condition, but the whole UAP team has got behind the fundraising initiative and I am proud that we have been able to contribute for those involved with the Encephalitis Society in the UK and around the world.”

Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive at the Encephalitis Society added: “Bringing people together, whether for respite on a residential weekend or for learning at our annual conference, is a very important part of what we do. The financial support that UAP has provided this year is so valuable to so many people; those living with the condition and working to improve outcomes now, and in the future. We’d like to thank David and UAP for their support.” www.uapcorporate.com

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

CHARITY NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

GM FUNDRAISING’S GMF CUP 2021 GOLFING COMPETITION TEES UP OVER £40,000 FOR HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICES GMF Fundraising has confirmed that its GMF Cup 2021 golfing competition has raised £41,033.74 for Hope House Children’s Hospices. The Ryder-Cup style event took place 14-16 September in Quinta do Lago, Portugal and saw two teams made up of representatives from the industry go head-to-head.

RACE DAY IS A GALLOPING SUCCESS FOR WIDGETS Window Widgets were the sponsors for the Glass Times Race Day, which was held on 9th September at the Epsom Downs Racecourse and formed part of the 21-year business anniversary for the company.

A number of customers, staff and suppliers enjoyed the hospitality at the event, which proved to be the first opportunity for many to interact with the wider industry. There was a dedicated race in the form of the Window Widgets 21st Anniversary Sweepstake and the team had the opportunity to choose the best turned out horse for that race.

Envelopes were placed on all tables as part of the charitable Little Pink Book of Jokes campaign, with a view to raising £21,000 for two industry charities, GM Fundraising and We Mind & Kelly Matters, raising £1,847.75 in the process.

Gary Morton, founder of GM Fundraising, said: “It was great to return to Quinta do Lago for our fundraising event. Having had to postpone it twice, it was incredibly rewarding to finally be able to get it over the line and raise some much-needed funds for the families and kids at Hope House Children’s Hospices.”

He continued: “I would like to thank all of the players, support team and indeed the whole GM Fundraising team for their efforts in ensuring this event happened – it was an amazing achievement given the circumstances. A big thank you must also go to the staff at both Wyndham Grand Algarve and the South Course, Quinta Do Lago, for their patience and understanding.”

The event saw representatives from well-known business across the industry, including software companies, extruders, hardware and machinery suppliers, as

well as many leading fabricators. Two teams - Team Hope and Team GMF – went head-to-head with Team Hope eventually emerging as winners. The final result was Team Hope 14.5 and Team GMF 12.5.

All funds raised at the event will go to Hope House Children’s Hospices, which has a mission to ensure that no one should face the death of a child alone. It costs £6.5 million every year to run its services and 86% of this is spent on care. Over 95% of Hope House’s annual costs are met through charitable donations and GM Fundraising is its largest single donor.

Gary concluded: “Like all charities, Hope House has been hard-hit by the pandemic and fundraising is more important than ever. Through events such as the GMF100 cycle challenge and now the GMF Cup we have raised an impressive total of £101,327.42 so far this year. The support of the industry never ceases to amaze me and every pound raised goes towards helping the kids. Once again, on behalf of the whole GMF team, the families and, most importantly, the kids at Hope House, a huge thank you.”

Tel: 0845 302 1966 www.gmfundraising.co.uk

Jo Trotman, marketing manager Window Widgets commented: ‘It was a wonderful day and one in which we could safely interact with the wider industry after such a long hiatus. Thanks go out to everyone that contributed to the table envelopes and the team at Glass Times for putting on such a great day!’

Through advertising, e-marketing, PR and social media, Window Widgets are encouraging anyone across the industry and beyond to submit their favourite jokes by emailing jokes@windowwidgets.co.uk, visiting the landing page at www.windowwidgets.co.uk/widgetscomedy or via social media using the #WidgetsComedy hashtag. Donations can also be made at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/widgetcomedy to help generate much needed funds for these very worthy charities.

For further information please visit www.windowwidgets.co.uk. Also look out for the social media handle of #widgetscomedy.

KICK IT WITH KEYLITE CHALLENGE ROLLS OUT NATIONWIDE Keylite Roof Windows (Keylite) is challenging its UK merchant partners and friends to #KickItWithKeylite, in the name of raising £30,000 for three fantastic children’s charities.

The Kick It With Keylite Challenge has been extremely well received throughout Ireland over the last few months, fundraising for Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin and Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

The challenge involves participants seeing how many attempts it takes them to kick, throw, putt or bat a ball through a Keylite Roof Window – which means no matter the chosen sport, anyone can Kick It With Keylite!

www.glassnews.co.uk | November 2021

Now, the support from merchant partners and their customers across Ireland has encouraged Keylite to expand the charity initiative to support the Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity local to Keylite’s head office in Burton upon Trent, and to raise the total fundraising target to £30k across the three charities.

Passionate about raising as much money as possible, Keylite has pledged £7,500 towards its £30k goal and urges anyone that gets involved in the fun by participating or watching the challenges to lend their support by donating as well.

Jim Blanthorne, Managing Director at Keylite, said: “After proving to be a huge

success throughout Ireland, we’re very excited to be bringing the Kick It With Keylite Challenge to the whole of the UK. “We’ve seen how much fun the Kick It With Keylite tour has been, and we can’t wait to visit our UK merchant friends over the next few months to get everyone onboard. We’re asking any branches that want to host a #KickItWithKeylite day to get in touch via social media or one of our sales reps.”

For more information on Keylite Roof Windows’ Kick It With Keylite Challenge or to donate, please visit keyliteroofwindows. com/kick-it-with-keylite or visit Keylite’s social channels.

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CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

SPONSORED BY GQA AND BUILDING OUR SKILLS GQA Qualifications is the only issuer of CSCS cards for the Glass and Fenestration industries.

Building Our Skills is a strategic campaign designed to help bridge the growing skills gap in the Fenestration Industry

NEW APPOINTMENTS

ROSEVIEW FOCUSES ON CUSTOMER CARE Respected sash window manufacturer Roseview Windows has increased its focus on customer service with an expanded customer care team headed up by a new Customer Care Manager, Brian Read.

Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Roseview’s operation, having spent many years in the UK and America running customer care functions at highend companies such as Mecho Systems, PPG, Rationel and Cherwell Windows. The majority of Brian’s time has been spent at manufacturing companies, largely within the fenestration industry.

Brian’s initial priority is to change Roseview’s focus from a traditional service and parts team to an expanded modern customer care team with a wider and more complete

customer care remit. To that end Brian has already increased the team by adding an extra service engineer plus an extra officebased customer care representative.

Talking of his appointment, Brian said: “Roseview has a great reputation for customer service, but there’s always room to do better. For a nationwide company of Roseview’s size, manufacturing as many high-end sash windows as we do, the existing service team was remarkably small.

That’s testament to quality of the products we make. But my goal is to improve that further by transitioning from a traditional parts and service operation to a more modern customer care team that assists customers all the time, not just when things occasionally go wrong.

“In my short time here it’s already clear that Roseview are a forward-thinking company, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to bring a new level of service excellence both to Roseview and the industry.”

Roseview’s managing director Richard Burrells comments: “When I met Brian I was impressed by the fresh vision he has for customer care in the window industry.

Along with the other improvements, modernisations and investments we’re making, it’s already clear that Brian and the customer care team he is building will be a great asset to Roseview. Brian and his team are focused on delivering outstanding customer care to our customer, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings.”

For more information visit www.roseview.co.uk or call 01234 712657.

DECEMBER FEATURES

Product Review Spotlight Special | The G Awards - The Winners! | Software & IT | Energy Efficiency Deadline Date for Booking: 19th November. Email: emma@glassnews.co.uk

NEW APPOINTMENTS

A SMART RECRUITMENT FOR KUBU Kubu and Avantis Hardware have just appointed Alastair Wheeler as their new national key accounts manager, bringing with him considerable experience and expertise within the hardware sector over the last 30 years.

This new role will involve the development of existing customers and also the introduction of new ones, as Kubu leads the smart-sensor revolution in windows and doors.

With the new window sensor, it’s a pivotal time for the Kubu brand and one that’s set to be a milestone for the industry as it looks to embrace the considerable opportunities in the smart home market.

Alastair Wheeler commented: ‘Having Known Mark Bromley, the CEO of Avantis Hardware and Kubu, for over 20 years now I’m thrilled to be joining the business at this stage of evolution. With a background of working for

78

large global players in the hardware sector I’m looking to bring in my skillset and to use it for the business and the betterment of the existing customer base too. With the Kubu door sensor technology already getting well established in all sectors of the fenestration industry and the new Kubu window sensor now firmly on the horizon, the opportunities for us and our customer partners in the smart home sector are going to be immense.’

Mark Bromley, CEO of Avantis Hardware and Kubu added: ‘Alastair’s experience combined with his personality, helpful nature and insatiable work ethic, will make him an instant hit with all of our customers. It is often said that the assets of any good business are its team members, and our customers could not be in better hands as we look to accelerate the growth of Kubu.’

For further information about becoming a manufacturing partner or Kubu Pro Installer then 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.

November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

CAREERS

NEW APPOINTMENTS

GQA-COMMISSIONED YOUGOV SURVEY REVEALS HOMEOWNERS' PREFERENCE FOR QUALIFIED TRADESPEOPLE A YouGov survey* commissioned

by GQA Qualifications has brought to light fresh insights from homeowners into training and qualifications amongst tradespeople in the fenestration industry.

The survey took note of the views of over 2,600 homeowners asking them to share their views about tradespeople carrying out improvement works in their home, and their thoughts about the importance of tradespeople having formal qualifications for their specific trade. The outcome was that over 83% stated they would have more confidence that a tradesperson would be able to do a job to a higher standard if they had a formal industry qualification. Over 84% agreed that they thought a qualified tradesperson was committed to learning the skills needed to do the job right, and over 85% agreed they thought being qualified showed that a tradesperson was truly committed to their trade and wanted to make a career out of what they were doing.

More generally the group considered all careers across all industries, and over 90% said they thought that formal training and qualifications are important for delivering better quality workmanship.

Commenting on these insights, Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA, the fenestration industry's leading awarding organisation said: "Clearly, if homeowners are reassured by tradespeople coming into their homes who can demonstrate a formal qualification

Statement agreement Please think about this statement. "For decades we have been recruiting too many young people on to university courses that do nothing to improve their life chances or help with their career goals" As a parent, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0%

20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0%

Strongly agree

Tend to agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Strongly disagree

As a reminder, the 'Fenestration industry' is the sector that constructs, places and glazes windows and doors in a building. It is one of the industries which is heavily involved in building many modern skyscrapers and buildings across major cities in the UK, such as the Shard in London.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following?

The Fenestration industry as a potential career path for my child

The Fenestration industry as an alternative to my child going to university

60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0%

Strongly agree

Tend to agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Tend to disagree

Strongly disagree

Fenestration agreement scale

for their trade, then it is obvious that training and qualifications can create a competitive advantage for business owners who encourage their employees down this route. Looking at things from the point of view of employees, it also makes sense

Like or dislike child exploring vocational training/ qualifications Please imagine that your child was thinking about further/ higher education (e.g. A-levels, university etc.)... To what extent would you like or dislike your child to explore vocational training and/ or vocational qualification career opportunities FIRST as part of the decision making process, or would you have no strong feelings either way?

for them to seek out those employers who do offer genuine career development through proper training. For young people starting out in the world of work, it is obvious that joining a trade that offers accredited training and formally recognised qualifications should be their goal. If we can get parents underlining this when their children are thinking about choosing a career, then we will be headed in the right direction to attract newcomers to our industry."

Heather commented: ‘I’m genuinely thrilled with the promotion onto the board of this great business. The culture here and work ethic is exemplary, and I will continue to build the professional and trusting relationships we have with suppliers. My job is to help make our buying patterns more effective for the benefit of the business and ultimately to help offer the best possible customer experience across the Window Widgets and The Residence Collection brands.’

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director added: ‘This is a strategic appointment for us, and Heather has already shown that she’s more than capable of becoming part of the overall business strategy. In particular, we’d like to thank her for unfaltering dedication to work since she started under challenging circumstances and now welcome her on to the executive board at Window Widgets.’

For further information on Window Widgets please visit windowwidgets.co.uk or request a copy of the product catalogue at sales@windowwidgets.co.uk or by calling 01452 345848. Look out for the social media handle of #widgetscomedy and please be a part of their 21-year business anniversary in aid of two industry charities.

Fore more information on the range of industry relevant qualifications available in the Fenestration industry, and the other fifteen sectors in which GQA operates please visit www.gqaqualifications.com or call 0114 272 0033.

45.0%

40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0%

0.0%

Tend to disagree

Agreement scale

0.0%

Window Widgets have promoted Heather Edwards to the newly created role of supply chain director, sitting alongside the current four owner-directors of the Gloucester-based business.

Having started within the business in February 2020 as supply chain manager, Heather has faced an unprecedented and challenging start to her career with the business, given the global issues facing raw material supply and price. Effective management of supply chains has never been so crucial and so this role reflects an increased importance of this fundamental business discipline.

45.0%

0.0%

NEW BOARD APPOINTMENT AT WINDOW WIDGETS

Like a lot

Like a little

No strong feelings either way

www.glassnews.co.uk | November 2021

Dislike a little

Dislike a lot

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4506 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 19th July 2021. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK homeowners.

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TIME OUT!

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

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Fill in your answer and your contact details below 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: 20/11/21.

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November 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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