Glass News August 2023

WHAT’S THE FUTURE FOR FENESTRATION MATERIALS?

Markets are constantly evolving. Most of the time we’re unaware of it because most change happens too slowly to notice.

It's only when you look back at the windows and doors we were installing 40 years ago that you see how much markets and products have changed.

“Twenty years ago PVC-U had the residential market more or less to itself. Then timber reinvented itself. Now aluminium is on a roll.” says Mike Rigby CEO of MRA Research.

He’s been tasked with conducting an allmaterial industry-wide debate on ‘Window materials where next?’ As the official debate partners we’ll be hosting the debate and more over several months and we want you to take part and share your views.

This debate should provide everyone with more than enough new information and views to guide their choices and steer the best course for their business. Don’t stand on the sidelines, take part in our survey. Read, think and debate!

THE DEBATE IS CONTINUED ON PAGE 10.

THE SURVEY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON SO PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR OUR NEWSLETTER UPDATES

Image courtesy of The Residence Collection (timber alternative, PVC-U)

Sheerline Patio (Aluminium)

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

As you will have seen from the front page, Glass News has partnered with MRA Research to bring you the THE MATERIALS DEBATE. This will be a long running survey that covers the whole industry and takes into account the thoughts and ideas from everyone in the industry. The results will be open to everyone and the aim is to help all sectors plan for the future – it’s not a money making scheme: no money changes hands! In fact the whole survey is sponsored by Roger Hartshorn from Garnalex who has wide experience of the fenestration industry encompassing pretty much every material you can think of. The idea is to look at what materials will be used in the future and give everyone a chance to be ahead of the curve. The survey is trying to answer the question “Window materials: where next?”

Over the past 40 years the popularity of materials has varied with PVCu, timber, steel and aluminium all playing a part and enjoying success at varying times. This is your chance to join the debate. Share your thoughts with everyone in the industry: send us an article, an open letter, your comments or thoughts, be heard and have your thoughts noted in this industry wide debate. The results might just help you plan the future for your products and your company.

On another topic altogether, listening to the radio in the car this morning, one of the topics being discussed was that old chestnut about ‘mickey mouse’ degrees. It’s one of the subjects we have discussed before in the context of apprenticeships, degrees or pure work experience being the best way into gainful employment. The discussion brought up a degree in Cyber Security which, on the face of it and bearing in mind the scams that are so prevalent, seemed like a pretty good idea. The point was raised that if you want to tighten up your security the best way is to hire a hacker, after all they’ve found out how to do it so should be well placed to give you advice. The thought then hit me, but obviously passed the interviewer by, that running degrees in Cyber Security is surely training hackers and giving them a degree to boot!

While talking about worthwhile degrees it reminded me of a colleague I worked

CONTENTS

with back in the early ‘70s who obtained a PhD having written the definitive thesis on the ‘Effect of the railways on Victorian England’…..not the most useful degree with which to secure a job! On this radio programme they cited a number of degrees offered by universities around the country, many of which were deemed to be pretty useless. One that was mentioned was, I believe, offered by Bath University – a degree in Circus. Pretty useful if you want to swallow swords, swing from a trapeze (steady!) or tame lions!

Whenever I hear of companies in our industry offering apprenticeships or even just work experience, I get a feeling of relief. This is, surely, the way into attaining a good and sustainable job for the long term. Yes, academic work for various professions is a requirement but if I had my time over, and particularly if I was starting now, I would go for a trade every time.

At least this discussion programme I was listening to highlighted the point that I have been advocating for a very long time. A lady was deriding the quality of MPs – nothing wrong with that – saying that no one should be allowed to stand for Parliament unless they have held down a proper job beforehand. I commend it, yet again, to the house!

Funnily enough, harping back to the subject of Cyber Security, no sooner had I written those words earlier than a Linked In notification popped in that was most apropos! Kubu, is the first product of its kind to secure IASME Level 2 IoT Accreditation (the highest level possible) for all devices, sensors and software, which perfectly complements the SBD and PAS24 accreditations already obtained for the Avantis ‘Works with Kubu™’ door and window multipoint lock ranges. The IASME IoT Cyber Scheme has been developed so that companies providing internet connected products and services - such as the Kubu Smart Sensors and App - can demonstrate their products have achieved the appropriate standards and that their products and services have been independently assessed against all 13 provisions of the world leading consumer IoT security standard - ETSI EN 303 645 - far exceeding the mandatory 3 provisions currently being legislated by the UK government.

“Kubu have set the de facto standard for cyber safety in our industry..." said Jody Vincent, Sales Director at Emplas who have partnered with Kubu. It sounds as if our industry is taking Cyber Security seriously and congratulations to Mark Bromley and his team who are very much leading the way.

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Email Chris at: chris@glassnews.co.uk

Spot the Difference: Charlotte Towle, Hurst Doors, Hull

Crossword: R Lauchland, West Kilbride, Ayrshire

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

CONTACT DETAILS

YOU NEED TO BE PART OF THIS: THE MATERIALS DEBATE. PLUS RANDOM MUSINGS AND GOOD NEWS ON CYBER SECURITY

WE’VE DONE THE HARD PART NOW IT’S DOWN TO YOU.

The tech behind Europe’s most advanced PVC-U recycling facility at Wellingborough is well established. VEKA

Recycling boss Stuart Stockley says now they are making it easier for installers to return old frames back into the system.

Recycling old PVC-U window and door frames is hardly a new concept, with VEKA Recycling’s first plant dedicated to returning this eminently sustainable material being built as long ago as 1993. With most major systems houses now using recycled PVC-U as a matter of course, we might consider it ‘job done’. But whilst offcuts of virgin PVC-U – that is to say uninstalled –material, is part of our core proposition to fabricators, the issue of encouraging more installers to return old frames for recycling as a matter of course, remains a challenge.

Now, says VEKA Recycling’s managing director Stuart Stockley, steps are being taken to ensure that installers everywhere soon regard returning frames for reprocessing as routine as hiring a skip: “One of the key issues is collecting old frames but, as demand grows for recycled material to be included in new, virgin PVC-U profiles, then so too is the requirement for feedstock,” explains Stuart. “Old frames can be a real headache locally and our priority it to ensure that it becomes second nature for busy installers to send the frames back to us.”

One initiative VEKA Recycling is taking, says Stuart, is the creation collection hubs at strategic locations throughout the UK: “The first collection hub is at Burnley. This enables us to consolidate collections from our partners throughout Scotland and the north of England, whilst also allowing installers within a reasonable distance to drop off their old frames, whatever brand of profile. We estimate local drop off to become extremely popular as installers can clear the old frames to suit themselves, rather than wait for skip collections. And the cost of disposal will be minimised this way.”

Local collection services will also be developed using smaller vehicles, with the Burnley site developing a model that may be replicated at other sites in the future: “The disposal of old frames is always a nuisance for installers although one that goes with the job,” said Stuart. “If installers do not already return old frames for recycling, then we want to create a service to do so that is quicker and easier and - certainly cheaperthan using skips.

Also under consideration is the carbon footprint of returning old fames for reprocessing. The location of VEKA Recycling’s plant in central England was a key factor in the construction of the plant, confirms Stuart: “By locating our plant in Wellingborough, carrying out the full process of recycling the material into polymer pellet in the same plant and by consolidating material into large loads for return to our site, we significantly reduce the carbon footprint of transporting material.

Stuart says that further services are being introduced to make the collection of old

window frames easier for installers: “One of the chores for installers to return windows for recycling, rather than simply throw the frames into a skip, is de-glazing,” he says.

“Later this year we will pilot a new scheme to collect old IGUs with the frames, which we believe will significantly boost the number returned for processing. We will take glass units with the frames, remove the old spacer, Georgian bar and leaded lights, before crushing the glass to cullet.

“The cullet will then be made into new flat glass, which uses around 30% of recycled material in its manufacture; it’s a wellestablished and highly effective process,” he

added. “Ideally frames should be deglazed, but we are even investigating how we can assist the installer to overcome this challenge,” added Stuart. “We simply want to collect as much material as possible and to make it as simple as possible for installers.”

Stuart Stockley

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AT WORK, REST AND PLAY

AT WORK...

How did you get into this industry?

I was made redundant from my previous job, so I signed up with a recruitment agency that got me an interview with GQA. Please give a brief resume of your career to date.

I left school and went to college to complete a Business Administration course. Part of my course was to go on a placement that the college secured for me; I completed this and was then offered a job full time doing day to day administration and reception work. I then moved into the sales department which involved meeting with people face to face giving information on private courses in Gas, Plumbing, Electrics and Solar Qualifications. The company got taken over and the staff were made redundant as the roles were based in the South of the country. Not long after my redundancy I got a job at GQA, and I have been here for the last 12 years.

Do you believe your speciality (finance, sales, management, marketing etc.) is transferable to any industry?

Yes, I believe that my knowledge and experience using and controlling a bespoke database could be used within other industries.

Have you a career path mapped out or is it more about opportunism?

My career is all about opportunity. I am eager to learn and happy to take on new challenges. I don’t like to do same day to day activities, I like challenges that push me to reach my potential.

Looking ahead, where would you like to be in a) 5 years’ time and b) 10 years’ time?

Who knows where I will be in 5 – 10 years’ time? I would like to have been given opportunities within that time to better myself within my job and learn more about the industry, but the main thing is that I am as happy and content with life, as I am right now.

AT REST...

Away from work, what is your focus?

My main focus away from work is my two children and my fiancé. Working full time with two children can be difficult so in the evening and weekends I make sure we have as much “family time” as we can.

This series in Glass News highlights the hopes and aspirations of women in the windows, doors, glass, roofs and hardware industry and will hopefully inspire more to make this their career.

AT PLAY...

Do you achieve the work/life balance you would like to?

It’s definitely hard finding the “right balance,” but I believe once routines are in place it’s easy to find the correct balance between both.

If money and leisure time were no object, what would you really like to do for yourself or your family?

If money was no object I would pack up my entire family and move to Australia to give my children a chance at life in a country that seems like it would be an amazing place to grow up, and to provide the widest range of opportunities for them in their own careers and later life.

THIS MONTH: Jodie Bradley GQA, Awards and Systems Controller

Amongst many high profile projects the team at GQA have worked on - The Shard

Leading the way in Passive House Education

Following an extensive R&D and technical development process, Metal Technology’s System 17 Hi+ Curtain Walling and System 5-45 Hi+ Window have been certified by the Passive House Institute (PHI). Further Passive House products are under development as we continue our drive to reduce our carbon footprint on our road to Net Zero.

Currently, 35% of global energy consumption stems from the building sector alone and the operational stage is the largest contributor to carbon emissions, the majority of which is from heating and cooling demand. Passive House buildings provide a transparent, quality assured approach to meeting our climate goals, whilst also creating a sustainable built environment.

Metal Technology played an an intrinsic role in the design process of Erne Campus at Enniskillen’s South West College (pictured) - the world’s first educational Passivhaus Premium building and the first non-domestic Passivhaus Premium in the UK.

Metal Technology also supplied its high performance glazing systems for the recently completed Riverside Primary School in North Perth, built in the grounds of North Muirton Primary School. Riverside is Scotland’s first Passivhaus Primary School and will accommodate pupils from both North Muirton and Balhousie Primary School.

We are also currently on site at what is believed to be one of the largest Passivhaus buildings in the world, Dunfermline Learning Campus, delivering our Passive House products for two new high schools: St Columba’s RC High School and Woodmill High School. The schools form part of AHR’s and Fife Council’s journey to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

Furthermore, Metal Technology has secured four new Passive House education projects which will be on site later this year and through 2024: Perth High School, Currie Community High School, Montgomerie Park Primary School in Irvine and Tain Campus in Highland.

Scan QR code to view our Passive House brochure

METAL TECHNOLOGY'S ARCHITECTURAL GLAZING SYSTEMS USED IN SCOTLAND'S FIRST PASSIVHAUS PRIMARY SCHOOL

The new Riverside Primary School was built in the grounds of North Muirton Primary School and accommodates pupils from both North Muirton and Balhousie Primary School.

Built to Passivhaus standards, where energy-saving measures are an integral part of the design, the building is 15-20 times more airtight than a traditional build and has 50 per cent reduced heat energy leakage. For those in the classroom, this means their new school will be comfortably cool in summer and warm in winter.

Metal Technology Ltd supplied its highperformance glazing systems for this state-of-the-art school and we’re delighted to have been involved in the first Passivhaus primary school in Scotland. Pupils have enjoyed regular site visits, discovering all about the advantages of their new school’s sustainable construction, which will be a fantastic new learning environment for all.

METAL TECHNOLOGY SECURE ANOTHER ULTRA LOW CARBON, PASSIVE HOUSE EDUCATION PROJECT IN CURRIE, EDINBURGH

We are delighted to be involved in another Passive House education project in Scotland - the new £65m Currie Community High School in Edinburgh, which will provide 1,000 student places with three floors of teaching blocks. The building will offer beautiful, light filled and healthy learning

places and become a vibrant community hub, with outstanding health and fitness facilities, a Passivhaus swimming pool, a café, outdoor informal play spaces, a sensory garden, and public allotments.

To adhere to Passivhaus, the school will have better air quality, advanced insulation and greater airtightness. The Passivhaus standard aligns to Edinburgh Council’s net zero commitments that all new build and refurbishment projects should be sustainable. The building’s total energy usage will be reduced up to 70% compared to a traditional build school, making it significantly more cost effective to run.

Through approved fabricator Avtek, Metal Technology Ltd will supply a range of its architectural glazing products, to help deliver this outstanding education facility and inspiring environment for Currie's pupils and the wider community. We are looking forward to working with the project team to deliver this fantastic, Passive House school which will be divided into two phases with an overall completion expected in 2025.

Metal Technology are leading the way in Passive House education, with further secured projects to be built to Passivhaus standards - we look forward to revealing more and progressing our Passive House portfolio.

"We are looking forward to working with the project team to deliver this fantastic, Passive House school which will be divided into two phases with an overall completion expected in 2025."

THE MATERIALS DEBATE

TAKE PART IN OUR SURVEY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1...

It’s what players think and do that shape it. By players, I mean the PVC-U and aluminium systems companies and extruders, timber and other materials, fabricators, installers, hardware and software firms, component suppliers, and machinery companies. What they think and do drives and shapes the market.

What about homeowners and end users, don’t they matter? Of course they do, but homeowners can only choose what the industry offers. If the industry doesn’t show them, or makes it hard for them to buy, they’ll order something else. And although external rare events, the so called Black Swans of Covid, war in Ukraine and container ships blocking the Suez canal may knock us sideways, homeowners can only buy what we sell.

This is especially true for the materials windows and doors are made from. In the mid 1980s I was being interviewed for the job of Marketing Director at Zenith, at that time the third largest direct-sell

company after Everest and Anglian. When I was interviewed, the factory was buzzing and 80% of products were aluminium. Two months later when I started, I was shocked to see an empty factory with PVC-U windows brought in from Germany. Zenith had matched Anglian in pricing PVC-U at 5% less than aluminium and 350 salespeople had persuaded homeowners to buy the cheaper material. The order book flipped from 80% aluminium to 80% PVC-U within a month and chaos enveloped the factory.

THE MATERIALS

PVC-U grew fast in the late 1970s and 80s and in the 90s PVC-U effectively competed with itself. It’s main threat was saturation. Each year it replaced around 3.5% of the total market and by the mid 2000s it would run out of road unless the product offered more, enough to persuade people to replace their replacement windows. PVC-U systems companies and their component partners successfully evolved the product to do it by improving energy efficiency, security, styles, appearance, and colour offering. But the tendency of the whole PVC-U supply chain to price down and focus on the mass market left the door open for upmarket timber and aluminium.

Having led in the 70s and early 1980s, aluminium captured the commercial

market leaving the residential windows and doors market to PVC-U at a lower price point. On the domestic side, aluminium looked set in aspic with little notable product development. But then the top end of the market took a liking to upmarket aluminium sliders, and aluminium grew as the premium market grew. Aluminium residential doors and windows followed, recently becoming a staple in premium installers’ showrooms. Premium PVC-U fabricators then added aluminium to boost their growth and profits. Aluminium looks to be on a roll. How far will it go?

With poor design and quality problems, timber was on the backfoot for 30 years and timber was the problem aluminium and PVC-U solved. But in the early 2000s timber reinvented itself as an upmarket, highly desirable, sustainable, engineered timber product that homeowners paid a hefty premium for. But since aluminium expanded its range and PVC-U launched upmarket timber lookalikes it has its work cut out.

MARKET CONCENTRATION

As markets evolve, they concentrate as expectations rise and competition weeds out weaker players. Systems companies compete through their customers who use added product benefits and sharper service to compete more successfully and grow

faster than competitors who don’t have those advantages.

When the market is growing rapidly it’s easy to find reasons to delay or skip expensive, time consuming product development and just copy competitors. But the effect is insidious, and a collective groupthink develops within and across companies. Whole markets or parts of a market pursue some developments and ignore others. Often product development dries up because no one else is doing it, or until an outsider steps in to fill the gap.

As systems and products mature, we demand they do more and do it better, and they become more complicated. So the investment to make them racks up and it costs more to stay in the game. It’s a double whammy. Customers demand more to maintain their edge to compete, and the cost of each improvement also rises. Over time better products, quality and service attract and keep more customers who themselves are doing better, and the winning companies get stronger and can more easily afford the higher cost of competing. Meanwhile, less successful companies find it harder to fund the investment to stay in the game and get progressively weaker. Eventually they get taken over, give up or fail.

A successful fabricator once showed me his meticulous annual sales stats from the late 1970s making secondary glazing, to making aluminium in timber frames, then proper aluminium, as he put it, then PVC-U. The remarkable thing he said was that his average order value had remained pretty much the same throughout, but the work and time to make them, and the labour and machinery had gone up substantially. All we needed in the beginning, he said, was a garage, bench, a saw and a crimper. Now I have a factory with lots of people and sophisticated expensive machinery.

Nothing is certain, says Mike Rigby but having been in and around the market since the 1980s, I think some changes look near certain to happen. But whether I think that or not, doesn’t matter because I’m not a player in the market.

“Having led in the 70s and early 1980s, aluminium captured the commercial market leaving the residential windows and doors market to PVC-U at a lower price point.”

Image courtesy of Solar Calibre (The Craftsman Entrance Door, Timber)

Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research

Roger Hartshorn, CEO of Garnalex

THE EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION AND COMPETITION

In the mid 1990s there were 84 PVC-U systems companies in the UK, 34 of them taking part in our annual Benchmarks research survey. Today there are 12, one of which, Duraflex, just called it a day. Only six are significant players. Just over 70 have been knocked out by competition and 70 sets of fabricators have had to source new systems suppliers. If you were unlucky or chose your systems company carelessly, you’ll have had to up sticks a few times. The effects of these forced changes on fabricators tends to be disruptive and costly.

The numbers of aluminium systems companies currently are estimated at around 87, although less than a third are likely to come to mind. I believe the numbers of aluminium systems companies will concentrate as they have in PVC-U for reasons I’ll explain in a later article.

Fabricators and installers are weakened by not having a material which enables them to compete effectively or held back by a system that lacks a competitive edge, as well as by losing momentum from forced system change. As importantly, fabricators and installers are strengthened by being able to compete in the right place at the right time with a material or system than gives them advantage, opportunity and solutions.

THE DEBATE

The debate is sponsored by Roger Hartshorn, CEO of Garnalex who has commissioned me to consult the industry about window materials and their future. Why? Having built and sold Eurocell, Roger built and sold Liniar, two of the leading PVC-U systems houses before converting to aluminium. He founded Garnalex the vertically integrated aluminium systems house and the Sheerline system. Roger believes in aluminium but, as his track record shows, he is solutions focused and keeps an open mind. He is determined this

debate should be open, independent and free of influence.

The industry is at a watershed, and we appear to have moved on from being a

polarised market of PVC-U or Aluminium, or Timber, and everyone’s views are important. But where is it going?

The aim is to gather views and comments from all quarters to find out what the industry is using now, what it thinks about materials and their potential, and to hear what it needs now and what it needs in the future.

I’ve been tasked with conducting an independent, objective debate that engages widely and includes as many people, companies and views as possible from all sectors of the industry. Together with our media partners, Glass News and A Window into Aluminium, I’ll be writing a series of six articles and conducting a survey to find out what the industry thinks and report back. We’ll be sharing fresh information, analyses and facts, to stimulate people to think how it affects them and their customers. Using this information, I’ll also update a materials forecast I did in 2019 to stimulate thinking and further debate. The choices players make about where and how to compete and which materials to offer will affect them and their customers profoundly. Apart from the expired 70 PVC-U systems companies, well over 1,000 fabricators called it a day in recent years. Some fabricators gave up manufacturing to install, some just ran out of road. Was that bad luck, lack of foresight or not creating the time to think about the bigger

picture?

"The industry is at a watershed, and we appear to have moved on from being a polarised market of PVC-U or Aluminium, or Timber, and everyone’s views are important. But where is it going?"

Image courtesy of Dutemann (Haus Entrance Door, Aluminium)

2-pane aluminium patio door (Sheerline)

Master Mover (Garnalex)

Image courtesy of Deceuninck (keeping up with colour trends, PVC-U)

An all British aluminium log is loaded into the press

Image courtesy of Deceuninck (Flush Sash Heritage Collection, PVC-U)

Factory stock piles of aluminium

AWARD SUCCESS FOR ENDURANCE® DOORS

Endurance Doors® has received independent recognition of its commitment to reinvesting back into its business for the benefit of its customers, its team, and the wider community.

The leading manufacturer of solid, secure, and stylish composite doors was the recent recipient of the Business Investment Award at the North Lincolnshire Business Awards 2023.

Organised by the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, the annual North Lincolnshire Business Awards are a celebration of excellence in a range of different commercial areas and are open to all businesses located across the region.

The Business Investment Award is aimed specifically at both inward investment companies and those companies already located in North Lincolnshire. The eventual winner is chosen based on the outstanding contribution they have made to the local economy.

In particular, the independent judging panel looks for evidence of the nominated company’s commitment to creating quality employment opportunities for local people, to working

with local suppliers, and to reinvesting to ensure sustainable, long-term growth.

Over the last 12 months, Endurance Doors has made several major investments at its Brigg, North Lincolnshire site.

This has seen it install additional, state-ofthe-art, production technology, creating

VR TECHNOLOGY BRINGS EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS’ PRODUCTS TO LIFE

Leading Epwin Window Systems installer Oswestry Windows and Doors Ltd has invested in the power of virtual reality technology to bring products to life in consumers’ homes. Owner Matthew Dunne-Smith says: “VR technology is proving transformational for us. We have secured several large-scale domestic installations because it’s given our customers a completely new dimension for visualising their home improvements that completely blows their minds.”

Virtual reality is the next-level in homeowner visualisation. Used in TV makeover programmes such as Your Home Made Perfect, the technology creates a virtual scene of the completed installation. Every detail, including furniture placement, is featured, giving consumers the opportunity to walk around and see exactly how it will look from the inside and exterior of the property.

To illustrate the difference it makes, one Oswestry Windows and Doors customer reported: “We saw the drawings and they were absolutely amazing, but putting the VR goggles on brought the whole project to life and just made us say ‘Yes, we want to go ahead right now.’”

Oswestry Windows and Doors provides refurbishment, renovation and construction services throughout Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid-Wales. It supplies an extensive portfolio of Epwin Window

Systems products, including Optima PVC-U windows, PatioMaster Sliding Doors, Vertical Sliding Sash Windows, Flush Casements and windows and doors from Stellar Aluminium.

Matthew said: “The quality and range of Epwin’s portfolio is superb, and the product differentiation and visual appeal allow us to secure lucrative high-end jobs. Our investment in VR lets us take our design and customer services to the next level. Customers can really visualise how their home improvements will work because they feel as if they are in the room. We’re delighted to see the difference it’s already making to our sales and closure rates.”

Oswestry Windows and Doors has built an impressive reputation based on attention to detail and delivering outstanding quality in every part of its operation. The investment in VR adds to that reputation – and is delivering results.

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

increased opportunities for innovation, reducing order lead times, and enabling even greater levels of quality assurance.

The business has also invested in solar panels to help power its manufacturing operations in line with its wider focus on sustainability.

In addition, late 2022 saw Endurance Doors open a dedicated showroom in Brigg to support its installer partners.

This showroom enables homeowners to explore the Endurance range - in person or remotely - in a retail-focused environment and to benefit from expert advice from specially trained design consultants.

Commenting on the award win, Stephen Nadin, Managing Director at Endurance Doors, said: “As a company, Endurance Doors attaches significant importance to reinvesting back into the business.

“Doing so enables us to continually strengthen our offer, ensuring we can build on our achievements to date and bring additional benefits to the strong and established relationships we enjoy with our installer partners.

“We are naturally delighted that our commitment to the long-term success of our own business, our customers, and the UK economy as a whole is gaining increased recognition from both within and outside of the trade.”

Tel: 01652 659259

PREMIER ARCHES MAKES THE NFA FINALS

Leading arched frame supplier Premier Arches has been shortlisted in the National Fenestration Awards for the second year running.

Specialising in highquality arched, angled, gable, circular and bespoke windows and doors, the St Helens-based company has been shortlisted in the ‘PVC Fabricator of the Year’ category.

This follows two nominations in last year’s awards for Fabricator/ Manufacturer of the Year and PVC Fabricator of the Year.

With a commitment to exceptional manufacturing quality, outstanding customer service, and a ‘make life easier’ offering for customers, Premier Arches has grown significantly over the past few years.

The company supplies products in a wide range of leading profiles and

offers fully manufactured products, including the frame, sash, hardware, accessories and glass, taking the hassle away from fabricators.

An instant online pricing and ordering system as well as professional CAD drawings and nationwide delivery also contribute to the company’s commitment to excellent service.

Managing Director Sean Greenall commented: “Being shortlisted as a finalist in the National Fenestration Awards is a tremendous honour

for Premier Arches. This recognition reflects the hard work, expertise, and commitment of our entire team in consistently providing superior arched frames and tailored solutions to our valued clients. We are incredibly proud to be acknowledged for our efforts and look forward to the final results.”

To place your vote, visit www.fenestrationawards. co.uk. Voting closes on 29th September, with winners announced at a ceremony on 28th October.

www.premierarches.co.uk

DEKKO JOINS DAVE EDWARDS DOUBLE GLAZING IN CELEBRATING MILESTONE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

With an ongoing commitment to helping its customers grow and succeed, leading trade fabricator Dekko

Window Systems is proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of its most loyal customers –

Dave Edwards Double Glazing.

Since 1973, the Lancashire based, family run installation business has supplied homeowners across Greater Manchester with high quality home improvement products, and is this year celebrating an impressive half a century of reliable service and customer care.

Dave Edwards Double Glazing supplies a range of uPVC windows and doors, including Dekko’s marketleading Infinity flush sash window, and industryrenowned Residence 9 windows, of which Dekko is the UK’s largest fabricator.

Dekko Sales Director Kurt Greatrex comments: “We’ve

been proud to supply Dave Edwards Double Glazing with our strong and diverse product range, helping them serve homeowners with premium options and therefore stay ahead in what’s become a very competitive market.

“At Dekko, we consider our customers to be valued business partners, and it’s therefore vital that we cater for their needs and provide them with the support they need in order to grow. It’s been an honour supplying Dave Edwards Double Glazing, and it’s fantastic to see them reach this incredible milestone. I’d like to wish them a very happy 50th anniversary, and I very much look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Dave Edwards Double Glazing Director Stephen Edwards comments: “Since partnering with Dekko, they have been an invaluable support in helping us grow, thanks to their premium product range and unwavering customer support. We’re delighted to be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to Dekko for their support.”

For more information, visit www.dekkowindows.com and www.daveedwardsdoubleglazing.co.uk.

DOORCO CONFIRMS SPONSORSHIP OF G-AWARDS 2023

DoorCo, the industry’s leading composite door supplier, is delighted to confirm it’s continued sponsorship of the much loved and well respected G-Awards for 2023. After successfully winning the coveted category ‘Component Supplier of the Year’ at the 2022 Awards, DoorCo has taken the decision to not enter the category again, but instead focus on the categories that reflect in more detail, the people and processes within the organisation.

Dan Sullivan, DoorCo’s Managing Director explains: “The G-Awards are without doubt the most coveted prize within the fenestration industry, so reconfirming our position as main sponsor this year was an easy decision for us to make, as we want to continue to support the recognition of excellence within our industry. The fact we were awarded Component Supplier of the Year last year was a hugely proud moment for us. The entire team at DoorCo works incredibly hard, with our customers at the heart of everything we do, so to achieve this accolade was a real credit to each and every one of them.

“That’s why, this year, we have taken the decision to focus our award efforts on our

KÖMMERLING AND PROFINE UNVEIL NEW UK DESIGN CENTRE

profine UK has opened a new design centre at their Huthwaite facility for the respected product brands of Kömmerling, Greenline (formerly Legend) and Warmcore at a recent international group board meeting.

Formerly opened by Dr. Peter Mrosik, owner and CEO of profine Group, the new design centre will be recognised by many from the impressive exhibition stand from the 2022 FIT Show, where existing elements have been re-utilised. The recycling of the exhibition stand is part of a wider sustainability programme for profine and Kömmerling, to re-use and recycle wherever possible beyond the materials involved in manufacturing processes.

It’s a new environment to showcase the entire profine UK product portfolio, including a new Passivhaus studio and its use has been extended to Kömmerling

and profine manufacturing partners and installation companies in the UK, and internationally.

This important international event, also attended by profine UK staff, provided several street food vendors, a live band and an internationally recognised DJ for the evening, along with smaller table side entertainment. Much like the FIT Show, a carefully crafted cocktail in the new brand colours was also presented at the opening.

Robert Thiroff, managing director of profine UK and executive director international markets commented: ‘This was an opening on an international platform with key staff also taking part in the celebrations. It was great to be able to share this with a global audience, yet moving forward this is very much a super-premium space for all customers of this great business.

He continued: ‘It also marks the introduction of the re-branded literature which will be launched across the majority of product ranges in the coming weeks.’

For further information please visit www.profine-uk.com, e-mail enquiries@profine-uk.com or phone 01623 579200. There’s also a dedicated site for KÖMMERLING at www.kommerling.co.uk. You can also follow them on social media platforms @profineuk and @kommerling_uk.

GLAZPART’S NEW PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME

Glazpart, the leading plastic component manufacturer, is delighted to announce the official launch of “The Glazpartners Programme” - designed to promote the value of customer relationships in the fenestration industry.

The new initiative has already been embraced by a significant number of Glazpart’s customers, from systems houses to fabricators and installers through to distributors and trade counters.

• Use of the Glazpartners Logo

internal talent and business capabilities, to shine a more detailed spotlight on the intricacies of our business, which all come together to make us the best component supplier in the industry. We have so much talent within our business and so many great intitives, we look forward to giving them their time to shine.”

Tony Higgin, G-Awards organiser concludes: “We are delighted that DoorCo has agreed to continue as one of the headline sponsors for the G-Awards 2023. DoorCo is a well respected industry name and we appreciate their continued support of the event.”

For more information on DoorCo call: 01625 428955 or visit: www.door-co.com.

Dean Bradley, Sales Director of Glazpart explains, “This is an exciting new marketing initiative for all companies in the supply chain. Our aim is to promote close customer relationships and to highlight that by working together for mutual benefit, we can continue to develop and deliver products to meet the business’ needs and fulfil the market’s demands.”

The Glazpartners Programme offers the following benefits for all participating companies.

• Listing, logo and promotional article on the bespoke Glazpartners webpage

• Product display and branding on Glazpart’s stands at trade fairs and events (including FIT Show 2025).

• Joint articles for the trade and regional media

• Promotion via social media channels Dean Bradley adds, “It is now more important than ever for companies to work more closely together to face the many challenges in our industry. In the glazing supply chain, where availability is key and compliant products are a must it is invaluable to collaborate and develop market solutions and opportunities. I am delighted that so many companies have signed up to be Glazpartners and invite others to join.”

If you are interested in becoming a Glazpartner, please contact Dean Bradley –Sales Director or visit the webpage: www.glazpart.com.

SASH WINDOWS ARE JUST THE START...

As the original timber-alternative sash window manufacturer we know that making the most authentic and innovative sash windows is just the beginning...

ALAN HOCKEY JOINS MERCURY

Leading specialist fabricator Mercury has announced the appointment of Alan Hockey as Manufacturing Manager. Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alan to the business. He brings a wealth of operational experience and a clear understanding of fabrication, lean manufacturing, quality management and Health and Safety principles. He will be a valuable person to have on board to help support the business as we continue the next phase of our growth.”

Alan has spent many years in the industry including seven years as Head of Production at Anglian Home Improvements and is more than proficient in high output manufacturing. He said: “I am delighted to have joined Mercury. The business has experienced huge growth over the past few years due to the focussed determination of the senior management team. I am excited to head up the operational side of the business as we look to further improve efficiencies, so it is well-equipped to meet its growth targets.”

As Alan points out, Gloucester-based Mercury has witnessed significant growth over the past few

A NEW FIRST POINT OF CONTACT

Jade Taylor has joined the team at web development and lead generation specialists The Consultancy as an Administration Assistant and is now the first point of contact for customers who call or log-in for a live chat about their account.

years which has resulted in the expansion of its production facility by a further 50% and the acquisition of its third manufacturing unit. Steve said: “We have seen continued year-on-year growth for our aluminium and PVC-U products and even though the market is showing some signs of slowing, we still have a very large pipeline of work across domestic, trade and commercial sectors.”

Alan joined the business in June 2023 and will head up the 60-strong team across the three manufacturing sites. He said: “After so many years working in this industry, it’s rare to find an opportunity that still excites you. But with Mercury I have. The potential for this business is superb and I look forward to further building on its high-quality credentials.”

An established high-end manufacturer, Mercury has a reputation for leading the way in fabricating a quality product portfolio. This includes a large selection of aluminium products including windows, sliding doors, bifolds, designer doors, aluminium sash windows, curtain walling and internal screening. They are also a longstanding Spectus vertical sliding window fabricator and manufacture both standard and mechanical joint options.

The business has ambitious plans for further growth and in Alan Hockey, it has an experienced Manufacturing Manager with the skills and expertise to support those ambitions.

Tel: 01452 383344 www.mercuryglazing.co.uk

Jade’s appointment means Katie Phillips, who has been a one-woman customer service department for most of the past six years, has now been promoted to Operations Manager, focused on the day-to-day running of the business.

Jade has lots of experience in admin and office management working for a multi-national beauty company and great customer service skills. She is already impressing The Consultancy’s 200+ customers with her ability to resolve queries quickly and efficiently.

Katie commented: “Jade is already making a big difference to our operation. She’s making sure existing customers get all the answers and information they need and freeing up others in the team to concentrate on growing the business and responding to

BM ALUMINIUM AND AMS STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP

A team from AMS, Ireland’s largest aluminium systems company, paid a visit to BM Aluminium’s Tewkesbury HQ recently to see some of the latest LogiKal software programming and validation taking place for products in the AMS database.

BM Aluminium started providing LogiKal software to AMS customers way back in 2008 and AMS made the switch to using LogiKal exclusively for all of its own fabrication and customer operations in 2014. Since then, the partnership

CARL F GROUPCO SCOTTISH SALES REGION SEES RECORD-BREAKING GROWTH

Leading independent hardware distributor Carl F Groupco is celebrating record year-to-date sales in Scotland. Pamela Wilson, Regional Sales Manager at Carl F Groupco, said: “We are delighted to be seeing such strong sales. We’re seeing existing customers taking an increased range of products from us as well as brand new customers trusting us with their hardware supply.”

Pamela highlights three reasons customers in Scotland are confident in choosing Carl F Groupco.

The company has a strong Scottish presence. Carl F Groupco has a distribution centre in Cumbernauld and it offers a next day delivery service to everywhere in Scotland, including the Scottish Highlands. Pamela said: “Our delivery service is a differentiator for us because we are a rapid and reliable supply partner for our Scottish customers.”

It has a strong team which is led by Pamela who has been with the company since 2001. It also includes Darren Gait, Depot Manager, who has worked for the company

for 39 years, and Stuart Kelly, Warehouse Operative, who has been with the business for 12 years. Pamela commented: “Our customers value the depth of knowledge we bring. We also work hard to deliver the highest level of customer care and support, going beyond order processing to solve problems, offer advice and source hardware. We pride ourselves on the longstanding relationships that we develop with our customers and work for them to find the best hardware solution.”

The company’s product range is at the heart of its offer. It provides an extensive range of premium quality window and door hardware and has longstanding relationships with Europe’s most innovative manufacturers including Cotswold, FUHR, GT Guardian, Hoppe, Kenrick, MACO, Roto, Siegenia and Yale. Pamela particularly highlights Roto in this list: “Roto is a leading brand for us in Scotland because its UNI Reversible window gearing, tilt and turn and espagnolette hardware

the surge in demand we’re seeing for bespoke websites.

“We have big ambitions for The Consultancy this year, so it’s important that we have the right team in place. As well as her admin role, Jade will also be supporting our new sales and marketing campaigns.”

www.theconsultancy.co.uk

between the two businesses has gone from strength to strength, with lots of training, machine links, updates and bespoke programming taking place over the years.

Damien Farrelly and James Murray from AMS sat down with BM Aluminium Project Managers Daniel Hodges and Simon Crilley to discuss the latest programming requirements and get the inside track from Daniel and Simon on the latest version of LogiKal (v12) launched at the FIT Show.

Damien said: “We have a great working relationship with BM Aluminium and, even in these days of Teams meets and remote working, we always see the benefits of meeting face to face. We’re able to share more of our plans and objectives for AMS, and we pick up useful advice on how LogiKal can potentially do even more for us.”

www.bmaluminium.co.uk

ranges are perfectly suited to the Scottish housing stock.”

While Pamela is understandably delighted by Carl F Groupco’s record sales, she’s also quick to point out the wider implications. She concluded: “These results

aren’t just good news for us. Strong hardware sales also reflect strong sales in the wider industry, which is reason enough to celebrate.”

Tel: 01733 393 330

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.smartsecure.co.uk

www.carlfdirect.co.uk

Left to right: Alan Hockey with Mercury Director Steve Cross

Left to right: Stuart Kelly, Pamela Wilson and Darren Gait

Homeowners want their homes to stand out from the crowd. Once, everyone just accepted plain white fascia, soffits and gutters. Now, they demand windows and doors in colour, and the roofline and cladding to match. Transforming their homes to be as individual as themselves.

As colour specialists, Freefoam’s easy-to-install, long-lasting fascias and soffits come in a range of colours from subtle Pale Gold to ever-popular Anthracite Grey. So homeowners can match or contrast with our low maintenance gutter systems in a choice of five colours.

what

colour fascia,

and guttering looks like on a home.

Roofline Visualiser Tool at freefoam.com will bring your ideas to life.

UNLOCKING BUSINESS GROWTH - EXPRESS

WINDOWS

Cross-selling typically involves a business offering complementary products or services along with a customer’s initial purchase. As a strategy, when done well, it offers a host of benefits for both parties.

Headquartered in the Forest of Dean, fabricator-installer Express Windows Ltd has established a reputation for quality workmanship supplying PVCu windows and doors, conservatories and roofline products to trade and domestic customers. In an innovative departure from standard practice the company has recently added PVCu decking to its range, after several customers enquired about it during the installation of other products.

General Manager Dean Phelps explains, “The first decking Express sold arose when the team were on site measuring up for a conservatory. Our customer commented that it would be nice to have an adjoining deck seamlessly connecting their conservatory and garden.

“I saw an opportunity, realising it was something my team were more than capable of undertaking. Besides providing

DIVERSIFIES RANGE WITH PVCU DECKING

additional business, it would also deliver extra value for the customer who would get a more complete enhancement for their home. So, I thought ‘Why not?’

“As a Liniar supplier, we had some samples of their SwitchBoard composite decking and PVCu fencing ranges in our showroom, however it just wasn’t something we’d previously pushed. But after showing them to our customer we secured the additional work and ended up fitting a beautiful, decked area complete with glass balustrades.

“It perfectly complemented the conservatory and really brought the rear of the property to life. Our customer was delighted, and what began as an off-thecuff comment resulted in them receiving exactly what they wanted conveniently and efficiently without the stress of having to source and deal with a separate installer.” This example perfectly illustrates successful cross-selling - when businesses listen to customers, understand their needs, and leverage product knowledge to identify complementary offerings. The result? A mutually beneficial outcome enabling growth and diversification for the business, and an improved experience for the customer.

Dean reflects on broadening the Express Windows range, stating, “We’ve sold a few decks now and will continue to offer Liniar decking and fencing to customers in the future. As a route to expanding our product range and generating alternative revenue streams, we’re finding it much easier to target existing customers than to chase new leads.

“Also, buying from an existing supplier offers the advantages of familiarity, trust, and the consistent product quality we’re already accustomed to from Liniar. Ordering is straightforward and we’ve got a great working relationship with the Liniar team. Jack Mayfield (Liniar’s Secondary Operations Manager) is very knowledgeable, providing any advice or assistance we might need, and since the decks are supplied in kit form with clear instructions and everything necessary for installation, we find them very easy work with.”

Express Windows is continuing to cater to the evolving needs of its customers, by actively listening to feedback and staying attuned to the capabilities of its suppliers. Their team is increasingly seizing every opportunity that arises, delivering an enhanced customer experience, while boosting sales revenue. Who doesn’t want that?

To see Liniar’s full product range visit: https://www.liniar.co.uk/

Members of the Express Windows team (from the left to right): Steve Tyler – Fabrication, Dean PhelpsGeneral Manager, Andrew Marfell – Fabrication, Julie Phelps – Administrator, Jordan Hale – Fabrication, Jordan Clements – Director.

PYROGUARD FURTHERS ESG COMMITMENT WITH SOLAR PANEL INVESTMENT

Forming part of a company-wide energy saving initiative, Pyroguard, part of the Technical Fire Safety Group, has invested in solar panels for its UK project glass facility in Haydock. This investment reinforces the manufacturer’s commitment to its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.

As the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass for timber, steel and aluminium applications, Pyroguard is proud to be at the forefront of development and change in this sector. As such, the company is always looking for ways to further reduce the carbon footprint of its manufacturing sites across the Technical Fire Safety Group and to meet and exceed its ESG objectives. Important to businesses and supply chains worldwide, ESG objectives have become a key part of demonstrating how companies are upholding their responsibilities to not only the environment, but also to their employees and the general public.

The company’s £500,000 investment in the installation of a bespoke solar PV system, with a PV generator surface of over 2,900 m2 and over 1,500 PV modules, is the most recent example of this commitment to the environment.

GARNALEX AWARDED QUALICOAT APPROVAL FOR STATE-OF-THE-ART IN-HOUSE PAINT PLANT

Garnalex’s in-house state-of-the-art powder coating plant has been recognised for its’ quality assurance processes after being awarded a QUALICOAT coating applicator approved licence – the world’s leading quality label for aluminium coatings. This is especially significant as Garnalex is currently the only manufacturer in the East Midlands to hold the coveted licence. As well as helping them stand out from the competition, the licence gives customers peace of mind as they know the company’s products are of the highest standard.

Ross Hartshorn, Technical Production Director, said: “Since bringing our powder coating in-house, our paint plant has gone from strength to strength, gaining multiple industry recognised accreditations, including the QUALICOAT coating applicator approved licence.”

Neil Tilsley, CEO at Technical Fire Safety Group spoke on this latest investment, saying: “We’re absolutely committed to ESG, taking our responsibility as a leading manufacturer in the industry very seriously and hopefully inspiring others in our supply chain. I’m very proud of our latest investment, with the installation of the solar panels helping us to reduce the carbon footprint of our Haydock site.

“As a company, we’re always looking for smart ways to save energy. In fact, we’ve recently run a company-wide initiative in which we encouraged our employees to suggest ideas on how we could save energy, making sure that we keep them involved in our green efforts.”

As well as the addition of solar panels to the facility, Pyroguard has also installed EV charging points on site for its company car fleet, which will be switched over to exclusively electric vehicles.

To find out more about Pyroguard, please visit: www.pyroguard.eu

To gain the licence, Garnalex underwent QUALICOAT’s rigorous approval process, which involved a detailed application outlining every step of the company’s powder coating process and submitting samples for testing.

Being an approved licence holder means Garnalex has and will continue to adhere to QUALICOAT’s specifications for its’ plant, equipment, coating materials, and finished products. QUALICOAT has a continuous monitoring programme in place. For licence holders, this ensures they keep their approval, while their customers continue to benefit from the highest standards possible. This is in line with QUALICOAT’s mission to maintain the standards and quality of coatings for alloys and architectural applications.

Since investing £1.3 million to bring powder coating in-house, Garnalex has gained control over its’ quality assurance processes while Sheerline’s customers have benefited from improved quality delivered in as responsive and agile way as possible.

“This is all part of our strategy to ensure we maintain our edge and keep both Garnalex and Sheerline ahead of the competition. The team have worked hard to ensure we gain this approval – it’s a fantastic result, particularly as we are the only manufacturer in the East Midlands to hold this quality licence,” he added.

To find out more about Garnalex’s stateof-the-art powder coating plant, visit the website here: https://www.sheerline.com.

DGCOS TEAM NOMINATED AS EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR IN THE BIBA AWARDS

The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) service company, QA Schemes Support Services, has been nominated as a Finalist in the Employer of the Year category at the BIBAs, Lancashire’s premier business Awards.

DGCOS Chief Executive Faisal Hussain, comments: “Respect, integrity, teamwork and communication are the core values that we embrace across the business, from the top down. Without them, we wouldn’t be the organisation that we are today, and I am delighted that this has been recognised through Lancashire’s business awards, the BIBAs. To be nominated as a Finalist in the Employer of the Year category means a lot to the entire team.”

“There has been a focus within the company in recent years

on creating a positive working culture which has a direct impact on almost every aspect of the business operation. This is based on the simple logic that a happy workforce will show commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the job, which in turn leads to the best service levels, greater productivity and to a high standard, which ultimately benefits members.

“The values that DGCOS lives by were chosen by the team, therefore they are a complete reflection of what the staff feel is important. These values enable us to speak freely, listen properly, embrace differences, trust each other, work collaboratively, and to know our contribution will be acknowledged and supported. This is reinforced by the fact that Senior Managers are not hidden away behind closed doors in big offices. They are on the office floor

with the rest of the team, creating an open environment where views are heard and ideas encouraged.

“DGCOS also has a rounded approach to recruitment, and we are keen to only employ staff that fit with our values. While skills and experience are significant, ‘soft’ skills are also incredibly important in making a difference to optimised team performance. We want everyone to be able to contribute to the business and openness, a willingness to be part of a team and collaboration are important in the people we have here.

“Training and development are also key for us, not just to fill any skills gaps, but to ensure that each team member has a full experience of the business operations. For example, DGCOS recently employed an external accountant to train

non-finance staff on reading and understanding company accounts so staff can better understand this area of membership support. Additionally, in a recent ‘Day in the Life’ exercise, staff found out exactly what being an installer entails. Only by putting yourself in your customers’ shoes can you fully understand their challenges and issues and by gaining this first-hand experience, we will be able to deliver a high quality service with empathy and understanding.

“The success of this holistic approach to staff development are proven in hard facts: Our staff turnover in 2022 was 0.02% - the UK average is 16.4%*. Our absenteeism rate in the same year was 0.5% against a UK reported average of 2.6%**. To me, these results prove not only do we grow our business by creating

new positions rather than having to fill existing ones, but there is also far more continuity within the business, which optimises our workflow. Yes, there is a time investment needed, and a financial one too for training and development but the cost of not making these investments would be immeasurable. We can’t wait to see if we are a winner at the BIBAs Awards in September – that would be a boost for the whole team.”

* Reference Cendex

** Reference Office for National Statistics

www.dgcos.org.uk

RAPIERSTAR OFFERS FASTENER GUIDANCE FOR PROFILE-SWITCHING FABRICATORS

technical guidance is particularly beneficial to fabricators when they are switching to a new and often unfamiliar profile, as it cannot be assumed the screws that worked well on their previous systems will be equally effective on the new one.

That’s the message from Rapierstar, the largest specialist fastener supplier the UK and Irish window and door industry, who work with fabricators to ensure their suite of window screws is optimised to enable them to deliver high quality finished products in a safe, efficient factory environment.

As part of their support to the industry, the Rapierstar team advises on which fasteners to use in all areas of PVCu window and door manufacturing, from attaching door hinges on outerframes and casement friction stay screws to frame coupling and mechanical jointing. Their

Andy Holland, Technical and Marketing Manager at Rapierstar says: “It is easy to think the same screws will work across different PVCu profile systems, but this is often not the case. Achieving the high standards you’ve set yourself when manufacturing with a new profile may require screws in certain areas of assembly to be a different length, diameter or head form – or even a completely different type of fastener.

“Changing a few types of screws may seem like a very minor change, and one that could perhaps be regarded as a relatively low priority when you have an extensive list of things to consider when going through the process of switching profile. But, as we’ve seen in our work with numerous fabricators over the past three decades, reviewing which fasteners are needed and making changes before you go into

“As we’ve seen in our work with numerous fabricators over the past three decades, reviewing which fasteners are needed and making changes before you go into production using a new profile can make a huge difference to factory productivity, operative safety and quality.”

production using a new profile can make a huge difference to factory productivity, operative safety and quality.”

Rapierstar’s team of technical consultants can provide fabricators with specialist guidance which can pay dividends thanks to their decades of experience and the company’s new technical centre at its HQ and distribution centre in Cheshire. This facility is equipped with state of the art technology where testing can be conducted using different profile and hardware combinations in order to demonstrate the improvements possible by changing from one screw to another.

A comprehensive review of fastener use is also provided to PVCu window and door manufacturers through Rapierstar’s fastener health check service. This is a complete audit of the fasteners used throughout

assembly for all window and door styles, as well as how workstations and stock management systems are set up, on which the team can make recommendations for improvements and even reduce the number of different products needed through fastener rationalisation.

Fabricators can also access guidance through Rapierstar’s Recommended Fixings Manuals (RFMs) which are produced for all the main PVCu systems, including Eurocell, VEKA, Liniar and Deceuninck. These detailed technical documents which show the correct screws to use for specific systems are available free to download at Rapierstar’s website.

To download an RFM and find out more about how Rapierstar can help when switching PVCu profile systems visit www.rapierstar.com.

Fabricators who are switching PVCu profile systems, either as a forced change or through choice, must ensure the fasteners they use every day in window and door assembly are suitable for the new systems being introduced.

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GLAZPART SHORTLISTED FOR THREE AWARDS

Leading glazing component manufacturer Glazpart has been nominated by the National Fenestration Awards (NFA) 2023 judging panel for three awards.

On hearing the news, Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director, commented, “We’re absolutely thrilled that Glazpart is on the shortlist in three categories for the National Fenestration Awards 2023 and we’re looking forward to attending the gala event later in the year”.

Last year Glazpart’s innovative Link Vent product won the National Fenestration Award for Window Component of the Year and this year the pioneering Link Vent range is continuing to gain recognition with

the Link Vent 4000 being named a finalist in both the ‘New Product of the Year’ and ‘Window Component of the Year’ categories. The increased recognition for the Link Vent has come to the fore because of changes last year to the Building Regulations (Approved Document F – means of ventilation). This has resulted in a simple solution for compliance, with the required background ventilation being produced via trickle vents in replacement windows and doors. Glazpart’s Link Vent enables the fenestration market to easily comply with the new regulations without having to compromise on the visual appearance of windows and doors.

CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Leading trade fabricator Modplan is celebrating its 50th anniversary in July 2023. David Burles, CEO, who founded the business in 1973, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating this important business milestone. It’s an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come – but also where we want to go next.”

The business has certainly come a long way since 1973. It started as a DIY and light builders’ outlet in South Wales. Today, it’s a multi-millionpound turnover trade business manufacturing a comprehensive range of PVC-U windows, door and conservatory roofs. It operates from four impressive manufacturing sites in Abercarn, Gwent, housing eight fabrication plants and covering over 165,000 sq. ft. It employs over 250 people.

The company first moved into the fenestration industry in the early 1980s when it started to manufacture single-glazed aluminium windows for the Welsh retail market. In 1985, David spotted a new opportunity and moved into PVC-U window fabrication. Over the years, the company has continued to expand and evolve. It set up the National Plastics chain of trade counters and has a presence in the Scandinavian outdoor living market. It invested in and introduced the Leka System of innovative,

lightweight solid roof solutions. Its partnership with VEKA UK stretches back over 25 years and it also partners with retail and leisure group Leekes, and systems supplier Liniar.

Throughout its 50year history, Modplan has weathered some challenging times, including several economic downturns, the miners’ strikes and high interest rates, not to mention today’s cost-of-living crisis.

Surviving and thriving despite the challenges is down to two things.

The first is the ‘Modplan Mission’ – the laser focus on continually exceeding customers’ increasing expectations.

It strives to stay ahead of the market curve and to offering its customers a quality portfolio supported by a proactive partnership ethos. It’s an approach that means many customers have been with the company for decades.

The second is the strength and longevity of the team over the years. David has been front and centre of the business from the start and remains focussed

on driving Modplan forward whilst developing additional businesses within the Burles Group portfolio. He’s supported by Managing Director Heidi Sachs, who joined the company in 1983, starting a formidable 40-year business partnership that has been instrumental to the company’s success. Vital too is the wider team – in fact, there is over 1,700 years of experience in the business, which adds incredible value. David is also keen to point out the huge contribution made by his mother, Mrs Burles, who began the business journey with him in 1973 and only stepped down from Modplan at the age of 92!

Fifty years is an incredible milestone, but it’s clear the company is still ambitious for the future. David concluded: “We have a growing business portfolio and we’re looking forward to continuing the journey with our customers and our team. Here’s to the next chapter of the Modplan journey.”

Tel: 01495 246844 ww.modplan.co.uk

The Link Vent with its smart design, flexibility and wide range of colour finishes has been well received across the supply chain and by homeowners. The development and promotion of the product exemplifies the commitment and innovation of Glazpart to deliver high quality product solutions for the fenestration industry. This drive to deliver and promote a vital component for the window and door industry has also seen Dean Bradley nominated for the NFA ‘Director of the Year’ category. Dean’s exceptional leadership has been instrumental in driving Glazpart’s progression and expansion and on his nomination

commented, “It is truly humbling to be nominated for this award. I am pleased with the recognition as it reflects the great work of all my colleagues who have helped with the remarkable success of the Link Vent range.” www.glazpart.com

Leading online builders merchant Building Superstore has seen a significant increase in orders placed via its mobile app over the last three months, as more contractors choose the convenience of finding and buying building products and materials at a time and place to suit them.

The recent rebrand from CMO Trade to Building Superstore has supported this shift, with nine times more orders secured on the mobile app in the three months up to June 2023 when compared to the same period the previous year.

From the disruption of having to down tools and ‘pop out’ for urgent supplies, to the stress of not being able to find the required item in stock, buying building materials in person can be a time consuming process. Building Superstore offers a quick and easy alternative, providing over 130,000 different products but still offering access to a reallife customer service team who can help with product selection, technical queries, and best price points.

As part of CMO, the UK’s largest onlineonly retailer of building products and materials, Building Superstore is the company’s dedicated trade service and trade professionals can open an account to order on the website, by telephone or via the popular mobile app. This flexible approach is helping Building Superstore respond directly to its customers’ changing needs, providing a 24/7 service to a new generation of trade contractors who want to be in greater control of their time and money.

Commenting, Rob Martin, head of trade at Building Superstore said: “We are seeing an increase not only in the number of customers choosing to purchase products via our trade app, but also in the frequency and size of orders, and the level of repeat business. This shows us that convenience and flexibility of ordering materials online and on the go is just what our customers want.”

“As well as checking availability to source urgent products for next day delivery and being able to quickly source multiple

materials for a range of different tasks, our account holders also have access to a number of exclusive features that will help them keep track of their orders, and create quotations for future jobs. We know that a lot of this necessary admin needs to be done after hours, as well as urgently on site, and the level of control and convenience this offers is definitely something that seems to appeal to our customers.”

Designed to help busy trade contractors save both time and money, the new app is available for all Building Superstore account holders and offers several additional benefits, including special offers and exclusive discounts on larger orders. Users of the new Building Superstore app will also be supported by the merchant’s award-winning customer service, with advisors on hand by phone or live chat to assist with orders from start to finish, including producing invoices for trade users to send to their own customers. A Building Superstore Account can either be cash or credit and as all of Building Superstore’s products come directly from the supplier, the best and most competitive prices can always be guaranteed. The new Building Superstore app can be used across all of CMO’s online superstores. Including Roofing Superstore, Insulation Superstore, Door Superstore, Tile and Floor Superstore, Drainage Superstore and the recently launched Plumbing Superstore. For more information, visit Building Superstore or search for the Building Superstore App on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. www.buildingsuperstore.co.uk

MORE CONTRACTORS ENJOY MORE ‘APPY DAYS WITH BUILDING SUPERSTORE MODPLAN

Heidi Sachs and David Burles

THE RESIDENCE COLLECTION PROVING POPULAR FOR FENTRADE

In January 2023, trade fabricator Fentrade expanded its operation by manufacturing the Residence Collection. Six months on, this has proven to be a wise business decision as Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s Director, explains. “Having established ourselves as a reliable highquality aluminium fabricator, we took the decision to expand into PVC-U fabrication with the introduction of the Residence Collection. As a result, our PVC-U division has grown month-onmonth and our growing customer base and strong order pipeline demonstrate the strength of our offer.”

Fentrade manufacture the Residence 9, Residence 7 and Residence² Collections. Chris said: “So far, both Residence 9 and Residence 7 have been popular products for us, and we picked up several new business enquiries at FIT Show 2023. All systems are built to unquestionable market-leading design standards and deliver superior aesthetics that have become the gold standard for advanced window solutions.”

As a company ahead of the curve, Fentrade has introduced the newly-launched concealed trickle vent cover from the Residence Collection which also acts as a head drip to divert water away from the window. Inline with the new Part F of Building Regulations and tested in accordance with BS EN 13141-1, the patent-pending trickle vents are designed to fit with R9, R7 and R² collections and the aluminium cover is available in a range of finishes to complement the window’s main profile including coated and foil finishes.

ASWS; A FAMILY AFFAIR

As the UK’s leading specialist in the repair and replication of metal window systems, Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) is not only confident in its expertise; it’s also incredibly proud of the team making it all possible – in the office, on-site and everyone in between!

Newport-based Fentrade prides itself on its attention to detail and the quality of manufacture and its customer-centric approach has resulted in them being a strong and reliable fabrication partner. Chris said: “At Fentrade, we ensure the customer is front and centre of the operation. Customer feedback is especially important and it’s great to hear from satisfied customers commenting on our quality of manufacture and refreshing approach throughout the customer journey”.

Chris continued: “We help our customers at every stage including offering sample windows so they get to see the quality of our manufacture. It’s a small thing that can make a big difference.”

Alongside the Residence Collection, awardwinning Fentrade continues to manufacture a full range of aluminium windows, doors, bifolds, inline sliders, GFT commercial screens and shopfronts along with aluminium internal doors and room dividers.

To find out more about Fentrade and the Residence Collection, visit www.fentraderesidence.co.uk.

The senior management team at ASWS is formed from members of an experienced and knowledgeable family. Kris Bennell, Contracts Director and part of the senior team comments, “We are a family-managed business now into its third generation and 51st year as a specialist steel window refurbishment and replacement company. The company has evolved continuously since the 1960’s and we continue to grow and evolve. Having been born into a household where both my parents ran ASWS full time, with my mum running the commercial side and my dad running all our sites across London, all I knew growing up was steel windows!”

Not only is the senior management team made up of family, ASWS now employees three members of another family – two cousins and a son! Rob Ackland who started with the business in 1992 is now a senior site manager and has been joined by his cousin Roy and his son Lee. Who have both joined the team as experienced service engineers and glaziers.

Kris continues, “When I finished at University, I became the 3rd generation at ASWS. I initially started on site as a labourer, cleaning the work areas, running

around after our experienced engineers and, most importantly, learning the trade from the bottom up! Over twelve years later, I am now Contracts Director at ASWS, overseeing all elements of our projects, from enquiry to final accounts and much more – including driving our vans, loading tools, servicing windows and answering the phone and emails, in a family business we have to be able and willing to do everything and anything.”

ASWS has a long track record of working with building owners, as well as leading contractors and consultants on commercial, conservation and heritage projects across the country. Often progressing from being called upon to carry out condition surveys - which are used for obtaining planning permission or listed building consent –before being chosen to carry out repair and replica refurbishment work. Its capabilities include repairing and realigning old frames as well as conserving ironmongery and upgrading energy performance by installing new draught-stripping and slimline sealed units.

For more information on ASWS, please visit www.asws.co.uk.

SCHÜCO EXCELLENCE AWARDS 10TH ANNIVERSARY WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Schüco UK & Ireland is delighted to announce the winners of its renowned Excellence Awards. The special anniversary event was held on the famous Cutty Sark in Southeast London, preceded by a river cruise along the Thames where guests were greeted by the raising of Tower Bridge. For the fourth successive year, the awards were presented by architectural designer and television presenter, Charlie Luxton. Held in association with Architecture Today, the event is an established part of the industry awards calendar and this year, attracted its highest number of entries to date.

The awards celebrate the innovation and close collaboration between design teams and contractors that successful, high-calibre building projects demand. Judging is guided by four key criteria: creativity, innovation, technical skill and creative collaboration for each of the categories, with one Overall Winner announced.

For 2023, that honour went to Bath Schools of Art and Design at Bath Spa University by architects Grimshaw, in collaboration with

specialist contractor Structura.

The project, which also took home the awards for best education building and sustainability, was part of the re-purposing of the Farrell/Grimshaw factory for Herman Miller, originally completed in 1976. It was purchased in 2016 by Bath Spa University to house the Bath Schools of Art and Design. The building sits within the World Heritage Site of Bath and was listed Grade II in 2013. Circularity was at the core of the building’s restoration. Its modular façade system was

refurbished with Schüco curtain walling and doors used to upgrade the building envelope, vastly improving its performance and longevity.

Speaking about the project, awards judge and Partner at Buro Happold, Anna Wendt said: “This building was revisited in a way that maximised the existing building structure and main elements of the façade, upgrading it with purpose. It’s a fantastic example for engineers, architects, and designers to review as a case study of circularity.”

Each year the awards feature the soughtafter People’s Choice award, voted for by attendees on the day. This year that accolade went to the International Rugby Experience. The “Cathedral to Rugby” in Limerick, Ireland, was designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects, working with specialist contractors Alutec Facades and KCC Architectural.

Pete Temprell, Managing Director of Schüco UK and Ireland said: “We were delighted to attract such a diverse, imaginative and accomplished collection of projects to the awards in its 10th year.

“This is a testament to the success of the important partnerships between architects, contractors and our partners. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the judges for their careful deliberation, as well as to all those who entered.”

For full details of all the Schüco Excellence Awards 2023 winners, visit: https://www.schueco.com/uk/specifiers/ schueco-events/excellence-awards-2023.

Pictured is Kris Bennell, Operations Director, ASWS and Laura Mercer, Managing Director, ASWS

DOORCO EXPANDS SALES TEAM

DoorCo continues its drive for customer service excellence with the announcement that the leading composite door supplier has made further appointments, this time with the internal promotions of Sarah Hayes and Adam Sullivan into Sales Executive roles.

“Following on from the recent announcement about the appointment of Michelle Kirkham as Customer Service and Order Processing Manager, we’re delighted to be able to announce that Sarah Hayes and Adam Sullivan have been appointed as our new Sales Executives, joining Mandy and Mark to create a 4-strong Sales Team, comments Dan Sullivan, DoorCo MD. “This is an exciting announcement for a number of reasons. Firstly, both Sarah and Adam are valued members of the team, and this promotion reflects their dedication and the great work they deliver.

“Sarah joined the business two years ago and has been a valued member of our Order Processing Team, so thoroughly understands our backend systems and the processes in which we follow to ensure our customer’s orders are delivered accurately and on-time.

“Adam has been with the business for 7 years and leaves his position as Warehouse Manager to move across to sales. Having managed the distribution side of the business for a number of years, and also worked in manufacturing in the past, Adam has a deep operational understanding of the business.

“Secondly, our sales team are a central part of our customer’s service experience. They are the face of DoorCo and play an essential role in making sure our customers are happy and abreast of the latest innovations

SENIOR TAKES PURE® TO THE PALACE!

Following on from the being named as one of the first ever winners of a King’s Award for Enterprise, Senior Architectural Systems has attended an official presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Senior is the UK’s largest privately owned aluminium fenestration systems manufacturer and has been presented with a prestigious award for innovation in recognition of its patented PURe® aluminium window system which can achieve exceptional thermal performance and energy efficiency. Senior’s founder and inventor of the PURe® system Lennart Jonsson represented the company by attending the exclusive event, alongside the other winners of the 2023 King’s Award for Enterprise and King Charles III himself.

winners announced on Friday 21st April. The King’s Award for Enterprise recognises and celebrates business excellence across the UK, focusing on the four categories of innovation, sustainable development, international trade, and the promotion of opportunity through social mobility.

we have available. With their backgrounds, Sarah and Adam bring a wealth of understanding, knowledge and drive to ensure that realistic expectations are offered, and lines of communication stay open and transparent.

“It's no secret that DoorCo has grown and evolved significantly, and we’re not done yet. We have big plans and we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to grow and shape our team with the right people to ensure we can achieve our goals. Our customers are central to these plans and the appointments of Michelle, Sarah and Adam into these new, customer-centric roles demonstrate that we are serious when we say our customers are at the heart of everything we do.

“With these key appointments now in place, the next stage is to allocate customers with a dedicated key account manager from across the sales and customer service teams.

“We're sure you will join us in wishing Sarah & Adam well in their new roles.”

For more information on DoorCo call: 01625 428955 or visit: www.door-co.com.

Also, in attendance at the reception dinner, which was held on Tuesday 27th June at Buckingham Palace, were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Environment Secretary Therese Coffrey, and Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Commenting, Lennart Jonsson, chairman of the board at Senior Architectural Systems said: “It was a real honour to visit the palace and meet our fellow award winners as we came together to celebrate the success of different businesses from across the country. Senior has been at the forefront of the UK aluminium fenestration industry for over 30 years and this was definitely one of the biggest highlights of our journey so far. We are incredibly proud of our unique PURe® aluminium system and it’s wonderful to see the range, and the talents of all of the people here at Senior that have helped to create it, recognised with such a prestigious award. Senior is one of only 148 organisations nationwide to have received a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, with the

CDW SYSTEMS EXPANDS ALUK RANGE WITH 58BW/BD WINDOW AND DOOR SYSTEM

Specialist aluminium fabricator CDW Systems has introduced AluK’s 58BW/ BD (HI) Window and Door System to its product range.

The Part L compliant system is the perfect choice for residential or commercial projects, offering a cost-effective, highperformance solution in a wide range of configurations while delivering the 1.4 U-Values required for new or existing buildings other than dwellings and replacement homes.

CDW Systems’, part of the East Manor Group which includes sister company Clearway Doors & Windows, AluK product lines include the BSF70 bi-fold

system and F82 bi-fold system and all three of the product ranges have been improved with AluK's HI version, enhancing the overall energy efficiency and performance of each system.

Expanding its AluK product offering has ensured compliance and CDW’s Group Chairman, Jeremy Phillips explained: “We’ve taken on a bit more product from AluK and adopted their HI versions very early on to make sure we were compliant as they are designed to meet and exceed the highest industry standards.

“After trails and training we have now got our first orders through for the F82 and we are pleased to announce the addition of AluK’s 58BW/BD (HI) Window and

Door System as it supports are ongoing commitment to compliance.”

As a leading aluminium fabricator, CDW Systems has always focused on setting the standard and offering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers.

“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, and we are committed to continuously improving our product offerings,” added Jeremy.

“These new additions will enable customers to achieve and crucially

Senior’s win in the innovation category reflects the enduring success of its patented PURe® window system which features a highly-efficient expanded polyurethane (PUR) thermal barrier to give exceptional thermal performance. The PURe® aluminium window can achieve U-values as low as 0.71W/m2K when calculated as a commercial CEN Standard window to comfortably meet the latest targets set out by Part L of the Building Regulations. As well as helping to prevent heat loss to reduce energy consumption, the PURe® system also offers ‘cradle to cradle’ recyclability, with even the PUR thermal barrier able to be reused with no requirement for landfill. Over the last decade, Senior has continued to develop and extend its PURe® range to include a variety of window styles and both commercial and residential door options. For more information, please visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

demonstrate compliance with the latest industry standards when fitting AluK products with ease.”

Established in 1992, CDW Systems is one of the UK’s longest running aluminium 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.

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DOORCO SPONSORS MACCLESFIELD FC

DoorCo, leading composite door manufacturer, is delighted to announce its recent sponsorship deal with the Northern Premier League team, Macclesfield FC. Reborn in 2020 under the expert leadership of local businessman Robert Smethurst and former Premier League and Welsh international footballer Robbie Savage, the club has gone from strength to strength in recent times with back to back promotions and now being crowned league champions.

Ellie Pool, Marketing Manager at DoorCo explains:

“We’re all really excited about our new partnership with Macclesfield FC. This sponsorship is a really natural fit for us as a business. We’re big football fans and really proud of the growth of our local team, so sponsoring the club for the 2023/24 season was a really easy choice for us to make.

“The decision had many layers to it. Our advertising message is focused around recruitment and using our place within the ground as a space to share our brand with local people who may be interested in starting a career with us. However, this is more than a sponsorship deal and our

partnership with the club has allowed us to offer some fantastic opportunities to our existing employees too.”

Dek Wright, Head of HR at DoorCo continues “We’re truly delighted to see our relationship with the team at Macclesfield FC start to grow. The benefits of the sponsorship that we’ve been able to pass on to our employees are as important to us as the advertising opportunity itself. Partnering with a local sports organisation has allowed us to focus on health and wellbeing opportunities for our staff.

“We recently took part in the sponsors football match and were thrilled to see the enthusiasm of our employees to join our newly formed DoorCo FC team and continue their training together beyond this one-time match. We’ve also recently used the fantastic newly-refurbished bar facilities to host our summer party which was a brilliant occasion for all staff to get together and get to know each other better. Lastly, we now offer a subsidised gym membership for all DoorCo employees at the club’s gym, Rise Fitness”.

Ellie concludes: “We’re proud to see our brand alongside so many other fantastic local businesses, of whom we respect for their great work. Although our partnership with Macclesfield FC has got off to a flying start, this really is just the beginning of our journey together with many more fun collaborations on the horizon. Next up is our involvement in the kit launch promotional video, of which parts are being filled within our offices with some of our team members taking centre stage. We’re excited to support our local team for the season ahead and wish them another run of success.” For more information call: 01625 428955 or visit: www.door-co.com.

KUBU PROVIDES SMART SUPPORT FOR EVERGLADE WINDOWS’ CUSTOMER EVENT

Kubu Smart Security has contributed to the success of a major trade event. The respected brand of sensor-based smart technology for the fenestration industry took part in Evolve 23 – a customer conference recently staged by Everglade Windows at its London HQ.

Everglade Windows used its 15th annual conference - which this year attracted around 100 delegates - to announce a number of new and exciting developments to its already impressive offer.

This includes the fact that it will now enable its customers to benefit from VBH’s next generation, greenteQ iQ window and door locks that ‘Work with Kubu’ smart security sensors.

To showcase the impressive possibilities of this new addition to the Everglade Windows range, staff from VBH and Kubu appeared together in a newly-dedicated Smart Lounge.

They were on hand to answer questions from delegates who were excited to learn more about the functionality offered by the combined products.

greenteQ iQ window and door locks, complemented by Kubu smart sensors, allow homeowners to remotely check whether their home’s windows and doors are open, closed, locked, unlocked or on a vent setting as well as to receive alerts if someone enters or attempts to enter their property.

All of this can be done on the homeowner’s smart phone or other internet connected smart device via the Kubu app. Delegates displayed enormous interest in the Kubu Pro Installer Scheme. Able to give installers a valuable point of differentiation from their competitors, the scheme’s ‘3 levels to Smart as Standard’ sales strategy helps its members to use Kubu sensors to maximise the exceptional

commercial opportunities stemming from the growing demand for smart tech and connected homes.

Speaking of Kubu’s support of Evolve 23, Jay Patel, director at Everglade Windows, said: “From the moment Kubu launched onto the market, we recognised its potential and especially so in a world that’s increasingly geared around the Internet of Things.

“We’ve been closely watching the brand’s success and growth ever since and are

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

The Window Company (Contracts), the award-winning commercial installer, has warned against taking on too much work as the industry continues to battle with a shortage of skilled fitters.

Chair David Thornton explained: “For the first time ever, we have turned down the opportunity to tender for some of the CIF funded work available in schools over the summer because we don’t believe it will benefit our business in the short to medium term.

“We pride ourselves on being a good company to work for and our rates of pay and benefits package are amongst the best

in the industry, but we would still find it challenging to find enough resource to cope with significant extra volumes at this point.

“All our existing teams are fully occupied with ongoing contracts and pre-planned schools work, and we won’t jeopardise existing work just for the sake of additional volume.

“It’s the old adage ‘turnover is vanity, profit is sanity’ and while it goes against every entrepreneurial instinct to turn down work, we think it’s the right decision for our business. Time and again we see good companies fail simply because they overstretch themselves and while there is

insufficient skilled labour in the market, that could become a very real danger for some.

“We are arguably at just about the optimal size for an installation business at the moment, with a tightly knit senior team that can still oversee every project individually. We still have capacity for growth, primarily because we have invested in tech solutions which make us operationally efficient, but we are realistic about current state of the labour market, and we are becoming increasingly selective about the additional work we take on.”

delighted that it now forms part of our range. It will be a useful tool in enabling us to offer added value to our customers and in helping us to stand apart from other window and door manufacturers.”

Ryan Bromley, co-founder of Kubu Smart Security, added: “There is real synergy between Kubu and Everglade Windows, not least because we have a similar commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service. Their decision to add our products to their range stems from these shared values as well as our ability to offer the security of patented technology that other smart sensor companies do not.”

He continues: “Evolve 23 was a great success for Kubu, and we are looking forward to building on our partnership with Everglade Windows and their customers moving forward.”

Tel: 0330 555 9545

Based in Chelmsford, The Window Company (Contracts) specialises in social housing and new build work across London and the Southeast. Independent and still family owned, the company has a strong network of fabricators across the UK supplying windows and doors in aluminium, PVC-U and timber. More info at: https://thewinco.co.uk/

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TRICK SHOTS AT THE DECEUNINCK VBH GOLF DAY

Eighty customers of Deceuninck and VBH dodged the rain for the annual Golf Day at the Bowood PGA Golf Course in Wiltshire in July, with a team from Hanley Trade Frames winning the team prize.

Golfers were also treated to an early evening trick shot performance by professional golfer, Dean Davis, who had previously set up extra challenges on the second tee, including high tee-shots and bouncy ball antics. Some of the results can be found on a video compilation of the day at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y6yoCZ8Jpk

“The weather may not have been quite so kind to us as in previous years, but everyone came off the course at the end of the day having had a great day of golf,” Deceuninck’s MD Rob McGlennon said.

“The Deceuninck VBH Golf Day is now a well-established date in the industry’s social calendar, and we are proud to invite old friends and welcome new faces. The team at Bowood always put on a fantastic day for us, and we all enjoyed a fantastic meal and a chance to network in the evening.”

With a total of 91 points, Steve Thomas, Harry Thomas, Dan Thomas and Ryan Aitkin from Hanley Trade Frames won the team event, with Remi Cake from Window Warehouse winning the individual prize with 41 points.

Richard Lee from GAP won the Nearest the Pin competition on the 12th, while Rick Reed from BDC Aluminium won the Longest Drive on the 3rd.

Tony Buttery from Flair Windows had a mixed day, winning the wooden spoon on one hand, but coming closest to the pin in the Trick Shot Challenge on the 2nd.

“Congratulations to all the winners,” Rob said. “The Golf Day is a perfect opportunity to unwind a little and catch up with our friends in the industry. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to doing it all over again next year.”

For more information about Deceuninck’s product and service offer please call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck. ltd@deceuninck.com or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk.

Bristol Windows proudly reminding people that they won back in 2001!

Watching the film of the day

Congratulating the winners

The winning team from Hanley Trade Frames

Trick shots on the 2nd – now that’s a tee!

Craig Johnson from Emplas tees off

Raffle winner Kevin Scholey from Bison

Putting for dough...

Tom Buttery from Flair Windows

Deceuninck’s Carol Hearn receives a bouquet

Gaby Handy from Deceuninck receives her bouquet

Got a puncture pal?

Richard Lee from GAP

Deceuninck’s Rob McGlennon welcomes everyone to the prize giving dinner

FIRST MATS EXPANDS PRODUCT LINE WITH ENHANCED BOARD TROLLEYS RANGE

First Mats, a leading online retailer best known for their matting products, is proud to announce the launch of their new and improved range of Board Trolleys.

The expanded range is designed to cater to various industrial and commercial uses, with a host of new trolleys ideal for carrying sheet products, including plasterboard, fence panels, glass sheets, and tube & bar materials.

Board Trolleys are specialised equipment designed to transport boards, panels, and other flat sheets of material in an upright position. They are the go-to solution for transporting materials such as plasterboard, plywood, MDF, and other large, flat sheets. Available in various sizes and equipped with casters or wheels tailored to the application's specific needs, Board Trolleys are a crucial piece of equipment for any builder or tradesperson who handles large, flat sheets of material or sells fence panels and sheet materials.

The team at First Mats have worked hard to ensure customers have the best information available to make the right choice for their needs. The range includes Britishmade LoadAll Folding Plasterboard Trolley, Board and Long Goods Platform Trolleys, and the specialist Beam Kart Panel Buggy.

"We're excited to introduce our new range of Board Trolleys," said Richard O'Connor, Marketing Director at First Mats. "Our goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality and safety standards, and we believe this new range does just that. We've extensively reviewed our pricing to ensure we're offering the most competitive rates in the market, and we're proud to offer free delivery across mainland UK, with most models available in 3 to 5 working days from order."

We've extensively reviewed our pricing to ensure we're offering the most competitive rates in the market, and we're proud to offer free delivery across mainland UK, with most models available in 3 to 5 working days from order."

First Mats has earned a 4.8/5 star Trustpilot rating, establishing itself as a trusted name in the industry. The company is committed to offering quality safety products at competitive prices, backed by excellent customer service.

https://www.firstmats.co.uk/collections/board-trolleys

Homeowners want their homes to stand out from the crowd. Once, everyone just accepted plain white fascia, soffits and gutters. Now, they demand windows and doors in colour, and the roofline and cladding to match. Transforming their homes to be as individual as themselves.

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See what Freefoam’s colour fascia, soffits and guttering looks like on a home. Our Roofline Visualiser Tool at freefoam.com will bring your ideas to life.

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AN ALL BRITISH ALUMINIUM EXTRUDER AND A SYSTEM HOUSE, TOO. THAT’S GARNALEX.

Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion poses a series of questions to the Head of Marketing at Garnalex, David Wigley, learning more about the company as both an extruder and a system house. Can the two go hand in hand? And is Roger Hartshorn’s dream of making aluminium fabrication and fitting as easy as PVCu systems, coming true?

What is Garner Aluminium Extrusions, or Garnalex as it’s better known? Is it mainly an extruder of aluminium for the market or a system house for its own systems?

It’s both! Each supporting each other and helping keep our energy efficient Hybrex press busy.

To separate our own system side of the business from trade extrusion we operate as Sheerline – which covers all our window, door and roof systems. While our Garnalex trade extrusion aims to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported aluminium products. Currently 190,000 tons of extruded aluminium is consumed in the UK, but only 110,000 tons is made here.

Having vast experience in PVCu, Roger Hartshorn had said he wanted to make aluminium as accessible and easy to buy. Has that wish transformed into lead times comparable with PVCu?

Yes, in fact, during some of the busiest times for the industry, during the ‘covid boom’ many PVCu systems houses would have loved to match our leadtimes! Our 12 standard colours, alongside dual colour combinations are available in just 10 days. With the most popular products being available in 5 days in stillage quantities. How important is sourcing everything from the UK? I believe the billets come from Wales.

We are fully committed to being as vertically integrated and UK based as possible. Passionate about UK manufacturing, it makes sense for us to source what we can as locally as possible. Helping reduce our carbon footprint while also supporting the UK economy and British jobs.

Other well known system houses have started sourcing their aluminium from Garnalex as opposed to China and other

countries. Is that about convenience and logistics?

Recent events, Covid, the ship stuck in the Suez Canal, and the rebalancing of supply and demand, amidst spiralling energy costs caused by the war in Ukraine, have bought into sharp focus the issues with long supply lines. Reliability of supply is key to all our trade customers.

You have branded your system as Sheerline after the LB brand that you acquired, along with the Firs Works. Is there a specific reason for adopting the Sheerline name?

Although we are a relatively new systems house, we have a well-established pedigree, with our senior team having been instrumental in moving the world of PVC-U systems forward. Roger established Eurocell and Liniar, before forming Garnalex and launching the Sheerline range, and we wanted to convey the fact that customers are buying into years of experience, as well as fresh innovation. Roger started his career at LB who originally owned the Sheerline brand, so it seemed fitting to choose a name with some heritage. Our manufacturing facilities are also based on the original LB site! Another tie in with the Sheerline name.

The Sheerline product portfolio has expanded rapidly. Can you talk us through the product range and indicate any gaps you are looking to fill in the future?

With the launch of our slim Classic door later this Summer, we’ve now got a full house solution, in both our slim Classic and versatile Prestige ranges – all designed to work seamlessly together. As well as the more obvious, casement, French, T&T, bi-folds, patios, single and French doors, we also offer more niche products such as composite door outer frames, raked and arched windows and AOV (Automated Opening Vent) solutions. Alongside our S1 lantern…now with added SheerVent® and the S2 conservatory roof our range allows our fabricators and installers to offer an easy to understand complete range that share the same platform to reduce stockholding and complexity. Are we going to continue looking at new product opportunities? You wouldn’t believe me if I said no! There’s already some exciting stuff in development, but that’s as much as I can share.

The difference between Sheerline and other systems appears to be the innovation involved.

I think that’s right, alongside a genuinely different approach and mindset that helps drive that innovation. From the top down, Sheerline thrives on challenging the norms

and trying to find innovative, yet practical solutions.

The Thermlock® multi chamber thermal break appears to be an important differentiator – is that the case and does that mean that Sheerline products are thermally superior to other brands?

Alongside our patented corner cleat, the propriety Thermlock® thermal breaks we use are the other big physical product difference that sets us apart from competitors. It’s wider, offers more structural stability alongside greater thermal performance, due both to material benefits and the use of multi-chambered designs. No other system offers such good thermal performance in such a straight-forward no nonsense way. Innovation has been key in the development of the products with the patented corner technology and the beadless construction. Is that all about efficiency of manufacture or ease of fabrication and fitting?

Although the first system we launched was beadless, we now offer beadless and beaded options, following feedback from fabricators and installers. All of Sheerline’s products are designed around the same principles; Is the end product the best it can be? Is it practical to make? And is it easy to install? Only designs that tick all three boxes get released. In the industry we’ve all had experience of ‘wonder’ products that sound great on paper but are terrible in practice, or almost impossible to install correctly. Sheerline was set up to solve those issues.

Is the 59mm sightline as slim as aluminium frames can achieve?

We actually go down to a 36.5mm sightline for our slimmest picture window. But

59mm for a casement and outerframe is as slim as we could go without compromising security or thermal performance while still leaving a good amount of cover to avoid issues with glass unit edge banding showing. Our philosophy at Sheerline is to create products that look beautiful and offer great performance – but are also importantly practical to fabricate and install in the real world.

What are the differences between the Classic and Prestige ranges? Is it sightlines, increased security or lower U values?

Put at its simplest Classic offers the slimmest sightlines, Prestige slightly better thermal performance, across a wider range of options and products. However one of the stand out features for our products is that they have been designed to be used side by side across the same property, carrying through the same styling and design cues. We don’t want consumers to become bogged down or confused by being forced to choose between numerous, almost identical products, and then be let down when the only thing that matches is the colour!

You’ve expanded into doors, French doors, lanterns and even composite door frames. Is there more to come?

Yes!

With the U values you can obtain with Thermlock and triple glazing have we now reached the lowest U value possible with aluminium?

Back in 1991 the U-values aluminium windows had to achieve was 5.7! Now across our Prestige range we achieve a U-value of 1.0 using standard triple glazing. Meaning Sheerline customers can relax about the likely changes to Part L due in 2025. Can we go lower, yes. Although it will involve higher specification glazing, and some more Sheerline ‘innovation’ that’s hush hush at the moment!

BUILDERS MERCHANT BUILDING INDEX

MERCHANT VALUE SALES FALL AGAIN IN MAY

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down by -6.0% in May compared to the same month in 2022. Volume sales fell -15.1% with price inflation of +10.8%. With one less trading day in May 2023, like-for-like sales were -1.3% lower.

Eight of the twelve categories sold more this year than in May 2022. Renewables & Water Saving (+41.8%) grew the most, followed by Decorating (+10.2%) and Workwear & Safetywear (+5.9%). Landscaping (-13.4%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-18.2%) were the weakest.

LAST THREE MONTHS

Total sales in the three months March 2023 to May 2023 were (-7.2%) lower than in March to May 2022, with volume down -18.3% and price inflation of +13.7%. With two less trading days this year, like for like sales were -4.2% lower. Seven of the twelve categories sold more. Renewables & Water Saving (+39.8%), Workwear & Safetywear (+10.0%) and Decorating (+8.8%) were the strongest categories. Timber & Joinery Products (-18.5%) and Landscaping (-20.6%) were weakest.

MONTH-ON-MONTH

Total merchant sales climbed +12.4% in May compared to April 2023. Volume sales were up +14.1% while prices decreased slightly (-1.5%). With two extra trading days in May, like-for-like value sales were up +1.1%. All categories sold more with Landscaping (+18.6%) and Heavy Building Materials (+13.3%) growing the most. Workwear & Safetywear (+11.3%), Decorating (+10.7%), Timber & Joinery

Products (+10.6%) and Ironmongery (+10.3%) also hit double digit growth, while Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+7.1%) and Tools (+7.2%) grew the least.

ROLLING 12-MONTHS

Total merchant sales in the twelve months from June 2022 to May 2023 were -0.3% lower than the same period a year ago, with volumes down -13.6% and price inflation of +15.4%. With five less trading days in

the most recent period, like-for-like sales were +1.8% higher. Ten of the twelve categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+41.0%) outperforming the other categories by some margin.

Workwear & Safetywear (+14.3%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+12.2%), Decorating (+11.6%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+11.0%) also made double figures. Landscaping (-10.4%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-13.6%) sold less.

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

AT WORK, REST AND PLAY

AT WORK...

How did you get into this industry?

I was searching for roles within Financial Services. My search, on Indeed, led me to an insurance role at Installsure (within the Glass and Glazing Federation). Glass and Glazing was not something I had previously considered, and I have been impressed with the size of the industry and ample opportunities it offers.

Please give a brief resume of your career to date.

I began my career in Financial Services. I decided to take a career gap, travelled Asia and moved to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa. During my time in Australia, I was only able to work within the same company for 6 months at a time (due to Visa restrictions). I spent the majority of my time working in local councils and a Stock Broking Firm. On my return, I worked in IT and Telecoms for a few years before starting my post at Installsure.

Do you believe your speciality (finance, sales, management, marketing etc.) is transferable to any industry?

Absolutely, as an Ops Manager I believe success is built around experience within multiple industries and the relationships you build along the way. Once the core skills are there it's simply learning and

adapting to the industry you find yourself in. Invest your time in learning, whether in the workplace or through external activities, and you will succeed.

Have you a career path mapped out or is it more about opportunism?

At this stage, I would lean towards opportunism. Expanding on my skillset through diverse experiences allowing me to grow as an Ops Manager.

Looking ahead, where would you like to be in a) 5 years’ time and b) 10 years’ time?

Being on a maternity cover contract, this is certainly something I have thought about. My short-term goal is to complete my AAT’s exams. In terms of a 5-year plan, I had seen a career within Financial Services however, having worked within the Glazing Sector I am open to exploring other opportunities within the industry. I would like to expand on my current skillset and continue to build my career within an Operational focused role. In addition, having recently moved to London there are a lot of growth opportunities to explore and I'm excited to see where it takes me.

This series in Glass News highlights the hopes and aspirations of women in the windows, doors, glass, roofs and hardware industry and will hopefully inspire more to make this their career.

AT REST...

Away from work, what is your focus?

I love going to gym classes, meeting up with Friends and ticking off new locations in London. I'm not sure whether that is completely classed as rest but helps me to relax when I am not at work or studying.

AT PLAY...

Do you achieve the work/life balance you would like to?

I am getting there. I've recently taken up Yoga which has certainly helped me to ‘switch off’ after work and channel my focus. Being organised and strict with my time is key in allowing myself a healthy work/life balance, which is not always possible – sometimes I should be stricter perhaps!

If money and leisure time were no object, what would you really like to do for yourself or your family?

An easy question to answer, travel, and volunteering! I've been lucky enough to take some time out in my early career and spend a lot of time travelling, learning about different cultures and jumping into new experiences. Certainly, something I would continue if money and time were no object.

THIS MONTH: Kelly Beeken Operations Manager, Installsure

CARL F GROUPCO ADDS THE NEW KENRICK CAPTIVE DOOR HINGE TO ITS RANGE

Independent hardware specialist

Carl F Groupco has added the new Kenrick Captive Door Hinge to its portfolio. John Crittenden, Carl F Groupco’s Managing Director, said: “We’ve partnered with Kenrick for nearly 20 years because their product portfolio delivers what our customers need. The new Captive Door Hinge is a further example of an intelligently designed Kenrick product that is already proving popular with customers.”

The Secured by Design-accredited Kenrick Captive Door Hinge can achieve the requirements of PAS 24 without additional security devices, such as dog bolts. John commented: “The hinge speeds up installation times giving our customers greater scope to improve their efficiencies.”

The fast-to-fit Captive Door Hinge can carry an impressive weight, with loads up to 120kg when four hinges are fitted and an 80kg with three hinges, making it suitable for the most demanding of projects.

The hinge is available in standard or slim variations depending on profile stack heights and can be used with profile related packers for sculptured sashes. It is available in nine colours so offers a solution for every style of door and décor.

It is manufactured with a zinc die cast body with stainless steel pin and the quality of the hinge is evident in its accreditations. It is

MILA’S SUPA STAINLESS STEEL RANGE SELECTED BY SELECT

SupaSafety™ versions of the handle.

endurance tested to 100,000 cycles and has achieved a minimum of 240 hours salt spray testing for painted finishes and 480 hours for lorica finishes. It comes with a 10 year mechanical guarantee.

The Kenrick Captive Door Hinge joins Carl F Groupco’s extensive portfolio of Kenrick products, reflecting the strength of the partnership. John said: “We work hard to build strong relationships with our suppliers and keep our finger on the pulse so we can remain a proactive distribution partner to our customers.”

Combined with an uncompromising commitment to customer service, Carl F Groupco is seeing strong sales growth as more and more customers see the difference a reliable and proactive hardware supplier can make.

Tel: 01733 393 330

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.smartsecure.co.uk

www.carlfdirect.co.uk

BRISANT SECURE LAUNCHES NEW DDA DOOR HANDLE

Ultion announces the launch of a new door handle shape that combines cuttingedge design with DDA compatibility. This new design offers a sleek and modern aesthetic while ensuring adherence to the strict requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

One of the standout features of the Sweet DDA Door Handle is its impressive 20-year anti-corrosion guarantee. With multiple coatings of brass and nickel, this handle maintains its pristine appearance, even when exposed to harsh conditions such as saltwater for over 8000 hours. Remarkably, this exceeds the flagship EN 1906:2012 corrosion standard by an astounding 30 times.

In addition, the Sweet DDA Door Handle boasts a distinctive curved backplate, elevating the aesthetics of any door it adorns. With its unique 'edgeless' design, Sweet seamlessly blends into any home decor, be it contemporary, traditional, country-style, or urban cool.

The Sweet DDA Door Handle ensures easy installation with its 211mm fixing centres, making it compatible with most UK doors. Furthermore, customers have the freedom to choose from five colour options, including gold, silver, black, satin nickel,

and white, allowing them to personalise their door hardware to suit their style.

What sets the Sweet DDA Door Handle apart is its exceptional build quality. While many handles undergo testing for the standard 100,000 cycles, Sweet exceeded expectations by continuing to operate flawlessly even after an astounding 360,000 cycles. This unparalleled endurance ensures that Sweet will reliably serve homeowners for years to come.

"We are proud to offer a product that not only elevates the aesthetics and performance of any door but also ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can effortlessly interact with their environment." said Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant Secure.

For more information about the Sweet DDA Door Handle and to explore the full range of options, please visit https://www.ultion-lock.co.uk/product/ door-handle-dda-compliant/.

Select, a long-time fabricator in Liniar, switched to Supa™ from Mila’s ProLinea door handle and letterplate last year and now supplies stainless steel hardware as standard on all its doors, complete with a 25-year guarantee on both mechanical operation and finish.

For Select’s customers, there are significant benefits in terms of being able to promote the long-term durability of the hardware, the fact that it is more sustainable than the zinc alternative, and the vastly reduced risk of remedials.

Mila’s Supa™ range is available in either SS304 extreme for mainstream use 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.

Nigel Court, Select’s Operations Director, commented: “When Mila offered us its Supa™ range at minimal additional cost, we saw a great opportunity to significantly upgrade our standard offering and give our customers a real USP in an increasingly competitive marketplace. We now offer everything from the standard Supa™ door handles and TS008 letterplates to the Supa™ pull bars and escutcheons and SupaSecure™ and

“In characteristic Mila style, the marketing team have gone the extra mile and helped us produce a bespoke brochure for the new products, which makes it easy for our team to explain the benefits of all the different stainlesssteel options and win new business.”

Select chose Mila as its hardware supplier more than 5 years ago and since then, the two businesses have developed a strong partnership.

Nigel Court added: “We rely on Mila to help us identify products which will benefit our business –whether that’s by speeding up fabrication or generating new sales opportunities. The Supa™ range is a great example of that, alongside easy to fit and easy to sell products like the Yale friction stay and the new Mila Heritage window and door hardware.”

“The Mila products are a great fit with our Liniar profiles too. The Heritage range complements Liniar’s Resurgence Flush sash really well and, as one of the first fabricators to take on the innovative new system, we are already talking to

Mila about designing and testing cost-effective new hardware solutions to work with Liniar’s Zero90 Passivhaus certified PVC-U window system.

“We get excellent service from the whole Mila team. As well as our sales manager Karen Paskin, there are onsite technicians available to give expert advice to our retail customers on hardware adjustment and lots of logistical and testing support on commercial contracts.

“For instance, Mila supplies Select with the Ukrainianmade Axor range of concealed gearing tilt and turn hardware and they have ensured continuity of supply for all our largescale commercial projects. Mila even provided us with bespoke tilt and turn display boards for the factory floor with all the relevant part numbers to give our fabrication team a quick and easy reference point for fitting the gearing. It all adds to the value we get from the partnership.” More details on Select Windows at: https://www. selectwindows.co.uk/ and on the Mila Supa range at: https://www.mila.co.uk/ the-stainless-steel-edit/

Mila’s Supa™ range of stainless-steel door hardware is helping Walsall-based Select Windows provide a raft of benefits to its trade, retail and commercial customers, at minimal additional cost.

Introducing the NEW Quantum Rapid Fit Door Hinge

from Total Hardware

The NEW Quantum Rapid Fit Door Hinge offers the unbeatable combination of product innovation and quality.

With an elegant, modern design the hinge has been intelligently designed with unique features to make it our MOST ‘Fitter-Friendly’ Product.

• Unique ‘slide-on or lift-off’ design ensures simple fitting and adjustment with no reveal limitations.

• Can be adjusted on all planes, further enhancing its quick fitting properties.

• Dramatically reduces installation time.

• Tested to BS EN:2007 Grade 5, PAS24:2016 security requirements and Secured by Design certification.

• Available in sixteen colour finishes.

• Part of our Quantum quality range of furniture.

Scan here

T: +44 (0)113 243 2255 | E: sales@totalhardwareltd.co.uk FOR

www.totalhardwareltd.co.uk/rapid-fit-hinge/

PART F COMPLIANCE MADE EASY WITH CARL F GROUPCO

With the period for the transitional arrangement for Approved Document F in England ending on 15th June 2023, Carl F Groupco has ensured ongoing compliance is straightforward by stocking an extensive inventory of Part F compliant trickle vents.

John King, Sales Director of the leading independent hardware supplier, said:

“From 15th June 2023 all windows have a mandatory requirement to meet the revised Document F of Building Regulations. The new Part F of Building Regulations requires additional ventilation to circulate air in living spaces. While this can be achieved in many ways, by far the most economical and practical solution is to use trickle vents. We see this very clearly reflected in our sales with a near 50% rise in sales of trickle vents year-on-year which is likely to increase further now the transition period has ended.”

Carl F Groupco stocks a comprehensive range of Part F compliant trickle vents from leading manufacturers, meaning fabricators have several options to choose from. The range includes the popular Glazpart Link Vent MK II providing

TOTAL HARDWARE LAUNCHES NEW QUANTUM RAPID FIT DOOR HINGE

ventilation to homes without the need to open a window. Also available is a range of trickle vents from RW Simon, Yale and Greenwood, including their acoustic variants as part of its range of quality window and door components. For next level sound and ventilation, the company also stocks the AEROPAC Sound Insulated Ventilator and the AEROVITAL Ventilator and Heat Recovery Unit from Siegenia, which both provide alternative methods to achieve Part F compliance across new build and refurbishment projects.

Alongside the products, Carl F Groupco also offers support as required. John said: “As a responsible hardware distributor, we can help our customers with the advice and

guidance they need with these regulations. It’s something we know fabricators and installers are finding valuable.”

Carl F Groupco has built its name on providing the products and high level of service its customers need. It offers an extensive range of premium quality window and door hardware components which are supported by an unwavering commitment to customer service that means it can be a valueadded hardware partner. Its supportive approach to the changes to Building Regulations and stocking the largest selection of Part F compliant products is a perfect example of this ethos in action.

Tel: 01733 393 330 www.carlfgroupco.co.uk www.smartsecure.co.uk www.carlfdirect.co.uk

Window and Door hardware specialists, Total Hardware has just launched its new Quantum Rapid Fit Door Hinge. The new fitter-friendly door hinge offers the unbeatable combination of innovation and quality that Total Hardware’s customers have come to expect.

Commenting on the introduction of the new hinge, Chris Pell, General Manager at Total Hardware, said: “Our Quantum hardware range is a very popular choice, and we are delighted to further enhance the collection with our new Rapid Fit Hinge. The hinge offers modern and elegant aesthetics, and its front ‘slide-on or liftoff’ design ensures simple fitting and adjustment with no reveal limitations. Early customer feedback has been extremely positive.”

Combining ease of fabrication with product excellence, the hinge features three-dimensional adjustment: +6mm/-4mm lateral adjustment, +5mm/5mm vertical adjustment and +1.5mm/-1.5mm compression adjustment. The hinge has also been designed with fabricator friendly advantages to ensure increased efficiencies in production.

Suitable for PVC-U doors, the Quantum Rapid Fit

Hinge is available in an impressive sixteen colour finishes, which include White, Black, Brown, Oak, Chrome, Gold, Brushed Silver, Flint, Tungsten, Anthracite Grey, Chartwell Green, Cream, Antique Black, Agate Grey, Slate Grey and Irish Oak. A 10-year surface finish guarantee is available on all powder-coated finishes, and a 5-year guarantee is available on plated finishes.

As with all Total Hardware products, the hinge has undergone some intensive testing to ensure that it meets or exceeds all the necessary corrosion resistance and operational durability requirements. This included testing to BS.EN:2007 Grade 5, PAS24:2016 security requirements and Secure by Design certification.

The new Rapid Fit Door Hinge joins the increasing portfolio of products in Total’s Quantum hardware collection which includes window and door handles, letterplates, patio handles, tilt & turn handles, door knockers and letters and numbers. Together, the Quantum range offers a completely suited hardware solution and makes Total Hardware a convenient, high-quality supplier for all window and door furniture. The Quantum product range displays Total Hardware’s talent for intelligent hardware design, and the Rapid Fit

Door Hinge is no exception. With more fabricators and installers looking for the perfect combination of quality, style and product reliability, the new Quantum Rapid Fit

Door Hinge ticks all the boxes. The Quantum Rapid Fit

Door Hinge is now available from stock.

For more information visit

https://www.totalhardwareltd.co.uk/rapid-fit-hinge/

NEW SWEET CLASSIC DOOR KNOCKER

Brisant Secure has expanded its Sweet furniture range to include a Classic Door Knocker, providing homeowners and trade professionals with a traditional option that complements the contemporary design of the Sweet range. The Sweet range was introduced as a cutting-edge design with contemporary aesthetics. The introduction of the Classic Door Knocker means that doors with a traditional design can now benefit from the performance, durability and unique guarantee of Sweet door furniture.

This new addition carries all the exceptional benefits synonymous with the Sweet range. It features an incredible 8000-hour tested coating, surpassing industry standards by over 30 times, compared to the flagship EN 1906:2012 corrosion standard, which typically requires only 240 hours of testing. Moreover, Brisant Secure stands behind

the quality of its product with a remarkable 20-year directto-homeowner guarantee. The Classic Knocker is available in all six colors offered within the Sweet range, including the popular Rose Gold.

"We understand that our customers have diverse preferences when it comes to door furniture, and we are committed to meeting their needs," said Nick Dutton, CEO at Brisant Secure. "The addition of the Classic Knocker to our Sweet range gives homeowners and trade professionals that traditional option. We believe this new offering will add a touch of elegance to any entrance while maintaining the quality and reliability that Brisant Secure is known for."

The Sweet Classic Knocker is available now. For more information about the Sweet range, please visit our website at https://www.brisant-secure.com.

LESSONS FROM A ROAD TRIP

GARETH JONES OF SOLAR CALIBRE DOORS BECOMES DELIVERY DRIVER

Some readers might remember a ‘reality TV’ series in the early 2000s called Back to the Floor, when senior business figures went undercover in their organisations, taking on roles very different from their day job. Gareth Jones, Managing Director of Solar Fabrications took a similar approach recently when he took to the road in an 18-tonne delivery lorry. For some years Gareth had a personal wish to qualify as a Class 2 delivery driver so he set about taking lessons and in May, mission accomplished, he took the place of the company’s regular XPO delivery driver.

“I spend a lot of time in the factory so know a great deal about how the team operates there. The logistics side of the business I’m less familiar with, so it was important to me to get out and experience how it all works. James Lee, Business Development Manager for Solar Calibre Doors, came with me and we were joined by Marcus Oliver and James Froggatt from XPO, along part of the route,” said Gareth.

The day started bright and early. Gareth and James were at the Huthwaite factory at 4.20am, ready to load up and be ready to leave at 5.30. The route for the day involved a round trip of 263 miles, from Nottinghamshire up to New Look Windows in Rochdale, followed by Evander Glazing in Warrington, Supercraft Windows & Conservatories in Stoke and Sycamore Windows in West Bromwich, before returning to Huthwaite.

“All went really well…for an hour . Then we got caught in a traffic jam, the result of an

accident, and sat stationary on the M62 for over an hour. So that was lesson number one. Keep cool in the face of delays and disruption, even as you watch your carefully planned schedule evaporate.”

Driving the truck itself was the more obvious lesson number two. “Reversing into tight entrances, edging through narrow spaces between parked vehicles, reversing onto busy roads and, of course, the road traffic accidents. This is a skilled job that requires a great deal of focus.”

Gareth and James spent around 20-30 minutes at each stop, catching up with each of their customers.

“It was good to hear directly from them about their business, learn how things are going and what we can do to help or improve. We also learned lesson number three. You have to recognise this isn’t an easy job. As well as the mental concentration and frustrations of the driving itself, it’s also extremely physical. Our Craftsmen doors weigh in the region of 100kg and need two people to manoeuvre them, given they’re so unwieldy.”

Just under ten hours later they arrived back in Huthwaite. As Gareth made his way through to the Solar Calibre Doors delivery yard, he clipped the side of a recycling skip. Nothing serious but the final lesson – you’re not there, until you’re there!

“It was hard work, so all credit to the team at XPO and to delivery drivers in general that do this all day, every day. We’ve agreed that my driver fee will be donated as groceries to the Trussell Trust Food Bank in South Normanton, which XPO have now purchased and delivered – hopefully that was an easier trip!” said Gareth.

“It was good to hear directly from them about their business, learn how things are going and what we can do to help or improve.”

Gareth Jones (R) and James Lee of Solar Calibre Doors out on delivery

Solar Calibre Doors and XPO Food bank delivery June 2023

DO YOU NEED YOUR FIRE DOORS INSPECTED AND MAINTAINED?

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FDM PLAYS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE "GOLDEN THREAD OF INFORMATION"  THREAD

We carry out fire door asset checks in line with legislation Resident / tenant fire door information supplied to comply with up to date Government guidance

WHY PARTNER WITH FDM? Find out more

In partnership with CCS, the leading ITcompliance system for a seamless integration

We work with fire door manufacturers and their fire door testing to help us make informed decisions

ROCKDOOR RELEASE THE ASPEN

Rockdoor, the leading composite door manufacturer, are delighted to launch another new door style, the Aspen, continuing their existing year of strong innovation and multiple new releases for the composite door brand.

Having now released their third new door style of the year following the introduction of the Dune Retreat and Dune Vision, Rockdoor are hoping their newest door style can become a hit with both their trusted installer network and homeowners around the UK. Originally, the concept behind their new door style was to develop a brand-new contemporary back door, but thanks to the versatility and clean, sharp nature of the design, the door is perfect for both front and back door settings.

Joint MD, Simon Bird believes Rockdoor’s new launch showcases their bold and unique style and their determination to remain at the forefront of innovation:

“Anyone at Rockdoor knows what the last 12-18 months have been like, with a great part of our recent success down to our fantastic R+D team. The work that goes on behind the scenes alone with one of these doors and for the end result to look the way it does really makes it worthwhile.

“We wanted to create a contemporary back door for homeowners, and whilst this has been crafted to do so by making the glazing line up with most kitchen worktops, the new V-groove mouldings combined with the S-Glaze make this such a versatile option that we believe works perfectly for both front and back door use.

“Not only this, but it highlights how determined we are to constantly excel, so we’re pleased to be able to launch the Aspen throughout our network of installers and homeowners all across the UK.”

The Aspen features new and improved V-groove moulding details that allow their unique S-Glaze technology to fall cleanly into the door profile itself, cleverly as part of the door design. Rockdoor’s S-Glaze technology is a unique feature that the manufacturers encompass into all of their door designs as a security and thermal efficiency measure.

Rockdoor is a brand of GAP Ltd. To learn more about Rockdoor visit www.rockdoor.com.

“The new V-groove mouldings combined with the S-Glaze make this such a versatile option that we believe works perfectly for both front and back door use.”

Flush Casement Window

The aluminium system with the slimmest sightlines on the market

• Flush and Fully Flush

• Pre-gasket System

Slimline Bifold Door

Expertly crafted and exceptionally designed from high end aluminium.

• Slim Sightline of 117mm

• Easy Glaze knock in beads

• Adjustable slimline lock style

• Quick installation

• Part L Compliant

• Choice of colour options

We offer a dedicated and focused trade supply service, providing fabricated aluminium doors, windows, bifolding doors and a range of quality commercial systems.

Extensive Choice Products are available in a wide choice of colours and finishes.

CONTACT US TODAY

For more information or a quotation:

Telephone - 01895 271061 | Email - tradesales@capitalwindows.co.uk Visit - www.capitalwindows.co.uk

Our Promise

The highest quality and best experience for every customer.

FIT, GLAZE & GO...

the only clip-bead that delivers glazing and de-glazing in seconds.

The

KORNICHE Bi-Folding Door has MORE TO OFFER...

Removable SPEEDBEAD allows adjustment and remedial work without damage

Glass supply - one drop delivery for competitively priced glass ordered with your door*

Integral blind glass option available

Trickle vents positioned in outer frame (No frame extenders required for PART F compliance)

PAS24 security as standard*

Korniche matching hardware, including brushed stainless steel

Pre-hung doors, no site assembly required.

Enhanced thermal performance

FREE UK Mainland delivery*

10 YEAR warranty

PRE-FITTED

GASKET and BEAD

IMPROVED for a faster install

HÖRMANN ENTRANCE AND GARAGE DOORS

– THE PERFECT MATCH WITH NEW DURAGRAIN DÉCOR COLOURS

Hörmann have introduced five new Duragrain Décor colours to their LPU 42 L-ribbed sectional garage door range which provide a perfect match to their ThermoSafe Decoral aluminium entrance doors. Developed to provide discerning consumers with the ability to create a real point of difference for any home, five modern finishes are available – Cement, Rusty Pantina, Wild Oak, Barnwood and Barnwood Grey.

Hörmann ThermoSafe Decoral entrance doors are manufactured to the highest quality standards and feature a solid 73mm aluminium door leaf installed within an aluminium frame. The door is robust yet elegant, providing high levels of security, long life, good acoustic insulation, and excellent thermal properties with a U-value of 0.87 W/M2K being achievable.

The Decoral finish is applied to the powder coated surfaces of the ThermoSafe door using a patented coating method resulting in a beautiful, colour fast and detailed appearance. The doors are supplied with a standard frame in Jet black and are available with the exterior handles and embellishments

APEER ADDS 50% CAPACITY WITH HALF A MILLION INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY

in Jet black or in one of the Decoral colour options to match or contrast.

Matching sectional garage doors offer a winning combination of high-quality materials, safe operation, and good thermal insulation properties. For added peace of mind all automated Hörmann sectional doors are supplied with Secured by Design as standard (subject to fitting criteria and door style selection). The five new Décor colours are available with the company’s Duragrain finish which is extremely hardwearing and scratch resistant. An innovative, UV-resistant digital print is applied onto the primed sections of the door with the Duragrain protective coating added to safeguard against environmental effects and keep the door looking beautiful for years to come.

To support the new colour options and promote the ability to perfectly match Hörmann entrance and sectional doors a new brochure is available. To view the brochure please see: https://shorturl.at/uCS59.

For more information please visit: https://shorturl.at/fhG47 or call 01530 516868.

At a time when a lot of companies are still cautious about spending, Apeer, the high quality, contemporary composite door manufacturer, isn’t holding back and is pleased to announce a combined investment of over £500K in a cutting centre, corner cleaner, and foam press. The addition of the latest foam press alone gives the company a further 50% capacity and allows the market-leading 120mm thick Residence Door Collection to have its own dedicated foam press.

Apeer’s Managing Director, Asa McGillian explains why the company has invested so significantly: “The Residence Door Collection has always offered the market something special, but we are constantly looking for more ways to deliver excellence. This latest investment is no different. The new machinery allows us to

grow our portfolio, boost output and fulfil the increasing demand for our ground-breaking 120mm thick, 0.51w/m2k u-value, Passive House Compliant, Residence Door Collection. It also supports our ongoing program of streamlining production to deliver the consistent high quality that our diligent customers have come to expect.

“We have purchased a Stuga PVC Sawing and Machining Centre that includes a software upgrade, an SCM Accord 25FX CNC Router with tooling and Jumbo Ergo vacuum lifter and jib crane, and an Urban SV-530 CNC corner cleaner. All of which means we now have a total of ten CNCs and three foam presses to ensure we can meet the increasing demand for our unique offering. The collection of new machinery allows us the allimportant ability to simultaneously cut both sides of the profile, as well

as even greater accuracy, ease of use with advanced software, continued top quality production, and greater flexibility.

Asa concludes: “The last few years haven’t been easy and that has meant a lot of companies withdrawing from further investment until the market stabilises. However, with more stringent legislation on the horizon, we believe it’s important to continue to invest to keep delivering what our customers need to stay compliant and of course competitive.”

www.apeer.co.uk

SELECTAGLAZE UPGRADES TO HAFFNER FOR ITS LATEST MACHINE INVESTMENT

Bespoke secondary glazing experts Selectaglaze has invested in an FMC 340 CNC Machining Centre from Fom Industrie which is already adding value to the company’s operations.

Duncan Saunders, Head of Production at Selectaglaze, said: “Selectaglaze aims to have the best quality machinery that makes manufacturing efficient and ensures consistent quality throughout the whole fabrication process. The new FMC 340 CNC Machining Centre with fume extraction hood is an impressive machine that exceeds our expectations.”

When it became clear that Selectaglaze’s existing CNC machine needed upgrading to the latest fabrication and software technology, Duncan was tasked with finding the replacement. The team needed a machine that could fabricate all Selectaglaze profiles and bring the latest technological developments to the company.

Selectaglaze initially considered five different machine manufacturers, then narrowed these down to two. Haffner was selected as the machinery supplier of choice because of the support the company received during the research phase.

Duncan commented: “We were impressed with the way the Bryan Dando and the wider Haffner team handled the initial enquiry and the overall support on offer. Haffner gave us the best service and technical advice, helping the team to decide which machine best suited our needs.”

Haffner worked closely with the team at Selectaglaze throughout the project, liaising extensively with Duncan and Selectaglaze’s Managing Director Keith Mercer. The close communication gave the Selectaglaze team confidence in the choice of machine and how it would benefit the business. This included live Teams meetings with Fom Industrie’s software specialists who could answer all the team’s questions for peace of mind.

Thanks to meticulous planning, the FMC 340 CNC Machining Centre was in production and operational within three days. The machine can handle all Selectaglaze profiles, and the team are in the process of transitioning all programmes to it.

Duncan commented: “It is already

delivering a better quality of cut and, once the transition process is complete, will also help efficiency.”

Bryan Dando, Commercial Director at Haffner said: “The FOM Industrie FMC 340 CNC Machining Centre is an incredibly impressive machine. It has four controlled axes and has been designed to carry out drilling and milling operations on aluminium or steel profiles. Features include multi piece loading, X Flow and a tool integrity system to streamline operations and enhance quality. It was the perfect machine solution for Selectaglaze and we are delighted they are happy with the purchase.”

Founded in 1966 and a Royal Warrant Holder since 2004, Selectaglaze is the UK’s leading specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of secondary window systems. Selectaglaze offers the largest range of products that are made bespoke to suit specific design and performance requirements of each individual project.

In Haffner, it found a supplier equally committed to products, expertise and service. It is reaping the rewards as a result.

Tel: 01785 222421

www.haffnerltd.com

FIRST LARGE SCALE INSTALLATION OF ALUK’S NEW C70S 70MM WINDOW SYSTEM

HG Construction’s recently completed £77m Canada Street development in London’s docklands for client Scape is the first large scale installation of AluK’s new C70S 70mm window system.

The mixed-use project includes modern student accommodation in blocks up to 10-storeys high, affordable housing, commercial and health space. It showcases the benefits of AluK’s new, thermally efficient, slim sightline system and demonstrates just how easily it can be

integrated in a scheme alongside AluK’s 77ID system residential doors, SL52 capped curtain walling and GT55TB commercial entrance doors.

In total, there is almost 4600m2 of glazing on the Canada Street development, all designed, fabricated and installed in AluK systems by Arkay Windows.

The C70S system was chosen by HG Construction in response to the specification from Stephen Marshall Architects. Sam Coley, a partner at Stephen

Marshall, explained: “Our specification was for a high performing contemporary aluminium fenestration and façade system with slim sightlines and excellent U-Values - and the AluK systems were ideal for that.

“The fact that we could use two different window configurations, residential and commercial doors and curtain walling from one supplier right across this mixed-use development meant we got a satisfyingly uniform look right across the project. For safety and optimal natural ventilation in the student accommodation, we were even able to specify a cost-effective fixed light in AluK alongside a vertical louvre.

“The design scheme at Canada Street included an innovative pre-cast banding façade solution which HG Construction were able to deliver very successfully in the AluK window system and we’re really pleased with the finished look.”

For HG Construction, the project represented a significant construction challenge because it sits very close to Canada Water underground station and directly above the busy Jubilee Line. Logistically, there were also tight timescales to meet because the student accommodation blocks needed to be finished in time for the start of the academic term.

AluK and Arkay worked closely together to meet the timescale and to accommodate

the fact that the installation method had to be changed from traditional scaffolding to working off mast climbers. This meant the installation sequence switched to elevation by elevation and there had to be multiple installation teams working on different blocks at the same time in order to meet the completion dates.

Sony Atwal, Arkay’s Technical and Operations Director, commented: “This project required a well-engineered, costeffective window system and the C70S fitted the bill perfectly. It met all the performance and aesthetic requirements and was quick and easy to fabricate and install. Because it shares some components with the AluK 58BW system which is one of our most popular products and has a similar fabrication method, we were easily able to integrate it into our factory and deliver the same level of quality and precision.”

The 70mm C70S system has the same slim 89mm sightlines as the 58BW window system, but also boasts class-leading wind (600Pa) and water tightness (1500Pa). It has Secured by Design accreditation and can accommodate 50mm acoustic glazing, making it a good choice for this type of noisy urban environment.

More details at: https://uk.aluk.com/ and a video case study is available at: https://youtu.be/J_SsG-tfg4w

SHEERVENT: A FLUSH INTELLIGENT ROOF VENT FOR SHEERLINE’S S1 LANTERN

Sheerline has announced the launch of SheerVent, a revolutionary roof vent for the S1 lantern. It offers an innovative approach to ventilation that doesn’t compromise on the stylish and modern aesthetic associated with the award winning aluminium glazed roof. Designed to enhance Sheerline’s awardwinning S1 roof lantern, SheerVent can not only be specified on new projects but can even be retrofitted to existing installations. With a sleek minimalist design, the intelligent roof window sits flush with S1’s rafter bars unlike alternatives that sit on top of the bars. Creating an almost invisible roof vent when closed – for a truly beautiful finished product.

Customers have the option to upgrade to powered actuators to create an automated intelligent ventilation system. This can be further enhanced by discreet sensors, which can be installed away from the lantern to monitor for rain, wind, and light, giving

customers peace of mind if the weather suddenly changes.

Unlike traditional vents, SheerVent does not require the use of muntin bars and offers reliability without the risk of leaks and water ingress. The product is fully thermally broken and uses the same high-performance 28mm glazing as the S1, ensuring spaces are cosy in winter and cool in summer.

This enables customers to create bright, airy living spaces with a consistent aesthetic throughout the home – a trend that has grown in popularity over the past few years and continues to be an attractive option for both renovation and new build projects. Another popular feature SheerVent offers – as with all Sheerline products – is colour choice. Customers can choose from a standard colour range as well as opting for custom or dual colours depending on their needs.

SheerVent is currently being manufactured in-house by Sheerline to ensure the company’s stringent quality processes are

met before it is rolled out to fabricator customers across the country. There is already a waiting list in place for customers who wish to supply the product.

Also revealed at FIT Show 2023 was Sheerline’s new 3 Way option, which adds even more styles to the S1 roof lantern. It includes the same aesthetic style and appeal of the 2 and 4 way designs but gives customers an option for wider roofs that don’t rely on jack rafters.

S1 includes in-built security features as standard, is stylish with clean, crisp lines and deep internal rafter and ridge bars to create the popular architectural aesthetic, all while offering exceptional thermal performance.

Roger Hartshorn, Sheerline CEO, said: “SheerVent was hugely popular when we unveiled it at FIT Show 2023. It’s the next phase in the evolution of one of our most popular products – the S1 roof lantern. Customers often ask us about ventilation

options that don’t compromise on the overall quality and look of the roof lantern.”

“With SheerVent, we’ve achieved this thanks to our continual investment in both our equipment and products. We’re committed to overcoming the issues traditionally associated with aluminium products to ensure Sheerline keeps its’ competitive edge, and our customers remain happy,” he added. To find out more about SheerVent and the new 3 Way option, contact the team on 01332 978000, email: info@sheerline.com or visit the website to view the full range of products: http://www.sheerline.com.

FRAMEX EXPANDS REACH TO DELIVER NATIONWIDE SERVICE

Aluminium specialist FRAMEX has expanded its reach to service customers across the UK.

It follows investment into its delivery fleet and capabilities to meet growing demand for the firm’s high-quality aluminium windows and doors.

The Lancashire-based firm, which was set up in 2020, manufactures SAS aluminium windows, doors and commercial glazing as well as Korniche roof lanterns for architects, builders and property developers.

Now Managing Director, Tim Mooney, believes the time is right to expand the company’s reach and service customers UK-wide. He explains: “We have spent three years building our business and developing our products and services, supporting existing customers around Lancashire and

the North with top-of-the-range aluminium solutions. Following recent investment into our capabilities and fleet, we are ready to support customers nationwide.”

FRAMEX’s success is down to the quality of its readyto-install aluminium glazing solutions, underpinned by exceptional customer service and expert technical advice. Products leave its 15,000sq ft Waterfoot operations fully fabricated and ready to install.

Tim adds: “Our team carries out a rigorous 30-point check process on every product to ensure they are finished to the highest standard. We want to take the pressure off busy installers and save them time on site by having ancillaries already fitted onto our windows and doors.”

It’s an approach that is winning FRAMEX a bigger customer base, as the firm looks to extend its offering with more products.

www.framexuk.com

INDUSTRY MAN JASON BAMFORD PURCHASES REGAL ALUMINIUM

Jason Bamford, one of the well-known names in the industry, has just announced he has purchased Regal Aluminium.

Jason, who has taken over the role of Managing Director, said: “I am delighted to be taking the reins at Regal Aluminium and am looking forward to supporting the industry with high-quality aluminium products, reliable service and proactive business support.”

Regal Aluminium, based in the East Midlands, supplies to the commercial, trade and domestic sectors. It’s a sister company to Regal Windows and Doors, a family-run business with a history stretching back over 30 years. Regal Aluminium manufactures a comprehensive range of aluminium windows and doors from leading industry brands.

Jason commented: “The slim sightlines of aluminium are in high demand. Our products offer some of the best solutions the market has to offer, all manufactured by our skilled team to the highest of standards.”

The quality of Regal’s products is matched by the quality of the service. Jason said:

“Customer service is in the DNA of Regal. Combined with my own experience in the industry, it means we know the outstanding level of service the trade needs – and we’re proud to deliver it.”

Jason is one of the industry’s most familiar faces. He has been involved in the industry since his late teens and has worked for several successful PVC-U and aluminium businesses, all experience he brings to Regal. Jason said: “Having developed several

businesses over my 34 year tenure in the industry, I am looking forward to working with our customers and helping them to maximise the market opportunities. A key focus will be to seek businesses wanting to become Regal partners and benefit from tailored marketing support and business development.”

The combination of high-quality aluminium products plus extensive industry expertise and experience means Regal Aluminium has a compelling offer for its customers. As Jason concluded: “If you want to open up the market opportunities aluminium brings, give Regal a call. We’ve got the products and the service you need.”

Tel: 01773 483090 regalaluminium.uk

SASH WINDOWS FROM EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS COMPLETES A PERIOD FARMHOUSE RENOVATION

Harewood Estate farmhouse in Chapel Wold in Kearby, Yorkshire has been sympathetically restored and converted into a luxurious family home by a local developer, Andas Homes. When it came to the vertical sliding windows for the project, there was only one choice: the Vertical Sliding Sash Window System from Epwin Window Systems fabricated by leading awardwinning Yorkshire manufacturer Quickslide.

Andas Homes has worked with Quickslide on several premium, heritage projects for a number of years, so the company was the obvious choice for this project too. The aesthetically authentic, yet highly efficient Vertical Sliding Sash Window System from Epwin Window Systems brought the heritage and luxury that such a prestigious project required, while Quickslide’s expertise and experience brought even more value.

Andas Homes’ designer Holly Simpson said. “Chapel Wold is a luxury, sensitive renovation, which draws out the character of the existing buildings and breathes new life into their timeless traits. We love the quality and performance of Quickslide’s sliding sash windows, in particular the run through sash horns which make the frame so authentic.”

Andas Homes opted for a bespoke colour frame for the project. Quickslide worked with colour coating specialists Kolorseal, to achieve the required hue, which was a specific shade of light grey that would complement the pinky tones of the property’s traditional Yorkshire stone walls and slate roof. Kolorseal’s expertise ensured outstanding colour quality and accuracy on every frame.

Ben Weber, Quickslide’s Managing Director, said: “This luxury development at Chapel Wold is just the latest example of how our sash windows are transforming home design. Glazing elements are now so much more than just building products. They add value and personality to the very fabric of home building and are an integral and crucial consideration in the internal and external design of a home.”

Katrina Earl, Sales Director at Epwin Window Systems, concluded: “Our Vertical Sliding Sash Window System is renowned in the industry for its ability to combine outstanding heritage aesthetics with modernday thermal efficiency and security. This project epitomises the quality of our system combined with the manufacturing expertise of the Quickslide team to transform this stunning property.”

Tel: 0845 340 3968

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

FOR A FLAGSHIP CONVERSION PROJECT

BRING STEEL WINDOWS AND DOORS INTO THE KITCHEN

Open plan kitchens are hugely popular as they allow more natural light into the space. However, there’s a lot to be said for separate spaces, so the development of broken plan kitchens arrived. Steel windows incorporate the best of both worlds with internal partitions to break up the space, as well as external windows that maximise the area for light to enter the kitchen.

When a historic mansion was redeveloped in North Yorkshire, the Vertical Sliding Sash Window System from Epwin Window Systems fabricated and installed by leading Yorkshire manufacturer Quickslide was the preferred choice of the developer, Brebur Ltd.

Featherstone Hall is an imposing mansion, recorded in the Domesday Book, which sits in the village of North Featherstone near Pontefract in Yorkshire. The hall and its surrounding lands have become the site for 15 beautiful period family homes. The hall itself has been converted into three homes, while the sympathetically restored coach house has been transformed into a charming detached threebedroom home. Eleven new family homes, each designed to complement the hall, have been built in the grounds.

Featherstone Hall is a famed local landmark, so the conversion needed to be sympathetic and in keeping with its history. When it came to the window contractor for the project, Brebur chose specialist fabricator Quickslide, which manufactures the Vertical Sliding Sash Window System from Epwin Window Systems.

Brebur felt the system offered the best quality within the right price range when compared to similar products on the market, while Quickslide’s easy and helpful buying process was a credit to the company. Award-winning Quickslide, manufactured 245 vertical sliding windows for the project, which were installed over a period of two years. All the windows were manufactured in anthracite grey to bring a touch of modern style to the heritage project. As well as benefiting from the mix of heritage and modern aesthetics, the homes also enjoy the unrivalled security and thermal efficiency of Epwin Window Systems’ market-leading vertical slider. The Brebur team commented on the robust nature of the windows and their style and quality when installed.

Ben Weber, Quickslide’s Managing Director, commented: “A project like Featherstone Hall showcases all the authentic quality of the Vertical Sliding Sash Window System from Epwin Window Systems coupled with the elements we excel at. Quality, contemporary windows that bring all the benefits of modern PVC-U to the traditional, beautifully aesthetic window designs of the past.”

Tel: 0845 340 3968

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

External steel windows can be amalgamated into kitchen extensions as a replacement for exterior walls. This is a perfect way to bring light into the home and create the illusion of a larger room, blending the indoors with the outside. Steel windows come in a range of sizes allowing for the option of large glass panes spanning across the space of an external wall which will not obstruct the view of the garden. To convert existing open plan areas to the new trend of broken plan kitchen design, and create separate spaces, the same W20 steel profiles can be used as internal partitions bringing through the external design aesthetics to the internal space. This can be a small partition to separate an open pantry or utility room from the rest of the kitchen, or a large partition can take the place of an interior non-weight bearing wall. It’s the perfect solution to stylishly bring a broken plan scheme into the kitchen.

Steel partitions complement various interior schemes from midcentury modern designs to Scandi-styles with black steel windows reflecting a striking contrast to pale kitchen cabinetry.

Not only are steel windows incredibly stylish, the strong W20 steel sections allow for double glazed windows with thermally efficient units so kitchens can stay beautiful and warm.

Members of the Steel Window Association offer a UK wide service for the repair and replacement of various types of old metal windows, doors and screens, as well as being able to manufacture new fenestration which fully meets building regulations. Choosing an SWA member to manufacture and install your steel windows and doors ensures that you are receiving the highest standard of fabrication, installation and customer service.

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.

EPWIN’S VERTICAL SLIDING SASH WINDOW SYSTEM SELECTED

MADE FOR TRADE RELEASES INNOVATIVE KORNICHE FLAT ROOFLIGHT

Since inception, the Korniche brand has always represented a new era in the field of fenestration design; with a quality-led focus on clever engineering applied from other industries to bring with it benefits for the installer, re-seller and homeowner. That same list of attributes and USPs has now been applied to the third item in the range; the new Flat Rooflight. The unveiling at the FIT Show 2023 brought about not only a huge amount of positive feedback from trade installers keen to ise on a product that can offer benefits for the homeowner as well as saving time and money for the installer, but also notable positivity from the glazing industry in general; seemingly keen to use a solution that applies Korniche’s USP’s to a flat glass rooflight installation. Fabrication of the Korniche flat glass is expected to commence this September, and Made for Trade’s

contemporary and innovative new system once again incorporates features derived from precision engineering alongside market-leading manufacturing, research & development to really stand out in an industry that can so easily just focus on the outright minimal cost. Much like the Korniche Bi-folding doors and Roof Lantern, the flat glass system is impressively quick and simple to install for the trade partner with unrivalled efficiency, whilst offering the superior quality at a competitive price point.

Number one in the Korniche’s list of USPs remains ease of installation, and with the design of the Flat Rooflight, that fuss-free fitting remains second to none. The installer just needs to position, fix, seal and clip the fastener-covering fascia’s into place for the perfect finish, taking just a matter of minutes: truly ‘Fit, Glaze & Go!’

The aesthetic appeal is another quality which mirrors that of the Korniche Bi-Folding doors and lantern, via the use of a sleek and ultra-slimline profile design that uses high strength aluminium along with thermally-broken polyamide frame components to ensure the highest thermal efficiency; something that has never been so paramount as in 2023. To that end, the Korniche Flat Rooflight can also be easily specified with either 28mm double or 44mm triple glazing thanks to its innovative outer subframe, whilst the glass tints on offer included blue, neutral and clear.

Naturally, those tint shades can be complemented by a choice of frame colour options as well as countless

standard and bespoke sizes from 600x600mm, right up to a maximum length of 3000mm and width of 1800mm (subject to overall glass area), and suitable for between three and five degree roof pitches. Security comes as standard with all Made for Trade products, and with PAS24:2016 approval, the Korniche Flat Rooflight delivers the correct peace of mind needed for protecting your home. Furthermore, with industry-leading short lead times and a one-drop delivery service, the time taken from order to a secure and complete roof is at its absolute minimum with Korniche.

Finally, one unique aspect of the new product - that is akin to that of the multi-award winning Korniche Bi-Folding dooris a design step in place to allow glass to be replaced without hassle or compromising the main system. This is achieved on the Flat Rooflight via a new patent pending feature that allows glass to be changed without any disturbance to the interior finish, decoration and plaster line - nor any damage to the outer system should any glass damage occur in years to come.

Of course, the Flat Rooflight comes backed by the same ten-year warranty as all Made for Trade products, as well as industry-leading customer support and service to safeguard purchases for the future. The flat glass will soon be available to order via Made for Trade’s automated ‘Kwikquote’ online ordering tool, and the systems are available both fully assembled and also in kit form – both complete with the easy to understand graphic installation instructions that have become synonymous with Korniche products.

The third product in the multi-award winning Korniche range continues to offer the same market-leading design and installation efficiencies, for flat glass roof glazing.

With Regal Aluminium, we offer you the best aluminium products and a package of benefits to take your business to the next level:

Range of cutting-edge aluminium window and door products

THE S2 LAUNCH HAS BEEN A REVELATION, CLAIMS PREFIX

Following the preview of the new S2 glazed roof from Sheerline at the FIT Show by Prefix Systems, the company is reporting an overwhelming response to this new product development that has been two years in the making.

Based on the proven and re-engineered K2 conservatory roof system, S2 has benefitted from a substantial research and development programme to bring to market a new glazed roof system fit for the modern market. Architectural influenced square top cappings, a smaller end boss as part of a slimline approach to product design, box section eaves beam including integrated bolster for large span openings, and the option of thermally broken aluminium cappings are all part of this next generation roof. There is also an aluminium gutter shroud and internal pelmet to offer a further perspective on glazed extension design.

Chris Baron, director at Prefix Systems commented: ‘For the last 15 years we’ve seen the focus of product development shift from glazed roofs to the solid roof sector and we’ve been part of this shift with our awardwinning WARMroof system. Yet at the same time the research and development into glazed and conservatory roofs has remained stagnant and so S2 is set to change this. He continued: ‘The proven chassis of K2 was impressive, but the design credentials of S2 go way beyond any other current glazed solution with improved looks, greater structural integrity and a design fit for today’s and tomorrow’s more demanding market for extended living space. It’s been a design programme from the ground up as an integrated system and in short space of time, our customers are already thrilled to be part of this revolution.’

For further information please visit www.prefixsystems.co.uk or contact the head office for a free brochure pack including details on S2 on 01254 871800, alternatively you can e-mail marketing@prefixsystems.co.uk.

You can also follow them on social media @prefixsystems.

ULTION CASHBACK: INSTALLERS CAN NOW EARN 5% ON EVERY ULTION PRODUCT SALE

Ultion announces the launch of Ultion CashBack, an exclusive program that enables installers to earn 5% from the sale of any Ultion product to their customers for the next 12 months.

Ultion CashBack offers installers a unique opportunity to secure an ongoing income stream. By enrolling in the program, installers can earn 5% of the total sale amount for every Ultion product purchased by their customers, including extra keys, locks, trackable keys, smart locks and lubricant, or padlocks that work with the previously supplied key.

“When we heard about Ultion CashBack, we were excited about the opportunity it presented,” said Michael Dunne, at Gemini Windows. “It encourages us to sell more locks and keys and provides us with a chance to earn some money from it.”

Enrolling in Ultion CashBack is hassle-free. Each commission earned will be communicated via email, and installers will receive a monthly payment at the end of each month, conveniently deposited into their bank account. To monitor earnings easily, Ultion provides a userfriendly trade portal for installers to track their commissions effortlessly.

We are thrilled to introduce Ultion CashBack and provide installers with an opportunity to unlock a steady income stream,” said Nick Dutton, CEO at Ultion. “This program empowers installers to maximise their earnings and reinforces our commitment to building strong relationships.”

CONSERVATORY ROOF INSTALLER SAYS LEADS 2 TRADE LEADS

Conservatory roof installation company Warm Roof Specialists Ltd has said that leads from the UK’s leading provider of double-qualified sales leads in the home improvement sector are the best they have had.

The company, based near Wigan but covering the whole of the country, has only been working with Leads 2 Trade for four months, but in that time Managing Director Nigel Carton has already seen the huge benefit of the link up – and the success for the company.

“They are the best leads I’ve had by a long way,” said Nigel. “I think the first six weeks where I wasn’t taking that many, I spent around £3,000 on leads and got almost £70,000 return from them, so over 20 times. Every home improvement company would kill for that return on investment.”

Warm Roof Specialists, which carries out internal installations for conservatories, tiled roofs for conservatories and a flat roof solution with Firestone EPDM, has been taking Leads 2 Trade’s premium appointment, no pitch no fee, conservatory roof replacement sales leads since February.

The booked appointment leads are only delivered to one other company, so the installer has more chance of winning the work, and they only pay for the lead if they sit and pitch it, meaning there is zero risk.

“The best thing about Leads 2 Trade is they only give the lead to two companies, us, and someone else,” explained Nigel. “And although the leads might be a little more expensive, that’s a plus as, not only is the quality much better than cheaper leads, but the demographics they hit are higher so it’s not a race to the bottom on price.

“With Leads 2 Trade’s premium leads, the homeowners are not interested in the cheapest price, they want the job on quality. We’re not the cheapest in the market but we want a customer that appreciates the quality of the materials used, the quality of the installation our insurance backed guarantee and you get that a lot more with Leads 2 Trade than you do than with the likes of Facebook.”

Andy Royle, Leads 2 Trade’s co-founder and Managing Director, said: “It’s fantastic to see the difference our appointment booking, no pitch no fee leads have made to Warm Roof Specialists Ltd in such a short space of time. With the low cost per sale and higher conversion rates our leads offer, companies such as Warm Roof Specialists Ltd can hit the ground running when they join.”

For more information on joining Leads 2 Trade’s Trusted conservatory network, visit https://leads2trade.co.uk/products/ conservatory-roof-replacement-leads/

‘BEST HE’S HAD’

THE ALL NEW Guardian Roof Lantern

Launching the innovative and elegant all aluminium Guardian Roof Lantern. AVAILABLE NOW

• Minimalist design for maximum natural light – ultra-thin 12mm ‘V’ profile

• Strong, light and robust. Machine-finished aluminium inside and out

• A flexible and scalable configuration with only four bars up to 2.4m x 3m

• GUARD-Lock technology for security, thermal performance and efficient installation

• Available in 3 standard colours with bespoke options available

The new Guardian Roof Lantern is a versatile and innovative system that captures natural sunlight and floods any room with radiant energy.

Sleek and elegant in design, the Guardian Roof Lantern has been designed to maximise visibility with ultra-slimline rafters. The fully thermally broken roof lantern combined with double or triple glazed glass keeps any property fully insulated whatever the weather.

Offer your clients the latest in contemporary roof design with the Guardian Roof Lantern.

Visit www.guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk or call 0800 066 5832 to get a quote or to be provided with you nearest Certified Fabricator. Scan with your phone to discover more.

www.guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk

AT THE CUTTING EDGE

focussed our efforts on how we can ensure we are doing what we need to do in order to stay ahead of the game.

“For us, the solution was a move to further automation in production to standardise quality and increase our capacity and efficiencies – but of a very individual kind which will give us the flexibility going forward to develop the right products that we know our trade partners want.”

having to consider lots of elements such as steel types, steel positioning and screw positioning, for example. “Because it is unlike any off-the-shelf cutting centre, it required bespoke software,” says Ben. “It truly is a unique machine which will

It was back in April 2021 that Quickslide first began talking to Winmac about purchasing a bespoke machining centre from Schirmer that would enable the leading PVCu sash window manufacturer to achieve its aims: for greater automation to increase production, speed and efficiencies while ensuring consistent and repeatable high quality for every vertical slider that comes off the end of the production line. What started as a conversation turned into a purchase in December and then became a practical plan to bring the first machine of its kind to UK shores from Germany. Six large lorries took three days to deliver the load, which took a week to assemble and a further four weeks to get it fully commissioned.

“At £1.5m this purchase represents our biggest investment to date,” says Quickslide’s Managing Director Ben Weber. “Rising material costs since Covid, along with our desire to make sure we are producing the best products needed to keep at the forefront of our industry, have really

So advanced is the new machining centre that Quickslide’s software supplier Business Micros had to build reinforcing into their software for it. This is no mean feat,

enable us to change the way we produce vertical sliders.”

TWICE AS GOOD

The new machining centre comes with two milling stations. “This will really increase our capacity for authentic heritage VS, particularly when it comes to mechanical joints,” says Ben.

“There are so many complex features involved in fabricating a VS window. Having two milling stations not only means we can consistently achieve the high standards we and our customers demand every time, but it also means we can do that without adding to our lead time.

“Our new machining centre also enables us to improve our efficiencies, not just in optimising material usage but also in our staffing. For example, we used to have six people employed on the reinforcing process – automating this means they can now be redeployed elsewhere in our business where they are most valuable.”

It has also meant the previous Schirmer cutting centre that Quickslide bought only three years ago has now been moved into PVCu casement production, where it too will increase efficiencies.

“We anticipate we’ll improve material optimisation by 12-15% by moving our milling process in casements to the cutting centre. Using offcuts more efficiently than can be done by hand means we’ll waste a lot less profile, which is better for us, our customers, and the planet.

With the new machining centre now up and running in Quickslide’s Brighouse HQ, the results are already starting to show. Ben says: “The best thing about the new machine is that its benefits can be seen both immediately and in the scope, it gives us the flexibility to develop our product range for the future. To that end, we already have further exciting developments planned for our vertical sliders which we anticipate announcing later this year… so watch this space.”

www.quickslide.co.uk

In the latest stage of a planned £2.7m investment, Quickslide has unveiled its new, first of its kind, cutting centre that is set to increase quality and slash lead times for heritage vertical sliders. Managing Director Ben Weber tells us more.

Ben Weber

“Using offcuts more efficiently than can be done by hand means we’ll waste a lot less profile, which is better for us, our customers, and the planet.”

A FABRICATOR THAT WORKS FOR YOU

Add value for your customers with access to the broadest product range in the industry, backed by extended warranties and guarantees. Throw in the support and guidance on offer from our expert marketing and technical teams, and you have a fabricator partner ready to help you transform your business.

Find out more about how we can work together www.glazerite.net T. 01933 443222 E. partnership@glazerite.net

Your fabricator partner. We’ve got you every step of the way.

A NEW BENCHMARK FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT ENTRANCE DOORS

APEER HAS DRAWN A NEW LINE IN THE SAND FOR THERMAL PERFORMANCE WITH THE RESIDENCE DOOR COLLECTION

0.51 W/m2K. There has never been a clearer statement of intent than presented by this figure when describing The Residence Door Collection by Apeer, a new range of residential entrance doors launched at this year’s FIT Show in May. For it sets out the parameters by which the doors were designed and manufactured: ‘better’ was never

Let’s put this figure in context: the current requirement of Approved Document L of the Building Regulations for composite resi-doors is a U value of 1.4 W/m2K, whilst the Passive House Institute sets 0.89 W/m2K or better. Although there is considerable speculation about what the next round of changes to the Building Regulations might bring under the Future Homes project in two years’ time, it is unlikely to be that low. Either way, Apeer and its partner The Residence Collection, with whom this range of doors was developed, should feel quietly confident that they are ahead of the game. Way ahead of the game.

The target market for The Residence Door Collection by Apeer is defined very well by the brand: Residence Collection windows are upmarket, chosen by homeowners that are prepared to spend considerably more on their generally, upmarket homes. And that sector expects high quality and of course, high performance from the products they choose. But when asked to develop a high-performance door for The Residence Collection, Apeer had already completed much of the development work, as Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection explained: “Asa McGillian, managing director at Apeer parent company New World Developments, described it as an opportunity to put their long-held ambition into practice –that of commercially producing a door that exceeded Passive House thermal performance standards. They had produced prototypes and knew that they could produce such a product and when we began talking, it was clear that we could provide a distinct outlet for such a product.”

The upshot, to the best of Sarah’s knowledge, is the most energy efficient door commercially available to the British and Irish home improvement markets: “There are doors out there that may meet this extraordinarily low U value, but none amongst traditionally-styled residential doors or that are commercially and widely available,” explained Sarah.

Offered to Residence Collection approved installers but also available to Apeer’s customers to top up the firm’s existing and highly popular Apeer44 and Apeer70 ranges, twenty door styles are immediately available, including traditional, contemporary and stable designs, with 78mm quadruple sealed glass units standard where relevant. GRP skins sandwich a high-density moisture-resistant PU core, reinforced with aluminium anti-cut through security mesh, resulting in an exceptional 120mm front-to-back format which offers exceptional feel and ‘heft’ in operation. Performance is further enhanced by weather deflectors, and Stormguard thresholds.

The standard set by the thermal performance is matched by finish and

installed options - nine standard colours (seven grained and two smooth), and full sidelights and top lights now, with half lights and others to follow. High quality hardware and furniture will reflect the construction of the doors, whilst extra touches such as Ultion KeyTag-equipped, ‘Apple Find My’ trackable keys also adding to a comprehensive standard specification. And an indicator of the attention to detail is the option of a hidden ‘no more nails’ magnetic decorative wreath holder built into the door.

Every door, including skins and glass units, is manufactured by Apeer at its 120,000 feet2 Ballymena factory which of course, is the domain of Asa McGillian, who explains why the partnership with The Residence Collection, is the answer to so many of his personal aspirations: “Whilst we have been

manufacturing composite doors for more than twenty years I have always found the Passive House Institute fascinating both for the standards that it sets and in those, the challenge that it set me for the windows and doors that we produce,” he explained. “But producing doors and windows to such standards of performance tends to be very specialised, expensive and limited to rarefied architectural application.

“The partnership with The Residence Collection offers us the opportunity to build such a door but one that has a clear and relatively large potential clearly defined market. We have what we believe to be the most energy efficient, traditional residential entrance door ever manufactured; and it’s available now, through normal channels. I am very proud of that.”

www.apeer.co.uk

enough…it had to set new standards for the industry.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

SHATTERING THE NORM: ENERGY EFFICIENCY WITH FIRE SAFETY GLASS

passive fire protection strategy. When specified correctly, fire safety glass can be used to create a series of fire safe compartments, providing building occupants with a safe passage of escape, emergency services a secure entrance and limiting the ability of a fire to spread further.

Glazing systems can have a clear impact on this rating (positive or negative), but what about fire safety glass? Here, Andy Lake, Sales Director UK and IRE from Pyroguard explores how fire safety glass can deliver far more than just fire protection…

There is an increasing focus on reducing the carbon emissions of UK buildings, especially with fluctuating fuel costs. As such, a higher emphasis is being placed on the energy efficiency and U-values of building products and systems used. With this in mind, architects, contractors and building owners are looking to their glazing units to do more and work harder when it comes to thermal performance. However, what about fire safety glass?

With a crucial role to play in many buildings, from commercial offices to education, leisure and residential developments, fire safety glass is a key part of a

While this is all well-known, what about the energy efficiency rating of a fire safety glass system? With the correct specification, it can be possible for fabricators to easily combine thermal and acoustic performance plus fire protection, creating a multi-functional product that does not require compromise.

One of the best ways of improving the U-values of a fire safety glass system is warm edge spacers. Spacers are used across all insulated glass units (IGUs), separating each pane of glass and working to reduce the thermal transmission bridge of the transition zone between the glass edge and window frame or façade profile. This is done to reduce thermal heat loss, as well as reducing the risk of condensation at the glass edge. However, when it comes to firerated systems, these spacers are commonly made out of steel or aluminium, due to the need for the material to remain durable and retain its strength in the event of a fire. Of course, such materials are also conductive, meaning

they can have a detrimental effect on reducing the thermal performance of the glazing system and decreasing its overall energy efficiency.

However, with recent market developments and new test evidence to BS EN1364, there are now warm edge spacers available that have been specifically designed for use in fire safety glass systems. For example, a recent partnership between Pyroguard and Technoform has resulted in a successful test programme involving the Technoform SP14 spacer. Featuring a hybrid structure of polypropylene and steel, the SP14 spacer combines thermal properties with the necessary structural stability and durability required for fire protection.

A development such as this enables architects, contractors and fabricators to select a warm edge spacer that can deliver both

reliable fire performance and low

Psi values (the measure of heat loss along a junction between two thermal elements), without having to compromise on the system’s thermal properties.

There are also other ways in which the energy and thermal efficiency of a fire safety glass system can be enhanced, such as by incorporating coated glass panels.

Whilst glass is a popular building material, favoured by architects and interior designers for its ability to create light, open and contemporary spaces, when used incorrectly it can create something of a greenhouse effect. This effect becomes especially apparent in applications such as atriums and façades or curtain walling systems, where exposure to sunlight and UV transmission can heat an internal space up to uncomfortable levels. As well as causing discomfort to building occupants, this will also result in

excess energy required to cool the interior down to optimal levels and is, understandably so, something both architects and building owners will want to avoid.

It is here that the multi-functional role of fire safety glass can be invaluable, with the correct specification advice and technical expertise making it possible to incorporate additional panes into a glazing system. Each pane can deliver various qualities and characteristics – ranging from improved acoustics, to solar control, or even built-in privacy. With this in mind, by installing an extra counterpane with a specialised solar coating into the glazing system, sunlight can be allowed to pass through the glass whilst simultaneously reflecting away a large degree of the sun’s heat. This can help to keep the interior space cooler and at a more comfortable temperature, helping to control the building’s operational carbon emissions. With glass able to have such a significant impact on a building’s overall energy efficiency and operational carbon emissions, glazing contractors and fabricators have a major role to play in helping to construct the greener buildings of our future. While fire safety glass is a product designed first and foremost to protect, with the correct technical expertise it is possible to achieve much more, combining fire protection with energy efficiency.

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

With sustainability at the forefront of many people’s minds, contractors and specifiers are looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency of buildings.

U-Values as low as 0.51 W/m²K

THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP, THE PERFECT DOOR

The Residence Door Collection by Apeer. Elevate your door offering to new heights.

– 120mm double rebated doorset

– 78mm quadruple glazing unit

– Triple weather seal

– Ultion 3* Cylinder as standard

– Ultion KeyTag with ‘Apple Find My’ as standard

– R9 and R2 9-chamber fully foiled outer frame

– Internal magnets for Wreath positioning

THIS MONTH: Ian Short Managing Director, Morley Glass

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...

Where were you born and live currently?

I was born in north Leeds, which is where I still live. It’s an amazing part of the city, with the famous Roundhay Park being what most visitors would know here, and a great mix of different people and cultures. I love the area because it’s where many of my friends and family live – this also makes it a really sociable place with every chance I’ll bump into someone I know while walking the dogs in Roundhay Park!

Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled?

I went to Roundhay High School which I enjoyed at the time, but I didn’t want to stay in the academic world so took the decision to leave at 16. The subjects that I liked in particular were woodwork and metalwork, so with hindsight I guess I was always destined for a hands-on career which involved making something! That said, I always preferred being out of the classroom and on the sports field playing rugby union – that was one activity I really enjoyed at school and still take a keen interest in the sport today.

Your favourite sports or interests?

I’ve always like rugby, but my big active pastime is dancing! I only started dancing

in 2017 when I agreed to take part in a dancing competition to raise money for a charity. Signing up to do the Variety Strictly Ballroom event was an amazing all-round experience. From a fundraising point of view it exceeded all my expectations, raising over £20,000 for the charity, but it was also life-changing for me.

Being focused on dancing during the competition meant I lost 4 stone in weight and stopped smoking, and I met some inspirational people along the way. That was more than enough to make me want to continue dancing, and I have never looked back. Today it is an important part of my life, doing ballroom, Latin, salsa and ceroc, four very different styles.

Your biggest regret in life?

This is an easy one – not trying hard enough at school! When we’re young, I don’t think most of us appreciate how important our schooling is and the value that a good education will give you throughout your life. That’s not to say academic qualifications are the be all and end all – far from it – but developing an understanding of the world, how it works and how to apply knowledge to your advantage is so important.

The temptation you can’t resist...?

Anyone who knows me will also know that I have a weakness for champagne. It all started when we won in Variety Strictly Ballroom dancing competition. We celebrated with champagne and now I can’t

resist it when the time calls for it – as long as we keep finding reasons to celebrate, whether that’s a business success, an awards presentation, a family celebration or supporting the achievements of a charity, I think it’s the perfect drink!

Someone or something that inspires you?

David Attenborough is a massive inspiration to me. Ever since he started

This month we speak to Ian Short, Managing Director of Morley Glass about their daily lives and hobbies. If you would like

making TV documentaries that drew attention to the need to respect nature and the environment, giving us a greater understanding of the impact we have as humans, I’ve been inspired to live a more sustainable life and run Morley Glass in the same way. King Charles is another person who I think has done a fantastic job of putting these issues into the spotlight, and not being afraid to raise issues that we need to take more seriously.

to appear in ‘Face to Face’, or would like to nominate someone else to be featured, simply email chris@glassnews.co.uk

Their efforts have certainly encouraged me to think about how our business can operate more sustainably, and one of the big things that drives me today is waste minimisation, recycling and supporting micro-initiatives that improve our local environment. That’s one of the reasons why we invested time and resources in setting up our postconsumer glass recycling initiative with Saint-Gobain Glass. This has demonstrated – for the first time - that our industry can successfully divert thousands of tonnes of high quality waste glass away from landfill, with all funds raised being made available as £500 grants for charities, individuals and groups involved in environmental and social improvement projects.

There is nothing more satisfying than being able to operate a scheme that reduces our demand for raw materials and energy, while at the same time helping those who want to improve our local communities.

YOUR CAREER...

When and how did you join this industry?

I left school at the age 16 in 1980 with no job to go to. But then I saw an advert in the job centre for a trainee glass cutter with Radford Glass in Pudsey, which I thought sounded quite interesting, so I applied for it and got it! Once I’d got the hang of glass cutting, I quickly found myself working on the shopfloor working in all areas of manufacturing, before finally working as an installer. It was a rough and ready environment. , being a 500 sq. ft workshop in the barrel vault of an old mill.

Despite this it was an amazing foundation for what came next, which was my own venture in 1998, when I took the plunge and set up Morley Glass & Glazing in a 500 sq. ft space in the bowels of a mill in Morley. We had to cut all the glass by hand and buy all machinery second hand to get us started, such as glass washer, hot melt machine, and clamp table.

Morley Glass & Glazing grew quickly as we developed a good local reputation for doing what we say we’re going to do, and the business has gone from strength to strength ever since.

What is your job?

I founded the business and today my role is managing director. I still like to be very hands on and involved in every aspect of the business, but I have an amazingly talented team around me who I can trust to do a great job.

Your greatest achievement?

When I started Morley Glass, I believed that there was a potentially huge market for integral blinds in the UK and I wanted my new business to be a successful pioneer of what was a relatively new concept back then. But I wanted to do it right from the start, so I invested time in finding the world’s best manufacturer of integral blinds and set out to start making and selling units at my Leeds factory.

Twenty five years later, that decision that some people thought at the time was pretty risky has turned out very well. I’m immensely proud of what I’ve achieved in that time, taking the business from a start up with 4 members of staff to be the world’s largest manufacturer of bespoke ScreenLine® integral blinds employing 106 people.

AND YOUR FUTURE...

What would you like to do if you weren’t in this industry?

Over the past decade I’ve got more involved in various charitable activities, which we’ve been able to support from a corporate perspective through our GreenVision fund, but also spending my time outside work helping out. Working with charities on a full time basis would be extremely rewarding.

I think it is important to give back to people wherever you can and help those who are trying to improve people’s lives

or our world. This is particularly the case for charities like Leeds-based CATCH (Community Action To Create Hope) who help young people, many of whom live in disadvantaged communities, to be able to access the opportunities in life that many of us take for granted. Their ‘inspire to inspire’ mantra is something I completely support.

A particular ambition?

As you can probably tell, recycling is something I’m passionate about! Given what we’ve achieved with our glass recycling scheme in partnership with Saint-Gobain Glass, I would love to see a post-consumer building glass recycling collection and crushing plant in every large town. It would be amazing if we got to a point where installers across the window industry were routinely putting the end-of-life double glazed units that they remove during replacement jobs to one side, and making sure these could be sent for remanufacturing, rather than simply throwing them into a general waste skip.

When you see the amount of glass cullet we’ve already produced in two years by taking the post-consumer glass from a relatively small number of window installers, the potential to save the earth’s natural resources that are used in glass manufacturing is huge. That’s what drives me to inspire other individuals and businesses to set-up their own glass recycling plants, so we can try to bring to an end the wastefulness of what is a valuable raw material.

The way you want to be remembered?

I think to succeed personally and in business you have to avoid procrastinating and get one with things – “just do it!” Start by doing one small thing and other things will happen as a result – I liken it to throwing a pebble into a pond and watching the ripples roll out.

INTERVIEW WITH ANDY JONES

Andy Jones, SILKA’s Sales & Marketing Director for England and Wales, sits down with our Editor Chris Champion to discuss SILKA and its revolutionary glazing products.

One of the main USPs of SILKA is that each and every product in the range is superinsulated. All of our products deliver on security and style, but we made sure that our windows, doors and rooflight systems exceed the latest requirements for energy efficiency too. We have drawn on our 30+ years’ experience in polyurethane thermal insulation that is used in our awardwinning Apeer Doors and Lumi Windows products. This has helped us create products which deliver the highest levels of thermal performance.

SILKA aluminium products are fitted with energy efficient triple glazing as standard. It is all manufactured in our state-of-the-art glass factory that boasts two toughening plants, amongst a plethora of advanced manufacturing machinery. However, the step change is pairing this with our

ground-breaking Thermafill® technology, creating a super-insulated window or door that delivers ultra-low U-values, as well as stunning looks. We’re backed by the stats too: our Aluminium Windows achieve U-values down to an industry leading 0.8 W/m²K, our Lift & Slide Doors deliver U-values as low as 1.26 W/m²K, while our Bifold Doors offer U-values at an impressive 0.7 W/m²K - all without compromising sightlines.

We believe another one of our USPs lies in our ability to manufacture both triple glazing and aluminium frames at the same site. We have years of experience with our LUMI products of making and handling and delivering large triple glazed units and have the logistical expertise in supplying direct, which takes away the hassle for our customers.

The Lift & Slide Doors boast large spans in both height and widths. Does that make them class leading and just how big can you go?

Yes, for standard products our Lift & Slide Doors are pretty much in a league of their own. Because we make the glass units, installers can offer bigger doors as standard. We call the SILKA Lift & Slide Door floorto-ceiling because the opening can go up to 2.7 metres tall. We should probably call them wall-to-wall too, as a four-door configuration can go up to 10 metres wide!

The SILKA Bifold Door claims to have excellent U-values. Is this mainly through the Thermafill® technology or the standard triple glazing?

It’s both. The combination of both Thermafill® and triple glazing has helped us create a full suite of products for the home, including our Bifold Door, that exceed the demands right now, and makes us ready for the stringent Future Home Standards we all know are coming in 2025.

You have registered Thermafill® – can you describe how this technology works?

At SILKA, our purpose was always to create a range of revolutionary products that exceeds current and future Government Regulations, and Thermafill® helps us do that.

Our trademarked Thermafill® technology offers edge-to-edge insulation to the entire SILKA product range. The thermal barrier system utilises extra-wide insulated chambers, coupled with a high stability thermal break, featuring a unique I-Beam Reinforcement. This creates a resilient barrier that enhances and maximises thermal efficiency and also improves acoustic performance.

With 44mm warm edge triple glazed units as standard across the range, this

revolutionary combination of Thermafill® and triple glazing helps deliver a topperforming range of window, door and rooflight systems.

The Thermafill® system also includes “bafflers” around the glass edge, and around the opening sash, which acts as a thermal barrier and acoustic dampener, creating a futureproof thermal efficient system.

All your SILKA windows are triple glazed, but can you talk us through the different window types that you can offer within the range?

We offer a number of different window designs in the SILKA range, including the Slimline Aluminium Window; Picture Windows; Dummy sash Aluminium Bay; Tilt & Turn; and Aluminium 72mm Windows. The wide range delivers ultimate versatility to installers, meaning we can provide them with the window options they need for pretty much any project.

Everything looks ultra-modern in the SILKA range so can it be adapted to heritage styles and replacement as opposed to just new build?

You’re talking about legacy design. Many homeowners with an older property want to change their windows to create a midcentury style, with the crisp lines of a slim sash window. SILKA Slimline Aluminium Windows achieve this with a stylish lowprofile design. Plus, with the SILKtouch finish, they look amazing in a 1930s house and our colour options give lots of scope for homeowners to add their personal touch.

Can SILKA be used for bay or bow windows?

We designed the SILKA Aluminium Bay Window with a neat dummy sash feature

I’m guessing SILKA’s USP is it being super-insulated. Can you explain that and how it outperforms similar aluminium products?

Andy Jones

that offers the perfect balance, with opening sashes for both square and angled bay window styles. These styles include fixed panes as the main window, with openers to the sides or a multi-pane bay window to suit the desired design aesthetic – bringing a legacy style to reinvent this classic feature. Bay and bow windows may be one of the most iconic architectural features of UK homes, and with our Aluminium Bay Windows, it’s easy to retain this traditional style whilst futureproofing thermal performance.

I see you have a range of Entrance Doors as well as Bifold Doors, French doors and Lift & Slide Doors. Are these solid doors or are they all triple glazed glass?

Of course! As the team behind Apeer Doors, we developed the first warm-edge triple glazed door and first A++ door. SILKA Entrance Doors feature Thermafill® aluminium frames and a unique 70mm Thermafill® core door sash. The 15 door styles are designed to impress. The SILKtouch textured surface, triple glazing and unique styles set the SILKA Entrance Door range apart from any other. The door sash construction features a high stability frame system to protect against flex and twisting, and the doors are PAS 24 accredited.

Colour is important in today’s market so what is SILKA offering when it comes to colour?

Our exclusive SILKtouch finish is available in True Black, Anthracite Grey and a colour palette of contemporary and trending colours all with an option of White

internally. We’re also happy to match in any RAL colour for customers to achieve their desired aesthetic.

What are the lead times for your products, and do you supply in mainland UK as well as Northern Ireland?

For our standard products, lead times are 6 weeks. We already have an established delivery service across the whole of the UK and installation companies can buy products now.

You talk about security as being important – is that linked to the triple glazing or are you using high end locks, hinges etc?

While the 44mm triple glazing does enhance the security of our windows and doors, we make sure there’s no compromise on security features. The products are fitted

with high-security multi-point locking systems and additional security measures, such as dog bolts and security gearing. For example, our Aluminium Bifold Door benefits from having a Winkhaus 3-point locking mechanism fitted, which offers a unique slam lock feature, ensuring that the door is always fully locked. The window and door range of products are also PAS24 certified.

I have to ask: I remember running my finger over the finished aluminium and it really did feel silky – is that where the name has come from or is there something technical I’m missing?

Yes, our exclusive SILKtouch sputter coat technology is exactly what the name suggests. Our lightly textured coating is designed to give the products a ‘smooth as SILKA’ feel. On a practical level, SILKtouch is a tough surface that stays cleaner for longer.

DANNY WILLIAMS ‘COLD CALLING’

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

“I cannot understand why the government is apparently putting all its emphasis on heat pumps when so few houses are suitable. I wonder if a government minister’s sister owns a manufacturer of such devices. What do you think?” AR (Installer, Cheshire)

Assuming that you are a regular reader AR, I must first thank you for your esteemed loyalty. And, assuming that you read my latest DannyRant on electric vehicles (Glass News, July), you will understand when I say I put air source heat pumps - but more particularly the government’s mind-bogglingly stupid support for them - in the same category…. utterly ridiculous.

Context: air source heat pumps and their even more expensive and specialist alternative, the ground source versions, undoubtedly have their place. But for the British government to go hell for leather into subsiding their installation as the primary energy saving initiative for UK home owners, makes no sense at all.

According to Daily Mail spinoff website This is Money (https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/ money/bills/article-11972529/Thousandshomes-missing-government-heat-pumpsubsidies-worth-6-000.html) the subsidies for heat pumps, which may be worth £5,000 for air source types and £6,000 for ground source, are a ‘cash bung for the rich’. The piece goes on to say that the scheme is being massively underused, ‘with just 8,584 heat pumps and 106 biomass boilers fitted between May 2022 and March 2023 - not even a third of its target’. In addition to the grants, heat pumps fitted under the scheme escape VAT.

So wide of the mark is the scheme to promote heat pumps that I have to wonder if it was deliberately pitched to keep handouts to a minimum and whether our political leaders really have genuine commitment to reaching Net Zero; the hot air being emitted from Westminster is hardly helping…

The reality of fitting heat pumps is that in order for a property to be suitable, it has to have the highest levels of insulation

in addition to central heating systems that are either heavily revised or replaced completely. And even then, many users complain that the heat generated is simply not enough to keep them warm, resulting in the use of additional fan heaters and the like, to bring the property up to acceptable levels.

The cost of upgrading an average three or four bedroom property to become suitable for an effective heat pump installation, may be as high as £30,000, with the government chucking in a measly £5k. A friend of mine who needed to replace her ageing gas boiler, after considering all of the options, opted for a new, efficient, gas boiler, saying that the £20,000 plus that she saved, would pay for a lot of gas.

What planet are the people that make these decisions on? The last effort, the Green Deal, was also a monumental failure, with the parliamentary Energy and Climate Change Committee saying that the Green Deal had “failed to live up to expectations” and that its implementation had been poor stating “Rather than facilitating access to energy efficiency measures and creating momentum in the market, the Green Deal has caused frustration and confusion for both consumers and the supply chain’.

The answer to reducing the energy consumption of our homes is and always has been better insulation…walls, lofts, windows and draught proofing. When subsidies were directed at encouraging wall and loft insulation especially, it was simple and easy to understand, to apply for and was affordable for many. Even a reduction in VAT for any and all of these measures, will enable so many homeowners to upgrade their properties.

As far as replacement windows are concerned however, according to Chris Beedel, the man tasked to deal with

the government on behalf of the Glass & Glazing Federation in an interview published in this magazine (May issue), ‘double glazing’ was the last thing to be mentioned in the government’s Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO) and generally excluded for support by anyone in Whitehall because someone there once read that ‘86%’ of houses in the UK had double glazing fitted’. Job done then, right? Presumably these are the same halfwits that decided upon the need for trickle vents based upon ‘research’ carried out by a trickle vent manufacturer more than a decade ago.

As an example of how to make things needlessly complex and unworkable, the ECO has now been replaced with The Great British Insulation Project’ (nope, nor me). But from what I can see, this puts the onus on the energy companies to roll out insulation schemes to a wider bunch of homeowners, especially poorer households, still with no interest on replacement windows and doors.

Even when the heat pump debacle is exposed as the useless waste of time and money that it is, we in the window and door industry cannot expect any sort of help in the way of subsidies or at the least, a reduction in VAT. Good job then that research sponsored by my mate Rob McGlennon of Deceuninck found that ‘…energy-efficient windows and doors topped the list of home energy efficiency measures’ with Solar panels coming in second.

We have a long and proud tradition in this industry of doing things by and for ourselves – just as well really as the government remains utterly clueless about such things. If only Rishi’s missus owned a double glazing company…

Improve Magazine targets homeowners across the UK. We promote companies who sell windows, doors, conservatories, garden rooms and interior renovations to homeowners and we do this via our lifestyle magazine through email and social media.

* Danny Williams is managing director of Chelmsford based Pioneer Trading and has been involved with all aspects of the windows and doors industry for 30 years. His activities include manufacturing a full range of windows and doors in PVC-U and aluminium, an IGU facility, retailing and commercial contracting.

By combining authentic sash window features with an energy rating of ‘A’, certified PAS 24 security, and a DOC F compliant vent solution, Quickslide’s Legacy Sash Window offers compliance without compromising its visual appeal. Recognised as the Best Fabricator of the Year 2022, Quickslide is devoted to our Trade Partners’ success.

NINE DOORS HOLD THE KEY TO THE COMPOSITE DOOR MARKET

Analysis of over 17,000 composite doors quoted by installers via Tommy Trinder’s Framepoint® app in 2023 has revealed that the market remains dominated by a limited number of door styles; just nine door designs account for 50% of the UK market according to latest numbers.

The findings from the study, which looks at the door styles quoted by around 440 window installers that use the Framepoint® app for selling, came as a surprise to founder and CEO of Tommy Trinder, Chris Brunsdon: “We were puzzled when we crunched the data,” says Chris. “It seems that despite being bombarded by choice, homeowners remain cautious and fall back on old standards that have long been part of the British street scene.

“Simple two panel doors either with or without a mullion are by far and away the most dominant forms; these represent nearly a third of all doors quoted by installers. With doors that emulate a tongued and grooved ‘cottage style’ coming up behind.”

Despite a lot of glitz around contemporary styled composite doors and a burgeoning of sleek new designs, the modern look remains niche with only 12% of homeowners opting for a contemporary styled door so far this year, and only one contemporary door making into the top ten styles.

The results are not without some disappointment for Chris and the team at

Tommy Trinder: “We’ve been on a mission to create the most comprehensive library of composite door designs available within any single quoting tool. It was a little odd to find that of the 350 or so door designs that are available to touch, show and sell via Framepoint®, only around half have been quoted by installers so this year. But at the end of the day, I suppose it’s good know that Framepoint® is well ahead of the game!”

Tommy Trinder’s Framepoint® app allows window installers to combine composite doors together with their entire range of aluminium, PVCu and timber products all in one quote. Those interested in finding out more can book a free demo at tommytrinder.com.

Despite a proliferation of composite door styles in recent years, homeowners continue to opt for tried and trusted designs when selecting a new door for their home according to latest data released by Tommy Trinder.

Nine door designs account for 50% of the UK market according to latest numbers from Tommy Trinder

‘2XG’ doors – still the nation’s favourite

ROSEVIEW SHOWS IT ALL AT

FIT

Following a highly successful FIT Show, Roseview Windows has confirmed that it has already booked its place at the next show in 2025.

Inflation has dampened down an over-heated home improvement market. Mark Atkinson, Sales Director, Hurst Doors, argues doors will still deliver sales.

We need to recognise that the landscape has shifted. The things that inflated the market in the last threeyears are now in the past and that has to be reflected in how we move forward.

RECOGNISING CHANGE

The UK housing market has so far showed incredible resilience. Despite rising energy costs and inflation the housing market continues to perform, even if activity has slowed.

Annually average house prices are currently around 3.5% lower than they were at the same time last year but month-on-month according to figures from Nationwide, climbed in June to £262,239, up from £260,736. This is despite the aggressive half-point increase by the Bank of England in base rate to 5%.

This is something that we can and should take some comfort in, but we should also recognise that with homeowners coming to the end of fixed mortgage terms and interest rates at a 15-year high, the next 12-months will be financially tough for many.

WHY DOOR SALES COUNT WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH YOUR LETTERS

WHAT DO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES MEAN FOR WINDOW AND DOOR SALES?

With inflation finally starting to bite there is going to be a pressure on household budgets and that will inevitably translate into tougher trading conditions for anyone involved in home improvement or who supplies into it.

That means we need to think about who we target, and how we target them more effectively and which

products will still resonate with the end-user at a time when their disposable income may be being squeezed.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DOORS IN SUPPORTING SALES

We need to adjust to a new economic reality. Things are far from catastrophic, there are plenty of opportunities but home improvement companies will need to win them and to do that they need the right product and service offer from their suppliers.

Hurst enjoys a reputation as the industry’s leading supplier of PVC-U panels. Despite the shift to composites, panels retain a place within the market. They are affordable and a fit-and-forget product and we continue to invest in our ranges.

But we’ve also significantly expanded our composite door offer, launching new contemporary aluminium-style products to give our customers more flexibility to match our composite door ranges into mixed aluminium and PVC-U installations. More affordable than aluminium, it represents a growing area of opportunity for installers.

An evolving offer from its suppliers, underpinned by great quality and service, is going to assume far greater importance in the year ahead. People may not have the money in the bank to fund whole house refurbishment, but many will still have money for single item purchases, something which we have seen already in the first half of 2023.

DESIGN-LED SALES

We know from our customers that homeowners have become far more discerning. If we expect them to part with their cash, we have to sell them something that they aspire to. Composite door design, colour choice, and smart technologies, are going to be increasingly important in winning business.

There will be sets of homeowners still buying doors in the next 12-months: those who have to - distress purchasers; and those with a vision for how they want their home to be. If we’re going to target this second group effectively, we need to offer them products which meet a growing design-requirement. That means that our approach to sales needs to become more consultative and aspirational. We’re currently working on some highly innovative tools which we believe will support our customers in transforming the way that they sell to the end-user.

Mark Atkinson Sales Director, Hurst Doors

The specialist manufacturer showed the versatility of its range by bringing seven different sash windows and two secondary glazing units to the show, in various formats, configurations and colours. Several new features, such as the innovative “Seahorse” sash horn and conservation-grade Chamber Cover were also on show, offering visitors the first chance to see them live.

Roseview director Mike Bygrave comments: “We’ve exhibited at every FIT Show, so it’s an important date in our calendar. This year was no different and we were delighted to see so many visitors come and see us and what we have to offer. We like to do things a bit differently, and there was a real energy on the stand. It was a very successful show for us.

“Our focus at FIT Show is to demonstrate our latest developments—there are always plenty of new things to see—while taking the opportunity to talk face-to-face with customers and potential new customers.

“But it’s not just about what we already offer. This year we showed a prototype of a new trickle vent solution we’re developing specifically for sash windows, so we could gather industry feedback. It proved to be very popular. Whether you’re one of our customers or not, if you’re interested in sash windows we’re interested in your ideas and opinions.”

FIT Show event director, Nickie West said: “I’m thrilled that Roseview will be joining us again for FIT Show 2025, hot on the heels of their brilliant showcase this May. Roseview have exhibited at every single FIT Show since we launched and we really value their ongoing support.

“Mike and the team always pull out all the stops for our visitors, delivering a brilliant showcase of their sliding sash range for installers, and this year was no exception. The brand partnership with Leon Day tied in perfectly with our ten-year anniversary campaign and I’m excited to see how they build on this for 2025. A very warm welcome back to a key member of our FIT Show family.”

Tel: 01234 712657

A FIT-TING RESULT FOR SELECTA

Birmingham based PVCu window and door systems company, Selecta Systems, headed to FIT Show 2023 equipped with an armoury of sales and marketing support tools and a range of innovative products and new concepts.

Sales Director, Andy Green and Marketing Manager, Mark Walker, talk about Selecta’s presence and huge impact at the show.

Andy explains, “Selecta were the only PVCu window and door systems company to exhibit at FIT Show 2023 and the only PVCu window and door systems company to exhibit at every FIT Show since it began 10 years ago! What this meant for fabricators visiting this year’s show, those who may have been looking to change profile systems or just merely window shopping, pardon the pun, was that Selecta were the only go to. So, by simply being at the show and having that presence presented huge benefits to ourselves. It fact, it provided the perfect platform to enable us to talk directly to prospective customers, whilst presenting ourselves with an excellent level of exposure and further marketing opportunities.”

“Over the course of the three days we had a number of frustrated fabricators who came

to our stand to specifically look at changing from their existing systems company. The numbers and quality of these potential customers were extremely good and certainly justified our presence. The launch of our modernised MASTERslide patio door was fondly received and generated a good volume of interest from both existing and potential fabricators and installers.”

“Interest in our newly upgraded Connect customer portal and supporting sales and marketing tools was exceptional. Both existing and potential customers were excited by our sales and marketing support package offerings, appreciating its vast capabilities and ability in helping them win new business”, Andy emphasises.

Selecta saw the FIT Show as the perfect platform to launch the recently updated Connect customer portal and new sales and marketing support tools, as Mark explains.

“The Connect customer portal was originally launched in May 2018, where it focused around a resource centre of marketing and technical downloads, information and guides to help fabricators and installers 24/7, 365 days a year. The updated Connect project has been in progress for almost two years with the portal now boasting a host of new marketing, sales and technical support features. Our intentions were to always grow the platform in to the ‘go to hub’ for all areas of technical, marketing and sales support,

and we saw the FIT Show as the ideal stage for us to launch and fully demonstrate its excellent new capabilities and features.”

“I must say, feedback and interest during the show was amazing! On the stand we were demoing our all new and refreshed trade website alongside our brand-new homeowner website, which intrinsically links all enquiries and sales leads between Connect and our customers. The window and door designer / visualiser, fully loaded with our range of window and door solutions, was a sure-fire hit amongst visitors to the stand”, says Mark.

“The real winner for fabricators and installers was that we are able to offer a branded version of the window and door designer / visualiser, which in-turn can be embedded upon their own website! This then enables them to generate their own sales leads, have them land within their own admin area of their own version of Connect and create professional quotes. Not only does this provide them with a professional looking sales tool and an opportunity to win new business, but it also provides them with a brilliant sales management tool in the background.”

Mark continues, “We came away from the show with a long list of customers, ready and waiting to sign-up and have their own version of the designer. The response was excellent and exactly what we had wished for and more.”

Selecta were so impressed with the feedback and response at the show, that they signed up to FIT Show 2025 before the 2023 event had even finished! Andy explains the reason behind this decision.

“What was really nice was that we had so many compliments about our stand at the show. We were so pleased with the stand and the general response to Selecta. our product range and the Connect portal. The quantity and quality of the leads definitely exceeded our expectations. So, we would like to thank the FIT Show team for such a fantastic and well organised event. For us, it really was a no brainer to sign up there and then to 2025 and secure a prime spot on the floor plan, on the back of what was an excellent show and a really fitting result for Selecta.”

A SHOW FIT FOR GLAZPARTNERS

FIT Show was the window and door industry’s biggest event of the year, with hundreds of companies exhibiting best-inclass products to thousands of visitors all under one roof at Birmingham NEC.

Outside the sun may have shining, but it was inside that mattered most as FIT Show provided the perfect platform for Glazpart, as the leading plastic component manufacturer officially launched its new Glazpartners programme with an unrivalled window and door display from the UK’s best window and door fabricators, systems houses and manufacturers.

“It was great to see some of the highest profile brands from all parts of the industry being promoted as Glazpartners on the Glazpart stand at FIT Show. We asked our Glazpartners to contribute a specifically designed window or door with our awardwinning Link Vent installed, for our display area at FIT Show. We were delighted to have 35 products on display highlighting the best in the industry.”

The Glazpartners Programme is designed to promote the value of customer relationships in the fenestration industry. The new initiative has already been embraced by a significant number of Glazpart’s customers across the supply chain and following FIT Show the interest levels continue to impress.

Dean Bradley, Sales Director of Glazpart explains, “It was great to see some of the highest profile brands from all parts of the industry being promoted as Glazpartners on the Glazpart stand at FIT Show. We asked our Glazpartners to contribute a specifically designed window or door with our awardwinning Link Vent installed, for our display area at FIT Show. We were delighted to have 35 products on display highlighting the best in the industry.”

During the show’s three days, Glazpartners visited the stand to be photographed with their bespoke windows and doors. In addition, many companies not yet Glazpartners visited the stand expressing an interest to join the industry’s latest marketing initiative that promotes close working relationships for mutual benefit.

The Glazpartners Programme offers the following benefits for all participating companies.

• Listing, logo and a promotional article on the bespoke Glazpartners webpage

• Product display and branding on Glazpart’s stands at trade fairs/ exhibitions (including FIT Show 2025)

• Joint articles for the trade and regional media

• Use of the Glazpartners Logo

• Promotion via social media channels

If you are interested in becoming a Glazpartner, please contact Dean Bradley – Glazpart Sales Director or visit the Glazpart web page: www.glazpart.com.

To find out more about the award-winning Link Vent please visit the Glazpart website: www.glazpart.com/link-vent/.

Dean Bradley

Stepped and Contemporary Styles

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 NEW APPOINTMENT

BUILDING OUR SKILLS TO LAUNCH BESPOKE FENESTRATION INDUSTRY CAREERS FAIRS

Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has commenced consultation with its Advisory Panel and wider supporters group to discuss the potential of launching a series of bespoke industry careers fairs in 2024.

The aim of these fairs would be to engage very directly with the education sector in its widest sense, to raise awareness of the industry and to support the longer term aim to create a workforce for tomorrow.

It is intended that two pilot events will run early in 2024 in partnership with the local education authorities in Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire to coincide with National Careers Week. After this, the programme will be rolled out in other areas of the country.

Commenting on the initiative, Building Our Skills’ Partnerships Manager, Mark Handley says:“We have begun a process of consulting closely with both fenestration industry and local education authority representatives, and the latter have confirmed that there is a strong appetite for bespoke careers fairs organised by Building Our Skills . We’ve been making great progress in getting education departments to recognise the industry as an excellent source of varied, long-terms career opportunities, and this is a sensible, and ambitious next step for us. The fact that we can help careers professionals in schools to realise their curriculum goals makes this a win-win for all parties.”

Morgan Fisher, Marketing Executive of KUBU, an active member of the Building Our Skills Advisory Panel adds: “Bespoke

NEW TECHNICAL CONSULTANT SUPPORTS UK GROWTH FOR ISO CHEMIE

careers fairs could be invaluable to us. We would be very enthusiastic to be part of such an initiative. We all have to pull together in order to ensure that the skills shortages that have dogged the industry for years become a thing of the past, not just immediately but in the long term as well. The more we can all do to get youngsters talking to us and considering a career in fenestration, glass and glazing the better.”

Further details of the new industry-bespoke careers fairs will be available following the conclusion of the consultation process, but it is expected that up to twenty companies would be invited to attend each event. These will include a mix of ‘enablers’- organisations that can advise on training, qualifications, routes to industry, apprenticeships and other pathways to employment; national companies that can inspire and excite youngsters about the industry through technology, innovation, environmental advances etc; and local companies who can offer follow-up ‘Inspiration Day’ visits to their factories and facilities in the area, work experience and potential job opportunities.

ISO Chemie, one of Europe’s main producers of foam sealants for windows and doors, has appointed a new technical consultant for east and central UK following continued expansion and growth.

Charlotte Davidson, who has more than 15 years’ experience in trade sales across the fire protection and wholesale market sectors, will be responsible for developing additional new business among window and doors fabricators, installers and specifiers for the company’s range of advanced sealing solutions.

ISO Chemie specialises in the manufacturer of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques. Its products are used for the fast and effective air tightness sealing of windows as well as other joint and gap sealing applications in the building, ecobuild and construction sectors.

Andy Swift, ISO Chemie’s sales and operations manager - GB and ROI,

said: “Charlotte’s technical knowledge and business development expertise will be of great benefit as we look to step up the promotion of the benefits of energy efficiency window sealants. She understands the issues involved when it comes to installing products onsite and the easy-to-use, added value product solutions customers require to improve installation times and quality.”

www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home

Anyone interested in getting involved in the programme of industry-bespoke careers fairs should email sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk or pick up the phone to Mark Handley on 07860 844296.

For the remainder of this year, Building Our Skills will continue to attend other cross industry careers fairs, and would welcome industry representatives who wish to be involved in these also to get in touch. Venues include Liverpool, Sheffield, Rotherham, Truro, Leeds, Bradford, Doncaster, Derby, London, Manchester, Stoke and Barnsley. The dates for each venue can be viewed at https://buildingourskills.co.uk/news/ building-our-skills-signs-up-to-careersfairs-programme-for-2023/.

Charlotte Davidson is ISO Chemie’s new technical consultant for east and central UK

CAREERS

MERSEYSIDE MANUFACTURER COMMITS TO JOB CREATION THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS

Warwick North West, Merseyside’s largest trade manufacturer of windows and doors and a strategic partner of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, has joined forces with two separate renowned workforce development organisations, Nobody Left Behind and Inside Connections, in an effort to address the persistent skills shortage plaguing the manufacturing sector.

Nobody Left Behind uses sport to build positive mindsets among young unemployed people, before providing industry specific skills training in preparation for sustainable and meaningful employment.

Inside Connections, meanwhile, is a community interest company providing support and training for prison leavers and young people at risk of offending, making a positive impact on individuals, families and communities.

John Burton, Founder of Inside Connections, said: “We are proud to be working with Warwick North West on this exciting initiative. We are dedicated to changing lives by providing opportunities to gain important skills leading to employment, which can play a significant part in diverting young people from crime and reducing reoffending.”

Through these partnerships, Warwick North West will help support comprehensive training programmes tailored to the manufacturing industry, providing the

NEW APPOINTMENT

necessary skills and knowledge required to thrive in the sector.

The company also aims to absorb a significant number of qualified people into its workforce, enabling them to apply their newly acquired skills and contribute to the company’s overall growth.

Warwick North West Director Greg Johnson explains: “Not only are we proactively seeking solutions to the industry’s skills shortage, but we are trying to do it in a way that gives back to the city and community. As an employer, we genuinely care and want to provide employment opportunities to people in the manufacturing and fenestration industry.” Visit www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk, www.nobody-left-behind.co.uk and www.insideconnections.co.uk.

NEW APPOINTMENT

VISTA SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER APPOINTED TO THE BOARD AFTER 18 YEARS OF SERVICE

Following 18 years of service with leading composite door manufacturer Vista Panels, Sales and Marketing Manager Ian Smith has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors.

Ian’s new role on the Board will see him bring in fresh perspectives and innovation, marking an exciting new chapter in his career.

“As an established industry leader in the uPVC panel and composite door markets, Vista has achieved remarkable success over the years,” Ian says.

“I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors and work towards further advancing the company’s strong position in the market.”

Ian joined Vista in 2005 as a factory operative, before moving into the office as an order processor, and then into the sales team.

“I not only became interested in the selling of the panels and composite doors, but also in the marketing side,” he said. “I have really embraced the creativity of being able to contribute to the design of the brochures as well as looking after all of our social media platforms.”

Vista’s Managing Director Keith Sadler comments: “Ian’s expertise and technical knowledge perfectly align with Vista’s

LEKA SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES SALES

Leka Systems, the innovative manufacturer of lightweight conservatory roof systems, has announced the appointment of Rick Cole as its Sales Director. Rhys Hoddinott, Leka Systems’ Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rick to the team. He comes with a wealth of industry experience which will complement our team. His proven track record of developing and executing strategies, combined with a genuine passion for business development will be a welcome addition as we deliver the next phase of our growth strategy.”

Rick, who joined the business in June 2023, said:

“I am delighted to join Leka Systems. I’ve watched the company make major inroads in the roofing sector for several years and I am excited to come on board and help take things to the next level.

I’m excited to be part of an ambitious company with an innovative approach and an impressive market offering.”

Rick has over ten years of industry experience including six years at Rehau. Rhys commented:

“Rick’s decision to join us from one of the most established system houses

DIRECTOR

reinforces the impact Leka is having on the market and the talent it is attracting. His market knowledge and experience with working with a leading brand will be invaluable to our customers and the wider business.”

As Sales Director at Leka Systems, Rick will be responsible for leading the sales function, growing the company’s customer base and ensuring every customer receives the exceptional service and support they need. This includes the management of consumer generated enquiries as part of the company’s proactive marketing strategy. Rick

said: “Leka has invested heavily in a series of effective national consumer campaigns that are delivering some great results as the appetite for Leka’s products continues. Developing and distributing this pipeline of work will further support our customers and installing partners.”

Leka is renowned for innovative products that revolutionise the sector. Its range includes the lightweight Leka Warm Roof and Leka Orangery Roof, the Leka Xi modular conservatory and the Leka Carport/Canopy. The products are proven to boost turnover because

company values and ethos, and having been with the company for nearly two decades, he’s a very welcome addition to the Board. At Vista, we have a strong team making up our board, all contributing to the strategic growth of the company – Ian perfectly complements this with his sales and marketing expertise. We are really excited to see the unique perspectives and contributions he will bring to the team.”

Established in 1995, Vista Panels is a specialist uPVC panel and composite door supplier for trade customers across the UK. The company operates from a 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Merseyside where they produce thermally efficient and secure uPVC panels.

In addition, they manufacture the highly secure XtremeDoor, a composite door that comes in a variety of colours, hardware options, and finishes, making it a perfect fit for any home.

For more information call 0151 608 1423 or visit www.vistapanels.co.uk

APPOINTMENT

they combine exceptional consumer appeal with impressive ease of installation.

Rhys concluded: “Our ambition has always been to provide innovative products supported by

exceptional service from an impressive team. Rick’s appointment will help us meet this ambition.”

Tel: 0800 773 4040

www.lekasystems.co.uk

Left to Right: Rick Cole and Rhys Hoddinott

WINDOWS

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

BSI – Product Certification & Testing

Tel: 08450 765600

BBSA (British Blind & Shutter Association)

Tel: 01449 780444

RAINWATER

Building Research Establishment (BRE)

Tel: 01923 664000

Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB)

Tel: 01453 828851

Dekura

Tel: 01952 201631

Door & Hardware Federation

(DHF)

Tel: 01827 52337

Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS)

Tel: 0345 053 8975

Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA)

Tel: 0207 645 3700

Get Britain Building (GBB)

Tel: 0870 162 0936

Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF)

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

LINIAR ROOFLINE & CLADDING

MODERN DESIGNS, ENSURING AESTHETICS, INTEGRITY AND SAFETY!

Maintenance-free PVCu fascia boards are 20mm thick (instead of the usual 16mm) for superb strength.

Not just scratch-free, tape is pre-marked for quick cutting and easy installation.

With a full range of roofline, fascia, soffit, cladding and trims available from Liniar stockists nationwide, installers can be sure of a perfect finish.

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

FOR FULLY MATCHING INSTALLATIONS!

Thicker

Stronger

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Fully Recyclable

British Made

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