Glass News February 2023

FIT SHOW 2023 REGISTRATION IS LIVE!

Registration for May 23-25

FIT Show 2023 edition is now live. Visitors can now register to attend the UK’s number one event for the windows, doors, glass, hardware and components industry via the FIT Show website (www.fitshow.co.uk.)

FIT Show 2023 marks an extra special edition of the B2B trade show as it celebrates ten years since its launch. Over the last decade, FIT Show has evolved significantly. From its roots as a predominantly UPVC windows and doors show, FIT Show now incorporates the full plethora of home improvement products in materials ranging from aluminium through to timber and the very latest glass technology.

Over 85% of space has now been allocated, 20% of which is made up of brands who have never exhibited at FIT Show before. In the last month alone, exhibitors to join the lineup include garage door experts Hormann UK, fenestration software providers Cyncly, Italian aluminium machinery manufacturer Gemma Group SRL, lifting systems companies Uplifter Gmbh & Co. Kg and

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GGR Group, aluminium systems company ASAS Aluminyum, Supalite Tiled Roof Systems and Windowparts.

As part of its anniversary event, organisers have announced a number of new and exciting features designed to entice visitors to return again this year. For exhibitors looking to qualify leads more efficiently, and indeed visitors looking to purchase the latest products, our brand new ‘Hosted Buyer Programme’ will set up pre-arranged appointments. This feature is brand new for 2023 and is designed to save time and money by taking visitors straight to the people and products they want to see most.

GGF and FENSA will partner with FIT Show to deliver another first class CPD certified learning programme. Content will tackle current industry challenges as well as covering the latest industry regulations and legislative changes. There will also be a new demonstration area on the show floor designed to complement the theoretical content with

hands-on, practical support for installers.

FIT Show event director, Nickie West said: “It’s always exciting when we open registration for FIT Show. It’s been a quick turnaround since our delayed 2021 event in May 2022, but we’ve managed to make some exciting changes and develop new features to broaden our appeal in this time. This, coupled with the fact that there are so many new brands to see for the first time, makes FIT Show an essential fixture in the 2023 calendar.

“This is your chance to see every link in the supply chain, under one roof, at the same time. Save time visiting multiple suppliers and distributors, wrap everything up for the year ahead at FIT Show. And the fact it’s our ten year anniversary event means there’s even more reasons to attend and help us celebrate than ever before!”

After the anniversary edition of FIT Show this May, there will be no FIT Show until 2025 with the event reverting to its ‘every other year’ pattern to complement Fensterbau.

A NEW CAREER? DIG MINES NOW!

Here we are, well into the New Year and while our industry continues to, hopefully, thrive, the rest of the world appears to be in much the same state as 2022. Striking workers, empty offices with employees on the school run and walking the dog and confusion reigning in government circles. Nothing new there. What has caught my eye, and I suspect many of yours too, is the ongoing issue of electric cars. It would be hard to ignore the scene of expensive Teslas queuing at motorway services over the Christmas period – sorry, should be something like Seasonal Greetings or Happy Holidays or at least nothing depicting any religion. It made me wonder just how practical it is to expect the motor industry to stop making petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. I read that vehicle manufacturers work about five years ahead such that this year may be the last opportunity to knock the idea of banning petrol and diesel vehicles on the head. Incidentally, does that mean that anything that is fossil fuel powered goes out the window? Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, hedgecutters and even generators that we may have as back-up against power cuts that may be just around the corner?

‘Range anxiety’ is having an effect. Stories of EV range being dramatically exaggerated are rife and driving around with no heater, radio, or any other electrical ancillary to conserve battery life is no fun. The big supporters of EVs, in fact 86% of those who really like them, have normal journeys of less than 100 miles. I just wonder how efficient it all is for a Business Development Manager traveling the country to visit customers and prospects?

We all want to aim for a green economy but when the manufacture of a pure electric car generates up to 74% more CO2 than the equivalent diesel or petrol vehicle; when we need about ½ million more charging points (currently at 40,000) and a huge increase in the generating capabilities of the national grid to ‘fuel’ these vehicles, surely it raises concerns as to whether we are approaching this correctly? If you add to this the loss of jobs in automotive, the issues with Britvolt, Britains’s biggest gigawatt battery firm which has already been rescued from administration, the need for around 300 new mines for raw materials such as

graphite, lithium, nickel and cobalt and even Toyota declaring that they don’t believe EVs can ever replace petrol or diesel as a single energy option, then surely the thinking is flawed? Fed up with fenestration? Start digging mines, now!

It's funny how the Government and our vast range of overpaid civil servants seem to always be late to the party. We, and indeed many other industries, have recognised the skills shortage and the need to do something about it. Now, as if it is new thinking, our Skills Minister Robert Halfon is saying we should be encouraging children to think of vocational careers as opposed to pursuing meaningless degrees on the traditional academic route. The Government wants children to consider a trade and that we should inspire them towards this end from an early age. Yep, pretty much what we’ve all been saying for some time. While still on the subject of the skills shortage a couple of GGF press releases we’ve received gives hope for the future. Firstly, Natalie Little’s arrival as President of the Glass & Glazing Federation has been roundly welcomed and her understanding of the industry through working at her family’s home improvement company will be valuable. What I would describe as the ‘new era’ for the GGF with John Agnew and Anda Gregory bringing an energy to the organisation can only be further enhanced with Natalie’s joining the team. The second release was most apposite considering my rant about skills! The GGF will be flying the flag for the fenestration industry in front of thousands of students at the National Apprenticeship & Education Event which will take place at Millennium Point, Birmingham in March 2023. They will be partnering with Building Our Skills – the industry organisation that’s committed to attracting new entrants to the sector and upskilling the existing workforce – for the event and this will attract students from over 2,000 secondary schools, including independent and grammar schools up to sixth form level, giving them a unique opportunity to discover and learn more about a wide range of future career paths, which will now include all that the fenestration industry has to offer.

The GGF’s Group Chief Development Officer, Anda Gregory, commented: “Attracting and retaining new talent remains one of the biggest challenges for all businesses operating in fenestration and key to addressing that is getting face to face with students so that we can open their eyes to all the incredible opportunities within our industry."

And so say all of us… Chris

GOT

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Email Chris at: chris@glassnews.co.uk

January 2023 crossword solution:

CONTENTS

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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR ROCKDOOR

The leading composite door manufacturer enjoyed a busy 2022.

Rockdoor have recently announced that 2022 was their most successful year to date, in nearly 30 years of manufacturing.

The leading composite door brand have overseen an extremely busy year, in which they have driven sales to new records, largely from exposure to their first ever FIT show, but also including factors such as their successful introduction of their ‘No Bow Guarantee’ for all doors.

Since the No Bow Guarantee was launched in late 2020, Rockdoor have eliminated the natural deflection of their doors, otherwise known as bowing, which has seen the company welcome new and former customers back to their brand, driving sales to a new record high.

Joint MD, Simon Bird hints that 2022 was only the beginning, as they look to maintain growth in 2023 and beyond:

“We have lots to be thankful for from last year, which resulted in our best year yet for Rockdoor. Exhibiting at the FIT show was obviously the catalyst for a successful year, as this allowed us to

widen our network of Trusted Installers across the UK.

“Our No Bow Guarantee which gives customers the reassurance our door will move by no more than 3mm, also saw us welcome back many familiar faces who have had their faith restored, alongside many new customers too. Furniture options for our doors have now increased, after the introduction of our premium furniture range back in August, which has opened up even more choice for our customers.

“We want to look forward to this year, with a number of exciting growth plans, along with new and imminent product releases, which we can’t wait to share with everyone.”

Forecasting further growth for the year ahead, the composite door manufacturer shows no sign of slowing down as they begin the new calendar year.

VINTAGE APPEAL FROM ODL EUROPE

ODL Europe has reported strong demand for their 1930s-inspired Craftsman composite door designs, with the shift from consumers to distinctive traditional styling still proving popular.

The company’s Trafalgar Square range was based on the Arts and Crafts-style door that combines decorative glazing options with the best in traditional styling. Suzanne Nicholl, Head of Sales and Customer Services at ODL Europe, explains: “Craftsman-style composite doors have always been popular in period properties, but we are now seeing an uptake in contemporary new builds and modern refurbishments too. Our Craftsman range evokes the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement and features the traditional ratio of a top third glazing and two thirds panel, emphasising the stunning woodgrain effect on our doors.”

The doors are taken to the next level with the unique ODL Europe Craftsman framing system, which is available in nine shapes. The broad, flat profile frame has architectural styling and blends perfectly with the Craftsman door slab to create a superior look. For the ultimate in 1930s styling, a dentil shelf is also available. Suzanne said: “The dentil shelf is installed below the top panel or glass of the door and gives exceptional traditional character.”

Like all ODL Europe’s composite door slabs, the Craftsman Collection are manufactured from the Capstone door slab, one of the world’s leading suppliers of composite doors. Over 750,000 Capstone composite doors are installed worldwide every year, so they are tried and tested in the most demanding conditions.

The Capstone 44mm door slab is manufactured using 2mm thick GRP SMC skins for impressive impact resistance. Stiles and rails are manufactured from a waterresistant pure PVC polymer and reinforced using LVL (Laminated Veneered Lumber) timbers with a minimum density of 570 kg/ m3. The SMC skins and sub-frame door assembly are fully bonded using a urethane adhesive resin. And for peace of mind, all ODL Europe door slabs are covered by a 10-year structural warranty.

Suzanne concludes: “Our composite door slabs have been purposely designed to reflect all door trends to give our customers a competitive advantage . And every door collection, whether Contemporary, Classic, Traditional or Modern have been meticulously designed in a range of styles and finishes allowing our customers a clear point of differentiation to offer a wide and varied portfolio. It’s a powerful proposition to help our customers make the most of the market opportunities.”

Tel: 0151 933 0299

www.odleurope.com

CDW SYSTEMS SET TO TRIAL ALUK LUMINIA F82 BI-FOLD

Specialist aluminium fabricator CDW Systems is set to trial the AluK Luminia F82 slimline bifold door with the intention of adding it to its range.

The Gloucester-based CDW, part of the East Manor Group, has fabricated Aluk’s BSF70 bi-fold for many years and is looking to be able to offer customers an upgrade

if they want it. The Luminia F82 has been designed so the frame and cill have slim sightlines of just 97mm and to be thermally efficient, delivering an industry

best 1.3 U-value with double glazing. It features a unique popout handle that sits flush within the frame and HD rollers which allow for smooth and seamless opening.

Jeremy Phillips, CDW Systems’ Group Chairman, said: “We have had enormous success with the BSF70 from Aluk but are looking at introducing the F82 due to its thermal properties. It’s a much more thermally efficient and modern bifold with better sightlines for uninterrupted views, which is what customers continue to want, and we are lining up training for that in the factory.

“It won’t take over from the BSF70, which we will still be offering, but we are trying to make sure we are prepared for 2025 and whatever that brings.

“We also want to make sure we can offer our customers an upgrade if they want a more stylish, sleek, and high-end aluminium bi-fold door. There will certainly be a demand for it, and we are looking forward to seeing what our customers think.”

Established in 1992, CDW Systems is one of the UK’s leading and longest running aluminium fabricators and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Its expertise and extensive market knowledge has seen it grow into one of the most well-respected specialists in the trade supply of aluminium window, door, and curtain wall products.

For more information visit www.cdwsystems.co.uk or call 01452 414853.

STEEL YOURSELVES FOR A TOUGH ‘23

Retail sales are subject to the most complex influences, with predictions that we bear witness to during an average day massively dumbed down, if only to fit the bite-sized -delivery demanded by the networks and most people’s attention spans these days

One fascinating analysis is the ‘share of calories consumed’, which credited the supermarkets’ buoyant Christmas trading with consumers’ inability to reach their favourite eateries due to the cold weather and of course, rail strikes.

Such complexities are available in the wider analysis of consumer spending generally of course and no doubt for home improvements too. But for a potted, feet-on-the-ground dissection of how the UK windows and doors sector is currently performing and crucially, what we may expect this year, then Pioneer’s Danny Williams, fabricator, retailer and commercial installer and now UK distributor of Gerda Doors - is as well

placed and of course willing - to offer a dependable view as any.

Referring to his trade fabrication activities

Danny reflected: “We ended the year nicely, coping well with the usual autumn surge in orders and we delivered well in December, even starting on New year orders. It has been a pleasant change from the whiteknuckle ride of the previous couple of years. And 2023 has also started well, with each one of our divisions doing nicely and now, manageably,” said Danny.

That includes Gerda Doors. Launched a year ago, Danny’s partnership with Polishbased Gerda Doors was the conclusion of a two-year search for a residential door that delivered clear USPs in a very crowded composite door market. A brand wellestablished throughout Europe for a wide range of security-rooted products, from padlocks to garage and the residential doors that Danny has brought to the UK, Gerda was virtually unknown in these Isles, except for a small presence in social housing.

That is now changing rapidly under the guidance and drive of Danny and his team, with the physical launch of Gerda Doors taking place at last year’s FIT Show since when, says Danny, a distribution and retailer network has been assembled, with some areas still being developed. Orders are being taken, says Danny, with sales expected to grow under the conditions expected this year: “White van man will be the hardest hit by the difficult conditions that are expected to continue throughout the next few months,” asserts Danny, “and anyone making and installing white plastic squares; there is

simply no margin at the low end and to be honest, I have avoided that for some time.

“But there is still plenty of potential in the middle sector…homeowners that have money, and decent jobs and income. But they are also intelligent people who are more likely to research any spend on their homes even more thoroughly than previously. And that is precisely where Gerda is placed,” explained Danny.

The USPs for which Danny was searching were most immediately answered by Gerda are delivered most immediately by two words: ‘steel’ and ‘aluminium’. Gerda doors use high quality steel and aluminium facings. With formats offered between 60mm to 88mm depths, thermal efficiency across the range is between 0.79 W/m2K

to 0.9 W/m2K. Three chamber reinforced aluminium internal construction with PU cores, located into reinforced aluminium outer frames is utilised across all doors.

The emphasis on security that is standard across all Gerda products, is rarely seen in any specification on composite residential doors currently available in the UK. Multi point locks, Teflon coated strike plates and anti-prise pins are standard throughout, with the highest specification hardware provided by Gerda itself, though with Fuhr figuring widely.

Styling is contemporary which, says Danny, will be favoured by homeowners looking for resi’ doors to complement their new aluminium windows: “Despite the surge in the popularity of aluminium windows, residential doors have been slow to respond. So whilst we are gaining traction for the sheer quality and style offered on all Gerda Doors, homeowners specifying aluminium glazing for their homes, are being drawn to Gerda.”

Danny is upbeat about 2023 generally: “It would be easy to become disenchanted in this country currently,” reflects Danny, “and forecasts continue to be pessimistic. But as we speak, even in January you can’t get into your favourite restaurants, the roads are full and car retailers can’t get enough stock to satisfy demand. The crazy post covid sales have levelled off thankfully, but I believe we will have a reasonable year. Our early activity leads me to be optimistic. We are at the FIT Show again with Gerda: we will know a great deal more by then.” www.gerdadoors.co.uk

With economy pundits forecasting steadier sales in higher end markets, Gerda Doors’ steel and aluminium doors might be just the thing to spearhead a sales drive. Glass

News talks to Gerda’s UK distributor Danny Williams to find out why he believes this.

VERSATILE DOOR DESIGN FOR THE WHOLE MARKET

FLiP, DoorCo’s industry leading door glazing cassette system is now available for any composite door on the market and Mark Towers from DoorCo explains the unique benefits are now available to any supplier.

Since its launch in 2021, FLiP has been revolutionising the composite door market. There is no other cassette system on the market that has the same attributes as the FLiP range – and it is now available to fit composite doors of 44mm,48mm,68mm and 70mm, which is basically any composite door on the UK market. So whether you are a DoorCo ORiGINAL or GRiPCORE customer or not, you can access the wide range of features FLiP has to offer from unrivalled aesthetics to outstanding performance.

FOAM IN PLACE® TECHNOLOGY

One of the leading benefits of the FLiP system is the Foam in Place® technology as it delivers a superior seal, enhancing the weather proofing and durability of the unit. This is proven by the extensive testing FLiP has undergone. Doorsets containing the system have been tested to BS6375-2015 and in accordance to EN1027, and achieved over 1000pa through the glazing aperture during weather testing. This is in large thanks to the fact that the foam seal on the outer frame is machine applied pre-delivery, rather than using labour-intensive tape application methods in-house. This simple feature actually offers wideranging benefits, from enhanced performance and quality to time and cost savings. It is also backed by our 10-year warranty.

SIMPLE & CONSISTENT INSTALLATION

The pre-foamed outer frame is an example of how simple it is to install FLiP. The cassettes are assembled using a simple click-together mechanism that requires minimal use of tools, only a screwdriver. The design of FLiP inside is made up of structural connectors that have now been redesigned to offer a range that works with different door thicknesses. These connectors also have a unique tilting head that adjusts to fit the thickness of the glass units being installed. There is also an innovative angled corner protector to reduce corner

flare and support heavy units, with an optional component to insert when needing additional security in larger apertures. Unlike some other systems, the FLiP components are consistent no matter what profile the outer frame is, which means installers only need to be trained once and manufacturing processes can be significantly improved.

FLAT PROFILE

FLiP has two variations of the flat cassette - Stipple and Grained - and three designs overall with the traditional Ovolo (Standard) design that also has a woodgrain finish. The flat profiles are perfect for the higher end, designer doors or to add a modern twist to a more traditional door style. For example, the DoorCo Pevero design champions this eclectic combination.

METALLIC & TWINTONE

As well as being the perfect partner to Links, DoorCo’s aluminium-alternative composite door, the FLiP Flat Stipple range has some other pioneering style choices. METALLiC has been created using the latest paint technology to add a little sparkle to door portfolio. TWiNTONE is a concept that uses an Anthracite Grey cassette against a grey door, to offer some serious contrasting design choices.

IN STOCK AND READY TO GO

METALLiC and TWiNTONE are just two of FLiP’s colour options available. FLiP has a choice of colours available across our Traditional, Contemporary and Designer designs, that are always in stock and ready to go. As a component supplier, DoorCo places a huge emphasis on stock and has a whole warehouse dedicated to delivering FLiP across the UK. FLiP has set the benchmark in driving customer demand for choice and individualisation and now it is compatible with any 44mm, 48mm, 68mm or 70mm composite door, it’s accessible for the whole market.

Whether you are an existing DoorCo customer or not, get in touch to find out how to transform your composite door portfolio with FLiP: 01625 428955 or visit: www.door-co.com/flip.p.

ENDURANCE® DOORS TAKES PART IN TV PROPERTY TRANSFORMATION

Endurance® Doors has contributed to a property renovation programme on primetime, mainstream TV. Products from the manufacturer of solid, secure and stylish exterior doors were recently used for a home makeover on Channel 4's ‘Worst House on the Street'.

A new six-part series, ‘Worst House on the Street' takes its name from the popular property development adage of ‘always buying the worst house on the best street'. This approach, which has long been favoured by savvy investors, is an effective way of maximising the returns on any investment.

Fronted by sibling property developers, Stuart and Scarlette Douglas, the show sees the duo using their expertise to offer families advice on how to transform rundown properties into their dream homes without breaking the bank.

Endurance Doors featured in an episode that focused on twenty-something newlyweds, Harry and Yimika. The professional couple had recently bought their first home in Croydon, South London. Located in the highly sought after area of Purley, the three bedroom, 1930s, mid-terrace house was outdated and had been neglected for a number of years.

Having bought the property for £415,000, Harry and Yimika had a remaining budget of £40,000 to carry out some muchneeded repair and modernisation work.

Given their finite budget and a project timeline of six weeks, it was essential that the couple carefully considered what renovations they would and wouldn't make. Any changes had to have a positive impact on the overall value of the property, and prioritising was essential to keep the project on track and on budget.

From the outset, Yimika wanted to add a porch to the front of the house and the show's hosts were completely supportive of this idea. They advised it could improve the house's security, energy efficiency and space utilisation. They also explained that improving the façade of a house to give it greater kerb appeal and a more welcoming feel can increase the price of a property by as much as 2%.

To ensure their new porch had the fresh and contemporary look they wanted, Harry and Yimika opted for a composite door from the Endurance® Doors Urban Collection. This range of doors includes ten modern designs which are perfectly suited to contemporary homes and traditional properties alike.

The specific option chosen was a Pen style door with an 1200mm pull handle and double sidelights. The couple decided on a door and frame in Anthracite Grey to create a chic pop of colour against the house's brilliant white exterior and to match their recently resprayed uPVC window frames. The door and wider porch were installed by Endurance Door themselves.

Upon completion of their transformation, Harry and Yimika were praised by the show's hosts, as well as their new neighbours, for creating a stylish, on-trend family home. The real measure of their success however came in the subsequent valuations with the updated property now valued at between £485,000 and £500,000. This was a 7 to 10% increase on their original purchase price.

Commenting on the use of the company's products in the show, Stephen Nadin, managing director at Endurance

FLiP your cassette offering in 2023

Not only is it compatible with any 44mm, 48mm, 68mm or 70mm composite door on the market, thanks to our new range of connectors, but our robotically-applied Foam In Place® technology eradicates the need for labour-intensive tape application while enhancing the weather proofing and durability of the unit.

So, with a choice of colours always in stock, available across our Traditional, Contemporary and Designer ranges and backed by FLiP’s 10-year warranty, it’s no wonder we’ve been named Component Supplier of The Year 2022.

Doors, said: "We are delighted that one of our Pen doors featured on the ‘Worst House on the Street'. Given the episode aired at 8pm on a Tuesday evening and on Channel 4, the UK's second most popular TV channel1, it was great exposure for the Endurance Door brand. The episode also highlighted the tangible difference an attractive exterior - including the front door, which is usually the focal pointcan have on the overall value of a property."

1 https://yougov.co.uk/ratings/entertainment/popularity/tv-channels/all

Worst House on the Street. Best Door on the Market? First time homeowners, Harry and Yimika are benefitting from the increased security, kerb appeal and energy efficiency of an Endurance Door following their appearance on Channel 4's ‘Worst House on the Street'.

FULL HOUSE

Leading composite door manufacturer Apeer, is now perfectly positioned as a one-stop shop supplier for high value premium and top-quality volume products thanks to the combination of its Apeer44 and Apeer77 ranges. We talk to Managing Director, Asa McGillian to find out more.

While newspapers battle it out for who can give the gloomiest forecast for 2023, there are plenty of people in the window and door industry that remain quietly confident for the year ahead.

They include Asa McGillian, Managing Director of Northern Ireland based manufacturer Apeer, although to say he is ‘quietly confident’ is perhaps to downplay his level of optimism for the short to medium term.

Asa has good reason to be positive. For starters, the economic pundits may be falling over one another to forecast a recession but they are also keen to stress that it is not all bad news – that more well-heeled consumers, those who are still prepared to spend despite the relatively high cost of living, will help protect the mid to upper retail markets from the worst of any economic downturn.

That includes the home improvement sector. House prices may be sliding but they have a long way to go to wipe out the gains

of the Covid housing boom, so homeowner confidence is also likely to remain relatively high.

“Conditions may be more challenging in retail for 2023, but if you’ve got the right products then there’s plenty of opportunity still out there,” says Asa. “In the entrance door sector for example, demand is still strong for higher value upmarket offerings, those that boast a premium aesthetic and a high-quality finish and especially so for products that can also deliver improved energy efficiency.

“Our 70mm Apeer70 range ticks all those boxes,” he enthuses. “They’re designed with a double rebate and twin seal so they’re virtually airtight and with triple glazed cassettes they provide A++ Door Energy Ratings. That’s a big selling point for homeowners looking to protect themselves against high energy costs.”

With gas and electricity bills continuing to make a big dent in household finances,

meeting energy efficient targets also remains a challenge for the industry in the long term. But with a 0.8 W/m2k U value for solid doors and a 0.9-0.95 W/m2k for glazed doors (depending on the area glazed), Apeer70 doors do not just easily surpass the latest requirements for Part L of Building Regulations, they’re also very well placed to meet the stricter rules that are anticipated for 2025 as the UK moves toward its ambitious net zero targets.

The Apeer70 range is thermally superior and acoustically more efficient, but also it offers greater security and performance, with a 10 year warranty as standard. That’s thanks to Apeer manufacturing its GRP skins in-house, and to design features that include an expanded foam core –eliminating water absorption and the risk of bowing or warping – and the addition of a steel core for optimum security.

“We believe we have the most expansive and unique range of options available on any composite door,” continues Asa. “That

includes a massive selection of door designs, colours, premium hardware options and finishes. At the top end of the market, it’s just as important to have that choice as it is to be able to manufacture a door that delivers a high end ‘feel’, that balance of weight and damping, when it’s opened and closed.”

While the Apeer70 range is well positioned to cater for demand for high value, high performance home improvement solutions, Asa is also keen to stress that sales at this end of the market – while profitable – are only a fraction of overall sales across the sector, the vast majority of which are for 44mm, single rebate doors.

Is Asa concerned that this is leaving Apeer exposed to a potential loss of sales? Far from it…

“The timing of the downturn, or return to ‘normal’ trading conditions post Covid depending on how you look at it, has coincided with the launch of our 44mm, Apeer44 range,” explains Asa. “Apeer44 reflects the quality and premium feel of Apeer77, it’s also Secured by Design approved and has the same quality guarantee, but with a single rebate design, it’s available at a more attractive price point.

“We had previously offered a 44mm composite range, but Apeer44 brings 13 new door designs, options for our unique smooth skin finish – inspired by the success of our Silka aluminium alternative composite – a new suite of glass designs and hardware, and a brand new brochure.

“With Apeer70, and now Apeer44, we have completed our strategic aims of becoming a true, one-stop door shop,” he concludes.

“We now have the best products to meet all the market demands, for homeowners who are more budget conscious but still want a door that looks, feels and performs to a high standard, right through to those that are prepared to pay a premium for the very best.

“If that’s not a reason to be positive for 2023, then I don’t know what is!”

www.apeer.co.uk

Asa McGillian

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1–3 Red Barns, Warners Farm Howe Street, Great Waltham, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 1BN

NEW HOME IMPROVEMENT

Bohle will have the home improvement industry firmly in its sights when it exhibits at the FIT Show in May, Managing Director Dave Broxton has revealed. Dave said that homeowners improving one part of their homes will also be looking to upgrade another, which installers could target with the right product offering.

On Bohle’s 35m2 stand, the company’s technical experts will be demonstrating how to install FrameTec 2.0, a new glass partitioning system. Designed for ease of installation, the dry-glazing system was designed and built by Bohle to support fast and cost-efficient installation using a modular design and easy-fix system.

Also bringing light into a property, while partitioning space, is Bohle’s very own MasterTrack FT, a high-end sliding door system, which was designed to provide an exceptionally high-quality smooth opening and closing function, while being easy to install. There is also an option for double doors to open simultaneously, and it can handle door weights up to 150kg. “For installers looking for innovative ways to add margin on improvement projects, MasterTrack FT is the perfect companion project,” Dave said. “Installation only requires a few steps, and it all takes place from the front of the product.”

Other glazing products that can be used throughout the home include Bohle’s popular VetroMount balustrade system, which was designed to make installation easy with just three simple steps: insert, adjust, fix. And exhibited for the first time in the UK is Bohle’s Juliet Balcony System, which comes in an almost limitless range of colours, and can be installed quickly and without specialist tools.

Also on stand at the FIT Show will be a range of high-end shower hardware, point fixings, patch fixings, point fixing and clamps, all of which have been designed to help installers bring the light into property interiors by offering them profitable diversification opportunities.

For more about Bohle’s product and service offer, including the latest Home Improvements brochure, visit www.bohle.com email info@bohle.ltd.uk or call the customer services team free on 0800 616151 for more information.

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU! COME AND VISIT US AT STAND Q3

GGF & FENSA OFFICIAL FIT SHOW LEARNING PARTNERS

“Industry professionals are often let down by a lack of information,” says Anda Gregory, Chief Development Officer at the GGF. “Especially when it comes to updated Building Regulations. The GGF and FENSA are always working hard to ensure fabricators, installers, and glass manufacturers have all the information they need, so we are thrilled to support the FIT Show as learning partners and use this credible platform to educate the market about important topics such as key trends, Building Regulations, sustainability, recycling, energy efficiency and net zero goals, and learning and apprenticeships. We’ll be offering advice, information, and practical demos to ensure visitors have access to all the information they need on the day and following the show.”

FIT Show event Director, Nickie West said: “We’re excited to announce the GGF and FENSA as our official learning programme content partners for FIT Show 2023. As a flagship event for our industry, it’s hugely important that we are delivering the right content to meet the evolving needs of our audience. It made perfect sense to partner with our industry’s main representative organisations to do this.

“The GGF and FENSA will primarily be responsible for fulfilling the technical learning aspects of the programme, with a special focus on building regulations. This content will sit alongside a broad mix of CPD approved seminars, panel debates and practical demos within the wider learning programme at the FIT Show next May.”

The GGF and FENSA are pleased to announce that they have been invited to act as the official learning content partners of the FIT Show 2023. With the emphasis on technical content and the provision of much needed clarity on building regulations, the two organisations are well placed to support visitors to the show with the most accurate and up to date information.

"The GGF and FENSA will primarily be responsible for fulfilling the technical learning aspects of the programme, with a special focus on building regulations."

OPPORTUNITIES FROM BOHLE AT FIT SHOW

Christina Chris Emma

0345 672 9333

sales@apeer.co.uk apeer.co.uk

0345 672 9333

sales@apeer.co.uk apeer.co.uk

The new Apeer44 range has a door for every style, taste and personality.

The new Apeer44 range has a door for every style, taste and personality.

Apeer44 is the coolest new way to express a sense of style. Choose from our collection of designer doors, crafted glass and uber-fashionable furniture to set any house apart from the rest.

Apeer44 is the coolest new way to express a sense of style. Choose from our collection of designer doors, crafted glass and uber-fashionable furniture to set any house apart from the rest.

MAKE A PVC-U RECYCLING RESOLUTION FOR 2023

Stuart Stockley, MD of VEKA

Recycling, says embracing PVC-U recycling will bring just rewards at every link in the home improvement supply chain.

Traditionally, February is the month in which we reflect upon the abandoned resolutions that we may have earnestly embraced at the beginning of the year. But it’s not too late to create new resolutions for adopting PVC-U recycling, an activity that brings clear benefits at every level of the home improvement supply chain and which will be good for the environment too. There are benefits at every level…

HOMEOWNERS

Every household is compelled to recycle its household waste and as a matter of routine we separate packaging plastics, glass, cardboard and so forth, from non-recyclable waste and of course, food waste. And in our daily lives, we are increasingly subjected to messages about sustainability, including the recyclability as well as recycled content of a huge number of consumer products. Homeowners will appreciate knowing that their old plastic frames will be managed sustainably.

RETAIL INSTALLERS

Promoting PVC-U as a recyclable resource will not only reassure your customers that their old windows have value, but that their new PVC-U windows, if that is what they have chosen, are also sustainable. When price and product differentials have been exhausted, sales can be closed by promoting that a homeowner’s old PVC-U windows and doors will be removed and recycled, to begin a fresh journey as brandnew building materials, air conditioning components and increasingly, new window and door frames.

The financial benefits are tangible for installation businesses: disposal costs can be reduced significantly by returning old PVC-U window and door frames to any of the increasing numbers of frame fabricators that are setting up collection hubs for their installer customers. For larger volumes, arrangements may even be made directly with VEKA Recycling. It’s another problem solved for busy installers.

WINDOW AND DOOR FABRICATORS

The chances are that virgin profile offcuts resulting from the frame fabrication process will be collected, probably by the supplying systems company. But by offering installer

customers a collection service for their old frames, or at least a hub with bins into which they may drop their post-consumer frames when they pick up the new ones, fabricators can extend their service offer to installers in a most tangible way.

VEKA Recycling has equipped fabricators all over the UK with specially designed bins for collecting PVC-U frames which we pick up regularly. In addition, we also have a network of specialist waste contractors, from where old frames are returned direct to our facility for processing. It’s a very efficient arrangement.

BRANDS AND OPERATORS YOU CAN TRUST

Installers and fabricators should be careful to use credible and authentic recycling companies, not only to collect old frames but also to process them. There are strict laws as well as moral codes that should not be broken when disposing of old frames and care should be taken to only use bona fide waste contractors, or wellknown brands that have established track records and legally approved audit trails. Waste that is dumped illegally can be traced back and may result in prosecution and perhaps even worse, public shaming for the installer, fabricator and even the

homeowner, all of which will do immense damage to a brand.

Through dealing directly with an end-toend recycler such as VEKA Recycling you can be sure that post-consumer products are taking the most efficient route to repurposing. Homeowners, installers and fabricators can be confident that the products taken away for recycling will not have taken unnecessary journeys, handling, or processing before completing the chain of custody back into brand new products.

MORE INFORMATION?

VEKA Recycling pioneered PVC-U recycling with its first plant built in 1993 in Germany. In the UK, we process postconsumer frames and virgin material at Europe’s most advanced window and door frame recycling site in Wellingborough, where we guarantee that recycling standards and legal guidelines will be upheld at every stage.

We therefore have immense experience with which we can advise on how to begin your recycling journey or improve the one you are on. After 30 years of recycling PVC-U, we are as passionate as we have ever been. Get in touch!

https://veka-recycling.co.uk/

Stuart Stockley

Meet the NEW Stellar Aluminium

Slimline Fast-Fit Bifold Door

At just 117mm wide, the new Stellar Slimline Aluminium Bifold Door delivers superior slim sightlines at every level.

Quick and easy to install, the new Stellar Slimline Bifold Door packs a punch in aluminium bifold design including:

Ŷ Patented pre-gasketed knock-in beads

Ŷ Patent-pending adjustable slimline lock stile

Ŷ 20 minutes per pane quicker to install

Ŷ U-values as low as 0.9 w/m2K

Ŷ Part L compliant by Design

Ready to talk Stellar?

300 9356

DSER RATED

WHY STEDEK RELIES ON CORE VALUES

The trade fabricator also expects a similar commitment from its key suppliers, which is why it partnered with aluplast in the manufacture and supply of flush casement windows.

“We were asked ‘what does “Stedek” mean?’ and we matched it with trust, honesty, integrity and reliability,” Stedek’s sales director Richard Hammond said. “And if I can get that message across to our customers, promise those core values, and then deliver on them, they become real, not just disposable words.”

INCREASED DEMAND

As the demand for home improvement products increased post pandemic, reflecting the changing economic conditions, these core values supported Stedek’s role as a key supplier of high value niche products.

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen flush casements emerge and become prominent in the both the new and replacement windows markets here in the UK,” he said. “Instead of standard white casements, homeowners want more premium products, a wider range of colours and an altogether different aesthetic. Being able to offer those higher end products means meeting increased consumer demand and growing the business.”

Stedek is one of the country’s most experienced manufacturers of flush casement windows, supplying them to the trade for more than five years. When aluplast introduced a high-quality flush casement option that suites with the Ideal 70 system, the trade fabricator jumped at the opportunities this offered.

aluplast’s flush meets the demands of the heritage sector, thanks to the narrowest sightlines on the market (58mm) and a

range of 40 different finishes, including the next generation woodec and aludec foils.

The systems company has also invested significantly in its foil offer which allows it to maintain a strong supply of its most popular stock colours, with foiled product accounting for as much as 50% of total order volume.

“People almost never want a white window when it's a flush casement, so having a

supplier like aluplast that's got a wide colour range available from stock, and a really strong commitment to lead times on special order colours, means that we can offer our customers really broad offering, which is key in the current climate,” Richard said.

“We’re also excited to be able to offer the new flush door from aluplast, which has just been tested, and will help us meet those demands where homeowners want a flush appearance across the whole façade.”

The flush door is fully PAS24-accredited in both single and double open-out configurations, and has a five-chamber design that can achieve U-values as low as 1.2W/m2K.

DUAL EXTRUSION

Both windows and doors are manufactured using ecotech, which maximises the amount of recycled content in a profile’s design, without affecting performance or the finish of the profile.

Ecotech uses a ‘dual-extrusion’ process that uses two extruders in parallel to push recycled and virgin polymer through the profile die at the same time. This ensures that recycled material is only used in the internal webbing, remaining isolated from the external wall, with virgin polymer used to provide the external wall of the profile.

“Like Stedek, aluplast is a family run business with similar values to our own – sustainability, quality, reliability, and dependability,” Richard said. “We are not a huge business, and we don’t have a big warehouse to store lots of profile. So, we rely on our suppliers to be dependable, and to deliver on time and in full. This allows us to dedicate more floorspace to producing quality frames and to deliver on time and in full to our customers.”

For more information about aluplast, call 01684 273401 email info@aluplast.co.uk or visit www.aluplast.co.uk.

Walsall-based Stedek has built its business on a set of key underlying principles, which have helped it to maximise opportunities in key market sectors.

“We rely on our suppliers to be dependable, and to deliver on time and in full.”

“Instead of standard white casements, homeowners want more premium products, a wider range of colours and an altogether different aesthetic.”

Windows and doors are manufactured using ecotech, which maximises the amount of recycled content in a profile’s design, without affecting performance or the finish of the profile

Richard Hammond, Stedek’s sales director

Stedek is one of the country’s most experienced manufacturers of flush casement windows, supplying them to the trade for more than five years

When aluplast introduced a high-quality flush casement option that suites with the Ideal 70 system, the Stedek jumped at the opportunities this offered

We’re the home of Sheerline

Make Part L compliance a cinch with u-values as low as 1.0W/m2K! Save time on site with clip in beads – no wedge gasket Secured by Design options available across the complete

Mercury Aluminium Designer Door

Our Aluminium Designer

Door range offers the ideal blend of style, security and performance . With a choice of high-quality door styles, the range is suitable for all property styles delivering a perfect entrance every time .

Each Designer Door is manufactured from two sheets of Polyester Powder Coated (1.5mm thick) aluminium with a machined/ inlayed design or feature mouldings to suit individual requirements and bonded to the internal framework.

Guarantees:

• 10-year manufacture guarantee.

• 25-year paint guarantee (Qualicoat specification).

• 5-year guarantee on glass units.

• 12-month guarantee on door hardware.

LOOKING FOR CONSISTENT QUALITY, COMPETITIVE PRICES AND GREAT SERVICE?

Glass News speaks to New Design Windows about their success story and ongoing growth...

New Design Windows Ltd have become one of The North’s leading window manufacturers during their 3 years of operating. With 37 employees and with windows installed across 93 residential sites nationwide, this South Yorkshire based company is a real success story and is growing from strength to strength. Launching the company in 2019 and just as they were finding their feet, the whole of the UK was hit by the pandemic. Any new start business would struggle to navigate through the pandemic, however, it is to the utmost credit of New Design Windows to have achieved almost double their turnover, increasing from £1.3m in 2020/21 to an impressive £3.7m in 2021/22 (and an on budget projection of £6.2m for 2023) with future plans to grow this turnover even further.

Managing Director, Lynne Darwin, previously won the award for Business Person of The Year in Barnsley and Rotherham, as well as being voted one of the top 100 people working in manufacturing in 2015. Lynne is very proud of her team and believes that becoming stronger since the pandemic is testament to their dedication, providing a high-quality service for customers when they need them the most. Here’s what Lynne told Glass News: "We manufacture, supply and install windows and doors from our Wombwell-based factory to major housing developers up and down the country. We are committed to further growing the business with the hope of expanding our locations and hiring new skilled workers each year. We take pride in our successes, milestones and targets, as well as our customer support and highquality products. New Design Windows Ltd has grown exponentially over the last few years as we’ve developed our offering and maintained our very high customer service standards. I know I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say, we can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring!"

Profile of choice is Optima by Profile 22, as Lynne believes that every detail has been engineered to perfection.

Lynne continues: "It's stylist, modern and built to deliver outstanding thermal and weathering performance. Security and strength are unsurpassed. Optima window systems feature a central Eurogroove to give the sashes greater rigidity. We have also implemented strategic local wall thickening for 35% better screw and hardware retention. Our secure bead system passes

security tests without glazing clips and is ready for proposed enhancements to PAS24. Optima is a step-change in advanced window design for the 21st century. It’s why it’s the market leader. Choose Optima and it will change your expectations of what a modern window system should offer."

So, whatever your requirements, New Design Windows are ready to take your call and listen to your needs, whether that’s for a manufacture & supply service, installation project or a new build development.

Contact them today and speak to or email the Managing Director on...

T: 07394 272719 – E: ldarwin@ndw.ltd

www.ndw.ltd

Lynne Darwin

The latest figures from the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), published in December, reveal that builders’ merchants’ value sales were up +7.5% in October 2022 compared to the same month in 2021. Volume sales dropped again (-5.6%) while prices climbed +13.9%, so price inflation was the driving factor of growth.

Eleven of the twelve categories sold more in October compared to the previous year, with eight performing better than Merchants overall. Renewables & Water Saving (+66.1%) was the standout category,

BUILDERS MERCHANT BUILDING INDEX

while Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+19.5%), Workwear & Safetywear (+19.0%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+17.5%) also had a good month. Timber & Joinery Products (-8.4%) was the only category to sell less.

Compared to pre-pandemic October 2019, total merchant value sales were +19.6% higher in 2022. Volume sales fell -8.9% while prices were +31.2% higher. With two less trading days this year, like-for-like sales were up +31.0%. Four of the twelve categories grew more than total Merchants with Renewables & Water Saving (+59.5%)

leading the pack. Landscaping (+31.2%), Timber & Joinery Products (+23.4%) and Heavy Building Materials (+21.5%) also did well.

LAST THREE MONTHS

Total sales in the three months August to October 2022 were +6.9% up on the same period last year, with price inflation of +14.7%, and volumes down -6.8%. Nine of the twelve categories sold more than Merchants overall including Renewables & Water Saving (+52.1%), Workwear & Safetywear (+22.9%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (+18.7%) and Heavy Building Materials (+14.7%). Only Timber & Joinery Products (-9.0%) sold less.

MONTH-ON-MONTH

Month-on-month, total merchant sales dropped slightly (-0.9%) in October compared to September. Volume sales were marginally down (-1.8%) and prices edged up (+0.9%). Five categories sold more in October including Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+9.3%), which did best, followed by Tools (+5.4%) and Renewables & Water Saving (+3.0%). Seasonal category Landscaping (-8.1%) was the weakest.

ROLLING 12-MONTHS

Total Merchants sales in the 12 months November 2021 to October 2022 were +23.5% higher than in the same 12 months three years earlier (November 2018 to October 2019). With two less trading days in the most recent period, like-for-like sales were up +24.5%. All categories sold more with Landscaping (+38.1%), Timber & Joinery Products (+36.6%) and Renewables & Water Saving (+31.0%) well out in front. Heavy Building Materials (+20.5%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+18.5%) grew more slowly.

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

THE DOORCO DIFFERENCE IN DISTRIBUTION

DoorCo reaffirms the company’s commitment to their composite door distribution service following their G-Award success as Component Supplier of the Year, which highlighted the DoorCo difference when it comes to the supply of a comprehensive range of composite door components to customers, in full, when they need them.

“Our distribution product and service offering are fully flexible and it’s this approach to supply that sets DoorCo apart,” explains Mark Towers, Head of Operations at Doorco. “The distribution side of the business – the supply of composite door components for manufacturing – is fundamental, not only to our business, but to the entire supply chain: fabricators need the opportunity to own their share of the market, differentiate, add value, and deliver high quality and aesthetically pleasing doors across all markets, from retail installers and

homeowners to the commercial new build and social housing sectors. It is our position in the supply chain to support this and while some door suppliers are moving away from offering a distribution only service, it remains very much in focus at DoorCo.

“Stock is the key to keeping this fluid and investing in plentiful stock has been a priority for several years. Even against an adverse backdrop, we went all-in to maintain the bolstered stock levels we promise. The operation is supported by a dedicated team and two large well-stocked warehouses (65,000 sq.ft) delivering a comprehensive range of composite door components to customers, when they need them. Uniquely, DoorCo is the only composite door supplier to offer both a foam core door slab (ORiGINAL) and a solid timber core slab (GRiPCORE) as well as our own cassette system (FLiP). We also provide a range of DoorCo Approved

Components (GLAZiNG & PAiNT). This product range means we have complete control over the major components in the supply chain and delivers customers choice and the opportunity to create a multitude of different traditional, contemporary and designer door designs that suit any home.

“While many fabricators have the in-house facilities to fully manufacture doors, many DoorCo customers dip into some of our prepping services like painting and glazing to create or support their own capacity.

We’re also making the re-glazeable FLiP glazing cassette more flexible too. FLiP is now available for any composite door on the market so the revolutionary Foam in Place® technology that delivers a superior seal and exclusive flat profile designs in multiple textures now fits 44mm, 48mm, 68mm & 70mm thick slabs from any supplier.

“DoorCo also offers a comprehensive suite

TAKING THE HASSLE OUT OF ALUMINIUM

BY

RUSSELL

YATES, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ALUFOLD DIRECT

If the only thing stopping PVC-U installers from adding aluminium to their product portfolio and giving themselves a fighting chance against the current market downturn is the fact that it feels too disruptive to their existing business, then I would say they are talking to the wrong supplier.

We’ve had lots of new enquiries over recent months from PVC-U companies who have recognised that they need to start targeting the higher end of the market where buyers are more cushioned against the cost-ofliving crisis, but who definitely don’t want the hassle that installers normally associate with buying and installing in aluminium. One of the main reasons why they tell me they have started buying from AluFold Direct is because the whole experience we are offering in aluminium so closely mirrors what they are used to in PVC-U.

For instance, we use the same pricing and ordering software that many installers use for PVC-U so they can price jobs themselves instantly online and convert them straight to orders. And, once the orders have been checked by us, they go direct to our factory, saving valuable time and avoiding mistakes. We also offer guaranteed product lead times of 7-14 days depending on whether frames are glazed or unglazed, and we offer windows, bi-folds, sliders and roof lanterns at a range of price points so that they can win business with strong margins.

Crucially, we’ve also got a huge factory with plenty of scalable capacity so we can take on new customers and help them to grow. Key to that is our large stockholding, which buffers our customers against all the usual challenges in the supply chain in a way that smaller, local aluminium suppliers with less space and fewer resources just can’t match.

Since I joined AluFold Direct in 2020, our aim has been to give traditional PVC-U buyers the same level of convenience and efficiency in aluminium that they can already get in PVC-U, ensuring that they can easily run the two options side by side, and I am confident that we are now delivering that.

There’s a reassuring familiarity for PVC-U installers in how we operate – and for those who are already buying aluminium from elsewhere probably a refreshing focus on making life easy for our customers. With AluFold Direct, there is no waiting for your aluminium supplier to price every job for you, no weeks of waiting for your delivery, and no questions about quality or consistency. We have teams of customer service advisors on the phone to help everyone get started and an impressive package of installer support right across sales, marketing and training.

of digital and physical marketing materials,. from printed/ digital collateral to physical product samples that can be easily adopted in our customers’ own marketing.

“DoorCo invests on behalf of our customers to ensure that the composite door market is durable, innovative and fresh, supported by flexibility and choice. With so much to offer and a robust distribution service that keeps the supply chain moving, it’s clear why customers and the G-Award judges choose Doorco.”

For more information, visit:

www.door-co.com or call: 01625 428955.

As the PVC-U market becomes increasingly price sensitive and margins start to be hit, the answer for installers who find themselves under pressure is to look at new opportunities with higher-end products where revenues are bigger, and margins are more sustainable. A recession doesn’t have to mean all bad news. With the right supply partner, it could even be just the opportunity installers need to aim higher for their businesses and make the leap into aluminium they have long been considering.

All the details on our products and package of support are at: https://www.alufolddirect.co.uk/

JOINT CALL FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY DRIVE TO TACKLE COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s buildings will permanently bring down energy bills for households and boost energy independence, say four leading associations.

Energy UK, the Local Government Association, the Federation of Master Builders and the National Housing Federation are calling on the Government to continue to prioritise energy efficiency as a core solution to the cost of living crisis. Insulating British housing is a longterm challenge, but it will help keep

households bills down permanently, all while supporting the transition to Net Zero through reducing emissions, as well as the UK’s levelling-up agenda through the creation of new jobs in constituencies across the country.

The coalition is holding a drop-in event in Parliament today to brief MPs on where their constituents can go for more support on bills, including what their options are for improving the energy efficiency of their homes, and highlighting the important role that the energy industry, alongside the social housing and local government

sectors, are playing in rolling out support for British people this winter.

The four associations are calling on the Government to match their ambition by:

• Working in partnership with industry, local government and wider stakeholders by developing a deliverable long-term plan for energy efficiency, including bringing forward the £6bn that was committed for energy efficiency in the Autumn Statement to this Parliament;

• Introduce new regulations and fiscal incentives to unlock additional demand;

• Speed up the review of its methodology that sits behind the EPC framework;

• Create the conditions to enable local areas to develop the long-term skilled and qualified workforce that is needed to deliver retrofit and energy saving measures; and

• Continue working in partnership with industry-led efforts, the social housing sector and local governments to support a long-term cross-Departmental approach to policy making in this space.

CONSERVATORY OUTLET MARKS TRAINING MILESTONE WITH £130,000 INVESTMENT IN APPRENTICES

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of home improvement products has celebrated more than 15 years of backing apprenticeships by offering employment to six young people. Conservatory Outlet, which employs more than 120 staff at its Thomas Wharf Lane factory, invested more than £130,000 into nurturing future talent over the last twelve months by continuing to offer access to vocational learning opportunities and ongoing professional development. This has resulted in Kyle Green being offered a full-time role in IT Support and Natalie Bossons, who joined in 2019, now working as an Order Processor and developing her knowledge further by undertaking her Team Leader Level 3 qualification.

Eliza Auty, Kennedy Goodwin, and Georgie Tolley have all taken Order Processing positions, whilst Missy Mortimer has just completed her apprenticeship in December and will continue to help drive the firm’s strategic marketing strategy in 2023.

Karen Starkey, Head of HR at Conservatory Outlet, commented: “We are one of Wakefield’s largest employers and believe it is critical to continue to offer new opportunities to local people.

“As we continue to grow, we have to look at ways of developing our staff and we have found apprenticeships are the best way of doing this, with the latest tranche of young people qualifying and taking on full-time roles.”

She continued: “The sizeable investment allows us to develop the individual in the ‘CO’ culture and we have a long and proven track record of offering progression routes that lead into senior positions.

“Our approach will continue in 2023. Two new apprentices have just started with us, with Ben Bradbury and Sam Allan studying towards their Business Admin Level 3 and AAT course respectively.”

Apprenticeships are one element of a strategic training programme operated by Conservatory Outlet. In addition to vocational learning, the Wakefield-based firm also offers ongoing pathways for staff keen to progress and develop new skills.

This ranges from putting Joshua Child through his AAT and Karla Watson working towards her CIPD Level 3 (both at Wakefield College) to Ben Strutt (Business and Professional Administration Level 4), Jo Davies (Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technical Level 3) and Nikki Lewis undertaking her Marketing Manager Level 6 Apprenticeship. Karen went on to add: “As a business, we are always trying to push the boundaries of what we can achieve, and we can only manage this by investing in our people and futureproofing their skills.

“This was reflected in 2022 when we invested a further £100,000 into creating a new sales training academy, a move that was in response to a shortage of new talent coming into the industry.”

She concluded: “We have extended this offer to all our retailers, and this is steadily developing new individuals that will hit the ground running when they join our sector.” Conservatory Outlet is one of Yorkshire’s fastest growing manufacturers, supplying a range of conservatories, doors, extensions, orangeries and windows, with the latest advancements in UPVC, composite and aluminium technology regularly added to its ranges.

The firm continues to support the Conservatory Outlet Network, which comprises 29 leading regional retailers, and this has helped increase turnover by 20% since 2020. For further information, please visit www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk or follow @conservatoryuk on twitter.

The pioneering Zero|90 system is retro-fit ready, and compatible with both 70mm and 90mm cavities, creating a range of game-changing benefits.

(L-R Back Row) Ben Bradbury, Ben Strutt, Samuel Allen and Joshua Childe. (L-R Front Row): Eliza Auty, Missy Mortimer, Natalie Bossons, Karla Watson, and Georgie Tolley

FUTURE PROOFING THE 77 WINDOW AND DOOR SYSTEM

AluK’s

The modern, minimal aesthetic of the 77 system means it is ideally suited to new build settings, particularly multi-storey apartments where developers can achieve a uniform look. The floating mullion open-in French casement option is also especially useful for ensuring that Juliet balconies tie in with the rest of the building.

The 77 opens up opportunities for fabricators and installers working right across the new build market with a flat, square profile design and fully rebated flush door which buyers and developers love. The open-in and openout window profiles are both easily paired with the door, so it easy to create a coherent overall look throughout any size or scale of property with no compromise on light, views or sightlines.

The 77 system easily meets the 1.2 W/m2K U-Value limit set for Part L compliance in new builds using standard, cost-effective 1.0 centre pane double glazing. If even lower U-Values are required, then it can also accommodate triple glazing to achieve as little as 0.8 Wm2K, which is the expected target in the 2025 Future Homes standard.

The system’s high performance extends beyond the thermal efficiency, however. It has now been given new glazing

foams and centre seals to enhance the wind and water resistance and has passed the PAS24: 2016 security test to provide complete peace of mind.

Also part of the update are the new AluK Novae handle designs available in black, white and silver to suit any interior finish and décor, and additional hinge options including face fixed, slimline barrel or fully concealed for the ultimate contemporary look. A new mid rail means doors can even now be fabricated with solid panels at the bottom if required in either single or double configurations.

For fabricators and installers, windows and doors in the 77 system are easier than ever to manufacture and fit, with simplified gasket and bead combinations which reduce stock holding and ordering, and clip-in membrane details for all the outer frame profiles which reduce fabrication time and provide more robust weathering details.

The handle and hinge choices have also been deliberately designed to give plenty of freedom and flexibility to buyers while still being cost effective and easy to fit.

More details at: https://uk.aluk.com/en-gb/products/ windows/77iwe

INCREDIBLE VALUE AND EASE OF INSTALLATION SEES KORNICHE PRAISED BY SELF-BUILDERS

The innovative and revolutionary Korniche Roof Lantern receives prestigious trophy at the 2022 Built It Awards.

Whether extending, developing or taking on a new self-build from scratch, a Korniche Roof Lantern is the most cost-effective, innovative, and simple to install system on the market. That’s the message that was reinforced with yet another award for the office shelves at Made for Trade’s Wynyard HQ, when the team picked up the winner’s trophy for the ‘Best Roofing System or Product’ for the Korniche Lantern Roof, at the prestigious 2022 Built It Awards.

For the last 11 years, the Build It Awards highlight, recognise and celebrate the very best people, products and services available in the self-build industry. From houses themselves to technology and even selfbuild finance lenders, the plethora of awards consider each and every last detail to judge the ultimate offerings in their respective fields, and when applied to the self-builder.

From its very first unveiling at the 2016 FIT Show, the Korniche Lantern Roof was truly a ‘step-change’ product. With never before seen use of engineering precision derived from the automotive and motorsport world applied to a fenestration system, the benefits of the Korniche were twofold – and still nothing comes close.

First was the product itself, with unrivalled sightlines, precision details, elegance, and value for money. Secondly, moreover, was the incredible speed and ease of fitting; a real game-changer and money-saver compared

to existing products, and designed in such a way that installation does not require specialist glazing experience; a factor recognised by the self-build award win.

From the comprehensive illustrated graphic installation manual, to the marked components, and fuss-free glazing requiring no messy silicone or quantity guesswork, the installation time is vastly reduced regardless of the installer, whilst being available for an unbeatable price. As a result, the Korniche is the number one product to save costs whilst revolutionising installation, whether that be for the trade partner, or a real hands-on self-builder.

The Build It Awards have always been regarded as the most coveted recognition in the self-build industry, mainly as a result

of the rigorous, impartial judging panel of specialists, which affords real credibility for all winners. As the last of the main industry awards attended by the MFT team during 2022, this year’s prestigious event took place at the end of November, with a Gala Dinner in the heart of London. Celebrating excellence in self-building, the awards go hand-in-hand with the far-reaching and widely-circulated Build It Magazine; the longest-running consumer title in the UK for self-builders and renovators.

The double-exposure from these two related operations are both well established in the industry; catering for a knowledgeable and expert audience. Crucially though, this is not just in a professional capacity with architects and tradespeople, but also homeowners, new self-builders, and those planning new projects. Picking up the award as part of a selection of categories that extended beyond the fenestration sector – from financial to architectural –added a new visibility to Made For Trade’s commercial perception; as well as seeing the desirable Korniche brand recognised in a new sphere of trade, industry – and enthusiastic new consumers.

As well as coming away with the top prize for the ‘Best Roofing System or Product’, a second recognition was also celebrated, as the Korniche Bi-Folding Door was shortlisted for the award of Best Glazed Doors. The two shortlists alone were a significant milestone for the MFT team, rounding out another enviable year for the North East-based family business, and going a long way to show just how

far the brand has come, and how popular its reputation that sees Korniche being requested by name alone from both the public and trade installers.

Speaking of the double-shortlisting and the incredible award win, MFT Marketing Manager Ian Bousfield said: “Recognition and understanding of the Korniche brand and products continues to become more and more established in the fabric of the wider building industry. Made for Trade work hard and continually invest in product development, marketing, and brand awareness to ensure that Korniche offers the very best platform for our partners and customers, to allow them to sell multi award-winning products at the best prices.”

high performance 77 window and door system has just been given a comprehensive update to ensure it not only complies with the 2022 updates to Part L of the Building Regs but is also ready for the 2025 Future Homes standard.

REHAU AND CENTRAL WINDOWS RECOGNISED FOR EXCEPTIONAL

DESIGN SOLUTIONS WITH

G22

AWARDS WIN

REHAU and Central Windows were presented with the ‘Commercial Project of the Year’ accolade at the G22 Awards, in acknowledgment of their work providing and fitting frames for six luxury homes on Hayling Island, Hampshire. The coveted award reflects both companies’ ability to balance contemporary styling and design with practical solutions to futureproof window profiles, on a challenging project where the harsh coastal environment was a major factor. The resulting Alpine Homes development, Yacht Heaven, saw REHAU and Central Windows tackle design constraints created by the homes’ unique location, COVIDinduced restrictions, and approvals from the Marine Management Organisation. Each home also had to match the styling of the neighbouring house to create a consistent look across the coastline.

Close communication between the manufacturer and fabricator was essential and the coupling of Invisifold Doors and REHAU TOTAL70 tilt-and-turn windows enabled the developer’s brief to be met on a practical level. As well as

providing large viewpoints to let in natural light, the frame’s PAS24 accreditation also allowed the development to easily conform to Part Q of the building regulations covering security. The Invisifold doors used were specified with each property’s modern aesthetic in mind, with their lack of visible hinges or hardware creating a seamless finish.

Luke Boban, Area Sales Manager at REHAU, said: “We’re overjoyed to have won Commercial Project of the Year alongside Central Windows. The combination of the Invisifold doors and our TOTAL70 system work seamlessly to meet design briefs, and the stunning views out to the water that the residents will enjoy every morning really are worth the efforts from planning to completion. Yacht Heaven has turned out to be a stunning development, one that we at REHAU are proud to have been part of.”

Steve Smith, Managing Director at Central Windows, commented on the project: “From Alpine Homes getting in touch to this most welcome award, helping build a high-end housing development on Hayling Island has been a fantastic

experience. They wanted us to supply and fit contemporary solutions to assist in the futureproofing of the houses, and looking at the project, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. While a few design challenges arose, given the location of the properties, working with REHAU profiles we knew we’d meet the design brief and create an overall stylish and functional housing development.”

For further information on the Hayling Island project visit: https://bit.ly/3jK2R2E or for further information on REHAU TOTAL70 system visit: https://bit.ly/3CiZMNy.

COMPLIANCE THE KEY FOR CDW SYSTEMS

With the complexity of the new Part L and F regulations and the short timescale manufacturers had to meet it, it was a challenging 2022 for the industry.

One company not complaining about compliance is specialist aluminium fabricator CDW Systems.

The Gloucester-based company, one of the most well-respected specialists in the trade supply of aluminium window, door and curtain wall products, has always made sure it sets the standard and offers fully compliant products to customers.

The company is ISO audited on a regular basis and earlier this year again achieved the coveted ISO 9001 certification, demonstrating its commitment to quality products and services for customers.

“New regulations and legislation are challenging and always spread a bit of panic but at CDW Systems we like that challenge

and have always embraced it,” said CDW’s Group Chairman, Jeremy Phillips.

“It’s a good thing that the industry has got more regulated over the years as it ultimately raises standards. There is a cost to it, and it can be a pain, but we want to be compliant. With ISO 9001 we took everything on board, made the correct changes and they have worked.

“It shows how dedicated everyone is to make sure these professional standards continue to be met and that we do business in the right way. As a company we want to continually improve and if you embrace any changes you have to make them it will improve the way you operate.”

Part L regulations to produce less CO2 emissions and new ventilation requirements for new homes and existing ones with revisions to Part F saw CDW review its product offering to ensure it could offer fully compliant windows and doors for all projects.

As part of the East Manor Group, which includes sister company and double glazing specialists Clearway Doors & Windows, CDW understands what installers have been going through and also introduced a new resource centre on its website to provide customers with everything they need to know about the changes.

“It has proved challenging to meet the regulations with aluminium as the frames are slimmer and we have made sure we’ve had a lot of contact with FENSA to make sure we are doing the right things,” added Jeremy.

“We altered our preps and increased our machinery to cope with that extra prep. It used to be that fifty per cent of windows had trickle vents, now it’s pretty much 100% so we have done a lot of work with our technical department in that regard.

“And thanks to Clearway we were able to look at things from an installer point of

view, as well as the end user, which we feel gives us an edge on other trade suppliers. “One of the things customers have always been guaranteed when dealing with CDW Systems is that all our products meet the correct industry standards and regulations, so we left no stone unturned to make sure our products are compliant. And that’s the way it should be.”

Established in 1992, CDW Systems is one of the UK’s longest running aluminium specialists. For more information visit www.cdwsystems.co.uk or call 01452 414853.

VICTORIAN SLIDERS SCOTTISH DEPOT CELEBRATES THIRD BIRTHDAY

Three years on from the opening of their office and depot in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, sash window experts Victorian Sliders have become a firm fixture in the Scottish window market. Perfectly located to supply installers throughout Scotland, it’s home to an experienced team of six staff who work tirelessly to support hundreds of Victorian Sliders customers, installing tens of thousands of windows across Scotland. Regional Sales Manager – Scotland, Kevin Smith, has been based at the site since it opened.

“I’ve known Victorian Sliders for about 15 years,” Kevin explains.

“My background is in raw PVC materials, and for many years I supplied Victorian

Sliders with the PVCu blend it uses to make ECOSlide. In fact, I delivered the first batch when the company began extruding!

“That’s given me an excellent insight into the industry, Victorian Sliders, and the ECOSlide product itself – and meant I was in a great position to explain the many benefits of that product to hundreds of installers around Scotland.

“We cover the whole of the Scottish region, and I am generally out on the road meeting our fantastic customers.

“Backing me up in the office are Elza, our Office Manager, Claire and Abi who

generate all customer quotes within an hour, and two delivery drivers! We have a showroom at the depot so installers can bring their homeowner clients, by appointment, and demonstrate how an ECOSlide sash window works.

Kevin concludes: “Sash windows have been a huge part of Scotland’s architecture for hundreds of years, and it’s no surprise that we’re seeing huge demand for quality, low-maintenance, easy-fit examples like ECOSlide to this day!”

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

MADE FOR TRADE CELEBRATES LONGSTANDING FIT SHOW SUCCESS

being hands-on with a demonstration of just how a Korniche Roof Lantern can literally save time, hassle and money.

How do trade exhibitions fit in the online, social media and post-Covid age? It’s a question many companies might ask themselves when it comes to marketing and brand promotion, when the easy solution is just to push more and more potential customers online for image and video-based information.

That’s certainly not the case with marketleading glazing system manufacturer Made for Trade, in particular when it comes to the FIT Show. The innovative fenestration company’s products might have shaken up the industry and disrupted tradition with their cutting edge, precision engineeringled focus, but when it comes to promotion, nothing comes close to the face-to-face demonstrations and hands-on displays at the annual FIT Show.

As the North East-based firm explored options and promotional opportunities for its forthcoming new design back in 2016, FIT was the one event that stood out as the most suitable launchpad for what was set to become a truly game-changing product and parent brand. That product was the Roof Lantern, under the auspices of MFT’s new Korniche brand. Thanks to features that revolutionised fit, finish, quality - and most notably speed and ease of installation - the lantern raised some experienced industry eyebrows as it applied practices, quality and precision from other areas of engineering to the fenestration market.

Whilst no modern day sales item is seemingly complete without a slick online video, still nothing replicates real life conversations with potential new customers and trade partners, and still nothing beats

The initial launch was at that 2016 event, which was in many ways a journey into the unknown for this expanding family business. As soon as the show welcomed thousands of visitors through its doors on day one, the new Korniche brand and offering was quickly spring-boarded on its way to becoming a multi-award-winning and UK best-selling trade product.

As a free exhibition to attend for those in the business, FIT Show is the UK’s number one event dedicated to the window, door, hardware and flat glass industry. The key

difference, however, has always been that FIT has established a reputation as the networking hub of the year, being known as ‘the community for our industry’. In the years that followed, the ability to offer build demonstrations became paramount to the success of Korniche products; really cementing the ease and speed of installation of the lantern in the minds of installers, show organisers, press and visitors. Along with related advertising to deliver an enormous audience and exposure, the FIT Show allowed Made for Trade to be more strategic and targeted with its promotion, and to really publicise the unique attributes and USPs of ‘a Korniche’ to those people who MFT knew it would directly appeal –installers and builders.

As a result, three years later it was the natural choice for the second major Korniche product showcase; the new Bi-Folding Door. Once again pushing boundaries in terms of ingenuity, ease of fitment and clever design in the fenestration market, FIT was once again the number one choice for its first public display to attendees, trade partners and installers. With the system in its last stages of development, the event also allowed the

MFT design team to listen to intensive feedback from show start to finish, and as a result tailoring the final features and market positioning perfectly to suit.

When the event returned after a two-year Covid hiatus, FIT Show 2022 provided Made for Trade with the opportunity and platform to present both products to the broader audience and fenestration press – as well as the other 100+ exhibitors and 10,000+ visitors in attendance. With an impressive 170sqm stand featuring live demonstrations, competitions and interactivity to exhibit the unique selling points of the now-rapidly selling Bi-Folding Doors (such as the award-winning clip-in ‘SpeedBead’), being face-to-face at the FIT Show provided a sorely-missed opportunity to really express the qualities of a Korniche product’s advanced engineering-led design; saving hours on site and increasing trade partner profits as a result.

Speaking of the events, MFT’s Marketing Manager Ian Bousfield said: “There has been a surge in product development and innovation within the fenestration industry in recent years. Exhibitions such as the FIT Show deliver a platform that allow businesses to maintain and grow brand positioning and allow consistent profile to trade audiences.”

The Wynyard-based firm have come a long way since that initial 2016 event; now an industry leader in aluminium fabrication and a multi-award-winning business with award winning items. As a result, Made for Trade have seized the opportunity to showcase Korniche products at the FIT Show in May 2023; the event remaining the number one method of demonstrating a new development or offering to this diverse and dynamic industry.

Whilst looking ahead to the 2023 event, revolutionary manufacturer MFT reflects on how the event has played a crucial role in the company’s success.

TUFFX: FAIR AND SQUARE

Sleek, contemporary design, bold geometric architecture and a mixture of modern and traditional build materials are the key components of a stunning residential property in Exeter which was recently completed with specialist glass from industry leaders TuffX.

TuffX supplied a total of 10m2 21.5mm toughened and laminated glass for the prominent first-floor balustrade, made up of six rectangular units each 1205mm in height.

With the balcony being at the front of the property, privacy was an essential consideration, so a satin privacy finish option was chosen for the glass panels which were delivered to site for installation. Meanwhile, a near-invisible frameless finish ensures a seamless, subtle and unobtrusive sightline.

The finished build is a complementary mix of both modern textures and traditional materials, which have turned a home into a design showpiece, while the completed glass

balustrade creates a practical, safe and secure outdoor space for the occupants to enjoy.

This Devonshire delight is just one example of the type of premium projects TuffX supply specialist glass products for across the UK.

“It’s always a huge pleasure to see our products take pride of place in such impressive architectural designs,” said TuffX’s Commercial Director Paul Higgins.

“Whatever your project, wherever you are in the country, our team is ready to talk to

you about how our specialist glass products can help you achieve the results you want and that homeowners will love.”

www.tuffxglass.co.uk

DEBAR APPOINTS NEW UK NATIONAL SALES MANAGER AND INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Leading bi-fold hardware manufacturer Debar, has strengthened its internal team by promoting two key members of staff at its headquarters in Bradford.

Longstanding team member and one of Debar’s first employees, Andrew Fawthrop, is the newly appointed UK National Sales Manager.

Since joining the company more than 10 years ago, Andrew has been fundamental in not only helping to develop the Debar brand when the company first started, but for also looking after both the organisation’s export customers, and customers in the north of England.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience of the industry, Andrew is the perfect fit for the UK National Sales Manager role which will see him mentor and coach Debar’s sales reps.

Part of Andrew’s new responsibilities will also include presenting ideas, initiatives and opportunities to encourage the continuous development of the company for the benefit of its customers.

Tim Shaw, who has done an outstanding job working with customers in the south as Technical Sales Manager, has also received an internal promotion and is now working as International Sales Manager. In his new role, Tim will be responsible for developing relationships with all international partners as well as overseeing the rollout of the international sales strategies.

Having worked at Debar for seven years, Tim is no stranger to the bi-fold market and understands the importance of keeping on top of industry developments. As International Sales Manager, Tim will keep a close eye on worldwide trends to drive growth in key target markets for the company in the future.

Peter Sutcliffe, Managing Director at Debar, said: “Both Andrew and Tim have shown an exceptional commitment to the business, and have been instrumental in navigating our sales strategy during difficult times. We look forward to seeing how their experience will strengthen our sales team and international partners even further.

“Due to the current economic uncertainty, the next few years will be challenging but with a clear vision and fantastic team on board we’re sure to see positive growth as a company.”

For more information on this leading British manufacturing company email sales@bifold-hardware.com or call 01274 673 547.

SHEERLINE SHOWCASES NEW PRODUCTS AND STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES DURING CUSTOMER OPEN DAYS

Sheerline recently held several open days for its’ installer and fabricator customers at its’ HQ in Nether Heage, Derbyshire. It provided an opportunity for senior members of the team to highlight Sheerline’s achievements over the past few years and showcase its’ new products that will be available from early 2023. This includes a new Prestige Lift & Slide Patio Door, which completes the Prestige door range. The technical design team have worked hard to ensure there is consistency across the Prestige range for fabricators and installers, therefore the U-values match every item within the Prestige range, achieving 1.0 triple glazing and 1.4 with double glazing. The new door also uses the same proven clip-in beads as the rest of the range – further evidence of Sheerline’s commitment to integrated system design. It integrates seamlessly with other Sheerline products, so homeowners don’t have to worry about mismatched doors and windows. It is Part L compliant as

standard, and as with all Sheerline products, providing exceptional thermal efficiency through Sheerline’s proprietary Thermlock® technology.

In addition, it maximises the views outside by offering slim sightlines and is available in stepped and contemporary styles. With a choice of four threshold options, the option for triple tracked options that allow for easy drainage, the system also features fully retracting hook locks and flush jambs to avoid the use of protruding pegs that can snag on clothing.

The team also took customers through the benefits of the new beaded option for the ultra-slim, ultra-secure Classic range as well as showing how fabricator and fitter friendly the new SBD option for the award winning S1 lantern is.

Darren Pusey, Supply Chain & Technical Director, Lister Windows commented: "Lots of things have impressed us about Garnalex–they're dynamic, exciting, supportive, and they've got a fresh approach

to the aluminium industry, but with years of experience to back them up."

"They've got high-performance U-values for every product within the Prestige range, which is a huge achievement and an excellent selling point for us. And because of Sheerline's approach, they've brought to market a family of suited products that genuinely work well together, look good, and use interchangeable parts," he added.

After showcasing its’ new products, the team provided a comprehensive tour of Sheerline’s state-of-the-art facilities to give customers an insight into the manufacturing process. This included the company’s SMS HybrEx Press, which can extrude 4 tonnes of aluminium per hour. Garnalex prides itself on being one of very few manufacturers in the UK to extrude their aluminium in-house. With the most integrated production facility in the UK. There was also an opportunity to see the in-house powder coating plant in operation, which has benefited from over £1.2 million

in investment and was recently awarded full Syntha Pulvin applicator status. Aside from enhancing Sheerline’s quality control process, powder coating in-house means customers benefit from agile lead times.

Sheerline CEO, Roger Hartshorn said:

“We’re delighted with the success of our customer open days and look forward to holding more in the future. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase what we’re doing at Sheerline, which is pushing the bounds of what is possible within the fenestration industry by using technology to innovate and set ourselves apart from our competitors.”

For more information, visit the website here: https://www.sheerline.com or, to find out about the next open day, contact the team directly at: info@sheerline.com,

L-R Andrew Fawthrop, National Sales Manager, and Tim Shaw International Sales Manager

REHAU INVESTS IN PROCESSING, PEOPLE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Joining an Editor’s Visit to REHAU’s plants at Runcorn and Blaenau Ffestiniog, Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, had the opportunity to see how PVCu windows are recycled at PVCR Runcorn, profile extruded at Blaenau, and then transported to the distribution centre in Runcorn for onward travel to their customers.

We think of REHAU as being one of the largest systems houses for PVCu window profiles, but it is easy to forget both its origins and its influence throughout the world.

From being a family-owned business, formed in 1948, REHAU is still a family business some 74 years later, the difference being that from its origins in Bavaria it is now a company that produces products for the construction industry, automotive and general industry and from some 170 locations in 54 countries throughout the world. It employs around 21,000 people that work, essentially, on the company’s polymer-based products. In fact, the automotive division is its largest and, as you drive along a motorway, bumper to bumper with other road users, it’s interesting to reflect on the fact that a good proportion of those bumpers you are staring at have their origins within REHAU! Automotive was there from the start: along with, would you believe, shoe welting and garden hoses and with just one extruder and three employees! Some time ago I conducted a somewhat ad hoc survey of homeowners as to whose profile their PVCu windows were made from. As expected, most replied with the name of the installer as opposed to either the fabricator or the system used. When then prompting them regarding the profile coming from a system house, the one name that seemed to be known

was REHAU. Further delving found that the company had conducted a national consumer advertising campaign many years ago but there was still recall of that campaign! Whether that campaign was successful in persuading customers to ask for REHAU profile by name, is unknown, however for whatever reason the company has continued to grow within the UK such that continual investment has been required to keep up with demand and, indeed, changing customer preference. REHAU is not just focussed on profit. The issues of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water management, mobility and future living are all high on the agenda. There is plenty of evidence of this thinking, none more so than at PVCR in Runcorn. This is the recycling centre that not only saves PVCu disappearing into landfill but feeds the extrusion lines at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Although some 15,000 tonnes are processed annually, the company is committed to upping that output to 24,000 tonnes – a substantial 60% increase in processing. To achieve this they are introducing a pre-shredding operation which speeds up shredding while reducing energy consumption by 20%. This preshredding involves two rollers which break down recycled frames into 150mm size pieces, metal components are then stripped from the profiles to then be removed with magnets before the polymer proceeds through the shredding process.

This pre-shredding has been in operation for around eight months and has increased the amount of material that can be delivered to REHAU’s extrusion plant in Blaenau which, in turn, means more Co-ex products can be manufactured and distributed to customers. This has been achieved while reducing energy consumption by employing smaller motors within the machinery. Pretty impressive!

The key priority is the polymer recoverability to meet the 2024 target. Currently about 15% of material is jazz, the impure coloured plastic which cannot be used in REHAU polymer but, in an effort to prevent wastage, this material is now being used for other parts of the frame, such as

reinforcement. Around 85% of a recycled frame is re-employed but PVCR are looking to increase this percentage by improving separation and this will be key to achieving their 2024 target.

REHAU’s sustainability programme is wide ranging from recycling to power saving but it also embraces the use of electric vehicles and not just cars for this company – their delivery trucks are also included. The DAF units that have been acquired are high tec even to the point of disposing with those huge mirrors that we are all used to seeing on lorries. These are replaced by cameras such that the cab interior looks like something out of Star Trek with screens everywhere giving the driver an all-round view of what is going on. The simple fact is that those vast mirrors have a very significant effect on fuel consumption and replacing them with cameras reduces the drag.

These are the vehicles that ship the recycled material to the extruders based at Blaenau and that feed REHAU’s ever growing demand for profile. This growth has seen significant investment at Blaenau which has come a long way from making garden hose, white goods items and small automotive parts back in 1979 with window extrusion starting in 1987. From those early years that saw the plant employing just 20 people now boasts a workforce of some 246 plus 8 apprentices after having four major expansions. This is a busy site working 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Over the years it has developed a selfsufficiency with its own purpose-built mixing department, automated process compound production, a melt filtration department which converts the with a capacity of 1,100 tonnes per month converting post-consumer material ready for Coex production fed in parallel from its 17 external silos for raw material storage. There is also a semi-automated process for production of coloured blends and a 90-ton external

silo dedicated for white blend with a screw feeder process to supply extrusion lines.

The extrusion department has a production capacity of over 3000 tonnes per month and employs multiple extrusion lines. These produce profile lengths of 5.3 to 6.5 metres that are packed in purpose built stillages to ensure protection during handling.

Again, as part of their sustainability programme, 99% of plant scrap is recycled. 30% of the profile produced is processed further with the addition of a wood effect or uni-coloured foils and the lamination department has a production capacity of over 850,000 metres per month.

Importantly, this was one of the first lamination plants that adopted water-based primer in the processing, moving away from the solvent-based primer that was originally utilised. Additionally, it was one of the first UK plants to convert from lead-based stabiliser to calcium organic stabiliser.

Very significant investment has been made at Blaenau with processing capability enhanced with the addition of two new extrusion lines and a double-sided lamination line. It has installed its sixth coextrusion line, which became operational in November, while a new mono line will be up and running in the new year.

The incorporation of the new lines is in response to increasing customer demand

“There is plenty of evidence of this thinking, none more so than at PVCR in Runcorn. This is the recycling centre that not only saves PVCu disappearing into landfill but feeds those extrusion lines at Blaenau Ffestiniog.”

High storage at the Distribution Centre

New vehicles with no mirrors, just cameras

for mainframe white and laminated window frames. The facility’s ability to retain quality while increasing capacity was recognised when the facility achieved a 96.7% rating in a recent Lamination Target Process audit, conducted by technical experts from REHAU.

So what are the end products that are produced at Blaenau? Well, there’s the 60mm window and door system; the Total 70 system with its chamfered range that includes the Co-Ex profiles, the sculptured range, fully reversible and Rio, the Flush Fit casement window. There is also Heritage the PVCu vertical slider and multiple other ancillary profiles. Yet REHAU haven’t forgotten their origins with hosepipes and the like and nowadays produce the RAUVITHERM PE-Xa district heating underground pipe at Blaenau. Ensuring the highest quality is maintained

is essential and REHAU has a full range of testing and quality assurance including laboratory testing, charpy and ball drop testing and they are proud to comply with BSEN 12608 with its bi-annual independent audit and profile testing while REHAU’s Quality Management System is based on the requirements of ISO9001:2015.

On leaving Blaenau the products find their way to the impressive distribution centre at Runcorn where product is neatly racked ready for picking and despatch. The size of this centre and the height of the racking is quite staggering and, watching the quiet

and efficient distribution taking place, is impressive and is sure to be reassuring to REHAU customers who are awaiting product to fabricate windows and doors.

It is interesting to note that REHAU, while concentrating on production and bolstering its green credentials, has not ignored its workforce with additional support brought in to support the running of the lamination lines for 5 days per week which, in turn, has promoted the most technically experienced operators to team leader positions.

The internal promotion policy has also seen Gwyn Jones promoted to the Plant Director position from his previous role as Production and Logistics Manager.

Much has been talked about attracting new blood to the industry and, particularly, the role of apprenticeships. Finding that Gwyn started life at REHAU as an apprentice electrician at Blaenau, and has worked his way up to be the Plant Director, is a fine example of what can be achieved and the value of apprenticeships in our industry.

“The size of this centre and the height of the racking is quite staggering.”

BLAENAU FFESTINIOG EXTRUSION PLANT

PVCR, RUNCORN

Breaking down the PVCu material

Pellet from recycled material awaiting delivery to Blaenau

Pre-shredding helps make the recycling process more efficient

Feeding old frames into the recycling process at Runcorn

2022: A VINTAGE YEAR FOR VBH

Clyde FC’s community teams, we also sponsored Gillingham FC’s match against Sheffield Wednesday, and had greenteQ Q-Smart branding on the Vauxhall Astras throughout the 2022 British Touring Car Championship. Alas, our input did not open the door to a race win!

The update reads: “We are pleased to advise that 2022 was an excellent year for VBH, building on the successes of 2021. We celebrated our 40th year in business with a dinner and dance at Leeds Castle in May. Most of the team made the trip to Kent, including many from our sites in East Kilbride and Wales.

We once again co-hosted our customer golf day in the summer with our friends at Deceuninck. The weather was typically good, and we managed to avoid the scorching temperatures that hit the country last summer. All enjoyed a great day of golf and socialising.

In terms of product development, we saw a steady stream of new products hit the market, including a brand new slim Omega letterplate for narrow mid-rails, a complete re-design of the standard Omega range, new finishes being added to our greenteQ Suite of matching door and window furniture, and new window and door restrictors, among others. Our design team has been extremely through 2022, and we will be introducing many very exciting new products in the first few months of 2023.

VBH made our first forays into the world of sports sponsorship in 2022. As well as providing a full kit for one of

2022 was a year of internal promotions, with many members of the team progressing to new positions of greater responsibility within the company. These include Louise Eagle and Hayley Martin from our Gillinghambased Customer Service and Marketing teams, and Pamela Paterson, who became Operations Manager of VBH East Kilbride. Rob Norman was promoted to Business Development Director, and now heads up new product development at VBH. In addition to internal promotions, we expanded our team across all departments in 2022, and now employ over 70 people in the UK.

Towards the end of the year, we were proud to be judged Large Business of the Year at the Medway Business Awards, and were voted Hardware Company of the Year in the National Fenestration Awards.

Our product range and the efforts of our expanded team helped VBH to another record year for sales in 2022, despite the well-documented issues that businesses and individuals are facing in these uncertain times.

Despite these challenges, our On Time in Full delivery score remained in the 96 – 98% bracket for the full year, thanks to our purchasing and logistics strategies.

SCHÜCO EXCELLENCE AWARDS OPEN FOR TENTH YEAR

Aluminium systems company Schüco is this year celebrating the 10th anniversary of its industry-renowned Excellence Awards and is delighted to announce that entries are now open. The Schüco Excellence Awards, held in partnership with Architecture Today, celebrate the creativity, innovation, technical skill and collaboration behind the most successful building projects using Schüco aluminium and steel systems.

This year a new award category has been added, the Major Project Award,

for buildings with at least 1,000 square metres of Schüco façade. This is in addition to the existing ten categories covering project types including education, cultural, health and leisure buildings; commercial and mixed use; residential developments; individual houses; sustainability, steel, and refurbishment and adaptive reuse projects.

Every year an Overall Winner is selected by the judges and, in 2020, a People’s Choice category was introduced with the winner selected by fellow nominees on the day of the award ceremony.

This year’s judging panel welcomes new additions Holly Galbraith (Níall McLaughlin Architects), Barbara Weiss (Barbara Weiss Architects) and Anna Wendt (Buro Happold – Integrated consulting engineers and advisers). Winners will be announced from the shortlisted nominees at a celebration lunch to be held at the Cutty Sark, London on 29th June 2023.

Nominees will first enjoy a drinks reception on board London’s largest luxury paddle steamer. Tower Bridge will open for the boat before it proceeds up the River Thames to take guests to the Cutty Sark where television presenter and architectural designer, Charlie Luxton, will host the awards lunch.

The deadline for entries is 26th April. For full details and to enter the awards visit https://excellence-awards. awardsplatform.com.

We continue to self-criticise, and evolve accordingly, to ensure that our service levels remain high through 2023 and beyond.

With the new products and initiatives due to be launched in the coming months, coupled with evolving service practices, we are certain that we will build on this success in 2023, and will continue to offer top levels of service to VBH customers, existing and new.”

To contact VBH, call them on 01634 263263, email at sales@vbhgb.com, or send them a Tweet @vbhgb.

IRONMONGERYDIRECT ADDS MORE BULK BUY PRODUCTS TO ITS SAVINGS OFFER

Leading specialist retailer IronmongeryDirect is committed to helping customers save money, and as such has added more products to its popular bulk-buy discount offer. With over 12,000 products included across its range of over 18,000 products, customers can enjoy savings on selected items when buying online or via the retailer’s award-winning, customer service centre.

Customers browsing the online retailer’s website or catalogue can easily identify where savings can be made thanks to a distinct ‘bulk buy’ symbol assigned to all products. What’s more, selected products are listed online with clear bulk buy prices, so shoppers can quickly understand how much they will save for each product when ordering larger quantities.

Katrina Adamczyk, Head of Category Management & Merchandising at

IronmongeryDirect, said: “As part of our ‘Trusted to Deliver’ brand promise, we use our buying power to ensure a wide range of high-quality products are always stocked with the best cost savings and value benefits passed on to our customers wherever possible. With more bulk-buy discounts available, our trade customers can make savings across a huge range of products to help keep costs down, and enjoy peace of mind with our fiveyear minimum guarantee on all purchases, as well as a free returns promise.”

IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery with over 18,000 products in stock, including everything from front door furniture and door & cabinet handles, to storage solutions, heaters and outdoor hardware. Customers can choose from a range of flexible delivery options to meet the needs of their busy schedules, including same day delivery to postcodes in selected areas of London and the East of England, as well as click and collect from 6,500 pick up points across the UK.

To find out more about IronmongeryDirect, please visit: www.IronmongeryDirect.co.uk.

Hardware manufacturer, VBH, has issued a review of 2022, advising that the year was a great success for the company.

SHEERLINE WINDOWS, DOORS AND LANTERNS FROM GARNALEX, THE ALL-BRITISH ALUMINIUM EXTRUDER

Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, joins one of the Garnalex Open Days to see the recent developments at the Firs Works site at Nether Heage, talk to CEO Roger Hartshorn and his team, and learn about the ongoing developments of the Sheerline system.

It’s easy to think of Garnalex as being a system company, particularly as the Sheerline brand of aluminium windows, doors, lanterns and bi-folding doors has become known in its own right, but Garnalex is much more than that.

Roger Hartshorn, the owner and founder of Garnalex, recognised the opening for a modern UK based aluminium extruder, and so with an investment of upward of £15 million and the installation of the state-of-the-art SMS HYBREX aluminium press, Garnalex became a company that proudly boasts that it’s a ‘Made in Britain’ extruder of aluminium. However, it doesn’t stop there. All raw aluminium logs are sourced from Wales which saves time, unnecessary carbon road miles and minimises the uncertainty of supply and quality.

Was Roger taking a risk investing in this way? On the face of it the risk is huge, but Roger has form! 40 years of experience in the fenestration industry and founding

and then selling two leading PVC-U systems companies, Eurocell and Liniar Systems, means he has experience in spades! Most people would look to early retirement and the good life after very successful sales of valuable companies, but Roger is still a young man and, amazingly, still has the drive and ambition to begin a new venture.

It's one thing to have the drive and the finance to launch something this big but you can’t just do it on your own. Having been a leading figure and employer in Amber Valley for a very long time finding the expertise locally was not a real problem as many who now form the management team have worked for Roger before in either Eurocell or Liniar, or in some cases, both companies. One can only imagine

the disquiet caused at those companies when Roger raised his head again and was looking for local experts to join his team! A good example is Dave Watts who started his career in windows at LB Plastics in 1982 and Garnalex now operates from LB’s former site at the Firs Works at Nether Heage. LB Plastics had become the first UK based systems house when Anglian Windows had asked them to extrude window profiles for them. Interestingly, when former employees of LB Plastics set up a new company in 1974 called HL Plastics, a little later, in 1977, Roger joined the team as an apprentice toolmaker. By 1988, Roger was part of a management buy-out and in the early 1990s his team launched Eurocell, with a popular roofline fascia and soffits range, and in 1993 with the Eurocell Ultimate 70mm PVC-U window system. The company grew and now Eurocell is a publicly listed company and one of the largest, most successful PVC-U systems houses in the UK employing over 1,000 people. Roger left Eurocell in 2005. He bought back the trade extruder HL Plastics and set up Flamstead Holdings in Denby, launching Liniar systems in 2008. Liniar was one of the fastest growing systems companies in the UK and another leading PVC-U systems company. Roger sold it to the Quanex Corporation in 2015, staying on for three years until he left in 2018. He then set up a new group, Garner Holdings, Garnalex, an aluminium extruder, and launched the Sheerline window and door system. Roger bought Firs Works site and LB Plastics to make plastic components, mouldings and ancillaries for trade customers and Garnalex’ own systems.

And so, in 2018, Garnalex was formed and extensive research and development was under way to develop what has become the Sheerline product range. The idea was to develop an aluminium system that was both easy to fabricate and to install but, more than that, Roger wanted the service and delivery levels to rival those of the of the best PVC-U systems companies. The hard work that went into designing this new system paid off when Sheerline passed PAS24:2016 security testing with outstanding results, exceeding the required load by more than three times! Its uniquely balanced, peerless aesthetics also make it a dream to sell. With aluminium extrusion commencing in 2019, so did a variety of supporting functions. New injection moulding machines were installed to give the company control over the production of the system’s moulded components and £2 million was invested in new extrusion lines and the moulding machines to manufacture thermal breaks as well as other ancillaries.

What a time to launch a new system! It’s 2020 and the time of the first lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic. The first of Sheerline’s products is launched, being Classic, the ultra slim, beadless window system and this enters the market with six launch partners. At this point it becomes clear where Roger’s thinking was: providing a system that had common components to reduce stockholding, patented corner construction that gave higher quality and less waste for fabricators, and their patented Thermlock® thermal breaks offering unrivalled performance, as standard. By 2021 it was clear that Sheerline was providing what it refers to as ‘agile’ lead times and service and this was proving to be a core advantage to customers. In January of that year the Prestige beaded window and door system was unveiled allowing fabricators to supply unglazed frames and, in June, the S1 lantern was added to the range. With its thermal efficiency and stylish aesthetics, the S1 has become one of only two SBD accredited lanterns on the market.

One of the profile assembly lines

The Lift ‘n’ Slide Patio Door

Garnalex CEO Roger Hartshorn

Look no hands....and no driver. The Robot delivers 1.5 tonnes of dies

2021 was certainly a year of innovation and the introduction of the robot that carries 1.5 tonnes of dies around the shopfloor is impressive to say the least! It is fascinating to watch it work and to see it respond to its surroundings, avoiding stray people - and all controlled by radar.

September saw the bi-folding door join the Prestige range and, of particular interest to fabricators, sharing many common components with the rest of the range. Demand has increased significantly as the Classic and Prestige ranges has caught the eye of both the trade and the buying public such that the first night shift is introduced on the aluminium press.

2022 sees the addition of a composite door frame that enables ‘whole house’ solutions and an investment of a further £1.3 million in a powder coating plant that reduces the carbon footprint and increases the control of supply. Part L of the Building Regulations comes into force providing further opportunities for Sheerline as, with the Thermlock® technology, the products are already compliant with the regulation.

All this progress has also meant that additional team members have now joined the company in sales and operational roles. Additionally, increased technical documents and sales material is available such as the Thermal Calculator that allows easy U Value and Energy calculations.

What is planned for 2023? We still have the Russia/Ukraine conflict to contend with that has resulted in an energy crisis, and we have price hikes and Part L, too. However, Sheerline continues its product and system development helped considerably by its vertical integration that gives control over the supply chain. It has consistent design across all ranges so that colours, aesthetics, styles and performance match perfectly and all products have an SBD option. While the benefits of the Classic range, with its beadless design providing for perfect corners with mitres running through the internal joints, ultimate security, and the fact they are so quick to install, makes much sense, how about a beaded version? Classic now has a clip-in beaded option. This gives the option of being versatile with opening and fixed light combinations, and picture windows. There is also the option of 36mm triple glazing and beading allows for the supply of frames and glazing separately.

Part L is still very much an issue in the market, but Sheerline has this covered such that the whole Classic range is compliant, achieving a WER of A with double glazing, perfect for refurbishment, and a U Value of 1.5 W/m2K for new homes and commercial installation. Triple glazing gets down to A+ WER and 1.1 W/m2K.

The introduction of Georgian-styled bars allows for traditional as well as the modern look and there is also a beaded door system being developed for the Classic range. The S1 lantern now has an SBD option and a three-way

system for the lantern will be released in Spring 2023. The three-way crown moulding is compatible with the existing M8 coach bolt the SRM108 hook moulding, too, and a threeway top cap and rafter will be available.

The Prestige range welcomes a lift and slide patio door with two interlock options and boasts flush jambs with no protruding pegs and retracting hook drive gear – and PAS24 as standard. As in all Prestige products, double glazing provides 1.4 W/m2K and triple glazing 1.0 W/m2K. There is also a complete easy-to-fabricate threshold range – a 25mm low threshold with ramp for Part M, a 38mm standard threshold with a clip-on cill nose option and finally a ‘zero’ threshold option.

To sum up, Sheerline’s range is impressive. There’s Classic in beaded and beadless, Prestige, Prestige Bi-Folding Doors alongside the new Lift & Slide, Prestige Composite Door Frames and the S1 Lantern. All ranges have fully matched styling and these products are backed up by a wide range of marketing collateral with a new website, a specification guide and product brochure planned for 2023.

What’s not to like?

The Sheerline Classic Bead Clip

An all British aluminium log is loaded into the press

The extruded aluminium

The vast cutting bed

The new powder coating line and oven

The press is all controlled by one operative

2023 – THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Systems Sales Director,

during 2023.

With the mixture of a global pandemic, supply chain and resource issues to tend with over the last couple of years, our industry fared extremely well, remaining resilient and buoyant. As we move in to 2023 and beyond, we now seem to be in, what feels like a never-ending news feed of doom and gloom, but with challenges comes opportunities.

We are hearing of a global recession brought on by what the media cite as crises after crises. Mortgage rates soaring and a possible sharp fall in housing prices. High inflation, elevated fuel prices and soaring energy costs, which all-in-all is having a detrimental impact on the cost of living for many.

SOARING ENERGY COSTS

It appears that 2023 will continue to be fraught by rising energy costs, even with the governments help, there are fears that there may be further increases. When you compare current energy costs to 2020 and 2021, there has been a substantial increase in energy bills. Even if and when they do start to decrease, we are a long way away from the 2020 and 2021 prices. However, with this comes opportunity for the fenestration industry.

There are many looking at ways of reducing their energy consumption and improving

their homes energy efficiency levels. As an industry, we have a range of window and door products that can provide a long-term solution to the current “crisis” – increasing their necessity to the consumer.

What this means is that as a window and door fabricator and/or installer you have the ideal platform and opportunity to promote the energy efficiency of your products as one of the main USP’s. Replacing ageing and tired windows and doors with new can be seen as an essential renovation to improve a homes thermal efficiency and reduce energy usage. There is a need to focus on this positive and educate, as there are millions of homes that would benefit from new energy efficient windows and doors, thus possibly saving hundreds of pounds per year on their energy bills.

Combining this with the latest and future planned revisions to Building Regulations Approved Document Part L, it provides you with a legislative platform for promoting the thermal performance of windows and doors within the home.

HOUSING MARKET

With many homeowners facing a rise in mortgage repayments over the coming 12 months or so, on top of the previously mentioned cost of living increases, it is envisaged that there may be a dip in house moves. In-turn this could lead to the possibility of a sharp decrease in housing prices, as the demand wanes. However, falling house prices and rising mortgages may lead to a rethink from homeowners. The “don’t move, but improve” scenario could possibly pan out, with it deemed cheaper to improve or extend their existing home than to move up the housing ladder. Again, with clever marketing, it is an area where we as a sector can take advantage of and open up the vision to the

homeowners through our installers – an improve, don’t move campaign!

SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND MATERIAL COSTS

Supply chain issues and rising material costs have been the two of the biggest challenges that we have faced as an industry over the last couple of years. As a PVCu systems company, it was as much of a stressful and frustrating period for ourselves as it was for all concerned. As a business we prospered far better than many and managed to resolve supply issues some time back now and far more quickly than others within the industry. Thankfully, as we go in to 2023, I’m happy to say that those frustrations now seem firmly behind us!

PVCu raw material costs now look like they have peaked and levelled out and there are possibilities of a decrease in raw material costs in the coming months. This is very welcome news, after a period where they were increasing day-by-day, making it very difficult to plan and manage. From the outset, it has always been the intention of Selecta to pass on any savings to customers if and when they occur.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIPS

To help you through the challenges ahead, it is vitally important that you choose the right partnerships for you and your business. Why am I telling you this? Putting it quite simply and as you know, your supply chain is an extension of your business. They fail, you fail. Whether that’s product, service or support related, your supplier is a reflection of you and your business. In good and bad times you need to be able to rely on and trust your suppliers.

Moving forward, it’s essential that fabricators and installers partner with the right window and door system and supplier. One that can provide future proofed window and door solutions to meet the demands of your customers. One that is looking at long-term innovation and development of its products and services. One that can provide a range of marketing and technical support tools and services. Selecta are ready when you are.

Selecta

Andy Green, provides his view on some of the potential challenges ahead and the opportunities this generates for fabricators and installers

Andy Green

DGCOS is a consumer protection scheme for the installation of double glazing products. Being a member of DGCOS shows that as an installer you are committed to complying with high standards of consumer protection.

Faisal Hussain CEO

ANDREA BEERLINK SUCCEEDS MARIJN VAN DEN INGH AS MANAGING DIRECTOR CURA GLASS

As of 1 January, Andrea Beerlink is the new managing director of CURA Glass in Lopik, the Netherlands. She succeeds owner Marijn van den Ingh, who will be working 'in the background' on the expansion of the company. Commercial Manager Bas Mulder succeeds Beerlink as manager of the CURA Glass branch in Assen. 'It is great that Marijn has given Bas and me the freedom to realise our ambitions', says Beerlink in an interview with the trade magazine Glas in Beeld that will be published in February.

Beerlink has been working at CURA Glass, then Spliet & De Waal, since 1995, and has been branch manager of the Assen branch since 2015. Van den Ingh explains the radical organisational change: ‘Andrea has always been the right hand of management in Assen and for the past seven years, she has been in charge of the eighteen employees. That is going very well and two years ago she indicated her ambition to grow. We have assessed all options and this arrangement was the result; also made possible because we have an excellent successor to Andrea in the person of Bas.' Beerlink with tongue in cheek: 'Just as I was sawing Marijn's chair legs, Bas did the same to mine. But joking aside: I wanted to make another move before I turn fifty, preferably within CURA Glass. That has now become possible.'

MAKING MOVES WITHIN CURA

Beerlink bridges the distance from her hometown of Coevorden by residing in Zeist during the working week. Van den Ingh will, as he puts it himself, focus on entrepreneurship and pursue opportunities for acquisitions, expansions and investments. ‘That sounds mysterious, but the most important thing is that I leave the company operationally so as not to get in Andrea's way. I think she can do a better job than me. Why? When you've been doing something for 22 years, it's good to step aside. Both for the job itself and the person. All those directly involved within

our management support this choice and are completely satisfied with Andrea. In Assen, she has turned a poorly operating company into a well-oiled machine.'

CURA GLASS

CURA Glass is one of the oldest family-owned businesses in our country. Founded in 1692 as Spliet Glas, the company has grown into a major international player in the world of

flat glass. CURA Glass has branches in Lopik and Assen, 150 employees and a turnover of over 50 million euros (2022), 40 per cent of which comes from the export of glass outside the Benelux. Traditionally, its activities include the trade and distribution of flat glass, the realisation and assembly of glass projects and, since 2013, the production of laminated safety glass: CURA Safe. The company is known for its large product range, large stock and fast (mixed) deliveries and the CURA Safe laminated specialties.

Andrea Beerlink flanked by Marijn van den Ingh (left) and Bas Mulder

STUGA MACHINERY APPOINTS

NEW SALES MANAGER TO SPEARHEAD AMIBITIOUS GROWTH PLANS

Great Yarmouth based manufacturer

Stuga – who are now wholly owned by Stürtz Maschinenbau GmbH in Germany

– have appointed a new Sales Manager and Sales Support Coordinator to support their ambitious growth plans.

A NEW CHAPTER IN STUGA’S HISTORY

Since being appointed as Commercial lead in the summer of 2022, Ed Williams has now taken the reigns of the UK business as Managing Director and has made significant strides in re-structuring the business, to meet the present and future demands.

“The first piece of the puzzle was to put together a sales team capable of working together to sell both the Stuga sawing & machining centres, as well as the suite of Stürtz welding, cleaning, logistics and handling solutions – I am delighted to welcome to the industry Oliver Earley, our Regional Sales Manager for the North and ROI regions, and also congratulations to Aimee Cargill who has moved into a new role to support the sales and marketing functions from the administration and technical perspective”.

THE RIGHT FIT

Oli has a broad range of experience in technical sales and after starting his career working with a major UK packaging consumables manufacturer in the UK, he enhanced his reputation further by achieving early successes after moving into capital machinery sales for one of the largest packaging machinery manufacturers in the world.

“The move from high-volume consumable sales into consultancy sales of high value machinery came just at the right time for me, and presented a different type of commercial challenge.. Having worked in the food industry for several years already, I was acutely aware of the requirement for excellent after sales too, and recognising a manufacturers ability to meet industry demands for service was a critical decision making factor for me” explains Earley.

After working across various sectors in the food and beverage industry, Oli was excited at the prospect of a change in direction and welcomed the opportunity to get involved with Stuga in the fenestration industry. “When Ed approached me, he explained the background of Stuga and their position in the industry, the growth plans –particularly the ROI & NI markets - and the machinery portfolio. It was clear that Ed wanted to develop a more sophisticated and customer-focussed sales structure and I was delighted to be given the opportunity”.

STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

To support a growing field sales team in their strategy to grow sales of all products, it was vital that there be in place a supporting technical and administrative function that could also provide much-needed impetus to marketing activity – to this end, Williams had introduced Aimee Cargill – previously heading up the parts business – to a newly created role. “It’s a brilliant chance for me to learn new skills and help Ed and the rest of the sales team deliver a result. Supporting the sales team will be a natural progression, and while Marketing is not entirely new to me, I am looking forward to Ed’s support to help me develop and contribute in new ways” says Cargill, who has worked with Stuga for 10 years, after a career in hospitality.

Stuga are also looking for a new technical manager to take full responsibility for the product introduction and service capability around the Stürtz portfolio. “While it is important that the service capability for Stürtz must work alongside and integrate with the existing technical structure, it was clear to me that the current team are very focussed on delivering excellence on the Stuga machines – I didn’t wish to detract from this customer-focussed approach, on the contrary, I wished to enhance it and decided to have a separate lead for the Stürtz machines”.

INVESTMENT IS THE KEY TO GROWTH

When asked about the decision to employ new staff during uncertain economic times, Williams had the following to say: “we have a clear plan to re-establish the Stürtz brand in the UK market; to do this we need 2 key ingredients: a technical structure to provide levels of maintenance and service levels to our loyal customers, and a sales structure to promote and sell the entire range. If we hold back now, we miss the opportunity to get a foothold in the market and the financial backing of Stürtz means that we can weather such uncertainty. It is a bold but positive and forward-thinking move”.

The changes at Stuga and Stürtz aren’t limited to people and structure – they’re also re-developing a new transom corner cleaner into the UK market, building on the success of their previous model, which will be launched at the 2023 FIT Show. “This is a crucial part of the portfolio and compliments our product offering and ensures we can do

everything that customers need, especially for meeting the demands of the UK market, where of course the design and configuration of windows is much more complicated than in Europe and the rest of the world” explains Williams. “The new transom corner cleaner will benefit from a turreting cleaning head that allows for quicker cleaning of both sides of the transom, this reducing the manual labour intervention and allowing for operators to focus more on other production activities, whilst also running the cleaning machine.” Williams added.

SHARED GOALS

Acquisitions in industrial and technology markets are notoriously difficult beasts to tame, as the organisational, cultural, technical and operational forces often clash and can be resistant to change. It appears that so far, its working our well for Stuga and Stürtz, “It’s been full on since I joined in mid-2022 and we’ve already achieved so much in terms of preparing for the future. We still have a lot of new skills to learn and develop, but I am grateful to be working with management teams on both sides of the relationship that are fixed on a common objective to make things work – and we have a plan” Williams explained. Williams has also implemented significant management changes across operational and production processes, to ensure the right amount of focus is given to development of strategy, objectives, processes and procedures, as well as the management of the teams.

SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE

There is an old adage in machinery sales, that says a salesperson will sell the first solution, but the technical back up will sell every machine after. The reality of course, is that both parts of a machinery business work hand in hand, but Williams isn’t losing sight of what’s important to the industry and its clear that Stuga have the technical service capability clearly in their crosshairs. “Getting our technical services to a level of capability on the Stürtz portfolio is going to present us a number of challenges. We have parts holdings to consider, training and familiarisation for engineers – as well as front-line technical support. But we have a plan and the aim is to deliver a quality of service that compares with what we can offer today on our Stuga sawing and machining centres”.

For more information about Stuga Machinery Limited visit: www.stuga.co.uk/news-from-stuga or for more information about Stürtz visit: www.stuertz.com/en/company

Oliver Earley

"Getting our technical services to a level of capability on the Stürtz portfolio is going to present us a number of challenges. We have parts holdings to consider, training and familiarisation for engineers – as well as front-line technical support."

EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS INVESTS IN CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT

Developing the workforce and bringing forward the next generation of talent is a huge focus for the industry. Epwin Window Systems is leading the way in showcasing the value of a career in fenestration.

Lee Cattermole, Learning & Development Manager at Epwin Window Systems, says: “Fenestration is a dynamic industry and there are plenty of opportunities for a fulfilling and rewarding career. We are developing a range of training strategies across the business with a structured career progression path to attract and develop the next generation of talent.”

To encourage career development, there is a wide range of apprenticeship courses at all levels available to employees at Epwin Window Systems. There are currently eight traditional apprentices and 12 development apprentices within the business. And over

the past two years, six apprenticeships have been completed. Lee comments: “Developing people through high-quality apprenticeships and workforce strategies is proven to be good for employers and employees alike.”

Lee is also active in the wider community, raising awareness of the value of a technical career. In December 2022, he spoke at an event organised by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology with an audience address from the Minister for Skills, Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, about the new Engineering and Manufacturing Higher Technical Qualifications. Lee said: “I’ve been actively involved in supporting the development of the Institute who are delivering Higher Technical Qualifications at levels 4 and 5 for the past 4 years. The Institute is a world class facility where

collaboration, innovation and outstanding support for STEM education come together under one roof and it’s accessible by any employer. Maintaining the link between the Institute and Epwin Window Systems will play a key part in ensuring that we have access to advanced technologies where needed for our future success.”

He is in talks with the Black Country Institute of Technology about how Epwin Window Systems supports fenestration skills for modular build. Lee said: “Epwin Window Systems is a large local employer and building partnerships like this is good for our business and for the wider industry.”

Lee also sits on the advisory panel of Building Our Skills, which aims to make fenestration, glass and glazing a career of choice. Lee commented: “Building Our Skills is an incredibly important initiative

MODPLAN ADDS LEKA CARPORT AND CANOPY TO ITS RANGE

Leading trade fabricator Modplan has added the new Leka Carport and Canopy system to its range. Heidi Sachs, Modplan’s Managing Director, said: “The new Leka Carport and Canopy system provides a durable, lightweight and rapid construction alternative to more traditional canopy systems. And as you would expect from a Leka product, its intelligent design and rapid fit properties offer compelling appeal.”

Like the Leka Warm Roof, Leka Orangery Roof and Leka Xi, the Leka Carport and Canopy system is a unique proposition that sets a new standard for the industry. For ease, it can be installed on existing loadbearing or concrete pads. The system also features Leka’s lightweight, structurally sound GRP framework which means no thermal bridging or moisture absorption.

This ensures the Leka Carport and Canopy is incredibly robust and built to stand the test of time.

Each section is modular by design and highly engineered. This gives peace of mind that every piece has been factory-tested before delivery, ensuring a smooth and straightforward installation.

Like all Leka products, the Leka Carport and Canopy is quick and easy to install. Typically taking one-two days. Firstly, the GRP structurally sound posts are installed into the correct locations, using feet if necessary to secure them into place. Next the main GRP ring beam and roof structure are fitted into position to create a robust framework. The highly engineered, lightweight and load bearing sheets are installed followed by the application of the high-quality shingle or lightweight slate tile

finish. Finally, a cladding colour of choice is applied to the underside of the roof and supporting posts for a seamless aesthetic. Optional lighting is also available.

Heidi said: “The new Leka Carport and Canopy system is a valuable addition because it provides another option for homeowners looking to make the most of their outside space. Whether it’s a carport, a covered seating area, a children’s play area or just somewhere to sit on a summer’s evening, the Leka Carport and Canopy provides additional space without the formality of a conservatory or orangery construction.”

Like all Modplan’s products, the new Leka Carport and Canopy will be manufactured in their dedicated multi-site fabrication facilities at its headquarters near Newport, Gwent. And the company offers exceptional

LEKA XI DEMONSTRATES ITS APPEAL TO HOMEOWNERS

Leka Systems has reported continued growth for its Leka Xi modular conservatory walls and base system with little sign of market demand slowing in 2023. Rhys Hoddinott, Managing Director of Leka Systems, said: “Homeowners can see the big benefits of the Leka Xi over a traditional conservatory build. As a result, the benefits are translating into sales as more and more homeowners value what the Leka Xi has to offer and installers appreciate the added value benefits of the product.”

The Leka Xi provides a warm, sustainable alternative to a traditional block or brick-built conservatory base or wall. Rhys highlights two areas where the Leka Xi has benefits over a traditional conservatory build. The first is the larger

internal footprint. The second is the faster installation time.

The wall thickness on a traditional conservatory build required to comply with energy efficiency regulations can reduce the size of the internal footprint, which translates to a smaller living space. In contrast, the Leka Xi uses highly thermally efficient boards, which are slimmer by design. This means homeowners can maximise the amount of living space they have. Rhys comments: “Every homeowner wants to make the most of the space they have available. The Leka Xi is the best way to do this.”

The innovative, lightweight and modular construction of the Leka Xi means it can be installed much more quickly than

a traditional brick-built extension. A conservatory built using the Leka Xi base and wall system and a Leka roof can be installed in days not weeks because it’s typically installed on concrete pads. Rhys says: “There is less disruption and less mess with a Leka Xi. It’s particularly good for homeowners with limited or no rear access to their property because no heavy excavation work is needed. And for busy installation teams, it’s a huge advantage.”

The Leka Xi is the perfect example of the innovation Leka Systems brings to the market.

The Leka Warm Roof and the Leka Orangery Roof are lightweight, tiled conservatory roof systems that turn conservatories into comfortable, year-

because it works to bridge the growing skills gap. It works closely with employers and other organisations to attract new entrants to the industry and upskill the existing workforce. The aim is to inspire them to see the industry as a home for their long-term career ambitions.”

Attracting and retaining talent is a critical challenge for the fenestration industry. As these initiatives show, Epwin Window Systems is ahead of the curve in addressing this challenge.

Tel: 0845 340 3968

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

sales, marketing, training and service support to enable their customers to make the most of the market opportunities.

Heidi concluded: “Modplan’s aim is to continually deliver the products our customers need to stand out in a competitive market. And in the new Leka Carport and Canopy system, our customers have the best in flexible canopy extensions that will add value and open up additional opportunities for them.”

Tel: 01495 246844 – www.modplan.co.uk

round living spaces. Rhys comments: “Our products are perfect in an era of rising energy costs. Their lightweight GRP construction means they offer exceptional thermal efficiency, helping homeowners to take control of their energy bills.”

It’s why the company is seeing a sales surge with more homeowners asking for Leka by name.

Tel: 0800 773 4040 - www.lekasystems.co.uk

NCSA CONTRACTORS

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to launch a new video featuring Freefoam Registered Installer NCSA Contractors Ltd. The video features an interview with owner Leigh ‘Kelly’ Bennett and explains how Kelly’s business sees the popularity of PVC products as a key driver for growth in the coming years.

Based in the Blackwood area of South Wales, Kelly set the business up a couple of years ago. Having fitted Freefoam products for many years they were the obvious choice for his new business. NCSA Contractors are a general building company, but are now specializing in PVC products including fascia, cladding systems, windows and doors.

Kelly explained “We stated off in a small way in Blackwood and quickly grew, now working in the Barry, Newport and Cardiff areas. We like the Freefoam products - it’s the little details that count such as the fascia corners being bigger than other brands and the gutters and downpipes all come with protective film so they don’t get damaged in transit.”

With a growing work-load, reliable supply and delivery is essential, so NCSA have a long standing close working relationship with local Freefoam supplier Building Plastics Wales. Kelly explained “Building Plastics Wales supply us the full Freefoam range. If we need extra boards or have any problems, Building Plastics Wales are quick to respond. They deliver out to us on site, and always there for us.”

The new video features a large detached property with dormer windows, which have been refitted with smart contemporary grey Freefoam PVC cladding. NCSA have seen enquires for cladding increase and now regularly installer the Fortex Double Shiplap and Weatherboard range. Clients like the low maintenance and easy to clean benefits and are using cladding to add a colour accent to their homes.

Colin St John, Commercial Director commented “This video is an excellent way for us to illustrate how our supply chain is working out there in the market place. To see local independent installers and stockists working together, both utilizing Freefoam products to grow their businesses, is satisfying for us – their growth is our growth!”

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/UkdlFApdDOI

ALUSPACE INTERNAL SCREENING SYSTEM AVAILABLE FROM DIRECT TRADE WINDOWS

With an increased number of end users choosing to invest in high-end, luxury home improvements, it’s vital that installers can access quality products from a trustworthy supplier.

It’s why leading trade supplier Direct Trade Windows has included AluSpace interior screening products from Smart systems in its portfolio, enabling its customers across Greater London to offer the best to the end user.

A great addition to any portfolio, AluSpace interior screening has been developed to create light and airy internal environments. The system can be used to divide both residential and commercial spaces of any shape and size, while at the same time providing an effective acoustic barrier. And with a choice of hinged single and double doors, as well as pivot and sliding options to accompany the fixed glazed screen, the flexible and versatile system provides almost limitless possibilities.

Director AJ Hassanali comments: “When searching for luxury home improvement options, some of the most attractive

REYNAERS CP 130

PATIO SYSTEM PROVING POPULAR FOR FENTRADE

Specialist fabricator Fentrade is reporting strong sales of the Reynaers CP 130 slide and lift-slide patio system. Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s Director, said: “We added the CP 130 to our range last year and it’s proven to be a big seller. So many products in this space are ‘me too’ but the CP 130’s high end aesthetics and quality construction set it apart.”

The CP 130 system is a versatile system that offers a multitude of ways to deliver the large expanses of glass today’s homeowners and commercial contractors are looking for.

It is available in two variations: a standard sliding system and a lift-slide system. The

sliding system has monorail, duo rail and 3-rail options while the lift-slide system has monorail, duo rail, 3-rail and multi-rail options. There is also a pocket solution for the lift-slide system in duo rail, 3-rail, or up to 8-rail (multi-rail) options, which creates an open space without visible elements when the door is open. The corner solution for the CP 130-LS duo rail variant answers the current architectural need for large glass surfaces with minimal visible elements. Every element of the door reflects attention to detail and a commitment to a high quality finish. Opening panes move on durable wheels and stainless steel rails for effortless

daily use. The system is impressively weatherproofed, hermetically sealed and meets all requirements for thermal efficiency as well as security. Panes can be up to 2700mm wide and 300kg in weight.

The CP 130 system is part of a portfolio that includes a full range of aluminium windows, doors, bifolds, inline sliders, GFT commercial screens, shopfronts and curtain walling from renowned industry brands such as AluK, Reynaers and VBH Greenteq. It also now includes Residence Collection window systems following the company’s recent expansion into PVC-U.

products are those that create space and light, something which AluSpace has mastered.

“The unique and slimline system gives architects, interior designers, and installers the opportunity to create space and light in any internal environment, and with a huge range of colour and design options, and just a small number of core components, the system can be used to elegantly partition living or working spaces of any size or shape.

“At Direct Trade Windows, we’re proud to be offering the leading AluSpace range to our customers. It’s an investment that adds to our wide offering, as well as our streamlined manufacturing processes, minimal lead times, and dedicated customer support, all of which contribute to making us the supplier of choice for trade customers when it comes to premium aluminium products.

“If you’re a trade installer looking to tap into the lucrative and growing market of luxury home improvements, give Direct Trade Windows a call today.”

Visit www.directtradewindows.co.uk

Chris concluded: “We want to help our customers secure market advantage with the products that have the aesthetics and quality today’s discerning consumers and commercial contractors want. The CP 130 is a valuable addition to our portfolio – and to our customers’.”

Tel: 01633 547787 - fentradealuminium.co.uk

NEW

“WE LIKE THE FREEFOAM PRODUCTS – IT’S THE LITTLE DETAILS THAT COUNT.”

STAYING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW: SIX TIPS FOR UK VAN DRIVERS

A recent survey found that there are over 4.1 million vans on UK roads today. If you’re driving a van for business or personal use, certain rules of the road must be obeyed.

Whether you’re looking to buy a van for the first time or considering van leasing, it isn’t as simple as simply starting up and driving away – even if you’ve long since passed your test. With some insights from Jonathan Beadle at van leasing company, Van Ninja, we outline the essential rules and regulations for UK van drivers – so there’s no need for driving fines and racking up costly penalty points.

1. Licence to Thrill

Prospective van drivers must be aware of different van weights and what

this means for licence requirements. Legally, if you’ve passed your test after January 1997, you’re permitted to drive any van up to 3500kg. For vehicles above this threshold, you’ll need to pass additional tests to have higher categories added to your licence. This will also apply if you need to tow a trailer behind your van. Driving without the correct licence can result in a £1000 fine and 3-6 penalty points.

2. Carry That Weight

Drivers should also be aware of the van’s ‘design gross weight’ or ‘laden weight’ which refers to the maximum weight it can be loaded. This is inclusive of cargo, fuel and any passengers who may be in the vehicle. The figure should be stipulated on the vehicle identification number plate (VIN). Weight distribution is also important as any goods should be spread

throughout the payload area with the heaviest cargo secured in place as low as possible and held in place with straps or cages where necessary.

A £300 fine could be incurred if found in breach of these rules.

3. Driving Restrictions

One of the more confusing aspects of UK van law is the driving time restrictions which apply depending on the weight of your vehicle. For vans weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, rules state that you are limited to driving no more than 10 hours on a single day – not including rest or breaks. For vans exceeding 3.5 tonnes, you are limited to nine hours a day, though this may be increased to ten hours per day twice a week.

4. No Need for Speed?

Also be aware that stricter speed limits apply to vans than the ordinary car which can cause confusion for drivers. Typically, vans are allowed to travel 10mph less than cars while the 30mph limit still applies in built-up areas. Single carriageways are limited to 50mph, dual carriageways 60mph and 70mph on motorways. This applies to all vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes while those above have speed limiters fitted in line with current legislation.

5. Free Parking

Many van drivers may have delivery requirements, so should be aware of dropoff zones. Vertical double yellow lines indicate that loading and unloading is not permitted at any

time while single yellow means that there are time restrictions in place. Look out for designated loading bays which outline where it is safe to unload.

6. Tax and Insurance

Much like any car, vans must be taxed annually and the same applies for MOT on vehicles over three years old. Commercial insurance cover may also be required to protect any tools or raw materials you leave in your vehicle unattended. If you’re looking to make a foray into the van market, it pays to be savvy about UK laws and regulations. Vans can be a joy to drive and an essential tool for your business. Load up and hit the open road with peace of mind.

Sources: Van statistics (finder.com)

KFV

that simply sets all new

DAY ACHIEVE

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ONLY AT THE UK’S NUMBER 1 EXHIBITION FOR THE WINDOWS, DOORS, GLAZING, HARDWARE AND COMPONENTS INDUSTRY.

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UNRIVALLED PATIO PERFORMANCE FROM WARMCORE

Given the new building regulations and a drive for better energy efficiency in patio doors, the Warmcore solution offers double and triple glazing options within a system that also boasts a number of premium performance features.

With a U-value of 1.4 W/(m2K) double glazed and 1.0 W/ (m2K) triple glazed, Warmcore is a product platform for the domestic and commercial sectors. Available in 2, 3 and 4 pane variants it’s also a system with complete design flexibility and the option of both single colour or dual-colour options and there’s also a thermally broken low threshold available.

Bespoke hardware features throughout the Warmcore patio door with self-levelling rollers running on a precision engineered track to give long-term, ultrasmooth and reliable performance. These wheels have also been tested to 50,000 cycles, providing further proof of longevity.

There is also a unique custom designed ‘lift-to-lock’ handle which is unique to the Warmcore patio door. This innovative

handle operates the bi-directional locks located at the top and bottom of the door and feature ‘claws’ helping to make Warmcore patios incredibly secure at the interlock, typically a security weak point in standard PVCu patio doors. The Warmcore patio door also carries PAS24, an important standard under the forthcoming revisions to Part Q of the building regulations.

The Warmcore patio door also incorporates soft close technology, also known as a safety brake, as an optional upgrade which helps prevent trapped fingers and unintentional slamming, particularly useful when children are around. Carefully engineered, these built-in safety brakes guarantee soft, dampened operation, helping prevent misuse.

Phil Brown, research and development manager at Kömmerling commented: ‘The Warmcore patio door is a wonderful piece of product engineering and is available as a finished product and also as part of an integrated bar length

system including casement, flush and tilt and turn windows, along with an impressive bi-folding door. With consumers looking towards better performing products and those rich in design features, there’s never been a better time in which to look at Warmcore.’

For further information please visit www.profine-uk.com, e-mail enquiries@profine-uk.com or phone 01623 579200. You can also follow them on social media platforms including Twitter @profineuk.

NEW THERMAL CALCULATOR EXCLUSIVE TO SHEERLINE CUSTOMERS

Sheerline has launched a new Thermal Calculator exclusively for its customers so they can calculate Energy Ratings and U-values quickly and efficiently. It has been developed by the in-house R&D team to help customers meet Part-L regulations in line with the government’s 2025 Future Homes and Buildings Standard. The proprietary software behind the solution produces Certass endorsed results for U-values and Energy Ratings aligned to the Certass Thermal Rating Register. This gives customers peace of mind as the accreditation is legally recognised, reflecting the fact Sheerline has developed a simple yet effective system that demonstrates the energy efficiency of various profile and glass combinations across the entire Sheerline range. This clever software enables fabricators to self-generate specific thermal ratings for all windows and doors within Sheerline’s Classic and Prestige ranges in as little as 30 seconds. It is easy-to-use, guiding users through the specific information that is required.

This includes the product range, sash feature, whether the product is a window, door or bi-fold along with the frame type. Once fabricators have input these details, they can check their Part-L compliance within seconds while creating labels for the products they are fabricating.

It is a legal requirement that installers supply and fit windows that are not only fit for purpose but are also Part L compliant. There may be instances where installers are required to provide evidence to prove the products they supply are compliant –this powerful tool puts that information at fabricators fingertips.

Under the new legislation, which is designed to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, there is a mandatory 30% cut in carbon for all new homes. In addition, other buildings, such as office buildings and shops, will have to reduce their carbon footprint by 27%. While this is no easy feat, Sheerline’s products have been designed with these changes in mind, meaning future legislation

and sustainability were key considerations during the research & development phase.

As a result, all Sheerline’s products offer easy Part L compliance, so the installers and fabricators they work with don’t have to worry about expensive upgrades to triple glazing or adding additional foam fillets to increase thermal efficiency.

The new rules apply to all window and door upgrades, whether for new builds, extensions, or renovations. For instance, all window and door replacements after June 15, 2022, must have a maximum U-value of 1.4 (energy rating B for glazed windows and doors or C for single doors). While new builds are subject to a limiting (maximum) U-value of 1.6 for windows and doors.

Roger Hartshorn, Sheerline CEO, said: “As an installer and fabricator-friendly organisation, we pride ourselves on making life easier for our customers. The changes to Part L regulations are not insignificant, and it’s important we meet the new requirements head-on. That’s why we’ve

LEKA SYSTEMS EXPECTING SALES SURGE

Leka Systems, the innovative manufacturer of lightweight, tiled conservatory roof systems, is preparing for a busy 2023 because its products help homeowners create more energy efficient homes. Rhys Hoddinott, Managing Director of Leka Systems, said: “Sky-high energy prices mean more and more homeowners are looking at ways to make their homes more energy efficient. The Leka Warm Roof and the Leka Orangery roof are perfect solutions for upgrading failing or thermally inefficient conservatory roofs and helping to reduce energy bills. As a result, we are already seeing a strong upturn in consumer enquiries.”

Leka’s roofing solutions transform conservatories that are too hot in summer

or too cold in winter because they have U values as low as 0.10W/m²K, helping to make homes more thermally efficient as well as create more useable living space. They also offer numerous additional benefits.

The GRP construction of the roofs means no aluminium or timber components, so there is no cold bridging or risk of rotting or condensation. It also means the roofs typically weigh little more than a traditional glass roof, so no additional reinforcing is needed, helping to keep installation time and disruption to a minimum.

There is a near unlimited range of styles, which gives installers an additional upsell opportunity. There is also a range of internal

finishes and external roof tiles options for consumers to further personalise the appearance.

And all Leka components come with a 40year warranty, giving homeowners peace of mind.

The products are MFA-approved, which allows building applications to be fasttracked in most cases. Installation usually takes just two to three days, helping installers see a quick return.

Certified Leka fabricators and installers receive full training and support to help them make the most of the potential of the products. Leka Systems has also teamed up with Checkatrade to offer installers exclusive Checkatrade membership discounts.

developed our new Thermal Calculator to take the hassle out of generating thermal ratings and U-values.”

“It’s an invaluable tool for our customers, not only to help the country reduce its carbon footprint, but to help homeowners enjoy thermally efficient, warm homes. When customers choose Sheerline, they’re choosing compliance and all the benefits associated with it,” he added.

To find out everything you need to know about the latest Part L regulations, read Sheerline’s handy guide here:

https://www.sheerline.com/ready

Rhys concludes: “Leka roofing solutions offer huge opportunities for fabricators and installers right now. If you don’t already have our products in your portfolio, give us a call today to get started.”

Tel: 0800 773 4040 – www.lekasystems.co.uk

Automation: embrace the future of IG

RIGID SPACER BAR MANUAL LINE

More people, more processes, more errors – and more cost

AUTOMATED LINE

The quicker, leaner, 21st century alter native

9

FROM NINE OPERATORS TO THREE

APPROX £180K SAVINGS A YEAR

18% INCREASE IN OUTPUT

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OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED

Want greater quality, efficiency, productivity and a long-term solution to a worsening skills shortage?

Choose automation. Switching to one of our high-speed automated Super Spacer lines can yield savings of up to £180,000, and increase output by 18%, all while requiring less than half the number of operators.

FOR QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST, SPEAK TO EDGETECH

The Original Warm Roof

It’s time to give your customers what they need, a solid roof with excellent thermal performance.

The Guardian Warm Roof has been innovatively engineered over time to be both high performing and easy to install.

Guardian Warm Roof:

• The original and first Warm Roof on the market with over 100,000 installations across the UK

• Excellent thermal performance with a U-Value of 0.15 W/m2K

• Independently tested by the BRE and with Hertford Building Control approval

• High quality Guardian Slate tiles, weather and fire tested by the BRE

Ease of Installation:

• Installation time 2-3 days on site

• All insulation and tiles cut and made to measure – no cutting required on site

• Technical support provided

• LABC partner scheme for ease of building control approval – available to Certified Installers only

For more information please email customerservices@guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk or call 0800 0665832

INDUSTRY-LEADING

WARM ROOF FABRICATION

Continuing this legacy, we employ revolutionary technology to continually better the Guardian Warm Roof system. Investing heavily in software for our fabricators, we have optimised custom project mapping and made it easier to order the materials through our online portal. Additionally, this software includes all the details needed for correct material marking and cutting, eliminating any guesswork.

Setting another industry first, Metrotiles can be pre-cut and coded to specification for each Guardian Warm Roof. This means the tiles can then be packed down in order and sent to the site for fast installation.

Distinctive structural composition

Although the “Skin-on-frame” structure of the Guardian Warm Roof isn’t unique, it includes a one-of-kind ridge and hip support composition that caters for more complex roof shapes. Moreover, we have further optimised the number of aluminium rafters needed in the Guardian Warm Roof, which also requires minimal cleats. All-in-all, this means operations can run on minimal machinery and you can reduce stock holding on the workshop floor.

Enhanced Fabrication Quality

Thanks to an expert team and years of development we have been able to reduce the overall fabrication time of the Guardian Warm Roof for our Certified Fabricators. Time savings equal faster turnarounds, however, this isn’t the only benefit. Certified Guardian Warm Roof Fabricators reduce their overall

material waste and can economically pack away each roof ready for dispatch. Again, this frees up space in the workshop to start on the next roof and means labour resources can be better prioritised. Additionally, to beat supply chain issues, where possible, we manufacture products for our fabricators such as the Guardian Slates.

Superior end-to-end experience

Maintaining a focus on system quality and relationships with our fabricators, we can cultivate an exceptional end-to-end experience for our customers and end users. Through the Guardian Warm Roof certified fabricator and installer scheme, we support an enhanced level of service. First, with incoming leads, we have a dedicated UKbased customer care team that matches homeowners to fully vetted Certified Guardian Warm Roof Installers. Next, all our certified installers have undertaken extensive system training with us and their fabricators.

The cooperation with our Certified Fabricators means installers can easily log their projects, request the profiles and materials needed and gain fast approval through the LABC Partner authority scheme. This streamlined

approach increases jobs and enables effective roof fabrication turnover so installers can receive everything they need in one drop. On-site, installers can complete the exterior of a Guardian Warm Roof in as little as 2 days, saving time, labour and material waste.

However, if an installer’s training or insurance is not up to date, they will be notified, and their verified status removed. Though severe, this action reinforces the consistency of each Guardian Warm Roof installation and protects the integrity of the fabricators. Finally, it adds value to the Certificate of Authenticity and 10-year workmanship guarantee that homeowners receive. Importantly, homeowners can trust their investment in the Guardian Warm Roof - as a fast, costeffective, energy-efficient product with unmatched quality of service.

In conclusion, Guardian Building Systems are industry-leading in its ground-breaking fabrication and installation processes. With superior production technology, you will be able to reduce your workshop footprint, minimise operation time and costs and rapidly increase your business offering.

Future-proof

your business operations with innovative home improvements and become a Certified Guardian Warm Roof Fabricator.

With over 15 years of system development, innovation has been at the core of our business since we created the first-ever prefabricated conservatory roof replacement system.

A WINNING INSTALLATION

The installation of flush casement windows from Epwin Window Systems in a three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow in Maidenhead, Berkshire has won a customer competition run by trade fabricator Universal Trade Frames for the best installation of summer 2022.

The domestic project featured seven flush casement windows, including two bay windows, all using the award-winning Flush Casement Window System from Epwin Window Systems. All frames were manufactured in white on the internal frames and the external face was sprayed Purbeck Stone for a sympathetic aesthetic. The windows were manufactured by longstanding Epwin Window Systems’ fabricator, Universal Trade Frames and completed by experienced installer Lynch Cooper Ltd, a family-run business in Maidenhead.

Terry Saunders, Area Sales and Marketing/ Technical Sales at Universal Trade Frames said: “We ran our summer competition over two months and the Maidenhead installation was the obvious winner for us. It’s a high-quality installation and is one of the only properties in the UK to use the bespoke Purbeck Stone colour.”

The Lynch Cooper team and the homeowner each received a hamper for winning the competition and both were delighted with their prize.

Universal Trade Frames is a family-owned business renowned for staying ahead of the trends in the industry and Terry says one of the biggest recent trends is the rise in popularity of the flush casement window.

He said: “On this installation, for example, we priced for both flush casement windows and standard casement windows. The homeowner chose the flush casement

RENAISSANCE FOR TRIED AND TRUSTED W20 STEEL WINDOWS

Member companies of the Steel Window Association (SWA) have been enjoying a boom in business. This is thanks to the general upturn in activity across the housing market, with the focus on the acquisition and refurbishment of rural properties having resulted in higher than usual demand for the replacement of the traditional W20 style windows.

option, despite the higher price tag due to the window’s next-level heritage aesthetics. It’s a trend we only see increasing over the next couple of years with more bespoke properties being built and converted.”

He says the reason for the popularity of the windows is their elevated appearance. He continued: “The slim and equal sightlines of the Epwin Window Systems Flush Casement

Window System give it an edge over comparable products, particularly because we can deliver a bespoke product that’s fully mechanically jointed and has Astragal bars.”

Universal Trade Frames was established in 1996 and has been an Epwin Window Systems fabricator right from the start.

Terry concluded: “Epwin Window Systems has some of the best products in the industry and as the photos of this installation show, the quality is exceptional. We’ll be running another photo competition in March and we’re looking forward to seeing more examples of stunning finished results!”

Tel: 0845 340 3968

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

The W20 closely replicates the appearance of the older universal suite of sections and can therefore be found providing reliable service from country cottages to dockland warehouses and in commercial, as well as industrial buildings.

Not only do the slimline sections offer slender sightlines compared to PVC-U and timber frames, but their strength also provides good security and longterm robustness. In addition, the advancements made in glass technology and the availability of much improved weather-stripping means that the modern W20 window delivers far better energy performance than their single-glazed predecessors.

The President of the SWA and Contracts Director at Associated Steel Window Services, Kris Bennell, comments: “W20 steel frames are the ever reliable, ever popular traditional option for the sector, which are liked by both planners and heritage bodies for use in a host of different property types.

“The glazing beads mean it is possible for new and refurbished W20 windows to accept 16mm thick IG units; and these in turn can feature low-E coatings on the glass, warm edge spacer bars and argon, krypton or xenon gas filling to deliver much improved U-values. W20 is a system which can work in a summer-house or a

commercial building in London and as a stylish room divider or shower screen. It is just so versatile.”

The SWA offers UK wide coverage with member companies able to carry out the full range of contracts from the repair and restoration of heritage windows through to the installation of major fenestration packages in contemporary commercial, residential and other types of developments. For further information on the Steel Window Association or if you’re interested in becoming a member, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk.

SHELFORCE TO INCREASE FULL-TIME STAFF ON BACK OF SUCCESS

Continued success for Shelforce has opened the door for the leading Birmingham window and door manufacturer to increase its number of full-time staff to cope with demand.

The Erdington-based company currently has 29 staff, with 21 full time, but this year it will increase its permanent staff to 33 –with the extra 12 including three new team leader positions.

They will include a fire door manufacturer team leader, a window manufacturing team leader and a storage and dispatch team leader, while Shelforce will also be bringing in two new staff into the office to help improve customer service.

Since launching its fully compliant Fireshel 30-minure fire, smoke and security resistant

door in 2020, Shelforce has had to increase its manufacturing capacity each year and is currently producing 200 doors a week.

With demand continuing to rise, and the success helping Shelforce see huge growth in the last two years, strengthening the team is crucial to continue its rapid rise.

Shelforce’s Business manager Howard Trotter said: “Demand for our fire door has gone through the roof and it’s hugely positive that we will be increasing our team by 12 off the back of it. It’s a big jump but it’s one we now need to make. It’s part of a three-year plan in terms of strengthening the team and we are hoping to follow the three new team leader roles for this year with a new production supervisor role and new operations manager role in 2024.

“I’m also looking forward to welcoming two new people into the office to improve our processing power as the busier we’ve got the more orders we need to process.”

With Shelforce leading the way in inclusivity when it comes to training and employment opportunities in the glazing industry, with 75% of its workforce disabled, promoting from within for the three new team leader roles will continue its drive to train and develop staff to move through the company.

“At Shelforce, investing in staff is huge and we want to promote internally, and it is enormously encouraging that some of the team from the shop floor have applied for the roles,” added Howard. “Ultimately, success breeds success and the team are vital to that.”

Shelforce specialises in providing highquality PVCu and aluminium products to local authority building projects. To find out more, call Shelforce on 0121 603 5262 or visit www.shelforce.com.

W20 windows pictured by SWA member, Perla Windows

EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS SPECIFIED FOR REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME AT CUMBRIA SECONDARY SCHOOL

48 Optima casement windows, 24 insulated 70mm insulated panels and 240 metres of Epwin Window Systems’ curtain walling were installed at the John Ruskin School as part of the school’s refurbishment programme. A thriving community comprehensive secondary school, John Ruskin is situated in the heart of Coniston, within the Lake District National Park in Cumbria.

The school’s windows and curtain walling system were originally constructed from single glazed timber and were in a very poor state of repair with poor thermal performance and limited ventilation, which was negatively impacting on the learning environment.

The school appointed experienced local contractors Top Notch Contractors to manage the full programme of refurbishments. The window and curtain walling element of the contract was awarded to World Group. Based in Carlisle, World Group is a family-owned business with a highly skilled workforce experienced in carrying out commercial contracts.

The purpose-designed Epwin Window Systems Curtain Walling System combines quality, sustainability, aesthetics, price and performance – making it the ideal choice when creating large areas of fenestration. Furthermore, the Curtain Walling system incorporating Epwin Window Systems’ window products, offers a cost-effective solution compared with a full powder coated aluminium system, with typical savings of between 10%-15%. And in the current economic climate, cost savings to the education or local council sectors is crucial.

Due to John Ruskin School’s exposed location, the product specification was exacting. As such, World Group worked closely with Epwin Window Systems’ Specification Manager Gary Millership who designed a solution that met the project requirements. The solution gave a U value of 1.3 W/m²K, exceeding the requirements of Part L of Building Regulations and helping to make the school more thermally efficient by design. In order to meet the requirements of Part F of Building Regulations, which covers building ventilation, the number of opening windows were increased, and additional trickle vents were incorporated.

To avoid term-time disruption, a strict three-week timescale was required. From the initial design and pricing, through to survey, fabrication and installation, the technical team at Epwin Window Systems and the commercial management team at World Group worked together closely to ensure nothing slipped from the schedule. Happily, the experience and expertise of all involved meant that the project was successfully completed on time.

Gary Millership concluded: “When you consider that this project was awarded to World Group at the eleventh hour, with the aim of installing the new curtain wall screen and windows during the school summer holidays, this was a great success and a testament to all parties involved. The professionalism and skill of the installation team at World Group was second to none and we are delighted to have helped them deliver this first-class refurbishment project. Tel: 0845 3403968 www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

SHEERLINE ADDS CLIP-IN BEAD OPTION TO ITS POPULAR

ULTRA-SLIM CLASSIC RANGE

This fabricator and installer-friendly addition gives Sheerline customers greater choice as part of its game-changing aluminium window and door offering. Joining the existing high-security beadless Classic window.

Customers choosing the new clip-in bead version can still expect the same secure, ultra slim, high-performance aluminium frames they are familiar with. But now with the added flexibility of being able to supply frames and glass separately.

Using a simple clip-in bead based on the proven Prestige bead design, Classic eliminates the need for timeconsuming wedge gasketing. There’s also no requirement to mill the beads during manufacture, keeping this latest development as fabricator friendly as possible.

Available in the same two sash styles as the rest of Sheerline’s innovative thermally efficient range, Stepped and Contemporary, windows are available in two outer frame sizes, both available in flush fitting, or standard options to meet homeowners’ specific requirements.

Easily meeting the requirements of Part L with an A WER for 28mm double glazing, Thermlock® multi-chambered technology allows you to meet the newly introduced Part L building regulations without having to upgrade to expensive triple glazing or use foam inserts. However, those looking for the ultimate thermal performance will be delighted to know that U-values of 1.1 are

achievable with standard triple glazed units if required. A clear advantage over systems based on older, polyamide thermal breaks. This is a huge competitive advantage for Sheerline users, as many legacy systems are unable to meet the newest standards easily. With ultra-slim sightlines as low as 36mm for fixed frames and 59mm for openers, as well as a full range of dedicated authentic clip-on Georgian bars, Classic is the ideal aluminium window system for discerning customers looking for the best heritage style window possible.

Other key selling points of the Classic range include the fact that every product is available with Secured by Design accreditation, valued by homeowners looking for extra peace of mind. Testimony to the fact the every Sheerline product is designed to be as secure as possible.

Sheerline CEO, Roger Hartshorn said: “Our new clip-in bead system is a game-changer for fabricators and installers who are tired of working with traditional aluminium frames that simply don’t offer the modern benefits that our systems offer.”

“One of our key aims for the Sheerline brand has been to overcome the weaknesses associated with traditional aluminium systems. We’re a solutions-focused business and the fabricators and installers we work with drive what we focus on. That’s why we’re striving to make aluminium as good as it can be.” he added.

To find out more about Sheerline’s clip-in bead solution, visit the website here: www.sheerline.com alternatively, call Sheerline on 01132 978000 or email: info@sheerline.com for more information. Follow @SheerlineSystem for the latest news and updates.

Sheerline’s latest addition to the popular Classic range is the newly launched clip-in bead option.

Sheerline’s super slim Beaded Classic Interior & Sheerline’s New Classic Beaded Clip

Does your secondary glazing supplier leave you in the dark? Switch.

Secondary glazing is simplicity itself.

It’s simple to sell, survey and install. It offers great acoustic and thermal performance. It has great profit margins. And it gets you into projects you couldn’t normally get into.

So why make it more complicated? Call Roseview today and ask about adding Incarnation secondary glazing to your range.

CUT COSTS AND FUTURE PROOF

As we settle into 2023, Rhonda Ridge of the leading installer management system, AdminBase, examines the seismic shift in working habits and expectations, and discusses what installation businesses need to do to stay ahead.

The series of global events we have witnessed in the last couple of years and continue to behold today, are collectively the most serious we have experienced in our lifetime. Unsurprisingly we have seen many jobs lost as businesses failed to cope with forced closures, staff shortages, and rising fuel bills. But we have also observed a shift as many office jobs changed to take advantage of the new and plentiful workfrom-home opportunities. As a result, there is mounting pressure to cut costs, increase efficiency, and go digital to ensure teams remain united despite working autonomously. Despite the fact this is nothing new for an installation business because fitting teams have always worked independently of each other and the office hub, the need for change remains the same. What can we do to further improve our own efficiencies and keep up with peers in other

industries that are seamlessly managing remote teams? It’s all in the organisation. Consider the individual tasks involved in an installation job from start to finish. If you were asked to make a list of them all off the top of your head, I bet even the most seasoned installers might forget a step or two. It’s a complex business that requires a level of flexibility as supply issues impact job schedules and the way a consumer behaves will rarely be the same from one project to the next. Some jobs run smoothly, while some end with a few snagging issues. Some invoices will be paid promptly, while others need to be tracked and chased. Add to this the difficulty in uniting office staff with on-site installation teams who may all like to use their own methods of communication, and you can see why sometimes miscommunications happen, and things get missed.

CALM THE CHAOS

Having worked in an installation company myself, I know that the slightly more chaotic nature of the business becomes the norm. And although this feels like the quickest way to get the job done because it’s what you know, it’s not. It’s counterproductive. To streamline any business, the lines of communication need to be clear and concise and information on every project should be readily available, easily accessible and easy to update. The solution that brings all these things together – reduced

costs, increased efficiency, and improved communication – is going digital, especially when it comes to project management.

AdminBase is an all-encompassing installation management system that supports an installation business from the moment they receive an enquiry, to the moment they sign off a project. We are constantly evolving the system to ensure it keeps our users ahead of changing market conditions. The latest update offers digital project management with a real-time clear project overview, and an easy-to-use means of sharing information.

The AdminBase Task Board replaces physical job boards where all the tasks for a particular job are kept in one place, allocated to an employee, and moved along the board as the project progresses. The

benefit of having it online, within the rest of the AdminBase system is that any employee can access it at any time for a live update on the project they’re working on. Users can also dig deeper into the system for further information relating to any action point. All information on a project, from start to finish, is held is one central location. Making a change, no matter how big or small, can often feel daunting, but as we settle into another challenging year the difficult truth is that change is necessary to survive. Installation firms can’t afford to get left behind when it comes to going digital, particularly where project management is concerned. Implementing an allencompassing installer management system that centralises all data on all projects is one of the easiest and yet most impactful changes installation businesses can make to cut costs, maximise efficiencies, and stand out in a busy marketplace.

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

Rhonda Ridge

...and it’s as simple as sketching on a pad.

I save 30 hours a month on quoting with Framepoint ”

Liam Best, Kalico Home Improvements

HOW TO GET ACCESS TO POWERFUL DATA AND BOOST YOUR SALES COMP DOOR CUSTOMERS GET THEIR OWN BRANDED VERSION OF TOUCH

So much so, marketing has become an increasingly competitive trade in the same period. Companies are always looking for that special edge over their competitors.

Business to business trade is the perfect example of where you need to be savvy –think ahead and be on the front foot. They need to cut through the noise, generate real leads, and effectively sell a product to a more difficult audience.

Many companies struggle with this or limit themselves due to the ways in which they market their products.

However, there is one key step all businesses within the fenestration and glazing industry can take to boost the success of their marketing instantly and ultimately generate new leads.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DATA

By gaining access to details of all your potential prospects, you can immediately see an upturn in the results of your marketing campaigns.

This is because product or service you provide are being viewed by those most likely to interact with them – saving time, money and labour.

Not only are you now aware of all your potential customers, but you know how to contact them.

That is why Insight Data has become so important within the fenestration industry, providing hundreds of users with thousands of details on such companies.

Aaron Solomon, Insight Data’s Sales Executive, highlighted how important data is when making business decisions by saying: “We’ve seen first-hand how prospect data can turn a company’s fortunes, increasing marketing efficiency and boosting one’s brand reputation.

“That is why, for as little as £150p/m, you can gain access to the emails, phone numbers and addresses of your desired prospects – putting your brand in front of those whom you want to see it.”

A MARKET-LEADING PLATFORM

The best way to access all of Insight’s prospect data is via Salestracker – the world’s first fully-integrated sales and marketing platform, designed exclusively for the building and fenestration industry.

Salestracker is home to five unique databases, ranging from fenestration to architects, builders merchants, local

builders and main contractors with a turnover of £5m.

Aaron Solomon added: “Salestracker is the home of all our detailed data. A platform found nowhere else in the industry. It harnesses our real-time prospect data with a powerful CRM (customer relationship management) system.

“Thanks to the ever-growing real-time data provided, Salestracker has gained over 700 users, with clients including some of the UK’s industry-leading building product suppliers.

“Establishing connections between companies could not be easier. Salestracker makes it easier to reach more potential quality leads with less effort, working smarter, not harder!

“Your sales team can make the most of their time knowing they have reliable data to make decisions on, allowing your business to find more prospects in less time and generate more sales.”

Across all five databases, Salestracker is home to over 50,000 records, with over 13,000 of those found solely in the fenestration database.

WORK SMART, NOT HARD

One of the biggest perks associated with Salestracker is how regularly we update our databases, ensuring we are not only providing the best service to our customers, but comply with data protection and GDPR laws.

Our team of dedicated researchers make 20,000 calls and interviews every month – generating around 1,200 changes to our data.

This is because accurate data makes the job of your sales and marketing teams much easier. Instead of wasting time on finding and fixing data errors, your staff focus on more important tasks.

Never has it been easier to get in touch with the people who will allow your business to grow.

To book a free demo on Salestracker, please call 01934 808293 or email hello@insightdata.co.uk.

When it launched its Business Micros TOUCH Portal online quoting and ordering system towards the end of 2022, Comp Door promised there would be more to come, and it has delivered on that promise with the launch of a new Branded Mode for TOUCH which customers can make their own.

Trade companies buying composite doors from Comp Door now have the option of adding a branded version of the TOUCH lead generation tool to their own company website which allows homeowners to design their door and enquire direct - generating retail leads for them around the clock.

In Branded Mode, the TOUCH design tool offers a simplified interface and fewer options than the full version in Portal on the Comp Door website, but crucially it still uses the same up to date product data and images and the same distinctive TOUCH Home Visualiser to engage with retail buyers. It works on any mobile device so homeowners can design their door at home and can also be used as a powerful sales tool by installers in their showroom or in presentations.

Installers who opt for TOUCH Branded Mode effectively get a boosted retail presence, without the need to invest in extra salespeople, and the ability to generate warm, accurate enquiries straight into their TOUCH Portal account for any of the products in their fabricator’s range. They can then send out personalised, professionally branded quotes in response and, once those quotes are converted into sales, place the orders using the same integrated end to end software. They can

also track, store and edit their quotes all in one place and get the benefits of a miniCRM system for a fraction of the cost.

TOUCH Branded Mode can be added into any website and is so quick and easy to set up ad personalise that trade customers can be up and running within an hour.

David Massey, Comp Door’s Head of IT, explained: “Branded Mode is linked directly to the TOUCH platform here, so customers can use it to take a lead all the way from enquiry to installation direct with us using their agreed pricing structure and consistent product data. The software doesn’t allow homeowners to generate an enquiry for a door that we can’t make either, so every lead is especially valuable and worthwhile.”

At its base in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Comp Door has implemented the TOUCH software platform throughout its operation. It links directly with the company’s other Business Micros software for manufacturing and business management and is helping Comp Door achieve market leading levels of efficiency.

The roll out of TOUCH to the 40+ big name fabricators who have already signed up to the platform is now ongoing, and the system will be live at many more businesses over the next few months. Richie Thornton, Head of Operations for TOUCH, said: “The response to TOUCH from the early adopters like Comp Door has been phenomenal. Their customers are loving it too, so we’re very confident that our longpromised TOUCH revolution is finally on the way.”

More details at: https://compdoor.co.uk/ and https://store.bm-touch.co.uk/

The rise of technology has changed the way we develop and consume different forms of marketing over the past 10 years.

LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO READ THE MANUAL SAY WINDOW INSTALLERS

Research conducted by Tommy Trinder into how window firms engage with software confirms that the instruction manual is old hat and needs to be replaced with fast and responsive on-demand help.

The Tommy Trinder study, based on feedback from over 500 users of the firm’s Framepoint® app, found that when it comes to learning how to use new software, the window industry is becoming more and more impatient. The research suggests that the vast majority of us jump straight into using an application without watching help videos or reading the manual. And even novice users, it seems, would prefer to explore on their own rather than reading a series of steps on a page.

Chris Brunsdon, founder and CEO explains: “Installers are busy fitting or selling windows; the last thing they want to do when they take on new software is to wade through help pages or, worse still, an old-fashioned instruction manual. When it comes to using software, installers want help when they get stuck. It's that simple.” The increasing demand for assistance in real-time has been reflected in the numbers of installers taking advantage of the firm’s live chat support service; a chat button within Framepoint® that allows subscribers to access instant help within business hours. Tommy Trinder’s live chat service received 2305 help requests during the 2022, up 30% on 2021. The firm boasts that 99.2% of these requests were resolved to full satisfaction in under half an hour with a customer satisfaction (CSAT) score of 4.96 out of 5. But, says Chris, statistics can only tell so much of the customer experience story: “Speed matters. But quality of support, matters too,” he explains. “We only employ people to man our live chat function that have had real world experience of selling, fitting, or making windows. Clearly, there’s no point in connecting an installer that needs help to a computer geek who doesn't know a trickle vent from an add on.” Installers can find out more about Framepoint® and book a free demo at www.tommytrinder.com.

EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS’ CONNECT PLATFORM REACHES USER MILESTONE

Less than two years after it was first launched, Epwin Window Systems’ ground-breaking integrated digital platform, Connect, has reached the 1,000 user milestone.

Gerald Allen, Head of Marketing at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this milestone! Connect was designed to make it easy for fabricators and installers to access the vast range of business support available to them by making it all available from a single access point. We’re delighted to see so many customers getting value from Connect and using it to drive sales and grow profit.”

The bespoke digital platform has sections across various business areas. These include technical documentation and downloads on all Epwin Window Systems products as well as the U-Comply N Customer Portal, which allows users to calculate the thermal efficiency ratings of their products. In addition, there is a comprehensive section to support commercial fabricators, including information on becoming an Approved Commercial Partner to unlock further opportunities. Registered users also

have access to a wide range of marketing assets including image and video libraries, bespoke creative services, brochure downloads and professional presentations. To further support customers’ businesses, promotional websites, quotation and visualisation software are accessible. And, affiliate programs with exclusive discounts are also featured from Epwin Windows Systems’ approved industry partners.

Gerald said: “We know our customers really value having everything together in one place. We also know many people simply didn’t appreciate the depth and breadth of support on offer until Connect launched.”

Connect works across desktop, mobile and tablet so Epwin Window Systems customers can access all the information they need 24/7.

True to form for Epwin Window Systems, Connect has developed since its launch, with new information and functionality being regularly added. Further new features are due to be launched in the next few weeks, continuing to add to the platform’s value.

Epwin Window Systems is the UK’s leading systems company. With its mix of awardwinning PVC-U and aluminium systems, customer support on the scale of Connect and complete commitment to continuous development and improvement, it’s a status that’s well-deserved.

CARL F GROUPCO REPORTS STRONG START TO 2023

Independent hardware distributor

Carl F Groupco is reporting a strong start to 2023. John Crittenden, Managing Director at Carl F Groupco, said: “We’re starting 2023 the same way as we ended 2022 – strongly. Hardware is always a bellwether for the wider industry, so it’s heartening to see such strong sales.”

John says the strongest sales are coming from the aluminium door sector. He comments: “At the premium end of the market, aluminium continues its resurgence, as do large glazed doors. These are product trends that show no signs of slowing down, and we expect them to continue well into 2023.”

One range showing particularly buoyant sales is Roto hardware, and Carl F Groupco is one of the UK’s major stockists. The impressive PAS 24-compliant Inowa sliding door hardware is designed for both aluminium and PVC-U sliding doors, including the popular Aluplast Smart-Slide door system.

It is easy to open and close, even with the heaviest sashes, because the closing movement is perpendicular to the frame profile and roller bearings mean the sash doesn’t need to be lifted. Soft-close functionality enhances safety when opening or closing.

Like all Roto Hardware products, the Inowa range has Grade 5 corrosion resistance as standard, which makes it ideal for coastal and high-rise installations. The circumferential gasket and active locking points keep the sash tightly sealed in bad weather conditions, helping it achieve rain and air permeability testing to BS EN 13126-17 and making it one of the best sliding system solutions from an air/water tightness perspective.

For tilt and slide doors, the Alversa range remains popular. It has a handle-operated tilt mode and offers secure tilt ventilation to improve air circulation without compromising security. The system is PAS 24 compliant too, even with night ventilation.

John comments: “Roto hardware gives our customers the perfect mix of premium quality and features, simple assembly and installation. It’s a compelling range.”

He concludes: “Our strong start to the year, especially in areas such as aluminium hardware, is an indicator that there is still plenty of opportunity in the market. Long may it continue!”

Tel: 01733 393 330

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.smartsecure.co.uk

www.carlfdirect.co.uk

AT PRECISION’S NEW MEGA FACTORY SEES PRODUCTION BOOM

Leading bi-fold hardware supplier AT Precision has moved to a new, 120,000 square foot factory, significantly increasing capacity and ramping up production.

The new facility in Peterlee now houses 40,000 square feet for manufacturing, and 80,000 square feet for storage, meaning not only is there much more room for fabrication, but a significantly increased space for keeping finished products, ready for distribution.

Sales Director Michael Hewitt comments: “When we first opened our doors just over three years ago, we were working from an 18,000 square foot factory, supplying our Everglide range of bi-fold hardware to aluminium fabricators across the country.

“Over the years, we’ve not only invested in new state-of-the-art machinery, but also in significantly expanding our product portfolio to include the Everseal range

of gaskets, security hardware, plastic ancillaries, and composite door hardware. We also recently launched our new range of aluminium profile for bi-folds.

“These developments have seen the company grow significantly – and as a result, we had outgrown our manufacturing facility.

“The new year has been the perfect time to relocate to a much bigger site, and has allowed us to ramp up both production capacity and manufacturing speed, enabling us to meet a constantly growing customer demand.

“At AT Precision, we’ve always prided ourselves on keeping lead times to a minimum, even during the dark days of the pandemic, and now, with an additional 80,000 square feet of storage space, we’re able to keep even more products in stock, ensuring our customers can get the products they need, when they need them.

“The new facility has been an extremely worthwhile investment – thanks to the new space, I’m certain that 2023 will be a very successful year for AT Precision, and I look forward to continuing to provide our valuable customers with the high-quality products and service that they’re used to.”

AT Precision supplies a wide range of aluminium bi-fold hardware and gaskets, all compatible with major systems – and because all products are manufactured inhouse, they come at a much more affordable rate compared to other suppliers.

The company also offers a 10-year guarantee on all its products, and promises next day delivery for orders made before 1pm, with free delivery on orders over £250.

www.atprecision.co.uk

TOTAL HARDWARE CONFIRMS CONTINUED SECURED BY DESIGN COMMITMENT

Leading hardware supplier Total Hardware has announced its continued commitment to offering products that consistently offer high quality security performance by renewing its Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation.

Chris Pell, General Manager at Total Hardware, says: “Our customers know that security is a huge factor for contractors and homeowners and we are proud to have a range of hardware products that have achieved Secured by

Design accreditation, the flagship UK police initiative to help design out crime through the use of high-quality, innovative products and processes. Secured by Design is a valuable accreditation, offering additional benefits for our customers.”

Total Hardware has Secured by Design accreditation across a range of hardware products including its Quantum MK3 Cranked and Inline Window handles, Tilt and Turn handles, Duration Friction Stays, Rapid Fit Door Hinge and the Flush Sash and High Security Quad Locks.

Chris commented: “The Secured by Design accreditation gives fabricators peace of mind, knowing that the hardware has passed rigorous testing which presents an additional upsell.”

Secured by Design is now widely recognised by professional audiences and increasingly by consumers, as a valuable mark of police preferred specification. SBD Technical Manager, Alfie Hosker said: “I know that Chris and the team at Total Hardware are developing and looking to add tested and certificated door and window hardware products to their Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification range. I am delighted that they promote products which have had or are involved in enhanced security testing”.

Secured by Design is the official police security initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit. Its product accreditation scheme –the Police Preferred Specification – provides a recognised standard for all security products that can deter and reduce crime.

Chris concludes, “Products that meet the highest standards and comply with the latest regulations are vital. It’s something that Total Hardware take very seriously. Our customers depend on the quality and compliance of our products and we don’t let them down.”

Total Hardware supplies quality window and door hardware to fabricators and installers across the UK. The strong focus on customer service and high-quality protocols means many of its customers have been with the business since the beginning. It has strong partnerships with leading worldwide hardware manufacturers and offers a comprehensive range of products for all projects at competitive prices.

Tel: 0113 243 2255 – www.totalhardwareltd.co.uk

STAINLESS SUPA STEEL

LONG-LASTING, STAINLESS STEEL COMBINED WITH ERGONOMIC ACCESSIBILITY.

APPROVED DOCUMENT M & LIFETIME HOMES COMPLIANT.

See the full Supa Stainless Steel range at mila.co.uk/supa

UAP TO UNVEIL LATEST INNOVATIONS AT FIT SHOW 2023

Following a series of acquisitions and new product launches, UAP will be showcasing its vast portfolio of door and window hardware at FIT Show 2023.

Home to seven leading brands with more in the pipeline, UAP offers an unrivalled product range, including some of the UK’s

most advanced locking systems. Fit Show will provide installers and fabricators with the opportunity to see and sample UAP’s latest innovations. These include the IONIC, an ultrasecure electronic lock enabling access via a smartphone App. Manufactured for timber, aluminium and composite doors, the IONIC is the first in a series of ‘smart’ products set to be launched under UAP’s Fullex Ai brand.

Also on display will be the Kinetica K4 Horizontal Keyway by Fullex and Locking

“Our business is growing rapidly, offering our customers a vast and evolving range of products that provide a one-stop-shop for all their needs.”

Systems. Offering the highest levels of security, the cylinder has been designed with a unique cam system making it even harder to attack or pick.

A new, premium door handle range by Intelligent Hardware adds to the stand along with information on UAP’s latest company developments, including the acquisition of Security Hardware from Eurocell PLC. This deal significantly bolsters UAP’s portfolio with a complete range of window and specialist hardware as well as new distribution capabilities in the West Midlands.

Kamila Kasperowicz, Marketing Director for UAP, said: “We will be exhibiting at FIT Show at an exciting time in our company’s

history. Our business is growing rapidly, offering our customers a vast and evolving range of products that provide a one-stopshop for all their needs.

“As the UK’s largest doors and windows trade event, FIT Shows provides the ideal platform for us to highlight the impact of UAP’s expansion on installers and fabricators. We are looking forward to meeting visitors and demonstrating how product excellence and innovation can help them to cost-effectively meet their security and design requirements.”

The UAP team can be found at stand number Q51 at FIT Show which takes place from 23 – 25 May 2023 at the NEC in Birmingham.

OPEN YOUR DOOR WITH THE TOUCH OF YOUR FINGER

MORE PRODUCTS ADDED TO MILA’S STAINLESS STEEL DOOR HARDWARE RANGE

Mila’s Supa™ stainless steel door hardware range is expanding again, with the launch of a new Supa™ Safety handle, which meets the accessibility requirements of Building Regs Approved Doc M and the Lifetime Homes Initiative.

The Supa™ Safety handle has an extended lever which is easier to grip than the standard Supa™ lever – even with a closed fist - and it sits 45mm from the face of the door in line with BS8300 referenced in the Regs.

Like the rest of Mila’s popular Supa™ range, the new handle is also available in polished or brushed stainless and polished PVD gold finish, making it is easy to achieve the visual contrast between the hardware and the door which is an integral part of Doc M.

The launch of an accessible handle in its Supa™ range is yet more evidence, Mila says, of how the hardware market is shifting towards stainless steel as standard. Managing Director Richard Gyde explained: “We’ve long had Doc M compliant handles in our ProLinea zinc hardware range, but increasingly customers now just want every option in stainless steel.

“The numbers speak for themselves. Almost 50% of all the door hardware we sell is in stainless steel and we’ve seen sales almost treble since 2019. Demand is such that we’re filling in any perceived gaps in our range as quickly as we can, so that all our customers can make the switch regardless of the type, style or application of the finished door.”

The move towards stainless steel is hardly surprising, when you consider that Mila offers a 25-year guarantee on both the finish and mechanical operation of its Supa™ range. For fabricators and installers, that’s a powerful sales tool, as well as providing peace of mind that they will not be faced with costly remedials down the line.

Stainless steel also comes with proven sustainability credentials, which appeal both to retail customers who want to buy more sustainably and to commercial specifiers who often have to demonstrate that they are achieving carbon reduction targets.

Mila commissioned its own independent analysis in 2022 to prove that the carbon footprint of stainless-steel hardware is lower than zinc diecast; and the resulting report from consultants Tunley Engineering,

TOUCHKEY RECEIVES SBD SECURE CONNECTED DEVICE ACCREDITATION

ERA, one of the UK’s leading home security and fenestration component providers, has been awarded the Secured by Design (SBD) Secure Connected Device accreditation for its new door security solution, TouchKey.

Secure Connected Device accreditation for our new TouchKey door security solution reflects our longstanding commitment to third-party testing and certification to ensure we consistently provide customers with the highest possible standards of performance and quality.

smart technology with mechanical hardware integrity and endurance to provide complete security and convenience.

revealed that the annual carbon emissions for a Mila stainless steel door handle are only 17% that of the zinc die cast equivalent. The huge difference is partly because stainless steel products have a lifespan which is typically five times longer than zinc, so the carbon emissions can be averaged out over a much longer period. But, more significantly it comes from the fact that the emission factors for producing zinc are 60+% higher than they are for steel, and there are more energy intensive processes required to manufacture in zinc rather than in steel.

Richard Gyde added: “Because of the proven benefits when it comes to both durability and sustainability, we’d like to see stainless steel become the default option for all doors in 2023. As well as expanding the range, we’re also continuing to work hard to bring costs down so that the price difference between our Supa™ and zinc diecast ranges eventually becomes negligible for most of our customers.”

Mila’s Supa™ stainless steel hardware range already includes door handles, letterplates, pull bars, escutcheons and door knockers – the vast majority of which are available in either SS304 extreme or SS316 marine grade material for coastal and high pollution areas. The entire range has been independently performance tested for corrosion resistance to BSEN1670 Grade 5 and has sailed through more than 1000 hours in a salt spray test – hence the 25-year surface finish and mechanical operation guarantee.

For details and a quotation on Mila’s Supa™ range, visit: https://www.mila.co.uk/thestainless-steel-edit/

Launched specifically for Internet of Things (IoT) connected products, the unique and recognisable accreditation highlights solutions that have achieved the relevant IoT standards and certifications, including third-party testing and independent certification. Following independent testing to BSI’s new Smart Residential Locking Device standard, which was developed in conjunction with ERA and combines the BSI IoT Kitemark with TS 621 for mechanical security with smart locking, TouchKey has met the requirements of the SBD’s IoT Device assessment framework.

Ben Penson, Technical, Innovation and Development Director at ERA, said: “For over 180 years, ERA has designed and manufactured hardware that sets the standard for security. Receiving the SBD

“TouchKey presents the next generation in smarter door security. It was therefore crucial that the product was certified to the highest possible standard to provide door manufacturers and their customers with complete peace of mind and confidence in its capabilities.”

Revolutionising keyless entry for timber and composite entrance doors, TouchKey is the only system of its kind to combine five different entry methods into a single door handle. This includes fingerprint access, the smart home app, geolocation technology, voice-activated entry, and manual key override.

Combining a smarter security door handle with an auto-firing multi-point lock and an anti-bump security cylinder, TouchKey delivers the highest standards of dynamic

TouchKey is now listed by SBD as a Police Preferred Specification product after meeting the necessary recognised security standards.

The accreditation forms part of SBD’s certification scheme on behalf of the UK Police Service to help consumers make betterinformed choices when buying connectable devices and help keep them safe from crime.

Michelle Kradolfer, Internet of Things Technical Officer at Secured by Design, said: “With the increase in IoT products available and a growing ecosystem of interconnected devices, cyber criminals are targeting and exploiting vulnerabilities of both products and apps, as most are mass-produced without security being a major consideration. Without the appropriate levels of security, any internetconnected device or app is at risk of providing cyber criminals with the ‘key’ in accessing and stealing personal data.

“SBD is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for securityrelated products in the UK and we are delighted to award ERA with this accreditation for its TouchKey system.”

2023 marks ERA’s 10th consecutive year of partnership with Secured by Design as part of its commitment to providing window and door manufacturers and their customers with the highest standards of security and service.

For further information on ERA’s new TouchKey solution, visit www.eraeverywhere.com or contact the sales team on 01922 490 000 or email info@eraeverywhere.com.

Deceuninck recycling capacity of 45,000 tonnes of recycled material prevents 2.3 million windows from going to landfill every year.

With aluminium windows and doors rapidly growing in popularity, Titon continues to experience high demand for hardware in this sector. Titon already has a large choice of products designed specifically for aluminium and has now supplemented their range with the addition of Roto products.

Roto product ranges are synonymous with high performance and technical advances. These additions complement Titon’s existing window and door hardware offering, and creates a wider selection for Titon’s

TITON ADDS ROTO RANGE TO INCREASE ITS OFFERING FOR ALUMINIUM

SLIM MID-RAIL? NO PROBLEM WITH OMEGA

customers in the UK market.

In particular, Roto’s AL Designo range is the elegant, fully concealed hardware for large and heavy aluminium windows up to 180 kg sash weight. It meets the most stringent demands of planners and architects with regard to perfect appearance, functionality and ease of fabrication. The top model is of a design based on the proven Roto modular principle and can be integrated into almost all UK profile systems.

Commenting on the range addition Tyson Anderson, Titon’s Sales and Marketing Director said; “Given the continued interest in

aluminium windows and doors throughout the commercial and domestic markets alike, customers are looking for high quality and technically sound hardware products and the Roto AL Designo range perfectly addresses this need. Not only that, we now have access to the full range of Roto products which will interest our customer across all market sectors.”

“Roto has been successfully producing quality window hardware for many years,” continues Tyson. “As an established brand ourselves, we are delighted to be able to offer the Roto product range from a company with such a well-respected business boasting a long heritage.”

For more information about Titon and to have access to the full Roto product range, please visit: www.titon.co.uk/roto

Hardware manufacturer, VBH, is reporting a high uptake on the new greenteQ SLIM Omega letterplate, which was launched recently. The product has been introduced following feedback from VBH customers who were struggling to find a featurepacked letterplate that they could fit to slim mid-rails without it overhanging the profile.

The new letterplate opens to 180° in the same way that the standard Omega product does, but is only 56mm deep. Despite the slim overall size, the internal aperture is only, at 31mm, 8mm less than a standard letterplate. VBH advise that this will cope with most standard postal items.

Omega SLIM is available in nine finishes of the greenteQ Suite, VBH’s range of matching residoor, window and patio door furniture.

Marketing Manager Gary Gleeson says, “We revamped the Omega range in 2022, giving it a much more contemporary look. We had been hearing for a while that people wanted our original ‘box’ but in a slimmer package, so it seemed the perfect time to lay down the tooling and put some stock in place of the all-new Omega SLIM. We knew that we had ready-made customers in place, but towards the end of the year we have welcomed many new customers come on board for Omega, too.”

As with all greenteQ furniture products, Omega is supplied with a 10 year mechanical and surface guarantee. The guarantee

also extends to plated finishes.

Gary explains, “Our plated furniture has six layers of copper, chrome and nickel to give it excellent protection against the elements. Installers fitting doors that feature greenteQ furniture can rest easy knowing that all the furniture on the door is covered by VBH for a full 10 years, and it suites with their windows and patio doors, of course.”

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

TOTAL HARDWARE ADDS YALE’S SENSCHECK TO ITS RANGE

Independent hardware supplier Total Hardware is now offering the new Yale SensCheck that has been purposedesigned to support the growth in smart home products.

Chris Pell, General Manager at Total Hardware, said: “Our customer-focussed approach means we continue to offer cutting-edge products for our customers. The new Yale SensCheck is the latest integrated smart window and door lock sensor and has been capturing plaudits since it came to market in 2022. It’s sure to become a popular addition to our range.”

Due to its intelligent smart technology, Yale SensCheck allows homeowners the option of being able to check the status of their doors and windows on their smart devices and mobile phones with instant connected security status for peace of mind. Chris, said: “The practical benefits of smart technology are why we are seeing continued demand across the industry. As a longstanding Yale distributor, the introduction of the Yale SensCheck presents an exciting opportunity

for our customers and will help them to tap into this growing domestic interest and create valuable upselling opportunities.”

The new Yale SensCheck allows the homeowner to be notified via the Yale Smart Living Home App if their doors are open or closed, locked or unlocked, and whether their windows are in the

night vent position. SensCheck is also compatible with leading voice partners Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant enabling homeowners to ask a variety of commands to check if their window or doors are open.

Chris said: “The new Yale SensCheck smart technology combines cutting-edge

design with reassuring reliability. It’s an exciting new development and provides a further level of reassurance to the homeowner.”

For additional peace of mind, the Yale SensCheck has achieved the Secured by Design ‘Secure Connected Device’ accreditation which guarantees the range has fulfilled the highest level of security standards for both physical and cyber security attributes.

The new Yale SensCheck will join Total Hardware’s comprehensive range of products, which includes its own highquality hardware ranges.

Chris concluded: “We believe in keeping our finger on the pulse to ensure we are delivering what our customers need, from the ranges we stock to the service we provide. The introduction of the Yale SensCheck will further enhance our product offer.”

Tel: 0113 243 2255 www.totalhardwareltd.co.uk

AVIA CROWNED ‘SMART LOCK PRODUCT OF THE YEAR’ AT PRESTIGIOUS IOT BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS

Mighton’s Avia USA Smart Deadbolt+ lock has won ‘Smart Lock Product of the Year’ at the annual Internet of Things (IoT) Breakthrough Awards Program.

Now in its seventh year, the 2023 IoT Breakthrough Awards Program welcomed over 4,000 submissions from leading global technology companies, with Avia recognised alongside other prestigious household brands such as Apple, fitbit, Vodafone, Bosch and more besides.

It is the second time Mighton has claimed the award, following its first win in 2020 for the Avia Secure UK smart lock – and means that the company has now won in four consecutive years at the IoT Awards. The other two wins were for the Avia Secure sash window fastener and Avia Secure casement fastener which claimed top prize for ‘Home Security Product of the Year’ in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Combining market leading mechanical and smart technology to deliver ultimate peace of mind for consumers, the Avia USA Smart Deadbolt+ lock works with Bluetooth 5 for strong connection stability and maximum Bluetooth range. This means it can be

operated ‘locally’, via Bluetooth, or remotely with compatible Apple devices.

A manual key means the lock can still be operated if there is a power outage, and it also provides a complete audit trail of lock activity status alerts.

Fully compatible with Apple’s Homekit, users can share access to the smart lock with family and friends via an app and it can be controlled from all Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, Apple smartwatch and Apple Homekeys.

James Johnson, Managing Director at IoT Breakthrough, commented: “The number of smart locks continues to grow, and smart homeowners are looking for flexible functionality.

“A lock that can be controlled easily from Apple devices, in particular, is a unique feature that sets Avia apart from the rest of the marketplace, which is why we want to recognise Mighton Products, once again, with our ‘Smart Lock Product of the Year’ award.”

Mike Derham, Founder and Chairman of Mighton Products, said: “We are deeply honoured to be singled out once again by

IoT Breakthrough. Avia is all about security and total peace of mind for our customers.

“Avia has been sent to the world’s best security testing houses for both physical and cyber security scrutiny. We believe that every smart lock should be subject to this testing.

“We simply want to give our customers the best smart lock ever,” he concluded. “As such, our design team has analysed every detail and put our lock through the most rigorous of test environments, to give you a product that is genuinely exceptional.”

The Avia USA Smart Deadbolt+ lock is part of Mighton’s Avia Secure family of retrofittable smart home security products that include the Avia sash window fastener, Avia casement window handle and Avia door & window sensors. Avia Secure also features a smart socket and a high-tech motion PIR sensor.

All products in the Avia Smart Secure range are compatible with Apple Home Automation, as well as multiple carrying BSI accreditation and/or Secured by Design (SBD) approval. Offering quick, hassle-free installation, Avia Secure products have been designed to be easily paired to Apple devices thanks

DHF LAUNCHES BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO CEN/TS 17814:2022, ‘MASTER KEY SYSTEM DATA PROTECTION’

Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced the launch of a new eightpage publication: Master Key System Data Protection’, a Best Practice Guide to CEN/TS 17814:2022. The new technical specification relates to mechanical key systems only; requirements relating to the security of information of key-based and non-key based electronic cylinders are not covered. The data used to design, manufacture and maintain a Master Key System can be complex.

“TS 17814 has been issued by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and provides guidance relating to data that is used in the design and manufacture of new mechanical Master Key Systems and how best to keep that data safe and secure,” explains DHF’s Head of Commercial Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “TS 17814 is a voluntary specification that interested parties may wish to implement. Some Master Key Systems are provided with the main focus being convenience rather than security and, as such, may not require the further levels of security provided by TS 17814. However, where security of master key system data is important, TS 17814 provides focus on the process involved to achieve this.”

The content for the best practice guide to CEN’s latest technical specification

was compiled by Managing Director of Access2, and Vice-Chair of the DHF Building Hardware Group, Neil Rule, and is supported by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) and Secured by Design (SBD).

“For the first time we have a document that specifically relates to Master Key Systems, and as the document has been produced by CEN, it provides an independent, unbiased view of the correct process required to supply a Master Key System securely,” says Neil Rule. “Not only does the specification cover the correct handling of the data involved, but also the correct handling of the Master Key System itself, from design right through to manufacture, supply, installation and, finally, the on-going maintenance.

“EN1303:2015 deals with the requirements and test methods for a Cylinder Lock. But the security of a Master Key System starts long before a cylinder is constructed, and long after a key is cut. CEN/TS 17814 provides an essential, additional layer of security to EN 1303:2015 and end user clients can be confident that the data and products used to construct, supply and maintain their unique Master Key System, meet the very highest levels available. It is

entirely true to say that this publication acts as a ‘cradle-to-grave’ guide.”

Douglas Masterson, Technical Manager of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, added: “Any standard or technical schedule which promotes increased security of data in relation to master keying is of great importance to the ironmongery industry. The GAI is delighted to support this new TS for Master Key System Data Protection in addition to the best practice guide which summarises its key elements.”

Alfie Hosker, Technical Manager from Secured By Design said: “This is an excellent document, providing a robust process in the secure handling of data and the actual life cycle process of the key system itself. This Best Practice Guide to TS 17814, can reduce the potential of a master key system being compromised.”

“The MLA is in support of TS 17814, and we are pleased this new best practice guide has been created to provide guidance on how to keep data used in the design and manufacture of new mechanical Master Key Systems safe and secure,” says Justin Freeman, Technical Manager of Master Locksmiths Association.

“Data and data security are becoming increasingly important and end user clients

to Bluetooth LE technology, allowing homeowners to check, remotely, whether their property is secure and if windows and doors are open or closed.

They can be purchased individually or as a complete package and do not require a subscription, a feature that sets the range apart from some competitor smart home security systems.

For full detail on Mighton’s Avia Secure range, visit: https://www.aviasmart.com/

that are conscious of the security of their data may instruct suppliers to provide a Master Key System that is designed, manufactured, and supplied in accordance with TS 17814,” concludes Patricia.

“Likewise, manufacturers and distributors - once given the nature and understanding of a project - may advise an end user client to consider the provision of a Master Key System supplied to the specification of TS 17814. We are delighted to be able to launch this best practice guide, a comprehensive guide for those seeking clarity in a complicated area.”

www.dhfonline.org.uk

CUBE COMMERCIAL CHOOSES EMMEGI MACHINING PACKAGE

Until it invested in an Emmegi Phantomatic T3A CNC machining centre, Cannockbased Cube Commercial had been carrying out all its aluminium profile preparations using punch tooling and a copy router. The fabrication team were skilled and experienced so the quality was good, but Paul Grenfell, Cube’s Director knew it could be even better.

He said: “Our mission as a new full-service business providing design, consultancy, fabrication and installation services is to delight customers on every step of their journey with us. That has to start with the quality of the windows, doors, shopfronts and facades we fabricate, so choosing top quality machines was always our plan.

“Emmegi has an outstanding reputation in this industry for the usability and reliability of its machines, and when we

spoke to a couple of other aluminium fabricators in our area, they had no hesitation in recommending them. In fact, it was a friend of mine in the industry who suggested the Phantomatic T3A and said it would suit the structure and vision of our company perfectly.”

The Phantomatic T3A three axes machining centre contains an angular machining head and a saw blade for machining on all five faces of the workpiece and comes with an eight-piece tool magazine. It also has an automatically positioned clamp unit and a high torque 5.5kW electro-spindle.

Paul Grenfell added: “Since the T3A was installed, we have certainly seen a significant improvement in our productivity and better precision, accuracy and overall quality in our frames. As you would expect, our fabrication team are very pleased with our investment – they can focus more on efficiency and quality control now and on delivering the repeatability and consistency that our commercial clients demand.

“From the moment we contacted them, the Emmegi team couldn’t have been more helpful. They have surpassed our expectations at every stage – not just in terms of the machine itself, but also

the promptness and efficiency of their commissioning and service visits.

“In fact, we have been so impressed that we have also now purchased an Emmegi bead saw and crimper and various trolleys and ancillaries to add to the facilities here and continue our programme of ongoing investment. Moving forward, we plan to make Emmegi our machinery partner so that they can help us as we grow and ensure that our set-up suits our needs.

“We work hard to build strong partnerships with our suppliers because we recognise that they can make a huge difference to the quality of the service we can provide. We are currently planning on broadening our offering to include supply only framing solutions to installation companies in the UK, so those supplier partnerships will be more important than ever.”

Ian Latimer, Emmegi (UK)’s Managing Director who advised Cube on its investment, commented: “The Cube facility is already a great showcase for our products – absolutely immaculate and really well organised, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing how it develops in the future.”

www.emmegi.com/en/home

www.cubecommercial.co.uk

HAFFNER ANNOUNCE STRONG START TO 2023

Haffner Ltd, the multi-award-winning machinery supplier, has announced a strong start to 2023, with several sales of Graf Synergy machines already confirmed. Matt Thomas, Managing Director of Haffner, comments: “As the sole UK agent for Graf Synergy machines, we have seen a sharp increase in demand for their cutting-edge machine technology. The high-end aesthetics of seamless welding is helping our customers to meet the demands of a changing market with several largescale orders already confirmed for 2023.”

The patented Graf Synergy machines take welding quality to the next level, giving a superior visual finish when compared to a standard PVC-U weld.

Matt comments: “Demand for high-end, feature-rich products was increasing in 2022 and looks set to continue throughout 2023. Graf Synergy machines help fabricators deliver the outstanding quality these products need every time, eliminating costly remakes and helping secure premium prices with more affluent consumers.”

The technically advanced machines are also suitable for driving efficiencies in high volume casement output too, because they deliver high levels of automation throughout the entire fabrication process.

Matt says: “The worker shortage is already having an impact for many fabricators. Unfortunately, it’s a situation that’s likely to get worse before it gets better, especially as production volumes increase. Automation via machine technology helps fabricators manage worker shortage and fluctuating volumes, all without compromising quality or lead times.”

As the industry’s go-to machinery supplier, the Graf Synergy machines are just the start of what Haffner has to offer.

The company is the sole UK agent of Haffner Machinery, which designs innovative and high-quality engineered products at competitive industry prices. It also supplies a range of aluminium fabrication machines from worldwide machinery giants, Fom Industries. Alongside cutting-edge machinery, Haffner customers also get the best in technical and on-site support. The company has been in the market for over 30 years and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to every conversation. Matt comments: “We work hard to

understand every customer’s unique requirements and develop the fabrication setup that meets their needs in the short, middle and long term.”

It’s an offer that has seen the company grow rapidly in recent years. And with fabricators increasingly choosing to invest in seamless welding technology from Graf Synergy its growth looks set to continue – as the strong start to the new year shows.

Tel: 01785 222421 – www.haffnerltd.com

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Dear Editor,

Towards the end of last year, there was some worrying news emerging from the wider construction industry about an increase in the number of insolvencies.

According to Sky News, the Insolvency Service recorded 10,717 company insolvencies in the first half of 2022, of which the construction sector accounted for a fifth.

Closer to home, we started to see well-known companies go to the wall as those pressures we’ve all been coping with caught up with them.

I agree that it wasn’t the best way to close off the year, but I don’t think there is any reason to be pessimistic.

We can all see what’s been going on in the news, and clearly parts of the economy have been living beyond their means for quite some time. So, what we are experiencing right now is just a bit of a reset. We’ve been through recessions before, and come out unscathed the other end, haven’t we? Why should 2023 be any different?

The reality is, everybody’s got windows, and everyone’s going to keep changing their windows. And there are many reasons for encouraging people to upgrade. Aesthetics and security are key for many homeowners, as is energy efficiency. Despite some correction in the energy markets, the fact that household energy bills can rocket so alarmingly is bringing forward many projects to improve the efficiency of homes. And for those homes able to

afford improvements, the sustainability of the materials used will also be important.

So, working with your supplier to see how you can meet these demands will be key. In fact, choosing your window supplier carefully will help you reduce the risks to your business, while creating significant opportunities for growth.

And ask yourself: do they have your best interests at heart? We’ve seen on numerous occasions where window fabricators are bought out by private equity companies, which moves the focus away from long-term stability to short term gain. I’m not saying that they aren’t good at what they do, but where we have been around for close to 50 years, have no debt, and want to work with our customers for long-term growth, a private equity company will have a five-year plan to see a significant return on their investment before moving on.

And we mean it when we say we want to work with our customers. As a large company, we have teams of people dedicated to HR, accounting, logistics, marketing, and IT – and we can pass on that expertise to our customers. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that if our customers do well, then we also do well.

Yes, demand will likely slow in 2023, but with the right partnerships, there is no reason why we shouldn’t just survive, but also thrive!

Mike Parczuk Managing Director, Sternfenster

DANNY WILLIAMS ‘COLD CALLING’

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

“As we get into 2023 Danny, I can’t help but feel anxious. We are a small but successful installer and business is not too bad currently. But I am on the verge of not listening to the news anymore as it’s all pretty depressing. What’s your take.” RW Hampshire

a shortage of workers; more than half (56%) of those businesses reported employees were working increased hours as a result of these shortages and 40% reported they were unable to meet demands.’

to pack it in.

But I wonder if everything is as bad as it is painted: Let’s take the strikes for example: as the owner of a business, you are in direct control of your own employee relations. The chances are you do not have unions calling the shots and as you tell me you have less than 25 employees, you and your co-directors and managers really should have a finger on the pulse of the mood amongst your people. And at this level we should be able to nip any issues in the bud. Issues that, by and large, are a lot less complex than within the workforces of tens of thousands, such as in those organisations that are currently strike bound.

Staffing for any business generally remains a critical issue but predominantly because of the difficulty in getting people of any size and shape, let alone those with skills and a decent work ethic. The Office of National Statistics issued figures in its ‘Business insights and impact on the UK economy’ published on January 12th, confirming, for example, that ‘in early January 2023, more than a quarter (28%) of businesses with 10 or more employees reported they were experiencing

For us RW, the issue is finding staff, not those that we have striking. Strikes are devastating public sectors and larger former nationalised, organisations, with little if anything in the news about private companies being hit. There is of course sympathy for nurses and doctors and related staff and we all have a story about ambulances and A&E; we are a third world country in that respect and perhaps the greatest incentive to stay well is the thought of waiting for 9 hours or longer in a filthy A&E department. Something has to be done for all of our sakes; even if we are able to afford health insurance the NHS is the first port of call through A&E and, unfortunately, self-isolating GPs.

But let’s drill down a bit: many – most? - NHS employees effectively receive pay rises through the banding system, which offers pay increases every two to three of years as a service award. According to the information widely available on the NHS Employers website, at band 5 for example, it is more than £2,000, or a tad under 8% for a current banding increase that is automatically awarded for completing two years of service. And against a basic working week of 37.5 hours, nurses for example, have numerous opportunities to up their wages through what is known as a ‘bank’ shift, or overtime to you and me. A Williams family member regularly knocks over an extra shift to earn themselves an additional £250. It’s not as bad as its painted by the press RW.

“That means decent sales and respectable lead times once again, back from the unmanageable madness of post-Covid. And have you tried to get a builder in? Or electrician, plumber or other trades lately? Still up to their eyes to the point where many simply won’t pick up if they don’t recognise the number.”

Former public sector businesses continue to be stricken by the ‘public sector’ attitude to employment. I have zero sympathy for these as you might expect and I am not alone: train drivers can go whistle, literally, for being downright greedy as millions of their ‘customers’ find other ways to get around or not bothering at all. They are well paid by any standards.

And another bunch intent on shooting themselves in both feet, with an Uzi, are the posties, who will in due course create a pool of unskilled people on the market when the Royal Mail finally goes belly up after the strikes finish the business off completely. Wake up and smell the coffee posties, there are lots of alternatives to the ‘service’ that you offer! For letter post all that is left for you to deliver is a bit of junk mail, with everything else delivered more efficiently by a dozen competitors.

So where does that leave the rest of us? Each of my businesses ended 2022 and began January well enough, and whilst it is early days we are comparing well with 2019. That means decent sales and respectable lead times once again, back from the unmanageable madness of post-Covid. And have you tried to get a builder in? Or electrician, plumber or other trades lately? Still up to their eyes to the point where many simply won’t pick up if they don’t recognise the number.

Add the excellent Christmas sales into the mix, full restaurants and a feeling of almost disappointment in the press that recession was averted by the World Cup in Qatar, and actually, RW, I don’t things are going badly at all.

My advice, therefore, is that you should stop listening to news channels and a media sector that is intent on ‘dooming it down’. Give them all up, though with the exception of the extraordinary publication that you are currently reading.

* 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.

I believe that there are many out there that feel the same as you do RW. But as the owner of a business I believe that we have to keep ourselves slightly isolated from the sort of stuff that is bombarding the news channels 24/7. Or we may all be tempted

RECESSION-PROOF SUPPLIERS ARE FAST, FLEXIBLE AND FIXATED ON QUALITY

Cotswold MD Tim Ferkin discusses the characteristics he believes businesses need to come out of 2023 even stronger.

BROADENING HORIZONS WITH TUFFX

If you’re lucky enough to own a property that offers you stunning sunsets over the sea, you're going to want to make the most of the views. And, for the developers of a low-rise block of premium apartments in Devon with just this outlook, TuffX provided the perfect solution for how to achieve it.

TuffX supplied 69 units comprising 21.5mm and 17.5mm toughened and laminated glass panels, each 1200mm in height. As well as clear glass units, TuffX also supplied panels with a satin privacy finish so that each apartment could enjoy unimpeded balcony views of the ocean to the front of them while also retaining privacy from their neighbours to the side, who would no doubt be doing the same.

Edgetech, a Quanex company, have been spreading festive cheer by supporting a series of charitable initiatives which aid both local and global communities.

Edgetech and Quanex are committed to championing education and the next generation. Therefore, they were delighted to donate school supplies to Walsgrave Academy, a Coventry primary school.

Edgetech is also passionate about helping to tackle hunger in the UK, especially in the current climate when people are struggling to afford basic necessities. Consequently, their generous staff contributed 197 items to Coventry Food Bank as part of a global food drive organised by Quanex. Each item was matched by a £5 donation by Quanex, totalling £985.

I think we need to be level-headed about recession. That doesn’t mean denying reality – we’re in one, and it’s likely to be painful for many.

But it also means resisting the doom and gloom narrative that’s being enthusiastically pushed by much of the media.

That kind of scaremongering and negativity is entirely self-defeating. We’ve been through recessions before. We’ll go through them again.

They’re unpleasant, and require businesses to think creatively and sometimes take difficult decisions to overcome.

But they can also provide opportunities to innovate, improve, and come out of the other end stronger and more resilient than they went in.

A MORE CHALLENGING MARKET

So what are the practical implications for glass and glazing, and the construction sector more generally?

First, consumer demand is likely to drop. Commercial projects are likely to be less effected, but new project starts may slow. Second, the market will become more competitive. The same number of businesses will be chasing a smaller number of projects and sales.

And third, as a result, companies will have to work harder, and be more exceptional, if they want to be the ones that end up winning the business.

CUSTOMERS WILL EXPECT OUTSTANDING

I’m obviously biased, but I think the key to achieving all three will be working with an outstanding supplier.

What does outstanding look like? Firstly, it requires an uncompromising commitment to quality.

Whether a supplier is providing you with hardware or any other type of product, in the coming year quality is going to be more important than ever.

Faced with recession, clients are going to become more demanding, and expect the very best for their money. Those expectations will extend to service more generally, too.

To stay competitive, suppliers will have to strive to maximise efficiency in every aspect of their businesses.

INNOVATION AND VERSATILITY WILL BE KEY TO SUCCESS

Finally, I think flexibility and versatility will become increasingly vital for business success.

I know that, at Cotswold, it’s our ability to work with a client to produce bespoke hardware solutions that’s proved critical to our success, and become one of our most valuable USPs.

I suspect that it’ll be companies that can innovate to better meet the needs of their customers that will continue to thrive in the years ahead.

COMING OUT STRONGER

The construction sector will come through 2023 to enjoy the big opportunities that lie ahead of it. With hard work, flexibility and creative thinking, it may even come out of a challenging period even stronger.

For more information, call 01242 233993 or visit www.cotswoldap.com.

In total, TuffX delivered 155m2 of specialist glass to the site in Exeter. The near-invisible frameless glass balustrades completed the outside space for each apartment, which have full-width floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors for access. Which means, whether the occupants are outside on the balcony or inside with the doors closed, the same unbroken stunning sea views can be enjoyed across the bay.

Paul Higgins, TuffX’s Commercial Director said of the finished result: “Only toughed glass balustrades can give homeowners lucky enough to have views like this the ability to really make the most of them, plus a solution for privacy where it's needed too when you have close neighbours.

“We’re delighted to put our name to this impressive project, which shows how versatile glass really is when it comes to marrying practicalities and aesthetics, and provides a stunning finish to this high-end build.” www.tuffxglass.co.uk

The company delved into the holiday spirit by supporting the Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child campaign, which provides disadvantaged children with a box of gifts. Employees were given time off to volunteer at their local Operation Christmas Child processing centre, where they organised and packed gift boxes to be sent to recipients all around the world. Edgetech have also continued their annual support for industry charity initiatives, including purchasing the Christmas Hope House Children’s Hospice print from GM Fundraising and donating to the present drive in aid of CATCH Leeds organised by NFA’s Lee Clarke.

Edgetech’s Head of Marketing Charlotte Hawkes comments: “This year, Quanex launched a new initiative: “a part of something bigger. As a company, we know we’re part of a much bigger society and community. We are very cognisant of the fact that everything we do has an impact on thousands if not millions of people across the globe and we’re focused on making that impact a positive one.

“As part of that, we’re committed to helping our local area, as well as worthwhile causes worldwide. We hope these donations will bring some happiness and security to people who may be struggling during this especially challenging year.”

If you’re interested in learning more, we’d be delighted to hear from you – don’t hesitate to contact Edgetech on 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk.

EDGETECH’S CHARITY WORK PROVES COMMITMENT TO BEING ‘A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER’

I’m excited and optimistic for the year ahead, but there’s little doubt that it’s going to be tougher economically.

The CRASH 2022 Christmas Card Appeal has been a great success. The generous donations from these companies will help CRASH refurbish and construct places that care for people when they are at their most vulnerable, supporting homelessness charities and those who need hospice care.

CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION

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

CAREERS CAREERS

CNC RECYCLING TO SUPPORT BUILDING OUR SKILLS

Building Our SkillsMaking Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice can now count CNC Recycling as one of its supporters. The nationwide PVCu window recycling specialist is set to participate in two of the campaign’s programmes and help to publicise its work with customers in order to help attract new recruits into the fenestration industry.

In addition to boosting the profile of BOS in its communications with customers and on its website, CNC Recycling has committed to Building Our Skills’ ‘Inspiring the Future’ campaign and new ‘Inspiration Days’ programme. The Inspiring the Future Campaign asks employers to go into schools and talk to young learners about the possibilities for their future

careers and what they could achieve. It is intended to make both them and teachers more aware of the broad range of career paths on offer in the fenestration industry.

The Inspiration Days initiative is designed to open up industry factories and facilities for school visits. The programme has been devised in order to enable young people to see first-hand what goes on inside businesses. It gives them the opportunity to talk to employees and see what job roles are on offer. The process can inspire them at a time when they are working out which career path to choose.

Commenting on the company’s collaboration with Building Our Skills, Sales & Purchasing Director, Ian Ward, said: “We fully support Building our Skills’ aims of attracting new recruits in order to help address the industry’s skills shortage. It is important that we raise awareness of the opportunities within the fenestration industry, and make young learners of school age part of this initiative when they are looking to make a career choice. I’m very happy to be involved and working with Building Our Skills. I will give them our fullest support and would ask that other employers get involved too. I’m sure they’ll be very glad they have.”

Mark Handley, Building Our Skills’ Partnerships Manager added: “It’s great to have CNC Recycling’s support. We’re spreading the word not just with fabricators and installers but with all the other companies that form the fenestration landscape. CNC Recycling will help to underline the huge variety of roles available in this industry. For the vast majority of youngsters, they’re unaware of what’s on offer. So many people think that this industry is only about selling windows! The reality is there are over 50 career paths available.”

For details of how to get involved in either the Inspiring the Future Campaign or the Inspiration Days programmes head to https://buildingourskills.co.uk/ or email sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk.

FOUR MEMBERS OF THE HURST DOORS FAMILY CELEBRATE TWENTY YEARS’ SERVICE

work and experience ensure we continue to deliver quality products and service to our customers around the UK.

In 2022, production team members Neil Briggs, Philip Russell and Mark Dixon, alongside Regional Business Manager Tom Brown, all mark the momentous twodecade milestone.

Long service is a common theme at Hurst: over 50% of its workforce have been with the business for over ten years, over 20% for more than twenty years, and this loyalty, dedication and expertise is a key ingredient in the company’s success.

However, in recognition of this extra special achievement, Neil, Philip, Mark and Tom are being rewarded with an extra week’s holiday, along with a commemorative tankard.

Hurst Sales Director Mark Atkinson comments: “Every December, we recognise the long-serving staff members whose hard

“When Neil, Philip, Mark and Tom first joined, Hurst Doors was still in its relative infancy at 6 years old, and they’ve played a vital role in building it into the business it is today.

“On behalf of everyone at Hurst, I want to thank them for their dedication and service to the business and the team.”

Tom Brown comments: “Hurst is a fantastic place to work, and the hugely supportive team is a big part of that.

“Not only do our customers benefit from the experience and skill of some of the industry’s very best people, but it also creates a thriving, productive, and enjoyable workplace too.”

More information about careers at Hurst, along with details on current vacancies, can be found on the company’s website. For more information, please call 01482 790790 or visit: www.hurstdoors.co.uk

Four valued members of the Hurst Doors team are celebrating twenty years of service.

Left to Right - Mark Atkinson, Howard Wilson, Tom Brown, Philip Russell, Neil Briggs, Steve West and Kevin Wheatman.

CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION

CAREERS

GFTS SHARES KNOWLEDGE OF APPRENTICESHIPS WITH BUILDING OUR SKILLS

Addressing the industry’s skills gap has always been one of the core objectives of Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice. The campaign acknowledges the role of apprenticeships in helping to realise this objective, and a partnership forged with Glass & Fenestration Training Solutions (GFTS) is having a positive impact in this area. GFTS forms part of BOS’s national network of practical training centres and is one of its academy sites. Nevertheless, Building Our Skills and GFTS recognise that there are many employers who may not feel confident about whether to or how to take on apprentices. To shed some light on the matter and to garner more support for apprenticeship uptake, BOS has undertaken an interview with Samantha Tinker, GFTS’s Director of Business & Quality.

BOS: Why are apprenticeships important?

GFTS: For many employers, taking on apprentices is their only

way of bringing new blood into the industry. Many employers recognise that they have an ageing workforce and would like to futureproof their business by bringing in young people. Good successionplanning means recruiting and training up employees. It’s a sensible long-term strategy. For apprentices themselves, the benefits are manifold: they get to earn while they learn; they work to a formalised standard; they work with experienced mentors, drawing on their vocational knowledge and experience; and they achieve a recognised qualification. This approach is great for those people who do not wish to go down the academic route. It’s a win-win for both employers and staff alike.

BOS: What about funding?

GFTS: The Education & Skills Funding Agency subsidises training costs for apprenticeships through training providers such as GFTS by up to 100% of the cost for 16-18yr olds and 95% for 19+ age group candidates. There are two routes to payment.

Companies with a wage bill in excess of £3m pay into the Apprenticeship Levy to cover the costs of training their apprentices, while smaller employers, not paying the Levy, pay a maximum of 5% contribution, and the rest is covered by the government. In some instances, and depending on eligibility, there may also be grants available to employers who take on apprentices in the 1618yr old age bracket. Many small companies are not aware of this financial support, and they might like to talk to us about it. We also provide support in many other ways to employers who are new to taking apprentices on in their business. For example, we arrange for our Employer Engagement Officer to work with employers directly and make sure everything runs smoothly as we guide companies through the various procedures, explaining and helping to gain access to funding. We deal with a lot of very small companies as well as larger ones, and we find that many businesses are unaware of the government

assistance they can call on, the funding they can secure, along with support and options there may be for their existing staff too. It’s our role to help them navigate the various processes easily. They really don’t have to try to tackle everything themselves.

BOS: What does the future hold for apprenticeships in this industry?

GFTS: Currently, there are too few apprenticeship standards available in the fenestration industry. Employers can only choose from Level 2 Fenestration Installation, Level 2 Fenestration Fabrication and Level 3 Curtain Wall Installation. It’s our view, here at GFTS, that we need more apprenticeship standards specific to the different skills sets in this industry. For example, a surveying apprenticeship tailored to the fenestration industry would be a good addition, as would one for glazing and glass processing. There are so many roles that learners can move into. Fabricating and installing are only two aspects of an industry

JOB OPPORTUNITY

which offers a huge breadth of career paths, and the range of apprenticeship standards should reflect that. The existing apprenticeship standards are currently under review too, and hopefully they will be adapted to encourage more uptake. The industry as a whole and employers in the glass processing and glazing sectors, are urgently needed to support the trailblazer groups, designing a broader range of standards that are more suitable for a greater number of employers and learners.

More information on Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice - is available at www.buildingourskills.co.uk.

Find out more about GFTS at https://www.gftsltd.co.uk/

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If you would like to be considered for this opportunity which, following a 3 -month training period, is on a self-employed basis, then please send your CV and covering letter to: recruitment@clearviewhome.co.uk detailing your salary expectations including the added value you can bring to our business. www.clearviewhome.co.uk

CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION

NEW APPOINTMENTS

PROMOTED TO THE BOARD AT ALUK

Chris Dawkins’ long term success at AluK means he has now been promoted to the role of Operations Director. It is the culmination of a highly successful 17-year career at the aluminium systems company, during which time he has worked in operations, production, supply chain and customer service.

In his new role, Chris takes on full responsibility for everything from production and purchasing to logistics, quality, and planning, with an overriding focus on delivering improvements in AluK’s customer service levels and OTIF performance.

He said: “We have lots of plans in place to make sure we can navigate our own way through the current challenges in the UK market and at the same time give our

NEW APPOINTMENTS

customers the support they need in terms of prompt and reliable service. We‘re moving towards our full-scale SAP implementation in 2024, so there will be a fairly relentless focus on ongoing efficiency.”

Chris is the second recent appointment to the AluK board, joining Michael Andrews, who has just been announced as the new Finance Director.

GLAZERITE STRENGTHENS OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL TEAMS

The Glazerite UK Group has appointed Andy Hill as its new Group Technical Manager. It follows the recent promotion of former incumbent, Mitch Gooch, to the newly created role of Operations Manager at Glazerite’s Specials Division.

Andy, who joined the trade fabricator on 3rd January 2023, will oversee technical capability across the fabricator’s five divisions, reporting into Managing Director - North West Division, Darren Rhodes. He says: “I’ve watched Glazerite’s growth closely over recent years, so I was delighted when the opportunity to join them came up. I have a wealth of industry knowledge and experience in technical, production, and quality and assurance, and I’m looking forward to being able to play a role in further strengthening technical capability across the Group.”

the Wellingborough-based Specials Division, where he will lead operations and quality while maximising efficiencies at the site. The unit is dedicated to the manufacture of the fabricator’s Residence Collection and VEKA Imagine Vertical Slider portfolio, all of which continue to grow in popularity with homeowners.

Glazerite Group MD, Rob Brearley says: “These are two great appointments for our business. The products manufactured at our Specials Division are a key part of our growth strategy, and Mitch is an experienced leader who can help us grow capacity and improve processes at the site to better support our installers.”

Rob adds: “The technical support we offer our installer partners also remains a key part of our offering. Andy’s broad experience in production, installation, quality and the technical aspects of uPVC products makes him a great appointment for the Group Technical Manager role at Glazerite.”

www.glazerite.co.uk

NEW APPOINTMENTS

EXPERIENCED GENERAL MANAGER TO HELP COTSWOLD PURSUE EXCELLENCE

An experienced new employee is set to drive operational excellence at fast-moving Cotswold Architectural Products.

Yvonne Dixon joins as the company’s General Manager after thirty years spent in senior roles across the engineering sector. Highly experienced at managing large, complex organisations, Yvonne

will take the lead on customer service, purchasing, order processing and health and safety.

She’s also overseeing an ambitious project to upgrade the Cotswold HQ – including new signage, electrics, a new computer system and the creation of a new distribution area.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cotswold so far,” Yvonne comments.

“I’ve been made to feel amazingly welcome, and I love the variety – in this role, I touch on all the different areas I’ve worked on in my previous career.

“It’s hugely gratifying to be helping Cotswold as it embarks on this exciting new phase in its history.”

Cotswold Managing Director Tim Ferkin comments: “We’re delighted to be welcoming someone with Yvonne’s experience to the team.

“She’s hit the ground running, and has already become an integral part of the business.

“Yvonne will play a critically important role as we seek to grow and develop Cotswold, and pursue excellence in everything we do.

“I want to thank her for her hard work so far, and look forward to working with her closely in the months and years ahead.” For more information email info@cotswold-windows.co.uk, or visit www.cotswold-windows.co.uk.

NEW APPOINTMENTS

NEW CONTRACTS MANAGER AT AWARD WINNING INSTALLER

Chris Harrison has joined the award-winning commercial installer The Window Company (Contracts) as a Contracts Manager.

He is the second new Contracts Manager appointed in recent months, reflecting the growth in new business across both the new build and social housing sectors.

Chris has a huge amount of industry experience, having spent more than 30 years in construction, with the vast majority of that in fenestration. He is highly qualified in both project management and window and installation surveying, so is a perfect fit for a business which prides itself on setting the very highest standards for efficiency and customer service.

Customers of The Window Company (Contracts) are already getting to know Chris because he has taken on cradle to grave management of several contracts –giving them the reassuring single line of contact they value so much.

He commented: “This is a company with an overriding focus on customer service so I’m really enjoying being part of that and getting out and about meeting both customers and suppliers.”

Meanwhile, Mitch has moved into his new role at L-R Mitch Gooch and Andy Hill

More info at: www.thewinco.co.uk

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USEFUL

NUMBERS

British Plastics Federation (BPF)

Tel: 0207 457 5000

British Standards Institution (BSI)

– Standards & Publications

Tel: 0208 996 9001

BSI – Assessment & Certification

Tel: 0845 080 9000

Building Research

Establishment (BRE)

Tel: 01923 664000

Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB)

Tel: 01453 828851

Dekura

Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS)

Tel: 0345 053 8975

Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA)

Tel: 0207 645 3700

Get Britain Building (GBB)

Tel: 0870 162 0936

Glass & Glazing Federation

Tel: 0207 939 9101

GQA Qualifications (formerly Glass Qualifications Authority)

Tel: 0114 2720033

Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

– Glass & Related Industries

Phil Smith, HM Principal Inspector

Tel: 01782 602300

David Appleton, HM Inspector

Tel: 0115 9712800

Proskills – Head Office

Tel: 01235 833844

Proskills – Glass & Related Industries

Neil Robinson

Tel: 07917 015 322

Recovinyl (via Axion

Consulting)

Tel: 0161 355 7618

The Glazing Ombudsman (TGO)

Tel: 020 7397 7200

UK Green Building Council

Tel: 0207 580 0623

Veka Recycling

Tel: 01322 38721

Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

Tel: 01295 819 900

Wood Window Alliance (WWA)

Tel: 0844 209 261

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The AluK 77 window and door range re-engineered for future sustainability.

With the need for more energy efficiency from homes and buildings, here at AluK, we wanted to make sure we were playing our part. Especially when our products are key to letting natural light in, whilst keeping the elements out.

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The 77 window and door range from AluK, re-engineered for future sustainability.