Window News Magazine June 2025

6 Keystone Releases Spring 2025 Fenestration Report with Insights

46 Exit planning: preparing your window and door business for sale

134 Glazpart nominated for five awards in the NFA’s

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Cover picture: Cardiff listed building ‘banks’ on Ventrolla for window renovation, read more on page 122

Element urges

PAS 24 compliance to address new attack methods

Updates have been made to the PAS 24 enhanced security standard for windows and doors. Element Materials Technology is encouraging manufacturers to prepare for these changes sooner rather than later.

PAS 24:2022+A1:2024 details methods to evaluate the security performance of doorsets and windows. This includes testing for updated attack methods to simulate typical burglary techniques. Adherence to PAS 24 is often necessary for obtaining insurance cover and may assist with Building Control compliance for both residential and commercial properties.

The updates to the standard require lock cylinders to pass a new test that simulates modern attack methods, which is beneficial to the property owner. The change also follows on from recently released Office for National Statistics metrics, which

show that for the year ending December 2024 there were an estimated 422,000 domestic burglary offences across England and Wales.

The attack methods often used by burglars target the cylinder functionality, specifically aiming to disable the security mechanism. Manufacturers must now demonstrate that their products can withstand the latest attack methods to maintain compliance with the PAS 24:2022+A1:2024 standard.

Andrew Sumner, Certification Schemes manager at Element Materials Technology, said: “As opportunistic individuals continually devise new methods to breach doors and windows, it’s crucial that our certification and testing processes evolve accordingly. These updated requirements will ensure that windows and doorsets are able to meet the latest test methods,

helping to safeguard the property owner against break-ins.”

There will be a transitional period for the new requirements, during which the previous version will remain in effect until January 2027. After this date, all doorsets seeking PAS 24 certification must pass the newly developed cylinder test. Alternatively, cylinders can comply with the latest requirements of TS 007-1:2024 standard or alternative compliance such as being Sold Secure Diamond rated (SS312:2024). It should be highlighted that there are other options available to meet the enhanced security requirements, such as additional cylinder protection.

Element is encouraging manufacturers to update their products and processes to align with the updated standard before the deadline. Element Materials Technology has state of the art facilities that are equipped and able to test to the requirements of the recently updated standards.

Element offers full PAS 24 testing alongside a host of other cylinder, lock and hardware testing services at its laboratory in Wednesbury. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/3H6qsGl

To enquire about testing services at Element, please visit: https://bit.ly/4jxWoRP

Quickslide announces NO price rises!

Quickslide’s taking a stand.

The Brighouse-based sash window fabricator has officially announced: no price rises!

While the rest of the industry is buckling under the pressure of supply chains and governmentimposed tax increases, and increasing prices as a result, Quickslide is taking a different approach – by keeping prices firmly where they are.

The fabricator of the Legacy VS window is bucking the industry trend by holding firm on its trade pricing. That means £250 for a sash window remains firmly on the table, without any compromise on quality or service, or level of marketing support.

This commitment includes the promise not to add any hidden fees or surcharges, remaining open and transparent in all respects.

In the meantime, Quickslide is doubling down on the support it gives to its trade partners, as well as improving its own efficiencies, creating a collaborative effort to work together in overcoming potential pitfalls and potholes in the turbulence of the coming months.

“The only predictable thing about the current trading environment is that it is unpredictable. Understanding this we have worked hard to absorb costs and become as efficient as possible in terms of our own operations,” said sales director Tom Swallow. “The focus has to be on getting sales over the line, and the more we can ease the pressure on our trade partners, the better!”

“Price increases are a real moot issue in the industry, and it is easy to jump in too quickly without taking a more longterm, strategic approach to pricing,” continued Tom. “While there needs to be a realistic and pragmatic understanding of the impact on an industry wide basis, sometimes you have to go off piste and make decisions for the wider good. We know our trade partner network will appreciate this stance and throw themselves into making the most of it while they can, enabling them to sharpen their competitiveness in a way that is commercially viable for them – and for us – in the long run.”

https://www.quickslide.co.uk/

West Lothian based window and door manufacturers Window Supply Company (WSC) has demonstrated its commitment to employees by becoming Living Wage accredited. With over 190 members of staff throughout the business’s head office, manufacturing, and trade counter operations, WSC joins over 15,000 businesses across the UK paying the real Living Wage.

The real Living Wage is a voluntary wage rate independently calculated by economists at the Resolution Foundation on behalf of the Living Wage Foundation. The real Living Wage is based solely on the cost of living to account for essentials like housing, food, and travel but also small discretionary expenses that allow for a decent standard of living. The real Living wage is paid by employers who voluntarily commit to go further than the government national living wage to make sure all staff can earn enough to live on.

The real Living Wage is paid to all employees over 18 and currently stands at £12.60 per hour across the UK and £13.85 per hour in London to reflect the city’s higher living costs. It is paid by over 15,000 employers who want to ensure their staff can live with dignity and security.

Keystone Market Research publishes Spring 2025 Consumer Fenestration Trends Report with fresh insights and regional focus

Keystone Market Research has released its Spring 2025 Consumer Fenestration Trends Report – an in-depth analysis of the evolving behaviour, preferences, and frustrations of UK homeowners in the windows and doors market. Building on the momentum of previous editions, this latest report reveals subtle shifts in consumer priorities and offers an expanded regional analysis across 12 UK areas.

This edition is once again made possible through the sponsorship of Endurance Doors, Epwin Window Systems, the GGF, Liniar,

and Veka, whose support helps ensure this essential resource remains accessible throughout the fenestration industry. Customers of these companies gain free access to the series that delivers consumer-driven insights that can shape sales, marketing, and product development strategies.

Key findings from the Spring 2025 Report include:

• Sliding patio doors now firmly lead: Sliding doors have cemented their position as the UK’s most popular patio door style, overtaking bifold doors by

a significant margin. This trend is consistent across all 12 UK regions, making sliding doors an essential offering nationwide.

•Tilt & turn windows gaining momentum: While casement windows remain the dominant choice, tilt & turn styles continue to gain traction, with particularly strong interest in Northern Ireland where they ranked as the top preference. This suggests the UK market may be aligning more closely with European style trends.

• Homeowner frustrations are growing: Satisfaction with current windows and doors has declined

Charlotte Hawkes, director of Keystone Market Research

sharply—from 23% last year to just 11% today, signalling a ripe market for replacements. Find out which areas are impacting homeowners most in the report.

•Smart home technology still not a priority: Despite the wider growth of connected tech, smart home compatibility continues to rank low among homeowner considerations for windows and doors – we will explore further in next quarter’s report.

Charlotte Hawkes, director of Keystone Market Research, commented: “This report is about more than preferences – it’s about understanding the motivations behind homeowner decisions and recognising the subtle changes that can impact the market to arm businesses throughout the supply chain with the knowledge to make informed decisions on everything from new product development through to marketing. Our regional breakdowns help businesses see the variations that exist across the UK and installers tailor their messaging more effectively for their unique area. I’m also delighted that access to the report continues to grow with the support of our sponsors, who share our commitment to equipping the industry with powerful, actionable data.”

Keystone invites industry professionals and companies across the supply chain to explore the findings and use the insights to strengthen their engagement with today’s homeowners.

Businesses interested in supporting their customers, and the wider fenestration industry, with Keystone’s trusted consumer insights are encouraged to reach out as a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain available.

For more information about the Spring 2025 Consumer report and Keystone’s research services, visit: www.keystonemr.co.uk

Reynaers reports uplift in window sales amid refurb trend

Reynaers Aluminium UK has reported a notable uplift in sales of its residential aluminium windows in the past 12 months as homeowners look to align windows with slimline aluminium doors in refurb projects.

Reynaers says the increase in sales has been led by a trend for homeowners to match external aesthetics by investing in upgrades to the exterior of their home.

With Reynaers’ high performance SlimLine 68 (SL 68) seeing a 12 per cent increase in sales and SlimLine 38 (SL 38) achieving almost a 40 per cent lift, the company believes this has been driven by a trend in homeowners looking to upgrade to a slimline architectural look, to replace previously PVC-window frames, that in most cases have a much heavier, bulkier sightline.

Available in a range of contemporary or heritage finishes, SL 68 and SL 38 window systems are ideal for a wide range of refurbishment

projects and upgrades.

Terry Ledwith, head of sales – trade and retail at Reynaers Aluminium UK, said: “Our range of SL68 and SL38 aluminium windows has seen exceptionally strong growth, particularly given tough market conditions.

“In the face of the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflationary pressures, homeowners are keen on improving the appearance of their homes. This is a continuation of a trend that started during Covid when we saw a rise in homeowners opening up their homes to the outside using large scale, slim sightline doors.

“The quality of these windows – and the slimline aesthetic they deliver – make them an ideal choice to echo that stylish finish across the rest of the property. This is something we are seeing more and more frequently as people choose to make changes that they know will last the test of time and enhance the finish of their home.”

Veka Recycling and Saint-Gobain unveil pivotal glass recycling partnership

In a step change for the fenestration industry, Veka Recycling, a pioneer in PVCu recycling since 1993, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with global sustainable construction leader, Saint-Gobain. This will bring Veka Recycling closer to realising its mission of creating a closed-loop recycling system within the UK.

Due to the lack of infrastructure for effective collection and recycling, a huge amount of postconsumer glass cullet is currently lost to landfill. By developing cutting-edge solutions and combining their expertise, the two companies believe they are setting a new benchmark for post-consumer recycling and resource recovery.

The collaboration allows Wellingborough-based Veka Recycling to take fully glazed frames, eliminating the need to deglaze on-site and offering a

cost-effective, environmentally friendly solution for glass waste disposal. With regular, reliable collection schedules within 100 miles of Veka Recycling.

Central to this is the deployment of Saint-Gobain’s patented ICG Recycling Machine, which efficiently separates annealed and toughened glass from spacer bars. The glass can then be processed and reintroduced directly into float glass production, offering a higher recovery rate and improving the sustainability of the supply chain.

This innovative process enhances resource recovery rates while reducing the need for raw material extraction, lowering energy consumption by 30% and cutting CO2 emissions across the supply chain.

Tim Taylor, commercial director at Veka plc, said: “This marks a monumental step on our

journey towards creating a circular economy within the UK. For the fenestration industry, ensuring that materials can be collected, recycled and then manufactured into new products without needing to leave the country is instrumental in meeting sustainability goals.

“By combining our infrastructure with Saint-Gobain’s innovative glass recycling technology, we are confident that we can overcome current challenges to significantly increase the rate of post-consumer glass recovery in the UK.”

Michael Butterick, marketing director at Saint-Gobain Glass, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Veka Recycling to offer a solution for postconsumer glass recycling. The potential of this initiative is vast— by addressing the current gap in infrastructure and leveraging key partnerships, we can achieve our sustainability goals.”

Post-consumer glass recycling is central to Saint-Gobain’s journey to Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050. While Veka Recycling is pushing to create a closed-loop system and circular domestic supply chain for the UK fenestration industry.

To support Veka’s mission to ensure that sustainability is at the core of the industry, Veka’s Recycling’s facility in Wellingborough has had a £15m investment, enhancing its capacity and efficiency. In 2024, Veka Recycling and Veka plc were brought under one Board, aligning the two businesses under this shared goal.

Tim Taylor added: “This significant partnership marks another crucial step toward building a greener future—reducing the use of raw materials, lowering energy consumption, and significantly cutting CO2 emissions across the supply chain.”

Only SensCheck™ covers every angle.

Yale Expands Smart Security with SensCheck™ Compatible

Door and Window Locks.

Introducing the next generation of Yale SensCheck™. We’ve expanded our smart security solutions to cover multiple entry points around the home. Whether it’s a front door, bifold doors, PVCu windows, or an aluminium window our sensors ensure that homes stay connected, updated, and protected.

Yale now offers SensCheck™ sensors that work with our compatible range of Yale AutoEngage, Lockmaster, and Mantis door locks, and Yale Shootbolt, Rapide, and Mustang window locks - keeping every corner of the home secure. Monitoring the status of doors and windows from anywhere at any time via the Yale Smart Living Alarm app.

Stay Connected, Stay Updated, Stay Protected.

For more information contact us at marketing@yaledws.co.uk

Three trade bodies become Glazpartners

Glazpart has announced that three trade bodies have joined Glazpartners.

The new Glazpartners are CAB (Council for Aluminium in Building), GTMA (Manufacturing Resource Centre) and GGF (Glass and Glazing Federation).

Dean Bradley, Glazpart sales director commented on the news of the three trade bodies becoming Glazpartners;

“The Glazpart team is very active with trade bodies, attending membership meetings and events and sharing our expertise in discussion on the many issues affecting our industry. Given our high participation, we see the vital role that trade bodies hold in our sector, particularly where legislation, government policy and industry issues are of real concern and require authoritative and collective voices to governments, both locally and centrally. I am

naturally delighted to welcome CAB, GTMA and GGF into the Glazpartners initiative which is all about working closer together to ensure our industry is doing it right.”

On becoming a Glazpartner, Nigel Headford, chief executive of CAB commented;

“We are pleased to be Glazpartners and look forward to the mutual benefits. It was a pleasure to meet the Glazpart team at the recent FIT Show and I have no doubt, with Glazpart also being Members of CAB and developing products for the aluminium sector, our partnership will go from strength to strength.”

Alan Arthur, GTMA chief executive also commented; “Last year Glazpart joined GTMA as Members and have been active at our events and technical meetings. We are delighted to become a Glazpartner and to working together in the

future.”

Wallace, managing director of GGF commented; “Glazpart has been a GGF Member for many years and have shared views and expertise with the GGF Components Group. GGF is pleased to be Glazpartners and I am sure the partnership will be of mutual benefit.”

All three trade organisations are leaders in their respective sectors.

CAB is the leading trade body for fabricators, installers, and systems companies manufacturing companiesoperating in aluminium market for the construction sector. With over 140 members across the supply chain, CAB is the largest trade body representing aluminium in the construction sector.

GTMA is a UK-based trade association representing leading companies in precision engineering, rapid product development, toolmaking, tooling technologies, and other critical manufacturing-related products and services. Engaging

Dean Bradley, sales director at Glazpart & Nigel Headford, chief executive of CAB

with engineering associations, government bodies and organisations to access market information to provide their members with insights and market intelligence.

GGF is the main trade federation for the glass and industry, with the GGF community of members from across the supply chain make up over 60% of the sector’s £4 billion annual turnover. The GGF has represented the industry since 1977 and is recognised by government for its in-house technical expertise, market knowledge and influence across

the industry.

Launched at FIT Show 2023, Glazpartners is a unique initiative with 60 companies joining since May 2023 and all 60 being promoted at FIT Show 2025.

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

• Listing and logo on the bespoke Glazpartners webpage

• Logo, listing and profile in the Glazpartners annual brochure

• Branding on Glazpart’s graphics at trade fairs/exhibitions.

• Joint articles for the trade and regional media

• Use of the Glazpartners Logo

• Promotion, news and information via social media channels

If you are interested in becoming a Glazpartner, please contact Dean Bradley – Glazpart sales director dbradley@glazpart.co.uk or visit the Glazpart web page: Contact Us | Glazpart.

Rehau CEO Martin Hitchin Elected

as next BPF President

At its Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2025, members of the British Plastic Federation’s council unanimously elected the chief executive of Rehau UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia, Martin Hitchin, as the new president of the trade association. He follows the outgoing president, Nigel Flowers, from Sumitomo Demag, who has served for the past two years.

BPF director general Philip Law thanked Nigel Flowers for his valuable contribution during his tenure, especially his contribution to the work done on improving productivity within the UK plastics industry.

Law stated: “Nigel has been a strong supporter of the BPF and a fountain of knowledge, especially in the area of productivity, where he has done an outstanding job. His advice and insights have been very helpful to us, and I am also grateful for the time he has taken to chair several of our events in fields related to his expertise.”

Flowers stated: “I have enjoyed

my time as president of the BPF, but I happily welcome Martin Hitchin into the role. He has experience in several areas of plastic processing as well as a background working with windows, pipes, the automotive sector – and also for recyclers. His diverse background means he brings a wealth of knowledge that reflects the breadth of the BPF itself.”

Martin Hitchin has worked in the manufacturing and construction sector for 35 years. He joined Rehau in 1988 and worked his way up, being appointed CEO in 2007. He is also the vice Chair of New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), a start-up engineering university in Hereford.

Law added: “I am extremely pleased to have Martin Hitchin as the new president of the British Plastics Federation. He has had a distinguished career and is an invaluable member of the BPF Council. I am sure that he will play a key role in ensuring the BPF continues to provide value to its members while supporting the wider industry.”

Newly elected BPF president Martin Hitchin states: “I have been involved with the BPF many years and am aware of the numerous strands of work it does to support our industry. Input from the BPF Council helps to shape priorities of the organisation and ensure they reflect the various requirements of the wider industry. I am honoured to have been voted in as president and look forward to working with the BPF to deliver more successes as we face the challenges ahead.”

Martin Hitchin

Cornwall Group celebrates

25-years of partnership with Saint-Gobain Glass

Cornwall Group is celebrating a significant milestone in its longstanding relationship with Saint-Gobain Glass – a 25-year partnership defined by shared values of quality, innovation, and resilience in a changing market, says the company.

As one of the UK’s leading independent glass processing groups, Cornwall Group has worked with Saint-Gobain since the late 1990s, building a partnership rooted in mutual trust, loyalty, and long-term commitment.

“This isn’t just a supply relationship – it’s a strategic alliance that has helped us to weather industry turbulence and drive forward together,” said Mark Mitchell, chairman of Cornwall Group.

“Over the past four decades, Cornwall Group has navigated a constantly evolving market, with each decade presenting its own unique challenges and opportunities. While we are proud to enjoy strong relationships with a wide range of partners, it is our enduring partnership with Saint-Gobain that has been instrumental in supporting our sustained, organic growth.”

“Our customers continue to benefit from the confidence that comes with our supply chain, and it’s relationships like this one that allow us to protect and prioritise them when the market becomes turbulent.”

Over the years, the relationship has extended beyond day-to-day operations. Saint-Gobain Glass

has supported Cornwall Group’s industry events – including golf days and race days – reflecting a shared commitment to industry engagement and community.

“Celebrating 25 years is a testament to the power of longterm thinking,” added Mark. “And as we move into the next chapter, it’s exactly this kind of partnership that will shape a more stable and sustainable future for the glass industry.”

Rich Wall, sales director for the UK & Ireland at Saint-Gobain Glass UK, commented on the partnership: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating this milestone with Cornwall Group. We pride ourselves on our collaborative working with our partners, and for Cornwall Group, this has included things like our Glass Forever programme, R&D and training with its colleagues at various sites.

“We can’t wait to see what the next 25-years’ partnership brings!”

www.cornwallglass.co.uk

Tradeglaze

celebrates milestone year with major investment in production machinery

East Midlands’ glazing fabricator and installer Tradeglaze has strengthened its production with three new welding machines, marking the latest phase of the company’s strategic investment programme. The company’s growth plan is designed to further increase production capacity and fabrication precision, as the company continues to support an increasing number of projects in the region.

The three state-of-the-art welders include the WSA1E-L Wegoma Single Head Reverse Butt Welder, the WSA4UNI Wegoma 4 Head Inline Turret Welder, and the

WSA4LVE Wegoma Quad Welder, which Tradeglaze took delivery of this week. The trio of welders, by Avantek Machinery – a Quanex company, further improves the fabricator’s capability to handle all projects, from individual, bespoke orders, to large-volume complex contracts, cutting the overall production time per unit and further shortening lead times for customers, claims the company.

This six-figure upgrade follows £500,000+ already invested in the past two years in PVCu, aluminium, and glass production at the company’s 13,000 sq ft

factories.

Managing director Jeremy Wetherall says: “We are always looking ahead, anticipating customer needs, and equipping our teams with the best tools and training to exceed customer expectations. Product quality and exceptional customer service have become synonymous with our name. The latest investment in our welding process elevates our standards to yet another level, meaning even stronger, flawless corner joints for our customers’ projects.”

The company has had a strong start to 2025, not only investing in equipment but also in its people and premises. Five new team members have joined Tradeglaze, expanding the company’s customer support function and reinforcing its people-first culture. At the core of Tradeglaze’s success is a focus on nurturing talent. All team members benefit from ongoing training, up-skilling,

and mentoring programmes, says the company.

Last month, Tradeglaze unveiled a remodelled showroom, showcasing full-size, working displays of the fabricator’s award-winning product portfolio of windows, doors and architectural glazing. Each product is designed to exceed current building regulations and meet the highest standards of thermal performance, security, and aesthetics.

“The UK window and door industry is navigating one of its most challenging trading periods in a generation. We continue to invest in technology, product innovation, systems, and our people. No matter what challenges arise in our industry or in the UK economy, we are always here, with quality and service our customers can rely on,” concludes Jeremy Wetherall.

www.tradeglaze.co.uk

Future Products joins forces with Veka

VEKA plc has announced the start of a new partnership with Future Products Ltd, the Mansfield-based manufacturer and trade supplier of PVCu windows, doors, composite doors, and conservatories. With over 30 years’ experience delivering quality home improvement products to the trade, Future Products has made the exciting decision to enhance its portfolio by adopting Veka’s M70 system and the innovative Omnia suite.

This development signals a significant leap forward in Future Products’ product offering, enabling them to meet growing market demand for advanced thermal efficiency, modern aesthetics, and versatility across both new build and replacement sectors, says the company.

Chris Thompson, sales director at Future Products Ltd, commented on the partnership: “Choosing Veka as one of our systems partners was a strategic decision based on product performance, innovation, and the outstanding level of support they provide. The M70 and Omnia systems give us access to some of the most advanced profiles in the industry – enabling us to offer even greater value to our customers.

We’ve been thoroughly

impressed not just by the quality of the systems, but by the true partnership Veka brings to the table. From technical support and product development to marketing collaboration and commercial alignment, Veka delivers a complete package. We’re also excited to be working closely with them on a range of bespoke solutions, which we look forward to unveiling in the near future.”

Tim Taylor, commercial director at Veka, shared his enthusiasm for the new collaboration: “We’re thrilled to welcome Future Products into the Veka family. Their reputation for quality and reliability aligns perfectly with our own values, and we are excited they’ve chosen to place their trust in our systems. We look forward to supporting them every step of the way.

The partnership reaffirms Veka’s ongoing commitment to building long-term, collaborative relationships with fabricators across the UK, while helping them unlock opportunities through high-performing, futureproofed systems.”

As Future Products prepares to launch their Veka-based product range, customers can expect even greater choice, performance, and design flexibility in the months ahead, according to the company.

AluK helps ESH (projects) Ltd broaden market appeal

A product range ideally suited to both volume residential and light commercial markets, and an impressive package of customer support as standard both helped to convince ESH (Projects) Ltd that AluK was the right aluminium supply partner to support its ambitious growth plans.

ESH (Projects) Ltd is a commercial fabrication and installation specialist based in Ipswich, which already has a long and impressive track record in architectural aluminium, but is looking to broaden its mid-market appeal, particularly amongst developers of apartments and mixed use retail projects, as well as schools.

ESH director Daniel Elliston says in a market with lots of similar offerings from systems companies, AluK offers something distinctly different. He explained: “AluK’s product line up enables us to offer popular, proven and competitive solutions right across windows, entrance doors, sliders and curtain walling. We can now

quote and win projects for which we just wouldn’t previously have been considered.

“A few of our fabricators and estimators had used AluK before and were really positive about how easy and connected the systems are to work with, and that’s definitely proved to be the case, which is adding further to our competitiveness.”

Over and above the products though, what ESH (Projects) Ltd is particularly enthusiastic about in the new partnership is the energy and dynamism at AluK, and the value of the support services which are offered as standard.

Daniel added: “From the moment we started talking to AluK, the team made it clear that they would help us grow. We’ve had great technical support already on fabrication and installation of the products, and we know there’s expert help available on design, specification, sales, marketing and compliance.

“We’ve also taken advantage of the impressive facilities at the London Design Studio and have already won new work from customers who have visited and been impressed by the AluK products and overall set up.

“AluK are clearly investing in us just as much as we are investing in them – and we’re really looking forward to building a strong and successful partnership.”

Russell Yates, MD of AluK GB said: “We’re delighted to have ESH on board with us. They’re exactly the kind of ambitious company that AluK can add real value to with our market leading support package and proven reputation in the mainstream commercial sector.”

In the months since ESH (Projects) Ltd chose to work with AluK, the company has won new contracts in Suffolk, Essex and South East London, with more details to be released soon.

More at: https://uk.aluk.com/ and www.ellistonsteadyhawes.co.uk/

Daniel Ellison (centre) from ESH Projects with Russell Yates (left) and Paul Greenaway (right) from AluK pictured at FIT Show 2025

National

Processing,

Quality

In-house technical team

Partner

CAB and GGF memberships

Full accreditation

Sustainability

Merchant Q1 sales

+0.9% year-on-year.

March sales jump +7.2% year-on-year

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals builders’ merchants’ value sales for Q1 2025 were up +0.9% compared to Q1 2024. There was a moderate increase in volume sales (+3.9%), while prices came down -2.9%. There was no difference in trading days.

Eight of the twelve categories sold more in Q1 2025 compared

to the same quarter a year before, with Services performing best (+5.3%). Heavy Building Materials (+2.0%) outperformed Total Merchants, while the other largest category – Timber & Joinery Products slipped -1.4% year-on-year. Workwear & Safetywear (-3.3%) was the weakest category.

Quarter-on-quarter builders’ merchants’ value sales for

Q1 2025 were +5.2% higher than the previous three-month period (October to December 2024). Volume sales climbed +5.8%, while there was a slight drop in prices (-0.5%). With two more trading days in the most recent period, like-forlike value sales were +1.9% higher than the previous quarter. Eleven of the twelve categories sold more, with seasonal category Landscaping (+14.1%) growing the most, followed by Miscellaneous (+10.7%). Again, Workwear & Safetywear (-0.8%) was the weakest category.

Quarter 1 total value sales were given a boost by March sales, which were up +7.2% yearon-year. There was a double

digit increase in volume sales (+11.2%), while prices came down -3.6%. With one extra trading day in the most recent period, like-for-like sales were +2.1% up. Eleven of the twelve categories sold more with Landscaping (+13.2%) ahead, closely followed by Renewables & Water Saving (+13.1%).

Miscellaneous (+9.2%), Services (+9.0%), Ironmongery (+8.9%) and Heavy Building Materials (+8.5%) also had significant value sales growth in March 2025 compared to the previous year.

Month-on-month, March value sales were +14.9% higher than February. Volumes increased +17.0% and prices fell -1.8%,

while all categories sold more. With one more trading day in March, like-for-like sales were up +9.5%.

Mike Rigby, MD of MRA Research who produce this report, said: “To say it’s been a tempestuous start to the year would be a considerable understatement, as the world struggles to adapt to the rapid shifting of its foundations triggered by Trump’s volcanic tariffs onslaught. Relief that the UK has agreed a deal with the US has been short-lived as economists agree there’s little substance in it to drive growth. Other world leaders who have yet to sign a deal are contributing to the uncertainty and churn. For now, and the next five years at least, it’s goodbye Davos and know-where-youstand treaties, and hello to the Godfather and an-offer-youcan’t-refuse.

“With such monumental geoeconomic headwinds, how will UK construction be affected? Even if the tariff tsunami is resolved quickly, a certain amount of disruption to supply chains and increased production costs is baked in. Given the cumulative impacts on uncertainty, I imagine consumer confidence and its effect on RMI and property will take longer to recover.

“Given the chaotic backdrop, merchant’s year-on-year March sales, and year-on-year Q1 sales are more robust than we could have expected. Admittedly, March 2024 and Q1 2024 were nothing to shout about, but month-on-month and quarter-onquarter sales are also positive.

“The Construction Products Association reported a mixed start to the year with 15% of heavy side manufacturers reporting quarter-on-quarter decreases for Q1, while 55% light side manufacturers said

sales increased – the strongest result since Q3 2019. Despite the disparity in fortunes, manufacturers remain optimistic about the year ahead.

“Animal spirits are resilient and powerful, but confidence has taken a battering. GfK’s longrunning Consumer Confidence Index decreased by four points to -23 in April. All measures were down compared to March, and expectations for the general economic situation over the next 12 months fell to -37, sixteen points worse than April 2024. However, the Major Purchase Index component of the Consumer Confidence Index which correlates with larger domestic purchases and RMI projects is down two points at -19, six points better than April last year, so not all bad! Wages rising faster than prices, and more interest rate cuts to come will also provide relief for consumers.

“In practice, whether consumers postpone big purchases in 2025 or not will depend on a mix of domestic and global factors. The world feels more fragile and uncertain now than at any time since the Berlin Wall came down in 1989.”

Set up and run by MRA Research, the BMBI – a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation – is a monthly index of builders’ merchant sales, and the most reliable, up-to-date proxy for Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. The index is based on actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data, which captures value sales out to builders from generalist builders’ merchants, accounting for 88% of total sales from builders’ merchants throughout Great Britain. An in-depth review, which includes commentary by sector experts, is produced each quarter.

www.bmbi.co.uk

Crittall’s brand new logo merges iconic heritage with bold modernism

Steel window and door manufacturer Crittall Windows has announced a logo rebrand inspired by its iconic heritage.

The Crittall brand is one the best known in the construction industry, recognised the world over for its stylish and black steel frames.

The company’s new logo has an Art Deco feel that references its brochures and advertisements from the 1930s while providing a fresh, modern identity that reflects Crittall’s place in today’s market.

Russell Ager, Crittall’s managing director, described the new logo as a ‘subtle but important evolution.’

He added: “For our customers and partners, this rebrand reinforces our commitment to quality, service and innovation.

“They can expect the same expertise, with an even greater focus on creating new products with pioneering features and benefits, building on our sustainability credentials and enhancing the customer experience.”

The Crittall name is synonymous with a heritage that goes back 175 years; one that has consistently innovated and evolved to meet changing customer requirements. “Our vision has always been to create beautiful products that enhance lives by delivering superior

performance and stunning form,” Russell said.

The rebrand comes at an exciting time for Crittall. The company has recently announced a significant expansion of powder coating finishes for its window and door systems. In addition, its innovative Homelight range is now fully certified and registered with the British Standards Institution (BSI), guaranteeing the quality, safety and trustworthiness of products.

“We have a strong vision for the future,” said Russell, “and with our investments, talented team and industry-leading products, we’re looking forward to scaling the business, continuing to push boundaries and building on the legacy of our forebears.”

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

Crittall MD, Russell Ager (top), Ryan Browning, finance director (left), Darren Joyce, production director (centre) and Steve Childs, commercial director (right)

Allan Brothers launches new Oxfordshire showroom

Allan Brothers, considered to be the UK’s longest-established joinery specialist, originally dating back to 1811, has opened a new showroom to serve Oxfordshire, the

Cotswolds and the Home Counties regions.

Blenheim Palace Sawmills, a nineteenth-century barn conversion on the Blenheim

Palace Estate near Woodstock, is now showcasing the company’s solid timber and Alu Clad windows and doors, including traditional sash windows, flush casement windows, entrance doors, and a variety of patio door solutions.

“The new showroom is the latest in a series of developments at Allan Brothers, which started with a £2.6 million factory upgrade last year, including the installation of state-of-the-art CNC machinery, followed by the introduction of our new upgraded Crafted Range of timber windows,” said managing director Morten Bach Valsted.

“At a time when the industry is experiencing a 20% downturn, and many companies are pulling back, we are continuing to push forward by investing in our products, our employees and our premises.”

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Allan Brothers showroom and the team. L-R Hannah Wardle, marketing assistant, Christopher Seymour, account manager, and Charlotte Whelan, commercial director.

NorDan roots for timber health programme with its supply chain

NorDan, one of Europe’s leading timber composite window and door manufacturers, has become the first manufacturer of its kind to actively measure and monitor the health of the forests from which it sources its timber.

NorDan invited independent consultants Fortis Facades to analyse the Polish forests that are a vital part of its supply chain, checking important factors such as tree health, density and chronology of the trees, as well as the quality and yield of timber.

Fortis Facades’ ‘BIOME’ division employed the use of scientific methods to assess the condition

and sustainability of the NorDan forests in Poland. These methods involve a variety of techniques, including tree boring and core sampling, surveying, geotagging and ecological surveys to establish the health of the trees and the soil they are grown in. NorDan says this helps to guarantee the quality of the timber and ensure good forestry practices are used to maintain the sustainability of the woodlands.

The initiative reflects NorDan’s approach to sustainability, which runs from the performance of its products through to the way they are manufactured and how raw materials are sourced.

Tom O’Sullivan, technical specification advisor at NorDan UK, who has been involved in the project, explained: “Timber is at the heart of our products, delivering thermal performance, longevity and low embodied carbon. We want to ensure that every piece of wood we use not only meets the highest quality standards but also aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship.

“That is why we invited Fortis Facades to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the trees we use in our supply chain. This meticulous approach will not only help us ensure that the timber we use is robust, sustainable and of the highest quality, it will also help safeguard the continued health of the forests and their environment long-term.”

Fortis Facades, a leading façade consultancy, created BIOME

An inspection team on location in Poland

to use meteorological, climatic and environmental sciences to understand how its products impact the climate and interact with a changing world.

Thomas Ashfield of Fortis Facades added: “As the natural world changes, so do the resources we have become dependent upon. Climate change impacts the health, condition and availability of natural resources, including timber for construction. Our response and approach to understanding, monitoring and employing the use of natural resources must adapt accordingly.

“The ability to not only monitor and assess current conditions but also to forecast future trends is invaluable and a necessity for securing sustainable resources. This enables us to serve as more effective custodians, not only of the materials we harvest but also of the landscapes we ultimately shape and need to maintain.

This new initiative is just one example of how the entire NorDan Group prioritises sustainability, including advanced production techniques to enhance the timber’s durability and resistance to environmental factors, guaranteeing a long lifecycle for its products. NorDan provides a 30year warranty to all windows and doors against fungal attack, decay and rot.

NorDan says it has focused on reducing its environmental impact since the 1960s which is why it is a market leader when it comes to sustainability and reducing embodied carbon. Much of the energy used in its production processes is sustainable, including using timber offcuts to heat its factories, a 10,000 m² solar farm to power its factory in Powodowo, Poland, and using its own hydroelectric power station to generate energy at its Norwegian factory in Moi.

https://nordan.co.uk/

MB DIY and Deeplas celebrate 35-year partnership with exclusive trade event

MB DIY and Deeplas, two leading names in the home improvement sector, celebrated 35 years of partnership with a two-day trade event at MB DIY’s Middlesbrough headquarters on April 30th and May 1st.

The celebration welcomed trade professionals from across the UK to mark over three decades of shared values, trusted collaboration, and a mutual commitment to quality.

Since 1990, MB DIY and Deeplas have built a strong and enduring partnership. Originally a supplier of timberrelated hardware to the joinery trade, MB DIY saw increasing demand for high-quality UPVC products. After approaching Deeplas to stock its range of trims, mouldings, soffits, and fascias, the relationship quickly flourished, becoming one of the most successful partnerships in the industry.

Mike Greenup, managing director of MB DIY said: “We built this business on family values, strong relationships, and a drive to provide the best products and service to our customers. Partnering with Deeplas has played a

major role in our growth. They’ve been more than just a supplier, they’re part of our story. This event is not only a celebration of 35 years; it’s our way of saying thank you to the customers and suppliers who’ve been on the journey with us.”

From humble beginnings trading out of a 20ft container, MB DIY has grown into one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers. Today, the business operates from purpose-built warehouses and distribution centres, with a large retail showroom and extensive delivery fleet serving England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

The event saw strong attendance and positive feedback from both new and long-standing customers. It was also an opportunity for the Deeplas team to engage with loyal stockists and installers.

Alan Walker of Northeastern Rooflines commented: “I’ve been using Deeplas products for over 22 years – the quality is unmatched. A standard Deeplas capping board is heavier than most competitors’ heavy-duty boards.”

Manufacturers encouraged to check certifications for new BS 7412 requirements

In light of recent regulatory changes to BS 7412 and PAS 24 requirements, Element Materials Technology is urging manufacturers to make sure their products meet the latest standards to maintain certification. Compliance with BS 7412 (general performance requirements) is a prerequisite of PAS 24 (enhanced security requirements) for PVC-U windows and doors.

The updates to BS 7412 enforce that each item of hardware on a window product complies with the EN 13126 series of standards. This means all window hardware must be tested and classified to demonstrate compliance with the relevant part of the test and classification standard as part of the requirement for certification to BS 7412:2024.

Element Materials Technology says that in addition to the hardware updates above, there have also been updates that relate to updated Factory Production Control (FPC) requirements such as the inclusion of partially welded corners, the removal of infill panel references and the use of thermal inserts.

According to Element Materials Technology, the classification, requirements and test methods standard for PVC-U profiles has also been updated. ‘Profiles that have no surface covering must be marked in accordance with EN 12608-1:2016+A1:2020 to declare that they meet the updated requirements for PVC-U extrusions. This marking indicates that the profiles have undergone the required testing to confirm and classify their quality, consistency

and durability e.g. impact testing and heat reversion tests.’

Andrew Sumner certification schemes manager at Element Materials Technology, said: “These new requirements are significant for manufacturers, as they must ensure that each individual piece of hardware for windows is tested and classified before they can achieve BS 7412:2024 certification.”

Manufacturers have until January 2027 to ensure their Q-Mark certified products comply with the latest requirements of BS 7412:2024. Element has testing capabilities for to the EN 13126 series of standards to help meet the updated requirement.

Andrew added: “Every PVC-U window manufacturer should be contacting their hardware suppliers to ensure that the components they wish to use under their certification has the appropriate test and classification evidence in good time to meet the deadline of January 2027.”

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The Business Pilot Barometer offers a monthly analysis of the key trends defining window and door retail. It draws on real industry data collated by Business Pilot, the cloud-based business management tool.To find out more see www.businesspilot.co.uk/barometer

The Business Pilot Barometer

Confidence grows as order values steady

By Neil Cooper-Smith, Senior Analyst, Business Pilot

May’s numbers tell an encouraging story. While activity has eased slightly in some areas, we’re seeing some positive shifts in others – especially where it matters most: conversion.

Conversion rates rose by 1.2%, from 39.9% in April to 41.1% in May. May’s rate is the highest

rate we’ve recorded this year, indicating stronger buying intent and perhaps greater confidence from consumers ready to move forward with their projects.

This resilience is a welcome surprise given the fact that UK inflation rose to 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March, an increase largely by increased household energy and water bills.

At the same time, lead times continued their downward trend, dropping from 22.4 to 21.3 days, a 4.9% improvement. That suggests homeowners aren’t just enquiring, they’re converting faster, and installers are turning leads into sales more efficiently.

That’s despite a slight dip in sales volume, down from 51.4 in April to 50.6 in May, a 1.6% decrease –a marginal drop which still points to a stable flow of business. Given the rise in conversion, we suspect

fewer but more qualified leads are coming through the door.

Speaking of leads, average lead volumes declined again, from 108 in April to 102 in May, a 5.2% drop. While it’s the third month of gradual decline since March’s peak of 114, we don’t view this as cause for concern. Instead, it reflects a market adjusting to seasonal patterns and consumer focus shifting as summer begins.

Average order values dipped slightly, from £3994 in April to £3891 in May, a 2.6% decrease. While down from last month, this still represents a stronger baseline compared to February and suggests buyers are maintaining mid-range spending levels. And this restraint is understandable in the context of borrowing costs. Despite the Bank of England’s base interest rate falling slightly to 4.25% in May, the current rate continues to limit access to cheaper credit, especially for larger or premium home improvement investments.

Meanwhile, UK GDP grew by 0.7% in Q1 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Though modest, this growth follows a period of economic stagnation and adds to the cautious optimism we’re seeing reflected in the window and

Overall, May’s data signals a more confident market. Buyers are acting faster and converting more reliably, even if their overall spend and enquiry levels are moderating slightly. From where we stand, this is the type of consistency businesses can plan around.

If you’re not already using Business Pilot, now’s the time to see how this kind of insight can help you fine-tune your strategy. From tracking leads and conversions to optimising your sales process, Business Pilot arms you with the data and tools you need to drive growth.

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Business Pilot is a powerful CRM, which mobilises the power of cloud-based technologies, to give installers complete visibility of each and every element of their operation from leads and conversions to job scheduling, cost of installation, service calls, and financial reporting.

Accessible across all devices, from desktop to phone, it supports installers in running their businesses more profitably.

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Will Q3 see an increase in demand and activity?

With new construction orders rising and two more interest cuts widely predicted this year, the third quarter of 2025 could mark a turning point for the glazing industry. But Cornwall Group is warning that for businesses caught unprepared, supply constraints and price volatility may dampen any gains. We report.

“We’re going to be entering into a different period in the next six months,” says Cornwall Group Chairman, Mark Mitchell. “I’m not suggesting it’s going to be a bad period. In fact, I think we’ll see some much-needed stability return to the market, albeit through a rather unconventional route.”

The early signs are already there. While the S&P Global UK Construction PMI fell to 44.6 in February – pointing to an overall

contraction – new order levels are rising. And according to the Office for National Statistics, new construction work orders jumped by over 26% in Q1, totalling £11.6 billion.

But Mark remains pragmatic. “It’s predictable bonkers,” he says. “We’ve gone from low demand and low prices to what I think will be a sharp upswing in demand at precisely the time when supply is constrained. It’s the market turning

on its head, again.”

At the same time, new economic headwinds are emerging. Inflation is once again climbing, now approaching 4% – a level not seen since early 2023.

“What we’re seeing now is the consequence of accumulated cost pressures: successive price hikes, compounded by substantial increases in payroll costs,” Mark says. “It’s the sort of climate that starts to shake confidence.”

Labour costs also remain a flashpoint; “Each year, we’re expected to accommodate minimum wage uplifts with barely six months’ notice,” Mark notes. “This makes it extremely difficult to project costs or set meaningful budgets as you’re essentially building financial plans on quicksand.”

But for Cornwall Group, preparation has been everything. The business has spent the last 12 months making strategic investments that now look particularly prescient.

A new toughening plant at Forward Glass in Birmingham is set to come online this summer, increasing production capacity at a time when supply of key glazing products – particularly float and soft coat glass – may come under strain due to European float line shutdowns.

Industry insiders are once again using the word “allocation” – a signal that customers may not be able to get what they want, when they want it. Mark believes that long-term relationships are what will make the difference in the months ahead.

“We have loyal partnerships with our suppliers – it’s the reason we got through the last period of shortages and the reason we’ll get through the next. Our suppliers rewarded our loyalty and looked after us, and in turn, we looked after our customers.”

That approach, built on loyalty and stability, has defined Cornwall Group’s strategy. Even as manufacturers introduced successive price hikes this year, Cornwall held firm.

“We’ve tried to offer customers absolute stability,” says Mark. “We are absorbing as much as we can to best equip our customers for when demand bounces back.”

The glazing sector is showing signs of change. Triple glazing is gaining ground, energy regulations are tightening, and market demand is

shifting toward higher-specification products.But Mark is clear-eyed about the real differentiator.

“This isn’t about who has the cheapest glass. It’s going to be about who can supply it, and who you can trust to do the right thing when things get tight.”

The market is not without its challenges, but Q3 could well mark the beginning of a more positive phase. If interest rates ease, and delayed commercial projects restart, we may see a surge in demand at precisely the moment when supply is constrained.

For Cornwall Group, this is where forward-thinking pays off. Its message is simple: don’t wait for the market to stabilise – work with partners who are already ready for what’s coming next.

www.cornwallglass.co.uk

Aluminium isn’t taking over uPVC, it’s enhancing it, says Framexpress

As demand for aluminium continues to surge in popularity, Framexpress says its Ali by Framexpress range enhances its customers offering, alongside its extensive uPVC fabrication.

The Telford-based fabricator introduced its higher spec as standard aluminium solutions to help its customers meet rising demand for slimline aluminium, but urge uPVC isn’t going anywhere.

“With homeowner trends developing and architectural preferences seeing aluminium becoming a popular choice, installers need to be equipped

with products that keep them competitive. It’s especially important as market challenges continue, and we’re confident that Ali by Framexpress achieves that,” says Jonny Green, Framexpress’ principal product manager.

With a surge in focus on aluminium, Jonny reflects on the shift in the industry, saying: “It may seem as though aluminium has

saturated the market, but uPVC is still very much the mainstay. While aluminium is serving the high-end, design-led projects, uPVC plays a vital role in high-volume residential applications, whether it’s social housing, council-led retrofits, new build housing developments, or the landlord and rented market.

“Whether driven by cost, familiarity, or ease of maintenance, uPVC offers a reliable performance, without compromising on energy efficiency or security. Plus, with such rapid evolution, modern uPVC offers so much more design versatility now than it did years ago. With foiled finishes, flush sashes, heritage options, and sleek hardware – our uPVC products mean customers can satisfy their design-conscious buyers, while ticking the boxes for price and performance,” Jonny continues.

With Ali by Framexpress now a firm extension of the leading trade fabricators catalogue, along with its newly-launched composite door range, it now has a complete CLUB of products. This means no matter what the project, specification or design requirements, its installer customers have all the products they need under one roof.

Jonny summarises: “Aluminium and uPVC is not a “either/or” material choice – it’s really about our customers having the right products for the right projects in this ever-evolving industry. Plus, with high specification products and the support and service to match, we’re a fabricator that is here to help our customers cater to these evolutions, not turn away from them.”

www.framexpress.co.uk

It’s time to trust timber, says GB Joinery

Lee Parrott, Managing Director of GB Joinery, says installers should embrace timber projects instead of shying away from them.

After dedicating my entire working life to joinery, starting at the age of 19 and continuing a family legacy that spans more than five decades, I’ve noticed a concerning trend: many installers are reluctant to take on timber projects because they think they’re more hassle than they’re worth.

It’s a hesitation that typically stems from misconceptions about U-Values, concerns over timber quality, and perceptions about price.

The reality is that modern timber solutions have evolved dramatically. Today’s highperformance timber windows can achieve U-values as low as 1.2, easily meeting contemporary energy efficiency demands while offering the beautiful traditional wood aesthetic that only genuine timber can provide.

Quality has also been transformed through innovative materials. Take sustainable, high-performance Accoya, for example; a modified timber I’ve been passionate about since promoting it in Australia several years ago. With its 50year warranty and exceptional strength and durability, today’s timber products deliver longevity and performance that would surprise many installers who have previously dismissed it as an option.

So why do installers continue to shy away? Often, it’s simply

unfamiliarity with the product or concerns about installation. This is precisely where working with a genuine timber specialist becomes invaluable. Rather than turning down timber jobs, and potentially lucrative business opportunities, installers can partner with specialists who understand the product inside and out.

Having worked as a fitter, service engineer, surveyor, and salesperson, I’ve experienced every side of the timber window and door market and am able to pass on that knowledge and insight to our installer customers as a result.

The benefits of adding timber to your product range are substantial, with projects typically providing higher margins and potentially opening the door to referrals from consumers seeking premium solutions for heritage properties or distinctive homes where aesthetics matter as much as performance.

With lead times now significantly improved – we’re consistently delivering in just 4-6 weeks – and the right support available, there’s never been a better time for installers to explore timber as a business growth opportunity and take on more projects with confidence.

www.gb-joinery.co.uk

Greg Johnson: Spring statement shows substance

Warwick North West Managing Director, Greg Johnson, shares his thoughts on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement and what it means for the fenestration industry.

The Chancellor’s Spring Statement has brought welcome news for those of us in the construction and fenestration industry. Rachel Reeves’ planning reforms will lead to more than 1.3 million new homes being built across the country over the next five years, taking Labour within touching distance of its promise to build 1.5 million homes in England this parliament.

Like many in the fenestration industry, I was a touch sceptical about the homes pledge, and while

the forecast has dropped slightly to 1.3 million, it remains an ambitious target from the government. If achieved, it would go a long way towards fixing the supply issues in the housing market. This will boost our economy, create more jobs, and provide a welcome stimulus to our industry and supply chain.

I’d still be interested to know what construction methods will be used to build these homes. I expect many will be built using traditional methods, but it would be good to see a move towards Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). This approach could be key to achieving the speed needed to meet the Chancellor’s proposed targets while maintaining quality and energy efficiency standards.

One issue we still face is whether we have the skills and the workforce to carry out these targets. It’s great to hear that Labour recognises this. It has a forward-thinking plan, with £600 million being invested in construction skills training, £68 million of which is earmarked for the Liverpool City

Warwick MD Greg Johnson, left, and operations manager Phil McDonald, right, with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram

Region. This investment in training 60,000 more construction workers, alongside the development of technical excellence colleges, shows a meaningful commitment to addressing the skills shortage that has long plagued our sector.

For those of us in the fenestration industry, these commitments to build new homes and tackle the skills shortage represent a positive step forward. It’s not just about business opportunity – more homes mean addressing the housing crisis and creating meaningful employment across the construction sector.

Overall, I’m encouraged by the direction shown in this Spring Statement. The heavy investment in skills training shows that the government understands what is needed to deliver on these ambitious targets.

The commitment is there, and we at Warwick North West are ready to play our part by supplying quality windows and doors to ambitious UK housebuilders.

www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk

At Coastal Group, we don’t just supply hardware – we engineer solutions. Our in-house Research & Development team works side-by-side with door and window manufacturers to turn ideas into fully realised, precisionengineered products.

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Get in touch and tell us what you’d like to build.

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www.coastal-group.com

Aluprof

adds CAB’s Closed Loop Recycling to their holistic approach to sustainability

By Wojciech Brożyna – MD Aluprof UK

Aluminium is a strategic raw material with distinctive characteristics that enable repeated recycling without compromising its original properties. Recycling aluminium is a highly effective method for reducing carbon emissions throughout our value chain, requiring only 5% of the energy necessary for primary production. Additionally, it significantly enhances the UK’s resource efficiency and strategic autonomy. Nevertheless, the UK and Europe continue to export valuable

aluminium scrap at record rates, with 1.2 million tonnes exported in 2023 alone.

Scrap exports primarily consist of energy and secondary raw materials. Given the UK’s high energy costs and resource scarcity, retaining this strategic material within the UK presents a mutually beneficial opportunity for its competitiveness, sustainability, and decarbonisation efforts.

The CAB Closed Loop Recycling Scheme offers significant

sustainability benefits by promoting the recycling of aluminium within its specific alloy grades. By ensuring that aluminium scrap remains within closed, well-defined material streams, the scheme minimises the mixing of alloy grades that can reduce the

Wojciech Brozyna

overall value and performance of recycled material. This qualitycontrolled approach not only helps maintain the inherent properties of the metal through multiple recycling cycles but also saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental benefits are substantial, as the initiative supports a circular economy, diverts waste from landfills, and contributes to the reduction of embodied carbon in construction projects.

In addition to environmental advantages, closed loop aluminium recycling also drives economic benefits. By lowering energy and raw material costs, manufacturers can achieve greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness, enhancing their competitiveness in global markets. This recycling approach also spurs local job creation in recycling and manufacturing sectors and fosters innovation in material processing and waste management. Overall, adopting closed loop recycling not only contributes to a greener economy but also supports long-

term economic stability and growth in the UK.

Beyond its environmental advantages, the scheme delivers practical operational and economic benefits for participating organisations. By requiring Members of the CAB Closed Loop Recycling Scheme to collect and sort aluminium scrap accurately using modern technology such as handheld XRF analysers, the scheme enhances the traceability and quality of scrap material, ensuring it is reprocessed into the same highquality alloy grade. This systematic approach not only increases the resale value of the scrap but also strengthens the sustainability credentials of suppliers and contractors in a market where proof of low embodied carbon is becoming increasingly important. As more companies and main contractors adopt such practices, participation in the CAB Closed Loop Recycling Scheme can serve as a differentiator, demonstrating commitment to best practices in sustainability while optimising resource recovery.

Aluprof UK are proud to announce that they have recently joined the CAB Closed Loop Recycling Scheme and can offer its benefits on any upcoming projects where main contractors wish to reduce their carbon impact on new construction. The work is ongoing to reduce carbon embodiment in all aluminium production.

Grupa Kety, Aluprof UK’s parent company, have already done a great deal of work in primary aluminium production, where carbon embodiment has been significantly reduced. According to a 2020 White Paper, ‘Lowcarbon Aluminium, Solution for Sustainable Construction & Renovation’, primary aluminium from China, which has been as high as 20 CO2e/t (carbon dioxide emissions equivalent per tonne of aluminium), drops now to an average global production output

of primary aluminium of 16.7 CO2e/t. ‘Low-carbon’ primary aluminium in 2020 on average was reported as releasing 6.67 CO2e/ per tonne of aluminium.

Today, whilst ‘low carbon’ primary aluminium is not formally defined, a carbon footprint of less than 4 CO2e/t is a common reference, representing the very lowest achievable with currently available technologies. This carbon footprint is often referred to as ‘Cradle to Gate’. The global aluminium industry has achieved this figure through the use of renewable energy sources such as hydro power and other renewable technologies. Further reductions will soon be possible as the industry begins to adopt emerging green hydrogen technology during the production cycle.

The amount of recycled aluminium utilised worldwide, often termed secondary production, has shown little variation, maintaining a range of 31-33% since 2000, with a notable peak of 34% in 2019. Given aluminium’s high market value, collection rates tend to be robust; in 2019, collection rates for new scrap (pre-consumer) surpassed 95%, whilst those for old scrap (post-consumer) were just over 70%. It is vital to continue to improve the collection of postconsumer scrap, as recycling this material is significantly more energy-efficient and this is where the CAB Closed Loop Recycling Scheme is so important.

According to a statement made by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) in February 2022, “Under a 1.5 degree scenario, the aluminium sector must reduce its GHG (Green House Gas) emissions from over a billion tonnes of CO2e to around fifty million tonnes by 2050. This is less than onetwentieth of current emissions.” LowCarbonKety, a subsidiary of Grupa Kety, Aluprof’s parent company, offers aluminium billet

Continued on page 36

Continued from page 35

with an impressively low carbon footprint of 2.9 kg of CO2 for every kilogram of aluminium produced. These low-carbon products are composed of up to 75% post-consumer scrap, around 10% pre-consumer scrap, and a minimal amount of primary aluminium, all manufactured using renewable energy sources.

It is important to consider that extended lead times may affect project timelines, potentially resulting in additional carbon costs. Conversely, selecting low-carbon products, including aluminium, may yield certain BREEAM credits for the project. These factors underscore the uniqueness of each project, necessitating a tailored approach. Engaging product suppliers during the early design phase is essential to explore viable options. Aluprof’s experienced design team is available to assist in identifying the most suitable aluminium sources and systems for any project during your specification process.

Whilst it is crucial to reduce ‘Embedded Carbon’ in profile supply, here at Aluprof we take a holistic approach to carbon reduction by also reducing ‘Operational Carbon’. Aluprof aluminium windows and doors play a crucial role in decreasing operational carbon emissions by improving the energy efficiency of buildings. The exceptional thermal insulation properties of our systems reduce the need for heating and cooling, thereby lowering energy consumption and the related carbon emissions. Additionally, the durability and minimal maintenance needs of aluminium contribute to the longevity of these systems, further reducing their environmental footprint. By opting for aluminium windows and doors, buildings can attain a more sustainable and reduced carbon footprint.

aluprof.co.uk

Making colour work for you

Replacing bulk orders with single bar lengths from Deceuninck has enabled North-East-based fabricator, Rapid Windows, to expand its colour range and take on niche orders profitably. We report.

“We’re all salesmen at heart because there’s no business without sales,” says Sam Hewitt, operations director at PVC-U window and door manufacturer, Rapid Windows. “I think that’s why we’ve always done so well.”

Founded more than 30 years ago by Sam’s father, Paul, the company operates throughout the North-East, covering Sunderland, Newcastle, Durham, North Yorkshire, Northumberland and Teeside.

“He went from selling windows and doors to saying, ‘Hey, I actually think I can make a go of this’,” continues Sam, explaining Paul’s path into fabricating, back in the ‘90s.

“He’s been very successful,” adds Sam. “We’re firmly established in the industry and it’s always been a family-run business.”

The company formed its partnership with Deceuninck around 18-months ago, after previously ordering coloured profile in bulk from another supplier, with a negative impact on profitability and stockholding.

“The main reason we switched to Deceuninck was predominantly the availability of colours that Deceuninck offers,” explains Sam.

“We’ve always been stung with having to order between 36m and 72m pack quantities, depending

Sam Hewitt, operations director at Rapid Windows

on the foil, which priced us out of the market quite a lot as a result.

“Sometimes, we’d get an order for a colour and think, ‘how can we make this competitive?’ The conversion rate was really low.

“Someone might want just one door and a window in a particular colour, but we would have to order 36m of each individual profile, meaning we’ve then got a load of stock sitting on the shelves. So what do you do?” he continues.

“You either price it how you normally would, or you charge them the surcharge, which would then price you out of the market. In turn, you’re left with a job that you’re making no profit on. It has actually cost you to take the order through the door so you’re better off just not taking the order at all.

“Or you take the rough with a smooth and hope you’re going to

get another order in a couple of weeks to use up the excess stock that you’re now left with.”

Deceuninck offers more than 30 different colourways ex-stock, with a further 20 available in only a few days.

As part of its continued effort to help fabricators succeed in today’s challenging market, it is now also offering single bar length ordering on a fast turnaround, enabling manufacturers like Rapid to expand their colour range and take on niche orders profitably.

“It was something that I thought we could really benefit from as a business,” adds Sam, on taking up Deceuninck’s offer. “It’s enabled us to cost-effectively manufacture the more obscure window and door colours that we’ve never been able to before.”

In addition, Sam explains how Deceuninck’s “super-smooth” online ordering portal has simplified operations for Rapid, improving communication with customers and reducing margin for error, as well as costly delays

“For me, the online portal’s made ordering so much easier,” he says. “It actually shows us how much of the profile is in stock and allows us to notify customers of delivery timescales at the point of sale. That prevents a lot of issues down the line.”

Despite initial concerns, Sam reports that onboarding with Deceuninck was seamless, thanks to hands-on technical support and minimal disruption.

“I knew Deceuninck was definitely the way forward,” he says, “but it’s a bit of a daunting process to bring on another supplier.

“You’ve got twice as much ordering, twice as much logistics, twice as much to go wrong. You’ve got to make sure you’re pricing it right based on what you’re manufacturing. But Deceuninck have been really supportive and filled me with confidence from day one.

“The technical guys are always there, and they’ll come down whenever we need them. I was worried about the setup and all the upheaval, but Deceuninck took those concerns away from me.

“The whole process was a breeze and its customer support like that, that really sets Deceuninck apart from the rest.”

www.deceuninck.co.uk

Experience Exceptional Service

Discover service that goes beyond hardware supply. Our team of experts are on hand to advise, source and deliver the hardware you need, when you need it.

Podcasts

DOORS

In this explosive podcast, Asa McGillian from Apeer Doors talks to Richard Lannen of Glazing Insider concerning a serious issue which he says the industry needs to be aware of. We urge anyone involved in the composite door market to listen or watch.

John Warburton ER Certification Ltd

John Warburton joins Richard Lannen to share his remarkable journey in the fenestration industry.

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

APEER DOORS LUMI WINDOWS

MCGILLIAN

Asa McGillian shares his remarkable journey in the fenestration industry.

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

How their newest product is going after launch

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

Regalead partners with windowcad

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

which industry colours are trending.

An update to his fenestration journey.

Joe Trueman

“As a former manufacturer he knows how to navigate the commercial space and where we can adapt and enhance our offer to improve the levels of support that we offer to our customers.

“It’s about collaboration and moving forward together.”

Deceuninck’s renewed commercial strategy focuses on breaking down the traditional barriers to entry, offering a streamlined, accessible route into the sector for fabricators of all sizes.

This is built around a highly flexible product portfolio, which encompasses three distinct product areas including its core 2500 and 2800 systems, delivering U-values as low as 0.9 W/m²K and A++ Window Energy Ratings.

It also offers Elegant, Deceuninck’s next generation composite window which has been designed to deliver exceptional through life performance and to be easier to recycle at end-of-life with ultralow u-values of 0.88W/m2K.

new head of commercial

Deceuninck appoints Peter Dyer as

Deceuninck has announced the appointment of Peter Dyer as head of commercial, a strategic move aimed at accelerating customer growth in the commercial sector.

Formerly managing director at commercial fabrication specialist Dempsey Dyer, he brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the commercial window and door sector.

“Commercial fabrication can be complex and uncertain, but it

doesn’t have to be,” Peter said. “I’ve been there, from making windows, to delivering them, to running businesses.

“That experience helps me understand what fabricators need – consistency, transparency, and support.”

Darren Woodcock, general manager of Deceuninck said: “Peter has a unique understanding of the commercial market, the opportunities it presents for fabricators, as well as the challenges.

As part of a hybrid PVC-U, composite, and aluminium commercial offer, Deceuninck also supplies Decalu, which offer u-values down to 0.68 W/ m²K and rapid manufacturing benefits, in an aluminium system.

Peter concluded: “Our goal is to help fabricators become more confident and commercially capable. We already have the product and technical strength.

“Now, we’re joining the dots, unifying our offer and making the journey from design to delivery simpler and more profitable for Deceuninck customers.”

www.deceuninck.co.uk

Peter Dyer joins Deceuninck as Head of Commercial

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More Project Support From AluK

AluK customers can now get even more support on commercial projects, with the appointment of Tom Green as a senior project estimator.

Tom has more than 13 years’ experience in the UK façade industry – gained with both fabricators and systems companies, so brings really useful insight into what fabricators need and value most from their supplier – and how best to deliver that.

At AluK, Tom is already supporting customers in putting together pricing offers for project enquiries and ensuring technical and performance compliance for all the products quoted.

He has in-depth understanding of commercial glazing products and applications, so will be working closely with the AluK sales team to share that with customers and help them leverage all the benefits that are inherent in the AluK product range in their quotes.

Tom will also be involved in onboarding new commercial fabricators as they come on stream with AluK and in the future will be liaising closely with the technical and R&D teams to ensure that the commercial product offering continues to meet the demands of the market. https://uk.aluk.com/

Role changes at Maco UK

Maco has announced some changes within its team at the hardware specialist. Craig Bryant, product service and innovation manager, will be transitioning to a new role focused on driving growth in new areas of the business. A spokesperson said: “Craig has been a cornerstone of Maco for the past 36 years, building a strong reputation in the fenestration industry and forging lasting relationships with many of you and we’re pleased to report that he will be here for many years to come.”

As a result of this shift in focus for Craig, Maco were left with a gap to fill and Jemma Brookes will be the new head of product management. Jemma has been with Maco for 6 years, serving as product manager for doors and sliding doors, and has consistently demonstrated her expertise and dedication. She is enthusiastic about her new challenge and is committed to continuing the high standards set by Craig. On the announcement of the news Jemma said: “I want to express my thanks to Maco for their support, collaboration, and encouragement during my time here. The experiences and knowledge I have gained have been invaluable, and I am deeply appreciative of the opportunities I

have had to grow both personally and professionally.

“I am incredibly enthusiastic about this new chapter and the challenges it brings. Leading the Product Management team aligns perfectly with my career goals, and I am eager to contribute to our company’s success in new ways. The best part is that I will continue to work closely with all of you, especially Craig Bryant, as our journey together continues.”

In order to support Jemma’s transition into her new role, Craig will remain actively involved in the transition period, alongside his new focus area, to ensure a smooth handover and, says Maco, he will continue to be a vital part of the team, contributing his vast experience and knowledge to the company’s growth initiatives.

Craig commented: “It has been an exciting journey so far and I’m looking forward to many more years of working with the team at Maco in my new role, I am positive that Jemma’s leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate.”

https://www.maco.eu/en-GB

Endurance Doors expands customer experience team

Endurance Doors has expanded its customer experience team, following the appointment of James Hayes as head of customer experience in September 2024. The team has grown by 20% as part of the company’s wider focus on improving support for its installer partners and homeowners.

Stephen Nadin, Chief Executive Officer at the Endurance group, explains: “Historically, the customer experience we have offered our installer partners and the homeowners who choose our products hasn’t fully reflected our aspirations as a market-leading, consumer orientated brand.

“James was recruited to address this and part of his brief has been to define customer experience excellence before driving the necessary actions to achieve it.

“The addition of the new team members to our Customer Experience team reflects this. It fills an identified gap in resources and will help us to fulfil a strategy

to deliver a truly world-class customer experience within the next two years.’

The Customer Experience team is active across every touchpoint homeowners and installer partners have with the business. It can assist with everything from order enquiries and technical advice through to after sales support. The team aims to resolve any requests within 24 hours and after being contacted just once.

“Endurance attaches significant importance to delivering an exceptional customer experience because we understand its value and the genuine commercial benefits it can deliver” says Stephen.

“By ensuring we handle requests, issues and complaints from our installers and their homeowner customers, quickly and efficiently, we ensure higher levels of satisfaction.

“This creates a self-perpetuating

sales tool in our success. It contributes to a stronger reputation which gives prospects an additional and compelling reason to choose our products and the services of our installer partners over those of our competitors.

“As a prime example of how potent this can be, we have seen a notable increase in leads and orders thanks to our rating on Trustpilot where 87% of almost 3000 reviews award us five-stars.”

James Hayes, Endurance’s head of customer experience, adds: “The expansion of our Customer Experience function is a key milestone on our roadmap to customer experience excellence.

“The team is actively engaged in a LEAN learning journey and we are continuing to seek out opportunities to remove inefficiency, reduce friction and create more value at every touchpoint.

“In order to deliver world-class service that sets us apart not just in our industry but across every industry, we know we must start by making things easier for our customers.”

www.endurancedoors.co.uk

Warwick North West appoints Social Value Manager

Warwick North West has further cemented its commitment to social responsibility with the appointment of Louisa Wanless as social value manager. This role underscores the Liverpool-based manufacturer’s ongoing efforts to create positive impact within the fenestration sector and its local community.

Managing director Greg Johnson explains: “With her wealth of experience and passion for creating positive change, Louisa is bringing tremendous value to our community initiatives. Her appointment is a natural progression of ‘The Warwick Way’ – our unique

approach that combines manufacturing excellence with a strong commitment to social responsibility.”

Louisa will oversee Warwick’s existing partnerships, including collaborations with Nobody Left Behind and Inside Connections, which create employment opportunities for young people and ex-offenders in the manufacturing sector. She will also spearhead new initiatives, such as the company’s recent work with Carbon Happy World to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, and a partnership with Hugh Baird College to create apprenticeship

opportunities for local students.

“What a privilege to work for such a socially minded business,” says Louisa. “Greg’s vision to see Warwick North West support those most in need has been shining through the business community for the last few years. My role will be to build on this foundation and expand our positive impact even further.”

Warwick North West’s commitment to social value was a key factor in their recent G-Award win. The company has donated £25,000 to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, supporting vital mental health services for children throughout Liverpool. Greg Johnson also serves as a business ambassador for the hospital.

www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk

Exit planning: preparing your window and door business for sale

Simon Jarman, CEO of Clever Bean Accounting, discusses the importance of early exit planning for window and door business owners.

As a business owner in the window and door industry, there’s a very high chance you’ve poured years of hard work and dedication into building your company. However, there comes a time when you might consider selling your business, whether for retirement, to pursue new ventures, or for other personal reasons. The key to a successful and profitable exit lies in careful planning – not just in the months leading up to the sale, but years in advance. Let’s explore the critical considerations and actions you should take as much as 3 to 5 years before a potential sale.

Develop a Clear Exit Strategy

Determine the preferred exit scenario – trade sale, merger, or private equity buyout - and tailor all business strategies towards this goal.

Financial Health and Professional Financial Reporting

Potential buyers will scrutinise your financial records, so it’s crucial to ensure they’re in top shape. Implement robust accounting practices alongside modern cloud-based accounting software to maintain accurate, detailed financial records. Establish a routine of professional monthly board packs that include financial statements, key performance indicators (KPIs), and management analysis to aid decision-making and demonstrate value to potential buyers.

Customer and Supplier Relationships A business heavily

reliant on a few key customers can be seen as risky. Not such a likelihood for installers but certainly important for manufacturers. Work on expanding and diversifying your customer base to show potential buyers that your revenue streams are stable and not overly dependent on any single client. Secure long-term contracts with key customers and suppliers to ensure stable future revenues and supply chains.

Create a Robust Business Plan

Develop a detailed 3 to 5-year business plan that outlines expected growth, potential market expansions, and financial projections.

Develop a Strong Management Team Buyers often look for businesses that can run smoothly without the current owner’s constant involvement. Invest in training and developing a competent management team that can operate the business effectively in your absence. This not only makes your business more attractive but can also increase its value.

Streamline Operations and Processes Efficiency is key. Document your operational processes and look for ways to improve them. Implement systems and technologies. Consider investing in industry-specific business management software such as BusinessPilot that can automate tasks where possible. A well-organised, efficient business is

more attractive to buyers and can command a higher price.

Market Position and Brand

Strength Strengthen the company’s position in the market through differentiation strategies such as unique product offerings, superior customer service, or leading-edge technology.

Invest in marketing to enhance brand recognition and value. This might include digital marketing strategies, rebranding efforts, or new product launches. A business with a good reputation and a strong online presence is more valuable and attractive to potential buyers.

Stay Current with Industry Trends and Technology Keep your business up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies. A forward-thinking business is more appealing to buyers.

Resolve Any Legal or Compliance Issues Address any outstanding legal or compliance issues well in advance of a sale. This includes ensuring all contracts, leases, and licenses are in order, and that you’re fully compliant with industry regulations and standards.

Consider Your Business Structure

Review your business structure with a professional advisor. Sometimes, restructuring your business can make it more attractive to buyers or more taxefficient for a sale.

Develop a Growth Strategy Even if you’re planning to sell,

continue to focus on growth. Develop and implement a clear growth strategy that a new owner could potentially build upon. A business that has no potential to grow further post-acquisition is likely to be unattractive to potential buyers.

Maintain and Upgrade Your Assets Ensure your physical assets, including vehicles, machinery, and premises, are well-maintained and up-to-date. Consider necessary upgrades or replacements that could increase the value of your business.

Build Relationships with Potential Buyers Increase the company’s visibility in the industry through networking, attending trade shows, and participating in industry panels. This could include larger companies looking to expand, competitors, or investors

interested in the window and door sector. Building these relationships early can lead to a smoother sale process.

Seek Professional Advice Consult with professionals experienced in business sales within the window and door industry. This might include business brokers, accountants, and lawyers who can provide valuable insights and help you navigate the complex process of preparing for a sale.

Personal Financial Planning

While focusing on your business, don’t neglect your personal financial planning. Work with a financial advisor to ensure that the sale of your business aligns with your personal financial goals and retirement plans.

Emotional Preparation Finally, don’t underestimate the emotional

aspect of selling your business. Start preparing yourself mentally for the transition. Consider what you’ll do post-sale and how you’ll adjust to life after running your business.

Preparing your window and door business for sale is a long-term activity. By starting the process 3 to 5 years in advance, you give yourself ample time to address any issues, implement improvements, and maximise the value of your business. This long-term approach not only increases the likelihood of a successful sale but also ensures that you’re in a strong position to negotiate the best possible terms.

Whether you ultimately decide to sell or not, these preparations will result in a stronger, more valuable business.

www.cleverbeanaccounting.co.uk

FIT Show 2025: record-breaking attendance, innovation & industry momentum

FIT Show 2025 has firmly established itself as the UK fenestration industry’s mustattend event, delivering its biggest and most vibrant edition yet at Birmingham’s NEC. Spanning four halls and drawing thousands of visitors, this year’s show has not only set new records for attendance but also raised the bar for innovation, networking, and sector collaboration.

FIT Show director Nickie West comments: “FIT Show 2025 performed strongly compared to 2023, with pre and onsite registrations increasing by 7% – no mean feat given the challenging backdrop the industry has and continues to

face. Overall attendance grew by 7.5%, with day one showing the most significant improvement at 13% more visitors than in 2023. We also experienced a notable rise in repeat visits on days two and three, reflecting that there’s now so much more to explore at the show. It’s clear that one day simply isn’t enough to take in everything FIT Show has to offer.”

Unprecedented scale and energy

With close to 300 leading brands and a significant number of first-time exhibitors from more than 20 countries, FIT Show 2025 offered a truly international showcase. Visitor registrations surpassed all previous editions,

Nicky West, event director of FIT Show, discusses with Richard Lannen the success of the 2025 event, which featured 300 brands and 1,000 products, with 50% of exhibitors being new.

with the opening day alone exceeding 2023’s numbers and the halls buzzing with energy and anticipation. The event’s expanded footprint meant professionals from every corner of the supply chain could see, touch, and compare thousands of products and solutions under one roof.

Nickie adds: “We worked incredibly hard to expand both the footprint of the show, as well as broadening out the show proposition. This included an increased representation of machinery, with the Haffner Machinery Village occupying a significant footprint, as well as securing support from more glass brands than 2023 including the likes of Pilkington Glass and Clayton Glass to strengthen our offering for IGUs and fabricators.

“The introduction of the timber trail, led by FIT Show newcomer, the Timber Joinery Network, saw 50 of its members put on a fantastic display for both fabricators and installers looking to broaden their portfolios by incorporating this material.

“Similarly, a huge objective for 2025 was to meet the demand from 2023 visitors to see more systems houses represented on the show floor. We took this number from three in 2023 to seven for this edition, which included Selecta Systems, AluK, Cortizo, Residence Collection, Aluplast, Smart Systems, Exlabesa – this was incredibly well received by visitors!”

Innovation on display

The show floor was alive with product launches, from new door and window systems to the latest in software, hardware, and service innovations. Many brands timed their launches to coincide with FIT Show, giving visitors exclusive first access to cuttingedge solutions. The Installer Demo Zone, sponsored by Smart Systems and back by popular demand, provided hands-on demonstrations of machinery and installation techniques, allowing

attendees to experience products in action and gain practical insights from participating brands including AluK, Soudal, Bereco, Brett Martin, Kenricks, Keylite Roof Windows and the Timber Joinery Network.

Nickie adds: “Attracting roofing and construction professionals was a big objective for our 2025 campaign. Features such as the Installer Demo Zone and Marketplace allowed us to incorporate new brands and product offerings, with the likes of Gutterplus delivering handson demonstrations for people looking for new and innovative ways to not only install roof lights and lanterns, but the ancillary products to support these.”

A Marketplace for the modern installer

A standout new feature for 2025 was the Marketplace, where visitors could purchase tools, services and ancillaries directly on the show floor. Located alongside the Installer Demo Zone, this area gave tradespeople immediate access to the latest innovations, making FIT Show not just a place to discover but also to equip and upgrade in real time. Participants

included Blakeley Construction, ER Certification, CT1, Camel Clamp and Xpert Tools who created a starter bundle for glaziers.

Education, legislation, and CPD

FIT Show 2025 also cemented its reputation as the industry’s leading learning platform. The CPD-accredited seminar programme, delivered in partnership with GGF & Fensa, drew impressive crowds with sessions covering everything from new building regulations and sustainability to AI, security, and future homes standards. This content was free to all visitors and designed to keep the industry up to speed with the latest technical and legislative developments.

Ben Wallace, GGF managing director comments: “I’ve attended many FIT Shows during my time at the GGF, and this one was by far the best for us. The GGF stand was absolutely packed for the majority of the show. It gave me a moment to step back and appreciate the progress we’ve made. We were able to showcase a lot of the hard

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work and various workstreams the team has been focused on over the past couple of years, and we received some really strong feedback.”

Networking and after-hours buzz

Beyond the stands, FIT Show’s networking opportunities were second to none. Onstand entertainment, exclusive giveaways, and the muchanticipated Late Night Wednesday – with its live music, themed food and drink, and relaxed atmosphere-fostered meaningful connections and a real sense of industry community. For many, these after-hours

events were as valuable as the show itself, enabling business relationships to flourish in a more informal setting.

Industry endorsement and lasting impact

Feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike has been overwhelmingly positive. “I’m absolutely thrilled with the energy and attendance on day one of FIT Show 2025, which has already surpassed our 2023 edition in terms of visitor numbers,” said FIT Show director Nickie West.

“The halls at NEC were absolutely buzzing with thousands of visitors discovering the very latest in windows, doors, glass, hardware and roofing

products from close to 300 leading brands and exciting new exhibitors. Our expanded Installer Demo Zone was a real highlight, giving visitors hands-on access to live product installations and the brand-new Marketplace area.

“The CPD-accredited seminar programme, delivered in partnership with Fensa and GGF, also drew fantastic crowds, with sessions covering everything from future homes standards to the latest in security and AI. It was inspiring to see so many connections being made, deals being done, and innovations unveiled – FIT Show is all about bringing our industry together, and the atmosphere at FIT Show proves just how vital this event is for driving progress and collaboration across the sector”.

Exhibitors echoed this sentiment, with many reporting strong engagement, high-quality leads, and enthusiastic responses to new product launches. The show’s ability to unite the industry, foster innovation, and provide a platform for learning and business development was clear throughout.

Elton Boocock, managing director at Business Pilot comments: “We launched Business Pilot at FIT Show 2019 to huge success. This year, I launched thinkivity (AI training for glazing) and GlazingBot at the show. Once again, the right decision! The number of leads off the bat will ensure a solid foundation for both new companies. And for Business Pilot, 2025 FIT Show is already proving to be the most successful yet.”

Mark Powell, sales director for Direct Trade adds: “Attending FIT Show 2025 was a highly rewarding experience for our team and a fantastic opportunity to connect with the wider UK fenestration industry.

FIT SHOW REVIEW

“The exhibition brought together several key players and it was clear that innovation and sustainability are driving the sector forward. We had valuable conversations with suppliers, customers, potential customers and fellow professionals, and the quality of engagement was exceptional throughout.

“A big thank you to the FIT Show

team for delivering such a well-run event — we’re proud to be part of such a dynamic industry and look forward to future opportunities to showcase our expertise.”

Looking ahead

With the next FIT Show scheduled for two years, returning in 2027, this year’s event was a unique opportunity for the sector to connect, learn, and source solutions that will shape the industry’s future. FIT Show 2025 has set a new gold standard for trade events in the glass, glazing, and fenestration sector – proving that when the industry comes together, progress and innovation follow.

FIT Show returns to the NEC, occupying the same four halls, from Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 May, 2027.

UKO Group makes unified debut at FIT Show 2025

UKO Group marked a major milestone at FIT Show 2025, showcasing its complete in-house product offering across windows, doors, rooflights, and glass – all under one roof for the first time. From 29th April to 1st May at the NEC Birmingham, the Group brought together its core brands – UK Doors Online, Trade Window Centre, UKO Glass, and the newly launched UK Rooflights – in a dynamic stand that highlighted its installer-first approach and growing

market presence.

The FIT Show debut solidified UKO Group’s position as a onestop-shop for the trade, giving fabricators and installers the opportunity to explore the full scope of high-performance, UKmanufactured products designed with ease, quality, and speed in mind.

From aluminium bifolds and sliding doors, vast uPVC offerings to specialist IGUs and rooflight solutions, the stand offered visitors a hands-on look at the Group’s expanding portfolio – all built in-house using reliable supply chains and modern production techniques. Installers were particularly drawn to the Group’s Trade Partner Programmes, which offer exclusive pricing and account benefits; nationwide delivery, including direct-to-site options; easy quoting and online ordering portals; access to brandable marketing tools, showroom support, and website design services

By consolidating multiple product categories within one group, UKO says it is makeing it easier for trade customers to streamline procurement, improve margins, and serve their customers more efficiently.

Sam Weber, UKO Group sales director, reflected on the impact of the show: “FIT Show 2025 has been a fantastic experience for everyone involved at UKO. It was our first time bringing all our brands together on one stand –and the response was brilliant. It’s been great to reconnect with familiar faces and meet so many new ones who are excited about what UKO Group can offer. We’re proud to support installers with high-quality products, fast lead times, and all the tools they need to succeed. We’re just getting started, and we’re looking forward to growing with the industry.”

www.ukogroup.co.uk

Xpert Tools

Makes its Mark at FIT Show 2025

For three full-on days, the Xpert team, led by business development manager Sarah Parker and sales coordinator Louise Wolters, welcomed visitors to their stand (W90) in the bustling Installer Marketplace, forging connections and gathering invaluable insights from the heart of the industry.

The Xpert stand was a hive of activity. Reflecting on the show’s success, Sarah Parker commented, “It really was a great show. We had so much positive feedback, and most visitors to the stand were already familiar with and using Xpert tools – a sentiment echoed by Insight Data’s UK installer survey last year, which named Xpert the most recognised glazing tool brand.”

The spotlight shone brightly on Xpert’s latest innovation, the PowerLift Battery Vacuum

Glass Lifter, which made its debut at FIT Show and was extremely well received.

Throughout the three days, live PowerLift demonstrations consistently drew significant crowds, showcasing its impressive capabilities firsthand. Installers appreciated its robust 100kg lifting capacity, the intelligent automatic pressure readjustment, and the convenient ease of charging. “The PowerLift was a real hit,” Sarah commented. “Installers especially loved the affordable price tag, agreeing it was exceptional value for such a powerful, user-friendly, and feature-packed tool.”

Adding to the excitement was an exclusive preview of Xpert’s forthcoming glazing hammer. Louise Wolters shared: “Our new hammer went down a storm! In fact, we did well to hold onto the limited number of samples available – everyone wanted

one.” Installers can look forward to the official launch of this much-anticipated hammer this summer.

Beyond the product showcases, the FIT Show also offered significant potential for building relationships and exploring new opportunities. Sarah reported that Xpert received strong interest from potential new stockists eager to partner and stock the range, which will further increase the accessibility of Xpert tools for installers.

A notable trend identified at the show was the increasing number of door and window fabricators establishing their own trade counters and expressing strong interest in stocking the Xpert range.

Louise Wolters aptly summarised the experience, saying, “We had loads of positive feedback about Xpert; pretty much everyone recognised the brand and told us they used our tools all the time! One gentleman’s comment really stood out – he learned his trade using Xpert tools right from the start of his training, which speaks volumes about the brand’s enduring quality and reliability.” www.xpertools.co.uk

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hup! is FIT for the future

Ultraframe attended this years FIT Show to showcase the latest innovations on its hup! building system, along with developments to its most popular roof systems, and the latest marketing support on offer to customers.

Alex Hewitt, marketing director, commented “It was great to catch up with so many of our customers at this year’s FIT Show and showcase our innovations on hup! and other products. These recently launched new innovations

make the hup! system even more attractive compared to building with bricks and mortar.

“We knew FIT Show would be the perfect place to launch the new and improved hup! Partner Network too. The new upgrades to our standard programme allow customers to pick either bronze, silver and gold membership which gives them access to different levels of marketing support, leads, their own hup! website, AI, lead qualification, appointment

booking, and customer referral programmes.

“The early uptake from customers demonstrates how much they love the opportunities on offer. With virtually all the partners we spoke to, choosing to upgrade. We are proud of the long-term relationships that we have with our customers, and this loyalty is a testament to our teams that are always willing to go that extra mile.”

Alex continued, “In January, we introduced hup! Base, a base solution to make things even easy for installers. Customers have been asking for a base solution ever since we launched hup! as this is often where the most cost uncertainty lies, and we have listened and delivered. FIT Show was the perfect place to show customers the new hup! base solution and allow them to touch

the products and ask any technical or installation questions.

In February, we launched a new brick slip rails system. The system is nearly twice as fast as glueing brick slips to a board and so offers fantastic time saving benefits on site. On the Ultraroof sample at the FIT Show, customers were able to discover how the brick slip rail system works and how easy it is to install. Visitors loved the brick slips rail system and mentioned that this was a game changer when installing brick slips.”

To find out more about our new and improved hup! Partner Network, please contact marketing@ultraframe.co.uk

trade.ultraframe-conservatories. co.uk/trade/hup/hup-base trade.ultraframe-conservatories. co.uk/trade/hup/brick-slip-rails www.hupbrickslips.co.uk

AT Precision highlights innovation at FIT Show ahead of product launch

AT Precision, an engineering company based in County Durham specialising in aluminium hardware and recycled thermal reinforcements, exhibited a broad range of products at the 2025 FIT Show. Building on their presence at the 2023 event, the company showcased items such as stillages and extrusion machines, highlighting the breadth of their offering.

The company used the FIT Show as an opportunity to build visibility and connect with new customers, ahead of the launch of its upcoming complete window system. Michael Hewitt, the Sales Director of the forward-moving organisation has expressed his enthusiasm off the back of the show.

‘Following the 2025 FIT Show, the entire team at AT Precision is more excited than ever about what lies ahead. Engaging with both existing and potential customers reinforced that we’re on the right path—providing the full range of solutions they’re

looking for and moving closer to becoming their complete onestop shop. It was a fantastic opportunity to share details of our upcoming product launches, generate new interest, and secure valuable new business. Now, we’re focused on the next big milestone: launching our brand-new window system.’

The FIT Show may be over, but AT Precision is still hard at work — putting the finishing touches on their complete window system into action, says the company.

The upcoming complete window system is packed with standout features. Among its highlights is a smooth clip-in bead system for effortless installation, a U-Value of 1.41 W/m² K, enhanced drainage performance, and slim profiles that deliver a sleek, modern sightline, says AT Precision.

According to the company, with a standout showing at FIT Show and the launch of their complete window system, AT Precision has cemented their position as a rising powerhouse in the market.

Sheerline Bespoke shines at FIT with S3 preview

Sheerline Bespoke had a debut to remember at this year’s FIT Show, with the aluminium manufacturer officially unveiling Sheerline’s innovative S3 modern single pitch lean-to roof system to widespread acclaim at the event.

Visitors were said to be particularly drawn to the system’s fully suited design, exceptional thermal performance, and architectural looks.

The S3 showcases what Sheerline says is its commitment to engineering excellence with its

Thermlock technology delivering 230% better thermal insulation than a traditional conservatory roof.

Visitors were also sais to be impressed by the system’s modern look, featuring clean architectural lines with shallow external rafter caps and deep internal structural bars.

“The guttering has been a real point of interest,” noted commercial director Chris Cooke. “The fact it’s a fully suited design, with the frame matching the windows and doors, also really resonated with

visitors.

“These are now referred to as glazed extensions rather than conservatories in the market, and the beauty of our S3 roof system is that it will allow Sheerline fabricators to offer complete aluminium glazed extension kits that perfectly match so installers can remove an old conservatory, and the complete extension fits perfectly on the existing base.”

Operations director Chris Baron added: “The modern look of the S3, coupled with the fact there’s nothing like it currently available on the market, has really impressed people here.

“It was also fantastic to reconnect with familiar faces and meet potential new partners who recognise the value our installation-ready kits could bring to their businesses.”

Beyond the S3, the stand also featured the award-winning S1 roof lantern, recognised as one of the UK’s most secure lantern roofs, and showcased the company’s SheerVent roof vent technology, available on all S series roofs, and arched frame capabilities.

As a new division of Sheerline, Sheerline Bespoke is positioned as a supplier of ready to install products that are quick and easy to fit for installers and a forward-thinking partner for fabricators who want to expand their product offerings without disrupting their core window and door production.

And the strong reception at FIT suggests Sheerline Bespoke, like it’s new S3 roof, has been pitched just right.

To find out more about Sheerline Bespoke, and its range of specialist products, call 01332 978 070 or email sales@ sheerlinebespoke.com

Chris Cooke and Chris Baron

Fabricator hits the bullseye with darts challenge and weld launch

Shropshire-based fabricator, Universal Trade Frames, is celebrating a successful return to the FIT Show, where it combined fun and interaction with a highly anticipated product launch.

Visitors to the Universal Trade Frames stand were given the chance to win a shirt signed by reigning PDC world champion, 18 year-old Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, in the Countdown from 501 darts challenge, which saw Jason Cooke from Allglass scoop the coveted prize.

Richard Hammond, sales director at Universal Trade Frames, said: “The darts challenge was great fun and it added a light-hearted, friendly but competitive element to what was a very productive show for us.

“It was a great way to get people onto the stand, where we also launched our game-changing new HeritageWeld solution and highlighted our full suite of premium products, backed by extensive manufacturing investment.”

HeritageWeld delivers traditional, 90º mechanicalstyle joints on Residence Collection products inside and out, with no need for glass bonding. This

means HeritageWeld Residence Collection windows manufactured by the Shrewsbury-based fabricator can be fitted in exactly the same way as any other window, saving installers time on site, and boosting profit margins as a result. Fabrication tolerances as low as 0.1mm on joints, plus greater weld strength, further enhance precision.

“We feel we’ve really raised the bar for Residence Collection manufacture with HeritageWeld,” adds Richard. “The benefits for installers are clear, and it received a lot of attention at the show.

“We consider ourselves a one-stop shop for premium window and door products, and HeritageWeld really enhances our offer.”

Other products showcased by Universal Trade Frames included the Spectus VS with slim meeting rail, which, with its narrow sightlines of just 37mm, accurately replicates the dimensions of a traditional timber sash window.

As the largest independent supplier of Solidor, visitors to the fabricator’s stand were also able to see products from its extensive Solidor composite door offering. Supplying the entire Solidor range, including the Traditional and Italia Collections, Universal Trade Frame customers benefit from additional glass and hardware options, and Yale Platinum 3* cylinders as standard.

Last but not least was the Flush Tilt and Turn window, part of the company’s commercial uPVC offering. This latest flush product from Epwin features concealed gearing and can accommodate “door-size” window sashes — a standout for many who were previously unaware of the range. With flush designs currently on-trend, the commercial market can now be served with a product that suits medium-rise dwellings while delivering a stunning aesthetic.

Boasting a 98% OTIF score and having recently invested a six-figure sum in advanced manufacturing technologies, including a state-of-the-art Haffner MAC 345 CNC machining centre, Universal Trade Frames is committed to becoming the go-to supplier for premium products.

“We’re dedicated to quality, precision, and installerfocused solutions that deliver both commercial and technical advantages for our customers – and I think our presence at this year’s FIT Show clearly demonstrated that,” added Richard.

“It was a great showcase, in terms of our people and our product and service offering, and we expect to pick up a lot of business as a result.”

Jack Aluminium Systems

celebrate stand-out success at first FIT Show

Jack Aluminium Systems is celebrating a hugely successful debut at this year’s FIT Show, where the Coventry-based manufacturer’s ID30 internal glazing system drew mass interest among delegates.

Exhibiting for the first time at the UK’s leading trade

show, the aluminium systems supplier utilised the exhibition to showcase its aluminium innovations and how they are helping fabricators, specifiers and those alike set a new standard in their aluminium offering, says the company.

Fabricators, specifiers and

RegaLead celebrates another successful FIT Show

RegaLead is celebrating a hugely successful return to the FIT Show 2025, with their showcase of decorative glass and engineered door components attracting widespread attention and praise from visitors across the glazing and fenestration sectors.

With a theme of ‘real products in

real applications’, the RegaLead stand offered a dynamic and tangible experience for fabricators and installers eager to see how the company’s innovative solutions are shaping the future of entrance doors. Central to the display was the latest collection from the Stained Glass Overlay (SGO) division, featuring a stunning

delegates were drawn to Jack Aluminium’s stand – that was shared alongside Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) – to explore how Jack Aluminium deliver on-trend, high-performance and forwardthinking aluminium glazing solutions for both residential and commercial applications, claims the company.

According to the company, a notable highlight was delegates reaction to Jack Aluminium’s stand-out ID30 internal glazing system. With many praising its ease of fabrication, robust quality, and the flexibility it offers with its bespoke configurations – it didn’t take long for visitors to recognise how valuable the system could be for them in addressing the demand for minimal and ultramodern solutions.

www.jackaluminium.co.uk

new Victorian-inspired design that turned heads and captured imaginations.

“The SGO team delivered another truly outstanding design for this year’s FIT Show,” said Guy Hubble, joint managing director at RegaLead. “The Victorian-style glass, showcased in an Aluplast Ideal 4000 Engineered Door, really demonstrated how traditional aesthetics and modern materials can work in harmony. It served as a great example of how our glass and panel products can transform standard PVC doors into something that feels bespoke and special.”

Visitors also had the opportunity to see fully manufactured doors on display, created using RegaLead’s Engineered Door Components and fabricated in systems from Aluplast, The Residence Collection, and Veka. These products showcased how traditional character and craftsmanship can be replicated without compromising on performance or efficiency. www.regalead.com

Caribbean Blinds MD takes the FIT Show stage for leadership talk

Caribbean Blinds managing director Stuart Dantzic took part in a stimulating and wideranging discussion about leadership and entrepreneurship at FIT Show 2025, held at Birmingham’s NEC.

The panel-led discussion was a key part of the three-day show, the biggest of its kind for the UK’s fenestration and related hardware sector. Stuart was part of the panel which included representatives from industry and associated trade bodies.

Moderated by carpenter and influencer Robin Clevett, the discussion centred around how leaders emerge and develop, and how entrepreneurship must work hand-in-hand with new technology and the changing tastes of customers.

Stuart described how he and his brother Brad had bought the Caribbean Blinds business in 2016 from their parents, who had founded it in 1987. Stuart joined the company in 2001, beginning on the shop floor and learning every aspect of the business as he worked his way to the top.

He told the discussion how his leadership style had encompassed the areas of staff training and company values. The first has included a drive to get every member of staff trained to understand the company’s products inside out, culminating in every person becoming Smart Solar Shading Advisors following a training course.

The emphasis on company

values is centred around how well the company integrates with the local community. Stuart talked about some of the firm’s initiatives – sponsoring the local football team, for example – and how each member of staff was asked about what they would like to see happen in terms of community engagement.

Stuart also talked about his own leadership style. “You have to be brave, stick to decisions you’ve made and not procrastinate,” he told the audience. “Also, look inward to your own teams, especially when times are tough and you need to make cuts. Very often, it’s those members of staff who have solutions that will save money without having to make drastic changes.”

All the panellists – which included Greg Johnson (MD, Warwick North West), Ryan Breslin (MD, Cherwell Windows) and Sarah Cresswell (group director of strategy at the Glass and Glazing Federation) agreed that marketing should always play a prominent part in any management strategy.

“Continue to invest in marketing, and continue to stick with it, especially in the tough times,” Stuart said, “because when things get better you will be the brand people know and want to buy.”

The Suffolk-based manufacturer showcased its premium range of external blinds, patio awnings and louvered roof pergolas at the event, which ran from April 29 –May 1.

Stuart said: “The FIT Show is a great opportunity to meet prospective clients, find out about developments in our sector and share knowledge. I was delighted to be asked to join the Entrepreneurship and Leadership panel event, and I hope the audience enjoyed the discussion as much as the panellists did.”

www.cbsolarshading.co.uk/

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Scan the QR Code to start your GGF Membership journey or visit www.ggf.org.uk/why-join-ggf/ to

Morley Glass hails FIT Show 2025 a great success

The Morley Glass team is celebrating another successful presence at the FIT Show with strong footfall on its stand throughout the three-day event.

The event provided the company with the opportunity to engage with an increasing number of installers seeking to unlock the benefits of partnering with a company which is uniquely

positioned to provide the widest possible range of premium quality ScreenLine integral blinds, including many exclusive systems.

Repeating its success exhibiting at previous shows, the company’s stand attracted thousands of visitors this year thanks to a variety of eye-catching displays, including a large gable end window featuring Uni-Blinds MB System

brushless-motorised integral blinds programmed to move elegantly in sequence. Such was the impact of Morley Glass’s marketing campaign ahead of the show that the company also won the FIT Show organisers’ award for driving and converting the most visitors to the event, including through offering free VIP tickets.

The bright, spacious stand was carefully designed to showcase the complete Morley Glass range, providing inspiration for anyone considering adding integral blinds and switchable smart glass to their portfolio for the first time, or installers looking to expand their offering.

The company displayed several of its latest innovations, including the ScreenLine Wave integral blind. This is a brand new type

of integral blind which uses an ultra-thin polyester film created in a horizontal wave pattern, rather than fabric as used in pleated integral blinds. It is motorised to offer total convenience and there is the option of a blackout blind too.

Another newcomer which sparked interest from a number of visitors was one of the new colours developed for the slimline SL16 Venetian integral blind, which is now exclusively available in the UK from Morley Glass. The new agate grey (S120) option demonstrated why it can offer homeowners the perfect contemporary integral blind solution where their windows or doors will only accommodate a 24mm IGU – common in many retrofit projects.

Also catching the eye of FIT Show visitors once again was the Uni-

Switch switchable smart glass system, an alternative to integral blinds which is ideal for high-end residential or commercial projects. This uses electricity to switch from its opaque state when ‘off’ to clear when switched on, with an excellent level of clarity provided.

Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass said: “It was fantastic to be back at the FIT Show and have the opportunity to meet so many people from across the industry. We met with a number of new installers who were keen to explore how our Uni-Blinds

and Uni-Switch systems could provide new sales opportunities for their businesses, and it was great to catch up with our existing customers, supply chain partners and industry associates.

“There is no other event in the window industry that showcases product innovations like the FIT Show, and we were once again delighted to have been part of this, including with the debut of ScreenLine Wave and contemporary new colours.”

www.morleyglass.co.uk

Visitors to the Morley Glass 2025 FIT Show stand exploring its integral blind for flat glass rooflights.

Two of the most recent additions to the Morley Glass range – the Uni-Switch switchable smart glass system (left) and the ScreenLine Wave (right) integral blind.

Haffner celebrates best-ever FIT Show with its Machinery Village

FIT Show 2025 has gone down as the most successful exhibition in Haffner’s history, with its Machinery Village proving a major draw throughout the three-day event. Matt Thomas, managing director at Haffner, said: “The response to the Haffner Machinery Village exceeded all our expectations. It was fantastic to connect with so many new and existing customers, showcase the latest advancements in fabrication technology and reinforce why Haffner continues to lead the way in machinery innovation.”

As in previous years, Haffner had the biggest presence at the show with the Machinery Village spanning three interconnected stands, each dedicated to one of Haffner’s machinery groups: Haffner, Graf Synergy and Fom Industrie. Together, they demonstrated their collaborative strength and the comprehensive solutions on offer.

Matt Thomas continued: “All

three machinery zones were busy throughout the show but the reaction to our Graf seamless technology stood out. Visitors were blown away by the finish quality of the V Perfect welds and the competitive advantage it delivers. It was undoubtedly one of the show’s highlights, and we secured multiple orders as a direct result.”

He added: “From the many conversations we had with fabricators, automation was the word on everyone’s lips. It’s clear that economic pressures mean every fabricator is looking for ways to boost productivity — and automation is now at the top of the agenda.”

The Haffner Machinery Village attracted strong footfall from highquality customers, many of whom arrived with clear machinery plans in mind. Matt said: “Sales were taken across our range of machines and numerous confirmed appointments were

secured for post-show follow-up. The calibre of enquiries this year was second to none.”

Additional highlights included the newly launched Haffner SBA-3 Machining Centre with its enhanced tooling speed and compact design, optimising automated efficiency and workspace utilisation. Also featured was the powerful SMR-5 Welder, which says Haffner, is “recognised as the fastest and most accurate welder on the market today”.

Matt commented: “Haffner has been a trusted machinery supplier to the fenestration industry since 1990. Alongside our marketleading machinery, we offer a deep understanding of the fabrication industry and its unique challenges.”

Since its launch, Haffner has been an exhibitor at every FIT Show. Matt concluded: “FIT Show is always a superb opportunity to meet existing customers and connect with new ones. It gives us a fantastic platform to showcase the quality and efficiency that our machines deliver. The value of the show is clearly reflected in our bottom line, which is why I’m delighted to confirm we’ve already signed up for FIT Show 2027.”

www.haffnerltd.com

“We

and owner

aluplast showcases new innovations at FIT Show 25

aluplast has showcased its next generation product ranges including the Ideal neo casement window neo smart-slide inline sliding door – plus its new aluminium window and door system.

At this year’s expo, the aluplast stand showcased a broad selection of products, including the Engineered Door and a range of foiled ancillaries such as woodec and aludec options.

aluplast spokesman, Ian Cocken

said: “We had one of the largest presences at the FIT Show, with a host of new products.

“This included a sneak preview of our new aluminium system, which we will launch shortly, as well as our ultra-energy efficient Ideal Neo casement and neo smart-slide inline sliding doors, plus our new Engineered Door.

“What each does is to combine exceptional levels of performance including the delivery of a real step change in thermal performance,

with new flexibility in finish and design.

“We believe it’s a very compelling proposition and that seems to have been borne out by the number of leads that we picked up. It’s been an exceptionally successful show.”

Ideal neo delivers next generation levels of performance using established window fabrication methods. Part of aluplast’s energeto family, it achieves u-values of as low as 1.2W/m2K, using standard double-glazed units and 0.9W/m2K using triple glazing, claims the company.

neo smart-slide is built around hardware from either Maco, Siegenia and Roto, and has been engineered to deliver market leading performance, achieving BS6375 for weather tightness and PAS24 for security. It achieves heights of up to 2.5m and a

span of 6m with just two panels, alongside Passive House levels of thermal efficiency, with u-values as low as 0.67W/m2K, according to the company.

“We’ll be carrying that focus on advanced thermal performance through to our new aluminium window and door system when it’s launched later this year”, Ian said.

“For aluplast it’s about the combined offer”, Ian continued.

“We’re able to offer fabricators and installers a complete systems offer, including our highly popular flush casement option, as well as a new generation of products, which reset the benchmark for window and door performance.

“With a new aluminium system launch scheduled for later this year, it’s a great time to form your partnership with aluplast.”

www.aluplast.co.uk

The best FIT yet for BFRC

The FIT Show provided a valuable platform for the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) to engage with industry professionals. The halls at the NEC were transformed once again, playing host to everything that is great about the fenestration industry, including new products, services and innovation.

Richard Sellman, BFRC managing director, explains:

“We had a fantastic few days at the FIT Show – I genuinely believe this year’s was the best one yet! It proved a timely event for us as an organisation. Having recently extended our service offering it was the ideal platform for us from which to showcase everything that’s new. The widened scope of our testing and certification services were well received, by a number of new faces along with some familiar ones too.

“We were pleased to be part of the Glass and Glazing Federation’s stand and join

them and Fensa as one of the hosts of the PIGS party on Wednesday evening, which proved as popular as ever. Everything we do as a group is intended to help and support the industry and we hope that visitors to our stand left with a greater understanding of our commitment to that intention.

“Across the wider construction industry, we’re seeing a cultural shift towards ‘doing the right thing’ and we’ve come away from the FIT Show with a renewed confidence that the fenestration industry is committed to doing the same. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and experienced testing and certification collaboration partner, then we can help!

“This year’s FIT proved there’s a real appetite for a UK based exhibition for our industry and we’re excited to see if the 2027 show can top this one.”

www.bfrc.org

Visitors hit the Insight Data bullseye at the 2025 FIT Show

A darts-themed stand proved a real crowd-puller for Insight Data at this year’s FIT Show. As one of the UK’s leading providers of marketing data for the fenestration industry, they welcomed more than 500 visitors to the oche across the three-day event.

The South West-based company drew attention with a stand that invited attendees to put their aim to the test, competing for the highest total score with just nine darts. The competition attracted a host of keen players and a few unexpected sharpshooters, as participants battled it out for a selection of premium darts prizes.

Top of the leaderboard over the three days were:

• James Longshaw from Blink Payment (Day 1)

• Ryan Halliday from Verdi Home Improvements Limited (Day 2)

• James Slaski from Brisant Secure (Day 3)

Each winner will receive a prize bundle including a dartboard, personalised darts surround, board light, set of darts and customised flights.

Alex Tremlett, commercial director at Insight Data, commented: “We had a fantastic response to the stand and it was brilliant to see such a competitive spirit from both seasoned players and complete novices. While we saw some impressive scores, the real highlight was the way the game encouraged people to engage with the team, learn more about our services and enjoy themselves. The darts theme was

a bit of fun, but it also highlighted the real precision and accuracy of what we offer.”

Alongside the lively competition, visitors had the opportunity to explore Insight Data’s latest innovations, including live demonstrations of Salestracker –the company’s real-time prospect database and CRM platform – and access the newly launched 2025 Industry Overview.

The comprehensive report, compiled by Insight Data’s research team presents fresh insight into key trends, market changes and the outlook for the year ahead. Drawing on more than 20,000 monthly calls and ongoing in-house analysis, the overview offers companies a reliable benchmark for strategic decision-making, according to the company.

The FIT Show also gave the Insight Data team a chance to reconnect with long-standing customers and forge new relationships with businesses looking to sharpen their marketing performance.

www.insightdata.co.uk

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UK Rooflights launches innovative new product range at FIT Show 2025

FIT Show 2025 marked the official launch of UK Rooflights, which unveiled an exciting new collection of rooflight solutions at the event. Developed in response to growing demand for energy efficiency, minimal design, and user-centric functionality, the latest product lineup had a fantastic response with those at the event.

Ella Glover, UK Rooflights coowner commented: “What a week! It’s been a great experience

to share our new brand and see our products come together as a full collection at the FIT Show.

“I attended the show back in 2021 with UK Doors Online, another company within the group – but I have to say this has been the best exhibition yet! The stand looked fantastic, bringing together all the products and brands that make UKO Group so unique.

“The exhibition has provided a unique opportunity for UK

Rooflights to reach the whole market, and even though we are still new to the scene, we were able to showcase our vast industry knowledge and get our name out there. We had a great focus not only on our fantastic products, but our quality manufacturing, exceptional service and delivery times.

“We’re really grateful for the opportunity and we can’t wait for the next one!”

UK Rooflights have developed a full product range which launched at the show – and the feedback so far, according to the company, has been great. The new range has been “expertly crafted” and engineered to meet the diverse needs of both residential and commercial projects.

At FIT Show 2025, UK Rooflights

launched the full range of roof products alongside the wider UKO Group. The team introduced the full collection, including aluminium flat rooflights, which are a stylish and practical way to introduce natural light into flat roof spaces, enhancing both residential and commercial interiors. UK Rooflights latest design incorporates clean lines and minimal framing, offering a modern look while maximising daylight.

At the show, the company showcased a larger and smaller rectangle rooflight, exploring the different size options they have on offer. The team were delighted with the feedback received by visitors, labelling the rooflight ‘sleek’ and ‘contemporary’.

Minimalist in appearance but maximum in impact, the frameless

rooflight was said to be the showstopper at the FIT Show event. Designed to sit flat to the kerb, these ‘unique’ rooflights consist purely of glass and the timber kerb. This allows the ultraslim fixed rooflights feature an almost frameless internal finish, offering uninterrupted views and maximum daylight.

UK Rooflights says it has more exciting developments coming with the frameless rooflights, such as introducing its own timber kerb, which is stepped to make installation even easier.

The company’s aluminium roof lanterns are an elegant way to add height, light, and architectural interest to flat roofs, and have been designed with the latest technology to maximise performance, says UK Rooflights. Their advanced weather proofing

and marine-grade powder coating ensures ‘fantastic’ durability, whilst their slimline framing and simplistic design is said to make “installation a breeze”.

UK Rooflights says all products in the new collection are manufactured in the UK using premium-grade materials and state-of-the-art glazing technology.

UK Rooflights says it is dedicated to providing the best products on the market, that the team have brought together the best features on the market today, and are committed to developing its product range as it grows as a company.

To learn more, visit www.ukrooflights.co.uk or contact the team on info@ukrooflights. co.uk for a personalised quote or expert advice.

GGF a vibrant central hub for all aspects of the industry

With so much going on, it is no wonder that the GGF and Fensa’s stand was a vibrant and buzzing central hub of the show. As well as the activities of the GGF and Fensa themselves (including the launch of marketing reports and publications), and an introduction to ACDM members, representatives from the organisation’s other companies –BFRC, RISA and Installsure – were bringing visitors up to date with the latest changes and developments.

Key to Fensa’s focus this year was the opportunity to demonstrate how companies could complete compliancy with MTC requirements, quickly, easily and cost effectively. With CSCS ending Grandfather Rights and a tightening of MTC requirements, there has been a lot of confusion, and indeed fear, about how installation teams were going to be affected. Fensa and the GGF wanted to ensure that the industry left the show knowing exactly what was needed and how easily it

could be resolved.

This was achieved in two key ways. Firstly, through on stand demonstrations of the GGF’s comprehensive training platform and the specific courses available online to members which can be accessed by employees needing to update their competency accreditations.

Secondly, as sponsors of the FIT Show seminar programme, the GGF and Fensa led a couple of workshops specifically around training and competency. Sam Davies, Fensa technical manager, brought visitors up to date about MTC and Grandfather Rights, and John Mannell, technical officer and training manager, spoke about the Future of Training and Competency in the Glass & Glazing Sector as a whole.

“We were keen to highlight the importance of competency, but at the same time demonstrate that achieving it is quicker and simpler

than maybe initially thought. Once visitors to our stand had seen the user friendliness of our training platform it was simple to envisage how online learning can help not just those new to the sector but to help keep experienced workers up to date with current regulatory requirements,” said GGF technical and training manager John Mannell.

RISA’s new Expert Determination service proved of particular interest, particularly when visitors heard about the eye watering costs that a dispute could incur if it ever ended up in court.

“RISA recently provided expert evidence in a case where homeowners were refusing to pay the final balance to an installer due to claimed technical defects”, said RISA’s director of inspection and assessment, Dave Mechem. “The installer chose to issue legal proceedings. The case took two years to come to court and the homeowners presented a counter claim many times the value of the original dispute. The Court ruled in favour of the homeowners and also awarded their costs. ADR in the form of Expert Determination could have settled this case in a matter of weeks, the counter claim would have been unlikely to arise, and the five figure legal costs would not have accrued.”

Highlight of the show was the PiGs event that took place on the GGF and Fensa stand on the Wednesday evening, cohosted with Business Pilot’s Elton Boocock.

“The FIT Show played a crucial part to our 2025 marketing activities, giving us the opportunity to showcase the many changes we have already made during the first quarter of 2025,” said GGF managing director Ben Wallace. “Our role in the industry is central to ensuring high standards in terms of quality and workmanship, and we are focused on driving those standards up even more.”

Kombimatec reports hard sales and impressive enquiries from FIT Show appearance

Specialist PVC-U and aluminium frame machinery manufacturer Kombimatec appeared at the recent FIT Show for the first time since 2017 and came away with a signed order for one of the company’s high end CNC machines, in addition to enquiries that will keep them busy for weeks to come: “The

FIT Show has been very good for us previously and we made our return after Covid, a factory move and other developments caused a pause,” explained their director, David Parsons.

A number of machines were on display including a Kombimatec MGS460 Upstroking mitre saw, the company’s popular CR5650 Trickle Vent Router, and a 1HD single head welder. Star of the Kombimatec show however was its AMC328 CNC machining centre, for which David wrote the order: “We were delighted to take an order and especially for a top of the range machining centre, from Trade Frame Manufacturers Ltd who travelled all the way from Pembrokeshire to see the machine in action and compare with the competition.

“It was a good show, busy throughout but especially on Wednesday and Thursday providing an ideal place for fabricators to see, touch and try some of the more popular machines that we manufacture”

“If you missed this year’s show and need to see a machine in action we’d be delighted to schedule a visit at our factory showroom in Leighton Buzzard. Fabricators can call us on 01582562218 or email sales@kombimatec.com,” added David.

Forterro looking to the future at FIT

At FIT Show 2025, representatives from Forterro, the industrial software specialist that acquired BM Group at the start of the year, joined the BM team to explain more about what the twin acquisition of BM Group and LogiKal owners Orgadata means for customers in the UK – and what they can expect from the newly formed Forterro Windows and Doors Group.

The overall message was that momentum is now building within the new Group, which has no fewer than 700 employees dedicated to windows and

doors. The capability already exists within BM and Orgadata to offer software for end-to-end workflow process management, but Forterro’s strength in R&D and tighter integration within the teams means that product development will be quicker and at a scale not seen before, claims the company.

Martin Nussbaumer, head of sales for Forterro Windows and Doors, explained that Forterro has the size, resources and expertise to accelerate the group’s expansion. He said the focus will be on driving

digitalisation and automation within the doors and windows market in line with Forterro’s mission of ‘powering the businesses powering the future’.

He emphasised: “We see huge potential to grow revenue in the windows and doors market in the same way we have done in other industrial markets where we have made similar acquisitions. As well as organic growth, there are opportunities for overseas expansion and cross selling of products from two brands that already have a really strong market presence.”

For the BM Group, it is business as usual for now, but with lots happening in the background around the Touch platform in particular to speed up the roll out and make it an even more comprehensive offering, says the company.

Nick Bailey, BM Group’s head of sales, is delighted: “We’re really excited about what lies ahead. With Forterro’s backing, we can

The BM Group team at FIT Show 2025 with Martin Nussbaumer from Forterro (6th from left) and Bernd Hillbrands from Orgadata (7th from left)

invest in developing our team, as well as bringing new products and new features to the market more quickly.”

For BM Aluminium, which is already the exclusive distributor in the UK of Orgadata’s LogiKal software, the acquisition means even closer collaboration with its partners in Germany, and the potential to add even more value to the service it delivers to customers in the UK.

Bernd Hillbrands, CEO of

Orgadata said at FIT: “The licensing agreement we had with BM Aluminium has simply become an internal arrangement within Forterro. We were extremely close partners before the acquisition, and now we are effectively colleagues which can only be good news for customers.”

Dean Hodges, managing director of BM Aluminium, added: “As you would expect, there’s a huge amount of work currently taking place to determine

Stellar showing for Purplex Marketing at 2025 FIT Show

Purplex Marketing launched into FIT Show 2025 with a space-themed stand that drew hundreds of visitors across three days.

Held at Birmingham’s NEC from 29 April to 1 May, the fenestration industry event saw Purplex bring its “2025: Time for Lift Off” campaign to life, complete with retro arcade games, marketing

strategy sessions and a chance to win a thrilling flight in an aerobatic training aircraft that will give one lucky visitor the chance to feel real G-force.

Visitors, including new customers and prospective clients, got stuck into the action with a Space Invaders leaderboard challenge, which crowned daily winners Paul Tripp from Paul Tripp

future product strategy and development right across the new Windows and Doors Group, but customers in the UK can be assured it will enhance what they already have from us, and ultimately support their growth alongside ours.”

The BM Group expects to start making announcements about new products and features later in the year.

www.thebmgroup.co.uk www.forterro.com/en

Installations, Dave Walker from Weston Trade Frames and Darren McInerney from Clayton Glass. The overall winner of the flight experience was Rob MacDonald, from Associated Windows in Bristol.

According to the company, while the stand turned heads, the conversations behind the scenes made the biggest impact. Purplex’s team held many focused discussions around LeadTracker, its new marketing platform designed to automate enquiry handling and fast-track lead conversion. Visitors were eager to learn how it can reduce admin, speed up follow-ups and improve results across sales and marketing.

Andrew Scott, managing director of Purplex, said: “The FIT Show is always a brilliant opportunity to connect with the industry, but this year’s event was next level. We had some fantastic conversations with our visitors, and the energy on the stand reflected the appetite for growth. It’s clear that businesses are ready to take off, and we’re here to make sure they have the right tools to do it.”

www.purplexmarketing.com

Fantastic FIT for Glazerite – with all eyes on 2027

2025 has been a milestone year for the Glazerite UK Group, with the fabricator celebrating 25 years in business and a successful FIT Show. Now it’s all eyes on FIT Show 2027, with Glazerite returning as an exhibitor and VIP Lounge sponsor.

This year’s event attracted thousands of visitors; many of whom stopped by Glazerite’s stand to find out what the fabricator has on offer for installers. Michelle Wright, Glazerite’s head of group marketing, says: “This year’s event was our best yet. There was a real energy around the halls, and it was great to see so many familiar and new faces. We were inundated with interest in the exciting and innovative products we showcased on our stand and the adjacent VIP Lounge.”

The products on display were the result of collaborative efforts from the fabricator’s employees and its suppliers, with highlights including

Veka Omnia tilt & turn windows and an Omnia engineered door, all fabricated with a Timberweld joint. Meanwhile Glazerite also showcased an M70 finished in the new Feinstruktur foil and a vertical slider with run through horns, deep bottom rail and mechanical joints.

Glazerite’s fully kitemarked Flood Door collaboration was also on show and was well received by installers interested to know more about the support and expertise available from Glazerite’s partners and flood technology specialists, M3 Floodtec.

Just across from Glazerite’s stand, the VIP Lounge proved the perfect location to showcase two of Glazerite’s Deceuninck triple track sliders, with one door glazed in satin glass and the other finished with Morley integral blinds.

Michelle says: “We’d like to give a special mention to Guy Hubble from Regalead who supported

us heavily in the run up to the show, giving us a stunning original glass design and panel for our new engineered door, and an accompanying brochure, with the product drawing a lot of compliments. Visitors were also keen to see the Veka Omnia tilt & turn in action, while our commercially-focused installers were interested in our commercial spec casement Deceuninck 2500 window and the AluK casement.”

Glazerite also worked with DoorCo to provide several door samples for their nearby stand, where the full range of outerframes available were on show, including Halo Rustique and System 10, M70, FS70, Deceuninck 2500 and Deceuninck 2800 plus Glazerite’s Ultion ALPs and Ultion Sweet offering and smart technology from Kubu and Ultion Nuki.

DoorCo’s managing director, Dan Sullivan, says: “When it comes to preparing for shows of this scale, it really is a matter of teamwork. We were incredibly grateful for the support offered by Glazerite to fabricate and finish our doors for

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the stand. The time they took out of their usual workflow to support us was a massive help. We were thrilled with the finished doorsets and enjoyed a lot of compliments from visitors on the products.”

Matt Keight, M3 Global Flood Technologies’ managing director, adds: “We have worked closely with Glazerite on the development of our Flood Door product, with FIT Show the perfect opportunity for us to showcase it to a broader audience as part of our ongoing partnership.”

With Glazerite celebrating 25 years in business, the team also welcomed a host of suppliers, installers and other industry stakeholders to a celebratory party in the VIP Lounge. Michelle adds: “FIT Show 2025 was the perfect place for us to mark a significant year. Thanks to Nickie West and the entire FIT Show team for another brilliant and rewarding experience. We can’t wait for 2027!”

Nickie West, FIT Show event director concludes: “We were delighted to welcome Glazerite back as our VIP Lounge sponsor at FIT Show 2025, which was a special edition for them as they celebrated their 25th anniversary. Glazerite’s presence brought real energy to the show floor, and their commitment to creating a dedicated space for networking and collaboration was invaluable for our visitors. The buzz in the VIP Lounge reflected both the strength of Glazerite’s relationships and their ongoing investment in the industry – the use of products on the lounge really elevated their presence. We’re grateful for their continued support and look forward to seeing how their campaign and innovations will shape the future of our sector and can’t wait to welcome them back for FIT Show 2027.”

www.glazerite.co.uk

FIT Show proves perfect platform for Glazpart

FIT Show 2025 in Birmingham, proved to be an exciting showcase event for Glazpart with new product launches, promotion of its expanding Glazpartners initiative and celebration of a special year as the company marks its 40th anniversary.

At the exhibition, Glazpart launched three new products including the MSBP (Multi-System Bridge Packer), the Bi-fold Vent and the Modular Vent.

The MSBP (Multi-System Bridge Packer) is new bridge packer designed for multiple systems and profiles including: Aluplast / Eurocell / Deceunick / Kommerling

/ Liniar / Rehau / Veka and Veka Halo.

According to Glazpart, the MSBP will benefit fabricators working with several systems and its easy clip mechanism helps secure the packer into position and remain fixed without the need for silicone on for example mullions. The MSBP also ensures any water ingress into the glazing channel will run below the MSBP and out via the window or door drainage system. The MSBP prevents water from contact with the Insulating Glazing Unit (IGU) maintaining a distance between the water and IGU edges and makes for easier and cleaner installation, says

Glazpart sales director, Dean Bradley

Glazpert.

The Bi-Fold Vent

Manufactured specifically for aluminium bi-fold doors this shallow height vent is designed to work within the low hinge stack heights as the doors are in the open position.

The product is designed to fit onto the door leaf profile above the IGU, which removes the need for expensive knock on profiles above the door frame and interference with the plaster line.

Initially available in white, black and anthracite grey in standard sets, bespoke and matching colours will also be manufactured.

With an equivalent area of 2700 EA, on a 16 mm rout with a standard 3 door bi-fold installation the cumulative equivalent area in the room is 8100EA and will meet the building regulation requirements, claims Glazpart.

Modular Vent

According to Glazpart, this new trickle ventilator is the ‘best in

the market’ for watertightness (at 1000 Pa). The Spring Clip fitting (no screws) saves on installation time and the vent though one of the shortest width trickle vents available it achieves a 2000 EQA performance for each module fitted. Available in 100s of colour options, this vent is ideal for heritage style windows.

Aluminium Vent

In addition to Glazpart’s new products, visitors to their stand at FIT Show were also given a sneak preview of Glazpart’s Aluminium Vent manufactured specifically for aluminium window and door systems. The product is due to be launched later this year.

Glazpartners Promotion

The Glazpartners programme was launched two years ago and has expanded to 58 companies across the supply chain now subscribing to the award-winning initiative which, invites customers to collaborate on industry issues and product solutions and offers Glazpartners multiple brand promotional opportunities.

This year, Glazpart promoted all its Glazpartners at FIT Show with each Glazpartner’s brand logo featuring on HD Lightbox graphics around the Glazpart stand.

Dean Bradley, Glazpart sales director summed up his thoughts after the FIT Show: “It’s been another superb show and has proved to be a great platform to showcase our new products and our award-winning products and initiatives. It has also been great to celebrate our 40th anniversary and network with existing and new customers. The planning, build up and the show itself has once again been truly worthwhile. My thanks go to the FIT Show organisers and my team who have put in a lot of hard work to make this year’s show particularly memorable.”

www.glazpart.com

Business Pilot shares exclusive industry insights at FIT Show

Business Pilot, a leading CRM platform for window and door installers, made a major impact at this year’s FIT Show with the unveiling of a powerful new white paper.

The inaugural UK Window & Door Installer Report; a report packed with exclusive insights drawn from more than five years of Business Pilot and industry data was launched on the second day of the show.

Produced for installers, by installers, the report delivers a comprehensive view of key market

trends, including a five-year analysis of sales and lead patterns.

Although the sector has faced a 21% drop in sales and a 26% reduction in leads since 2019, the analysis highlighted an encouraging 41% rise in average order values – signalling a shift towards high-value, lifestyledriven purchases and opening up significant opportunities for proactive installation companies.

Speaking at the show, Elton Boocock, managing director of Business Pilot, said: “Installers have faced a tough few years,

but the data shows there are clear opportunities for those ready to adapt. By offering this report, we wanted to give installers real-world, actionable insights they can use to strengthen their businesses.”

The report uncovered crucial analysis on changing consumer behaviour, the resilience of conversion rates despite market slowdowns, and practical strategies to future-proof their operations.

And the report also reveals that while 72% of installers now use some form of software tool for accounting, pricing and quoting, an astonishing 81% still operate without a CRM system – underlining a major opportunity for businesses willing to embrace digital transformation.

“Technology adoption isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about staying ahead,” added Elton. “At Business Pilot, we’re committed to helping installers not only weather the storm, but thrive, by putting better systems in place.”

The FIT Show reinforced Business Pilot’s ongoing mission to equip installers with the tools, insights, and support they need to secure long-term growth. Installers who visited the stand left armed with a clear roadmap for maximising their future success, as well as vital knowledge of Business Pilot’s latest integrations and developments.

To view the UK Window & Door Installer Report, please visit: https://bit.ly/3HeOEql To find out more please visit www.businesspilot.co.uk

Legacy Protect: the final piece in intelligent sash windows

Brighouse fabricator Quickslide unveiled a major innovation at this year’s FIT Show: Legacy Protect –the industry’s first intelligent sliding sash window of its kind. Though not yet on general release to the market, Quickslide asked visitors to its stand to get some hands-on experience of the new generation window security, and provide constructive feedback prior to an official launch later in the year.

In collaboration with Kubu, the fabricator has poured its observations and knowledge into the development of Legacy Protect, a multi sensor system that has been integrated into

the top sash and outer frame, and bottom sash and cill. Unlike traditional setups that monitor only the locking point, Legacy Protect is designed to detect movement of the sashes – so whether the window is opened or tampered with, the system sends a real-time alert to the homeowner.

“We love a puzzle, and have always questioned why smart tech has been slower to take off in the fenestration industry compared to other home improvement industries,” said Quickslide managing director Ben Weber. “Over the years we have closely watched the attempts

at integrating smart tech into windows and doors and have had ongoing conversations with Kubu to develop something that works with our Legacy VS windows.

“Through thorough product development we will make sure that Legacy Protect has no missing pieces when it comes to launching it into the market,” continued Ben Weber. “Whether it is the functionality and performance of the product, or the way in which it is offered to our trade partners –we will be welcoming comments and suggestions from all those who visit our stand.”

Security is a theme that ran through the Quickslide stand – and in typical Quickslide fun fashion, it hammered home its points through a game inviting visitors to suit up a runaway burglar.

“Recent stats from the Met police show that a home is burgled every 173 seconds in the UK,” continued Ben Weber. “The importance of

security to homeowners is only going to grow, and with smart technology so deeply ingrained in our daily lives, it is time for the industry to get to grips with it once and for all. Legacy Protect is our answer. It’s intelligent and fully integrated and we believe that it’s the sliding sash solution that will continue to set standards for years to come.”

Legacy Protect works with the Kubu home hub and app, which sends alerts if a potential break in has been detected. Beyond this, the homeowner can set the app to remind them about the open and closed status of their windows – to shut them when they are leaving the home, to open them for ventilations, to warn them about bad weather or even pollen counts if windows need to be shut to safeguard those with hay fever. In short, Legacy Protect works with a homeowner’s lifestyle always with one primary goal in mind – to protect the home.

https://www.quickslide.co.uk/

Modplan celebrates FIT Show debut

Trade fabricator Modplan is busy following up leads from its debut appearance at FIT Show 2025. Liam Isaac, head of sales and marketing at Modplan, said: “Our stand was consistently busy across all three days, and the quality of the footfall was excellent. We spoke to many installers looking for a trade partner to support their business, and we’re looking forward to following up with them over the coming days.”

Liam noted that installers were keen to discuss Modplan’s wide range of products. He commented: “We manufacture a comprehensive range of PVC-U windows, doors and conservatory roofs so we can be a one-stop-shop for our customers. It was clear that visitors appreciated the value this would add to their business.”

Modplan showcased its range of Profile 22 and Veka products at the FIT Show, with two new products attracting particular interest.

The first was the new Veka Omnia, a pioneering new suite of double flush windows and doors that satisfies the growing demand for flush windows.

Liam said: “Omnia is described as a quantum leap in PVC-U fabrication, and the interest from visitors reflected this.”

The second product was the all-new Veka Feinstruktur foil range, which brings a finish that mirrors powder-coated aluminium. Liam said: “Veka Feinstruktur sets a new benchmark in surface technology and installers could see how it will give them a huge competitive advantage.”

Alongside interest in the product range, Liam reported that visitors were particularly interested in the stability that Modplan offers. He commented: “The industry has been particularly turbulent in recent years. But as a fabricator that’s been around for over 50 years, we’ve weathered a lot of storms, so we bring a level of reassurance that’s incredibly valuable right now.”

The show also provided an opportunity to connect with existing customers, many of whom visited the stand and offered very positive feedback. Liam added: “It was great to speak with existing customers and their comments reinforced our commitment of delivering excellence.”

www.modplan.co.uk

Decorio steals the spotlight at Affordable’s FIT Show debut

Affordable Windows Group (AWG) made an impressive debut at FIT Show 2025, showcasing both their new Decorio steel-look aluminium range and established Timberlook collection to enthusiastic trade installers.

AWG’s dramatic stand design at FIT Show 2025 mirrored the art-deco aesthetics of the Decorio range, with dedicated spaces for both the thermally-broken external collection and the single-glazed internal options. A striking gold Decorio door proved to be an irresistible attraction, drawing a steady stream of intrigued visitors.

Particularly popular with installers was the Decorio sliding internal door, offering a space-saving solution compared to traditional hinged designs. The stand featured examples of Decorio’s wide range of colours and finishes, and displayed the Decorio hardware collection, including both classic and contemporary handle designs. Also available was an

example price list for the range, giving installers an opportunity to see how the aluminium products compared with alternatives.

Alongside the debut of steellook Decorio, AWG’s FIT Show stand also featured a dedicated zone to showcase the popular Timberlook flush uPVC range. The stand highlighted the newly updated offset trickle vent routing system that allows for concealed ventilation without compromising internal plaster lines. Visitors could also examine the authenticity of Timberlook’s wood-effect finish, and see an enlarged image of the Timberlook flush French door featuring a new mechanical midrail section.

Speaking about the reception to AWG’s FIT Show debut, Amelia Gaughan, head of marketing commented: “The reception has been absolutely outstanding. Wednesday was non-stop for about five hours, with people queuing to speak to our team.

Visitors were particularly impressed with our internal collection and the gold Decorio door certainly achieved its aim of starting conversations.”

Gaughan also revealed exclusive news about the steel-look range: “Next year, Decorio will be available on Tommy Trinder’s Framepoint app, making it even easier for installers to quote and order products confidently. This follows the success we’ve seen with our Timberlook range on this platform.”

“On Tuesday, we were joined by representatives from Tommy Trinder to provide live Timberlook pricing on our stand, which was invaluable to installers. We look forward to offering this service for Decorio installers as well.”

AWG also confirmed that Decorio installers will receive the same comprehensive marketing support that has helped drive Timberlook’s success, including free lead generation, marketing brochures, colour swatches, specification guides, and website resources.

Gaughan added: “Offering these two complementary heritageinspired ranges allows our installers to cater to virtually any restoration or period-inspired project.”

“We’re thrilled with how our first FIT Show has gone,” concluded Gaughan. “It’s been fantastic to speak to installers face-to-face about the recent product updates and innovations we’ve had up our sleeve. Bringing our stand to life required a lot of planning behind the scenes, but we couldn’t be happier with the final result – it was the perfect way to debut Decorio.

“The reception from the visitors to our stand made all of the hard work from our amazing team worth it.”

www.timberlook.com www.decorio-doors.com

One Team, One Dream for DoorCo at

DoorCo put socialising at the centre of this year’s FIT Show operations and the concept

FIT 25

proved a success as the team enjoyed a successful 3 days at the industry’s infamous exhibition.

Ellie Pool, DoorCo’s marketing manager, gives us a whistlestop tour of the week’s events: “The team at DoorCo are absolutely thrilled with the success of this year’s FIT show. The event was a long time in the works and required a huge amount of input from across the business, so to see it all come together and be so well received was a real win.

“We enjoyed a steady stream of visitors across the three days with an influx of guests throughout Wednesday, late into the evening. We set out to put socialising at the centre of our stand as big believers that when the

conversation is flowing easily, the business comes naturally, and we really saw this ethos come to life. We had four live cooking services across the three days and these sessions were absolutely packed. It was amazing to see guests flood from across the event and then stay on the stand well beyond finishing their food to enjoy conversation with our team.

“Surrounding the ONE Bar was our four product hubs, one for each of our brands, plus stands to showcase the Flip cassette system on either side. The hubs provided each brand its own space to really demonstrate the

individual brand identities we’ve created and of course, the unique selling points of each product range.

“Each hub was packed with products and innovation including:

• Original: We had a full-size Eaton door on display, with all the prepped variations this slab has to offer with a Knightsbridge and Tatton on show too. We also showed off the designs available with our revised ¾ lite blank, as well as our much-loved purpose-built stable door which was painted pretty in pink for the occasion.

• Britdor: Our British born and raised solid timber core range was on display with our two exclusive blanks, Enzo and Glenman, taking pride of place in their best-selling prepped styles. We also showcased the stunning Irish oak thermoplastic skins and an eye-catching side panel display featuring the duck egg blue skins and Skyscraper glass.

• Firecore: We had the full range of our FD30 slabs on display to really give guests a feel for just how this product has captured both style and substance with its wide range of designs and permutations, as well as video footage of our 54-minute burn test.

• Gripcore: An area with a difference, fitted with a split slab to help guests see the engineering inside the slab, as well as the Door of the Future concept door for visitors to explore.

• Our two Glazing walls then showed off the vast options available with the Flip system, including a range of standard and painted colours, three profile finishes and even the opportunity to see inside the system with an internal cassette demonstrating the Foam In Place Technology

and pre-fitted corners and connectors.

A Look into the Future

Ellie continues: “As well as displaying the best of what we currently have on offer, we wanted to take this opportunity to indicate what’s to come.

“As well as the Door of the Future installation, which explored exciting potential technology concepts, we also showcased our new Paint swatch booklets and a prototype for a new peelback paint swatch, similar to those available from brands such as Dulux and Lick.

“Alongside this, we demonstrated NFC technology, showing how we’re using it and how customers could make use of it too. Our new BM Touch Door Designer, displayed on a large touch screen, showed off 3D door models as part of a new phase of development, so customers could not only experience our current door designer but also test upcoming features too.

“Last but certainly not least, we launched our first ever USA specification and showed the industry how we will be entering this new market with a designed for purpose version of our Eaton door. This area became a real talking point, and it was great to drum up some excitement around this new venture.

“To summarise, FIT Show 2025 was a real triumph for Team DoorCo. We are incredibly proud of everyone within the business who helped us bring the stand to life and of course, very grateful to all the wonderful partners and customers who supported us in various ways from fabrication to hardware to print work and beyond. So, to those involved, another big thank you.”

https://trade.door-co.com/

Kenrick team celebrates outstanding FIT Show debut

Kenrick made a strong first impression at FIT Show 2025, celebrating an incredibly successful debut. The response to the company’s latest innovation, the AK Touch Secure smart locking solution attracted a huge amount of interest and generated a high volume of new business orders and high-quality leads, according to the company.

Andy Meakin, sales and marketing manager at Kenrick, said: “The show was superb. The quality of footfall was excellent, and it’s clear that fabricators and installers are actively looking for easy-to-install, intuitive smart technology. The level of interest and the number of new opportunities and exciting new partnerships we’ve secured for the AK Touch Secure™ has been beyond anything we

anticipated from the show.”

Kenrick officially launched the AK Touch Secure at the event. Andy added: “The AK Touch Secure attracted exactly the level of attention we expected— and more. Its combination of high-level security and cuttingedge connectivity brings huge advantages to fabricators and installers and is a real gamechanger for the industry.”

The AK TouchSecure is compatible with any door handle or escutcheon fitted with a Kenrick 3 Star Locking Cylinder and can be installed in minutes without any major hardware modifications, says the company.

It works using touch-sensitive technology, a secure keypad, a

Andy Meakin, sales and marketing manager, Kenrick

key fob, or voice commands via Google Home or Alexa. There’s also a manual override option, meaning the door can always be opened with a key.

The AK Touch Secure app brings further functionality, including remote locking and unlocking, a status check and access logs. It can also grant temporary, timed access to a property.

To ensure data security, all data and access methods, including the key fob and the app, are encrypted end-to-end.

The company’s experts were also on hand for advice and information. “As the oldest hardware company in the business, we have a wealth of expertise and experience customers can tap into. We enjoyed speaking to so many people and discussing the value our solutions and approach can bring.”

Andy concluded: “We were delighted to take our place at our first FIT and I am sure it won’t be our last!” www.kenricks.co.uk

Made for Trade

sets new benchmark with multiple launches at FIT Show 2025

Made for Trade (MFT), the company behind the awardwinning Korniche brand, has raised the bar once again in the UK fenestration sector, unveiling several new products at FIT Show 2025. With a strong and highly visible presence, MFT delivered on its promise to “See it First at FIT”, leaving visitors impressed and inspired.

Over three busy days, the MFT stand attracted a steady stream of installers, fabricators, specifiers, and industry professionals. The event proved a valuable opportunity to forge new connections and strengthen existing relationships.

The highlight of MFT’s showcase was the launch of the allnew Korniche Roof Lantern – a complete redesign of its flagship product that originally transformed the lantern roof market. The updated version combines clever engineering with installer-focused design,

offering even faster installation times and improved thermal performance, with industryleading U-values. Competitive pricing is expected to follow on release. Live demonstrations on the stand highlighted how MFT has refined the lantern using years of experience and customer feedback, setting a new benchmark for the market. Featuring a sleek, slimline design and robust structural performance, the new lantern meets growing demand for minimal sightlines without compromising strength or ease of fitting. The result is a product that delivers real value for both installers and homeowners.

Also unveiled at the show was the new SIPS Upstand –designed to work seamlessly with the Korniche FLAT Lite bonded rooflight. Responding to the demand for British-designed and manufactured solutions, the SIPS Upstand offers a simplified, thermally efficient option for installers. Factory-assembled

for consistent quality and a perfect fit, it removes on-site guesswork and further reduces installation time. When used with the FLAT Lite bonded glass rooflight, the new lantern, or Flat Glass, installers benefit from a cohesive, high-performance glazing solution. This latest addition to the Korniche range underlines MFT’s commitment to providing time-saving, costeffective systems that meet modern expectations.

Making its debut at FIT Show was the Korniche Internal Glass Partition system, which will be released later this year. Expanding the Korniche offering into interior applications, the new system provides a premium solution for open-plan living and office environments. Developed with the same precision and installer focus as the Korniche Roof Lantern, the partition system features the Korniche SpeedBead for simple fitting, along with a clean, modern design. Attendees were given an early glimpse at the system’s flexibility and styling options, which cater to both domestic and light commercial installations.

In addition to the new product launches, MFT’s established bestsellers also took centre stage. The Korniche bifold doors

– known for their award-winning design – remained a focal point, attracting both new interest and repeat admiration. Alongside the bifolds, the robust Cortizo 4700 sliding doors and the popular Korniche Flat Glass rooflight demonstrated the breadth and consistency of MFT’s product range, all designed with installer efficiency and end-user performance in mind.

Brand ambassador Mark Millar was on hand throughout the event, bringing authenticity and hands-on expertise to live demonstrations. His presence reinforced MFT’s practical, installer-first approach. FIT Show ambassador Robin Clevett also joined the MFT team to support the launch of the new Korniche Roof Lantern. Together, the two ambassadors helped communicate the real-world benefits of MFT’s latest offerings, with a live lantern installation drawing large crowds and plenty of engagement.

The energy and momentum seen at FIT Show 2025 confirmed Made for Trade’s position as a key innovator in the glazing industry. The combination of new product development and trusted core offerings has set the tone for another strong year ahead.

“Our presence at FIT Show 2025 was all about listening to our customers, responding with meaningful innovation, and showing the industry exactly how we make trade better,” said Ian Bousfield, marketing manager.

“With every product developed, MFT focus on delivering genuine installer benefits – faster, easier, better value solutions that don’t compromise on quality. The incredible response we’ve had from FIT Show visitors tells us we’ve hit the mark once again.”

www.madefortrade.co

Turning heads in orange – Clever Bean Accounting at FIT Show 2025

Clever Bean Accounting made a bold impression at this year’s FIT Show, not just with bright orange shirts, but with the passion and energy some of the team brought all the way from South Africa. As accounting specialists exhibiting at the UK’s leading glazing event, the company stood out for all the right reasons.

According to Clever Bean

Accounting, their mission is simple: to help window, door, and glazing businesses take control of their finances, grow sustainably, and understand the numbers that drive them. FIT Show gave them the perfect opportunity to meet ambitious companies who want more than a once-a-year accountant.

From insightful conversations to their popular “Guess the Beans”

competition (and some very happy Amazon voucher winners), the stand became a hub of activity and connection.

Clever Bean Accounting showcased their core services:

• Accounting & Tax Compliance: Stress-free support with VAT, tax, payroll and year-end.

• Business Intelligence: Realtime reporting and forecasts that make better decision-making easy.

• Strategic Advisory: Honest, practical advice on growth, systems, cash flow and exit planning.

Simon Jarman, CEO at Clever Bean Accounting, said: “We’re here to make accounting work for you, not the other way around.

“Thank you to everyone who stopped by. If we didn’t get a chance to chat properly, we’d love to connect and see how we can help your business thrive.”

info@cleverbeanaccounting.co.uk cleverbeanaccounting.co.uk

Success for Qualicoat at the FIT Show

By Chris Mansfield – Qualicoat Chair

Exhibiting at the FIT Show was an excellent opportunity for our Association to enhance visibility and strengthen our presence within the aluminium fenestration industry. The event attracted a highly targeted audience of professionals, decision-makers, and potential partners, allowing us to showcase our Specification, services and value to a wide and engaged audience. It provided a platform to communicate directly with existing specifiers, attract new ones, and reinforce our position as a leading voice in the finishing sector. The lively atmosphere and the opportunity for face-to-

face conversations helped build trust, foster relationships, and create lasting connections that will support our Association and member’s growth.

Participating in the FIT Show also allowed us to stay updated with the latest industry trends, technologies, and innovations. Engaging with other exhibitors, attending seminars, and observing new product launches gave us valuable insights that we can bring back to our members. The show also helped raise our profile through media coverage and networking events, positioning us

as a proactive, forward-thinking organisation that invests in the future of the industry. Overall, exhibiting at the FIT Show proved to be a strategic move that brought immediate benefits and long-term opportunities for our Association.

Qualicoat has experienced significant growth in the UK and Ireland, driven by increasing demand for a high-quality, certified powder coating specification across the architectural and home improvement sectors. As awareness of the importance

Left to right (Origin) Daniel Baker, managing director, Callie Tomlins, customer experience director, Oliver Ginger, operations director, Victoria Brocklesby, COO and Jan Łukaszewski, Qualicoat general secretary

Dani Babalola – Axalta Powder Coating Systems

of durability, sustainability, and compliance has risen, more applicators, specifiers, and aluminium systems companies have sought the assurance that Qualicoat certification provides. This growth has been supported by strong engagement with the market, a focus on education and technical support, and the active promotion of best practices, helping Qualicoat to establish itself as the trusted benchmark for excellence in the region.

The vast majority of high end powder coaters in the UK are now Qualicoat approved and, to ensure that specifiers of commercial or home improvement aluminium systems get ‘Qualicoat’ powder coatings, the Association recommends just adding the term ‘Qualicoat Approved’ to the material specifications on all orders

Should you wish to enquire about membership of Qualicoat please get in touch. All Qualicoat UK & Ireland members are available to offer specification advice and can be found on the Association website at qualicoatuki.org

Roseview brings colour, innovation and more to FIT Show 2025

Roseview Windows made a major impact at this year’s FIT Show, showcasing not only their sash windows but also the growing range of services that position them as more than just a window fabricator, claims the company.

Headlining the stand was the new Emperor sash horn, a fully milled, seamless horn design exclusive to Ultimate Rose— Roseview’s most authentic heritage-style sash window. It’s the latest addition to their collection of traditional horn designs, all designed to replicate the fine detailing of original timber windows.

Also on display was Foilit, the foil lamination company Roseview acquired in 2023. Visitors saw four bespoke foiled sash windows, including three in bold decorative finishes and a fourth in Claystone, a subtle tone that Roseview is tipping as the next trending colour for sash windows. According to the company, the surprise of the show was Roseview’s new range of matching foiled trims.

“Customers kept telling us how difficult it is to find trims to match our popular chalk white finish,” said Roseview director Mike Bygrave. “Some even said that it had stopped them offering chalk white altogether. Thanks to Foilit, we’ve fixed that—now we can offer colour-matched trims in bar length with window orders, all delivered together.”

Mike continued: “We’ve been to every FIT Show, and this year’s was probably our best yet. Over the three days we spoke to hundreds of customers and companies looking to switch to a new sash window supplier. We also spoke to companies that used Roseview in the past, moved away and now want to move back, which is great to see.”

“We constantly innovate and improve our product line, as demonstrated by our new Emperor sash horn. Our Incarnation secondary double glazing raised plenty of interest, as did our new brochure, range of marketing support and digital quoting options.“

www.roseview.co.uk

Safeware showcases innovation at FIT Show debut

Hardware supplier Safeware celebrated its innovative solutions – and unique consultative approach – at its debut appearance at FIT Show 2025.

Commercial director Rob Hartill said: “Our goal at FIT Show was to showcase the ‘Safeware experience’. We pride ourselves on taking a consultative approach to door and window hardware. We weren’t just there to sell products; we were there to understand attendees’ needs and recommend the hardware that would provide successful and cost-effective solutions. The positive feedback we received was a testament to our approach. Many visitors appreciated our genuine interest in their needs and the solutions we offered.”

Safeware took the opportunity to showcase a unique new combination at the show: the cutting-edge Yale SensCheck

smart security system integrated into a Stellar Heritage aluminium window. This industry ‘first’ offers the seamless fusion of traditional aesthetics with contemporary smart technology. Rob commented: “Showcasing the Yale SensCheck smart security system integrated into a Stellar Heritage aluminium window was a proud moment for me. It was exciting to see attendees interact with SensCheck and experience its discreet and effective security features after being so heavily involved in the development of the product.”

Also on display was the brand new Safeware 3* Cylinder, which offers market-leading, security.

Rob noted: “This high-quality door cylinder meets all the latest industry standards and features the revolutionary ALPS (Always Locked Protection System) technology. ALPS technology

provides unparalleled security by protecting against drilling, picking, bumping and snapping, as well as newer threats like twisting and thermal attacks. Seeing attendees’ reactions as they examined the cylinder and took home free samples was incredibly satisfying.”

Also on show was the new Premium bifold door handle, which combines smooth operation with a stylish finish, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Visitors were impressed by its ergonomic design, which ensures ease of use, and its robust construction, which guarantees durability. The handle’s sleek look adds a touch of elegance to any bifold door, and many attendees took the opportunity to feel the quality firsthand.

Rob said: “The positive feedback we received confirmed that this handle is set to become a favourite for fabricators and installers.”

With its 35-year track record and the backing of the Epwin Group, one of the largest names in the window industry, Safeware offers customers the reassurance of reliability and stability. The company stocks over 2,500 products from more than 70 leading hardware brands, shipping over 12 million products annually with an impressive ontime in-full rate of 98.4%.

Rob concluded: “Overall, FIT Show 2025 was a fantastic event, and I look forward to continuing the meaningful connections and collaborations. Thank you to everyone who visited us at stand F22 – it was great to meet you and discuss how we can support your hardware needs. If you didn’t make it but would like a demo of any of these products, please get in touch!”

www.safewarehardware.com

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Stellar Aluminium launches new Premium Bifold Door Handle

Stellar Aluminium has launched its new Premium bifold door handle, combining sleek aesthetics with exceptional performance. Paul Hinds, head of sales at Safeware Hardware, a division within Epwin Window Systems, said: “Our new Premium bifold door handle combines the perfect blend of form and function. It offers a smooth operation and has been designed to further elevate the high-end aesthetics of the Stellar bifold door.”

Manufactured from high-grade 316 stainless steel, the handle is said to offer outstanding corrosion resistance and long-term durability. A spring-assisted 360-degree lever action ensures effortless operation. The handle has been tested to both BS EN 1670 Grade 5 (480 hours) and BS EN 1906: Grade 2 (100,000 cycles), giving the reassurance of a long lifespan

For added peace of mind, the handle is backed by a 10-year

mechanical and surface finish warranty, reflecting the product’s high-quality construction and performance.

The Premium bifold door handle features a lever handle on an oval rose for a sleek, understated appearance. Concealed fixings with clip-on covers provide a seamless finish. Available in satin stainless steel and satin black, the handle complements the popular Stellar frame finishes. Matching Euro-profile cylinder escutcheons are also available to extend the stylish appearance.

The handle was on display on the Safeware stand at this year’s FIT Show, where it received strong interest from existing and potential new customers. Paul said: “The feedback from visitors confirmed our belief that this handle is set

to become a favourite among customers and style-conscious homeowners. The response was overwhelmingly positive.”

The new handle joins an impressive suite of Stellar Aluminium hardware products, all carefully selected for their reliability, ease of use and durability. The range includes styles and finishes to suit all projects, and every item has undergone rigorous inhouse and external testing.

Paul commented: “The Stellar Aluminium hardware range has been chosen to offer outstanding functionality and to extend the exceptional visual appeal of the system. The Premium bifold door handle is no exception.”

www.stellaraluminium.co.uk

Yale achieves new EPDs for domestic window hardware range

Yale has announced the successful release of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for five of its leading domestic window hardware products, Vertex Decorative Furniture, Defender Hinge range, the Expede Window Bracket, Quartus Espag handle, and the Revolution Window Hinge.

Developed and independently verified, the EPDs provide comprehensive, third-party environmental data, representing a significant step forward in Yale’s ongoing sustainability journey. They expand upon Yale’s existing portfolio of EPDs for commercial window hardware, further underscoring the company’s commitment to transparency, responsible manufacturing, and sustainable innovation, according to the company.

Each EPD delivers in-depth insights into key environmental impacts, including energy consumption, carbon footprint, emissions, resource use, and waste generation. This transparency empowers architects, specifiers, and procurement professionals to make more informed, sustainability-driven decisions, says the company.

Increasing trust and comparability across markets to encourage

informed decision-making, they testify that the products are compliant with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 for construction products, ideal for green building projects and sustainable development goals.

Fully compliant with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 standards for construction products, these declarations support green building initiatives and align seamlessly with sustainability frameworks such as LEED and BREEAM. By offering verifiable environmental data, Yale enables its customers to earn certification credits and meet the growing environmental expectations of the construction industry, claims the company.

Grant Stratford, Yale’s senior fenestration technical director – ASSA ABLOY, Residential, comments: “With EPDs already in place for our commercial products, these new EPDs position Yale as a frontrunner in responsible manufacturing and transparent product reporting across the UK window hardware market.

“We’ll continue to roll out EPDs for all new product launches, helping customers meet modern sustainability expectations with confidence.” yaledws.co.uk/uk/en

Sheerline introduces Grille Shroud for enhanced ventilation aesthetics

Sheerline’s Prestige Grille Shroud offers a host of benefits for fabricators and homeowners. It’s the ideal alternative to unsightly exterior plastic trickle vents that can warp over time and fade in the sun, says the company.

The Prestige Grille Shroud differs from traditional trickle vents as it runs the full width of the window, enabling its integral head drip to protect the edge of the sash that sits below. It also means they’re less likely to be damaged or cause damage to other frames whilst in transit, according to the company.

As well as being less obtrusive,

Sheerline’s Prestige Grille Shroud is more aesthetically pleasing than standard options, claims the company. It provides an architecturally refined yet practical solution, hiding the flat aluminium grille that sits under the shroud.

Perfectly colour matched with the frames, it blends in seamlessly with the rest of the window. It’s available in the full Sheerline colour range.

Jon Crohill, Sheerline’s design project manager, said: “We’ve developed a discreet solution to a divisive topic within the industry. Regardless of how you feel about

trickle vents, many properties need them for Part F compliance, so why not choose the most stylish one.”

www.sheerline.com

Securitas on the Up!

Hardware manufacturer VBH has reported that sales of one of its star products for aluminium window production is ‘on the up.’

The greenteQ Securitas Offset security espagnolette is a specialist product for users of slim aluminium casement windows from three of what VBH describe as the ‘most popular’ aluminium systems, including Sheerline.

These slim profiles have no Eurogroove to accept the locking system. Securitas Offset’s 16mm wide U-rail stainless steel faceplate is designed to be surface fit to account for this, and its offset gearbox ensures that the glazing area is not broached when fitted.

Up to four pairs of bi-directional adjustable mushroom headed cams provide compression and

security when in the locked position. The cam pairs locate into both sides of a greenteQ night vent striker plate to firmly hold the sash secure even in the face of a determined attempt at forced entry.

Nine lengths, starting at 320mm going all the way up to 1320mm, mean that even the smallest and largest casements can benefit from Securitas Offset

Gary Gleeson, marketing manager at VBH, says, “Securitas Offset is a major strand of our range of locking systems for outward opening single and double sash casements. We now offer thirteen different solutions across the greenteQ, Roto and Yale brands.

“We launched this product eighteen months ago and it proved

Carl F Groupco adds Kenrick AK Touch Secure to its range

Independent hardware supplier

Carl F Groupco has further expanded its smart technology offer with the addition of the new Kenrick AK Touch Secure smart locking solution.

Owen Coop, CEO of Carl F Groupco, said: “We’ve worked with Kenrick for many years and know the quality of the solutions on offer. The AK TouchSecure is the latest example of this – it’s an intelligently designed product with valuable benefits for our customers, and we are pleased to be adding it to our growing smart locking portfolio.”

Andy Meakin, national sales and marketing manager at Kenricks, said: “We are delighted to have Carl F Groupco on board with the AK TouchSecure and even more pleased that the team can see the

market advantages it brings.”

Owen highlights the benefits of the AK TouchSecure saying: “The fact the lock can be retrofitted and installed without any hardware modifications is appealing and we know will be of benefit to our customers. The app is also very straightforward to use.”

The AK TouchSecure is compatible with any door handle fitted with a Kenrick 3 Star Locking Cylinder

so popular that the industry voted it Window Component of the Year last autumn. 2025 has seen sales continue to rise as we penetrate further into the aluminium sector. It really is one of our products that is “on the up.”

As well as being very quick to fit, VBH advise that Securitas Offset is approved for use on Q-secure Premium installations, offering consumers the peace of mind that the popular hardware security guarantee brings. www.vbhgb.com

and can be fitted in minutes without any major hardware modifications, making it a practical choice for retrofit projects as well as new installations, according to the company.

It works using touch-sensitive technology, a secure keypad, a key fob, or voice commands via Google Home or Alexa. There’s also a manual override option, meaning the door can always be opened with a key.

The AK Touch Secure app offers further features such as remote locking and unlocking, a status check and access logs. It can also grant temporary, timed access to a property, making it ideal for Airbnb properties or where contractors need access to a building. To ensure data security, all data and access methods, including the key fob and the app, are encrypted end-to-end, bringing users peace of mind, says the company.

www.kenricks.co.uk

ERA adds Doctors door knocker to Fab&Fix range

The premium Fab&Fix range of suited hardware from ERA has been strengthened with the addition of a new Doctors Knocker.

Inspired by the Georgian period design used originally to identify the front door of a doctor’s practice, the Doctors Knocker is a popular option on larger, heritage style external doors.

Compatible with timber, composite and PVCu doors, the Doctors Knocker is said to be a statement piece of door furniture with a luxurious heavyweight feel to suit those special traditional door styles. Ensuring homeowners across a variety of properties can enjoy its elegant aesthetic.

ERA says Fab&Fix hardware offers “unrivalled aesthetic consistency, providing perfectly matching furniture in a range of Hardex finishes for windows and doors,

with over 200 items available across the window and door portfolio”.

The addition of the new Doctors Knocker expands the range of Fab&Fix knockers to more than 15, ranging from contemporary styles to the more traditional Victorian Urns and a variety of heritage designs.

Sarah Knight, technical product manager said: “The Doctors Knocker is a distinctive, elegant style choice that has endured across centuries.

“This addition to our Fab&Fix range delivers a premium aesthetic and is an ideal complement to our Heritage door handle and Letterplate. It’s easy to install and works with a huge range of door sets.”

The new Doctors Knocker is

available in two fixing options –concealed and through fix – in six finishes, including Hardex chrome, Hardex bronze and Hardex gold. With a colour matched internal bolt for through fix applications – for that final perfectly matching touch.

The knocker has been tested to meet the requirements of BS EN 1670 Grade 5 for corrosion resistance demonstrating weather resistance for 480 hours and enduring 25,000 cycles.

www.eraeverywhere.com

Yale launches Dual Lock for smart and secure window locking

Yale has officially launched the Yale Dual Lock – a nextgeneration window locking solution that Yale says combines superior mechanical strength, streamlined installation, and full smart home integration. Developed with fabricators, installers, and homeowners in mind, the Dual Lock range delivers high-performance security with modern convenience.

Offering compatibility with PVC, aluminium, and timber window systems and designed for efficiency on the factory floor and on-site, the Dual Lock system features minimal routing preparation, reducing both installation time and complexity with its comprehensive range:

• Three backsets: 20mm, 22mm, 26mm

• Three cam heights: 7.7mm, 9.0mm, 10.5mm

• Eleven standard lengths and nine low-handle-height lengths

• Croppable and extendable Shootbolt options covering sash sizes from 312mm to 1,572mm

Fully compatible with Yale SensCheck smart sensors, the Dual Lock range enables real-time monitoring through the Yale Smart Living Alarm App. Homeowners receive instant alerts if a window is left unlocked or tampered with, integrating seamlessly into smart home ecosystems and providing reassurance wherever they are.

The bi-directional twin cam operation increases resistance to intruders by engaging locking points in opposite directions simultaneously, making it significantly harder to manipulate compared to traditional singledirection systems. Adjustable cams allow for precise compression adjustment, improving weather sealing and maintaining a consistent, secure fit over time.

The upcoming Flush Fit variants will be specifically tailored for modern flush window systems, ensuring a clean, seamless aesthetic without compromising strength or security.

The Twin Cam Espagnolette is available with a durable Quadcoat finish. Tested to BS EN 1670 Grade 5 (480 hours) and independently verified to withstand 1000 hours of neutral salt spray (NSS), Yale says it offers exceptional corrosion resistance and long-lasting performance, even in the harshest environments.

The entire range has been rigorously tested to PAS24:2022, withstanding 50,000 operational cycles, and is backed by a 10year mechanical guarantee. All products in the range are Secured by Design accredited and are covered by the Yale Lifetime Security Guarantee.

Grant Stratford, Yale’s senior fenestration technical director – Assa Abloy, Residential, commented, “With the Yale Dual Lock, we set out to redefine what fabricators and installers can expect from a modern window locking system. By combining advanced mechanical security with seamless smart home integration and simplified installation, we’ve created a solution that meets the needs of today’s market – without compromise.”

To learn more about the Yale Dual Lock range, visit https://bit.ly/3ZKnGNy

Schüco UK launches new homeowner website

As part of its commitment to support its partner network, Schüco UK has launched a new homeowner website

schuecohome.co.uk. Designed to make it easier for homeowners to connect with Schüco partners, the site is set to

drive more qualified leads and create valuable new business opportunities, claims the company.

The new website serves as a user-friendly digital hub, providing homeowners with project inspiration, product overviews and practical guidance. Crucially, it also enables users to easily identify and contact their local Schüco partner, simplifying and accelerating the sales process. Homeowners can find their local Schüco partner and contact them

through the website.

A newly developed bespoke system on the back end of the platform makes it easy for fabricators to connect with potential customers, respond to quote requests and track the progress of projects – creating a more efficient and transparent workflow from first contact to final delivery.

The website also lists all Schüco partner showrooms across the UK and Ireland, detailing which

Schüco products are available at each site, along with contact details and directions.

Dan Gleeson, sales director for Schüco UK and Ireland, commented: “At Schüco, our partners are at the heart of everything we do. The new website is a key tool to support them, not only by educating and inspiring homeowners, but by actively streamlining the connection between customer and fabricator. It’s designed to generate high-quality leads,

simplify project communication and ultimately help our partners win more business.”

The launch of the new website marks a significant step in the long-term strategy of Schüco UK to support its partner network. By creating a usercentric, content-rich platform, Schüco is helping to create more opportunities for successful, high-quality projects, says the company.

schuecohome.co.uk

Glyngary launches free digital marketing fitness audit to help installers

Cheshire-based Glyngary Joinery, a leading trade-only supplier of handcrafted timber windows and doors, has teamed up with digital marketing experts Nix Collective to offer installer customers a free digital fitness audit – designed to help identify gaps in their online lead generation strategy.

This initiative forms part of Glyngary’s ongoing commitment to supporting its trade partners, not only by supplying exceptional products, but by helping them grow their businesses and win more work.

Operating on three core principles – craftsmanship, customer success, and sustainability –Glyngary’s ‘help to sell’ philosophy is central to its approach. The

launch of the digital audit builds on the company’s already comprehensive suite of sales tools and marketing support.

“The windows and doors we produce are tailored to the premium market – a sector that remains stable and continues to grow,” said Joe Trueman, director at Glyngary Joinery. “In uncertain times, focusing on high-end clients is a smart strategy for installers.

“We’re seeing a real resurgence in demand for timber thanks to its sustainability credentials and energy performance. Many of our trade partners are already tapping into this, but we know that digital marketing often gets pushed down the priority list in a busy installation business.

“That’s where this audit comes in. Small improvements to a company’s digital presence can make a big difference in lead generation. This is about helping our customers stand out and succeed.”

While Glyngary already provides an extensive range of sales tools – including brochures, samples, POS materials, professional photography and video content, and a library of digital assets – the new initiative aims to ensure that these tools are underpinned by a strong digital strategy.

By partnering with Nix Collective, installers will receive expert insights into how their website, social media presence, and online visibility can be improved to generate more enquiries from homeowners looking for high-quality timber solutions.

For more information on the free digital fitness audit, contact sales@glyngary.co.uk

Accoya invests in the future of woodworking through BWF ‘Rising Star’ sponsorship

Accsys, the manufacturer of Accoya wood, sponsored the ‘Rising Star’ award at the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards 2024, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent in the woodworking and joinery sector.

As part of the sponsorship, winners and shortlisted candidates for the Rising Star award, alongside the Apprentice

of the Year finalists, were invited to Accsys’ state-of-the-art Accoya wood production facility in Arnhem, the Netherlands, to see first-hand how Accoya is made.

Attendees of the trip included: Lilli Mae, partnerships manager at Gowercroft; Harrison Ward, apprentice/student at James Wilding Joinery Ltd.; Paige Kavanagh, carpenter

at Corbel Conservation and Tautvydas Bumblys, production administrator at Heron Joinery.

The Accoya sales and marketing team hosted the group, with key representatives including Laura Keily, head of marketing; Alejandra Castro, marketing manager; and Mike Lewis, technical sales manager. They were supported by Helen Hewitt, CEO of the BWF.

The multi-day experience included exclusive site visits to several long-standing Accoya projects in the Netherlands, offering attendees a firsthand look at the material’s performance over time. Stops included the Breakers Beach House in Noordwijk, where Accoya’s natural aesthetic complements the coastal environment; Fort Vier Restaurant with its distinctive architecture and exposed Accoya cladding; and the 1.5-kilometre Accoya boardwalk in Amsterdam. Now over a decade old and exposed to continuous foot traffic and variable weather, the boardwalk continues to demonstrate Accoya’s proven durability, dimensional stability, and suitability for demanding outdoor applications.

Laura Keily, head of marketing commented: “Nurturing the next generation of talent in woodworking is crucial to ensuring a strong future for the industry. We were honoured to host the rising stars of the industry and show them the magic that happens behind the scenes at our Accoya manufacturing site. It was inspiring to show them some of the incredible projects that can be achieved with Accoya and witness their enthusiasm and passion for wood. I look forward to seeing how they will continue to shape the future of our industry.”

www.accsysplc.com

Glideline

notes shift in patio door preferences

Aluminium manufacturer, Glideline, has welcomed new findings from the latest Keystone Market Research report, which confirms that sliding doors have overtaken bifold doors as the UK’s most popular patio door style.

The Spring 2025 Consumer Fenestration Trends Report released by Keystone Market Research analysed the evolution of behaviours, demands, and frustrations of UK homeowners in the window and door market.

Surveying more than 5,000

homeowners, it shows that as well as adjustments in priorities, the shift towards sliding doors across all 12 UK regions has reinforced Glideline’s dedication to sliding door fabrication, according to the company.

Long-time advocates, the Great Yarmouth-based manufacturer has spent nearly a decade perfecting its ultra-slim aluminium sliding doors – delivering unmatched minimalism, performance and innovation. From U-values as low as 1.2 W/m²K; slim sightlines

– with its GS15 Sliding Door offering 15mm sightlines, the slimmest available on the market – to integrated flooring and noise reduction of up to 40dB, Glideline has future-proofed the demands for its trade partners, who now have a range of the highest performing sliding doors available, claims the company.

“We’ve always recognised the real value and appeal sliding doors bring to the market, so for us, this research only confirms what we already know. In an age where minimalism is a must-have, you need to have the products to deliver all of that and more, and bifold doors are a long way from hitting the mark,” says David Pickering, Glideline’s managing director.

David continues, saying: “The

latest insight, coupled with the continuous demand we see from our customers, not only confirms our belief in sliding doors as a superior product, but re-affirms that they are no longer just a niche product, but an essential offering.

“Slim sightlines, uninterrupted views and natural light are some of the most consistent trends we’re seeing, alongside growing interest around security and energy efficiency.

“The GS20 is an example of that, and is among our most popular sliding doors,” David adds. “The integrated flooring option we introduced along with the door has proven to demonstrate further innovation from us too, creating a whole new level of functionality and seamlessness.”

www.glideline.com

Senior Architectural Systems unveils its new SPD150 commercial door

Senior Architectural Systems, one of the UK’s largest aluminium fenestration solutions manufacturers, is opening up new opportunities in the commercial market thanks to the launch of its new SPD150 aluminium door system, says the company.

Complementing Senior’s established commercial product range, the SPD150 commercial door system has been specifically developed to meet the demands of high-traffic commercial environments where accessibility, performance, and durability are key.

Developed as a non-rebated door and framing system, the SPD150 can be fabricated as single or double doors, with various configuration options such as emergency exit versions and anti-finger trap stiles. According to the company, one of its key advantages is its low threshold design which provides easier access for wheelchair users and reduces the risk of trips, helping to create a more inclusive design in communal spaces.

The use of low thresholds can also contribute to a more streamlined interior design, providing a seamless transition to outdoor spaces and making the new SPD150 commercial door suitable for use across a variety of sectors including healthcare, education, office schemes, and other public use buildings. For architects and specifiers seeking a clean, modern aesthetic, the SPD150 system also supports the integration of concealed closers and hardware. These discreet design options ensure a minimalist appearance without compromising on

performance or ease of use, says the company.

Fabricators and installers will also benefit from smarter fabrication and optimisation thanks to the SDD150’s pre-fabricated top and bottom rail plates, which can help to reduce fabrication time on-site, and the use of universal top and bottom door rails. In addition, the SPD150 features squarecut components mechanically jointed using self-tapping screws and shear blocks to simplify the construction process and improve build consistency, claims the company.

Fully recyclable and offering enhanced thermal performance, the SPD150 door system achieves U-values as low as 1.3 W/m²K when triple-glazed (CEN standard) and 1.6 W/m²K when doubleglazed. The system is also fully tested to meet the latest industry standards, including PAS24 for enhanced security and BS6375 parts 1 and 2 for weather tightness and durability, says the company.

www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

Glass doors just got quieter

Door seal specialist Norseal is expanding its range of door seals with a new family of modular drop seals for hinged glass doors that combine “standout” acoustic insulation with fast, nofuss installation and true on-site flexibility. The Schall-Ex family of seals includes the GSA seal, an innovative face-fix drop seal that makes retro-fitting acoustic seals on glass hinged doors possible for the first time, says Norseal.

Designed for both toughened (8 mm and 10 mm) and laminated safety glass (10.76 mm, 12.76 mm, and 17.52 mm), the system features five easy-to-configure variants that can be assembled quickly on-site. Thanks to a specially developed high-tech adhesive tape, there’s no need for wet bonding or mechanical fixings – just a clean, secure fix with

immediate load-bearing capability, according to the company.

The GSA seal is claimed to be a “game-changer” for sealing existing glass-hinged doors on-site with minimum fuss and disruption to operations. According to Norseal, the same fixing tape works quickly to fix the seal to the face of the door, achieving sound insulation values up to 37 dB quickly and easily without having to remove the door. It’s a smart, fit-and-forget solution that is much more costeffective than replacing doors when a retrofit solution is required to bring the door up to the required standard in situ.

Achieving sound insulation values of up to 51dB with 7 mm of floor clearance in testing, the new Schall-Ex seals from Norseal

deliver levels of noise reduction that were previously unattainable for glass doors. Ideal for offices, meeting rooms, healthcare environments, and education settings, they bring discretion, quiet, and calm to rooms where it is needed most.

To match the aesthetics of modern interiors, the seals come with a choice of cover plates – not just in classic stainless steel and silver but also in sleek black and anthracite, with smart black end stops for a clean, coordinated finish.

On-site flexibility is claimed to have been built in from the start. Norseal says the inner rail slides out completely for easy length adjustment or replacement of the sealing profile, and each seal in the range is the same height and fully reversible, meaning it can be installed on either right- or lefthanded doors simply by turning. During fitting, the sliding actuator can be removed and adjusted without tools and then reinserted on handover.

Video of how the product works here: https://bit.ly/3SCvTzr

Bohle’s glass point fixings now available in black

Bohle, manufacturer and supplier of glass products, including fittings for glass railings, sliding doors and showers, has launched its glass point fixings in a black finish, to align with contemporary home aesthetics.

“Glass point fixings can be used both indoors and outdoors for a variety of applications,” explained Paul Miller, national sales manager at Bohle. “The new addition of a black colourway will perfectly blend with the look and colour scheme of many modern homes, where matt black fixtures and fittings remain a popular choice.”

Glass point fixings can be used to support both toughened safety glass and laminated safety glass structures, including railings or wall panelling. These discrete fittings help to secure glass panels to a supporting structure, providing extra safety and stability, without upstaging the visual impact of the

Facilitating easy mounting and securing of the glass, Bohle’s robust point fixings are made from stainlesssteel and designed in accordance with DIN EN 19911-1. They are suitable for glass thicknesses from 10mm, up to 21.52mm and cover wall distances ranging from 25mm to 40mm.

The distance is adjustable after mounting, with the point fixings able to be altered from the front, via a slotted hole in the construction connection, for added practicality.

www.bohle.com

Whitesales rebrands rooflight range

to target residential market

Whitesales, a leading UK rooflight manufacturer, has rebranded its popular em.glaze Economy rooflight to em.glaze Resi in a move to help highlight its position as a product perfectly suited for the residential market. It comes after a comprehensive review that found the term “economy” no longer reflected the high-performance qualities of the product, according to the company.

em.glaze Resi combines sleek, modern aesthetics with outstanding performance, making it an ideal choice for homeowners seeking high-quality rooflight solutions. Its glass-to-edge design, combined with a thermally broken aluminium frame, provides

excellent thermal insulation, achieving low U-values of 1.3 W/ m²K, claims the company.

Pre-glazed at the factory, em.glaze Resi is available in fixed, manual, and electric opening options to meet diverse project requirements and remains one of the most competitive products on the market, in terms of value for money, claims the company.

Steve Pickering, sales & marketing director at Whitesales, said: “em. glaze Resi delivers the kind of

quality that discerning homeowners expect. We felt the original name undersold the product’s high performance and contemporary aesthetics.

“The rebrand to em.glaze Resi aligns with Whitesales’ continued commitment to offering highperformance solutions that meet the evolving demands of the residential market. We’re confident that em.glaze Resi will provide homeowners with the premium solution they deserve.”

To ensure seamless integration into various residential flat roof designs, the em.glaze Resi range is compatible with Whitesales’ proprietary timber sloping curbs and uPVC vertical upstands. The product is available in 11 standard sizes with delivery in 3-5 days, with bespoke units available for more complex projects.

www.whitesales.co.uk

glass itself.

Eurocell releases silk & stone grey profile offer for fabricators

Eurocell has teamed up with Renolit UK once again to offer its fabricator partners a limited time only offer on its exclusive Silk and Stone Grey profile colour options –with no premium pricing from now until July 10.

Consumer demand for greys, especially soft-toned shades, is at an all-time high – with Eurocell’s own data showing over 50 per cent of sales for window and door profiles are for shades of Grey.

Exclusive to Eurocell’s fabricator partners, Silk Grey and Stone Grey can only be ordered from Eurocell and no other system house. These warm neutral shades

complement any architectural style while offering a premium TruGrain woodgrain texture, says the company.

Speaking on the offer, Beth Boulton, marketing director at Eurocell said: “This summer will be grey and for once that’s a good thing! We know from our own data just how popular greys, especially soft tones have become with homeowners. A quick look on Google Trends and you can see there are spikes for home improvement searches every year around June – so our offer comes at the perfect time to help fabricators kick start their summer of sales for PVC-U window and

door profiles.”

Eurocell has made a significant investment to offer an extensive range of stocked colours and finishes for its PVC-U window and door profiles, this includes a full palette of foiled options. It also has over 30 shades available for special order in industry-leading lead times.

The promotion will be running until July 10th.

https://bit.ly/43LFucb

Business Pilot unveils electronic document signing integration

Leading CRM platform for window and door installers, Business Pilot, has released BPsign, a new integration allowing users to electronically sign, send and track documents.

The cloud-based e-signature service allows users to replace traditional pen and paper signatures with an automated, electronic alternative, negating the need to physically post, deliver or scan signed documents.

Significantly speeding up the

signing process to streamline workflows, BPsign is especially advantageous for installers because it has been integrated into the Business Pilot system with no extra charge for users, unlike alternative e-signature services which carry additional costs.

“With systems such as DocuSign or Adobe Sign, installers have to pay a license fee to use them, so we’ve gone away and actually built the equivalent – inside Business Pilot – in order to avoid those costs for the installer,”

explained Elton Boocock, managing director of Business Pilot.

The legality and compliance of signed documents is also recorded, thanks to a visible audit trail, as an invaluable additional benefit.

“You can send any PDF document from Business Pilot and get it signed by the customer,” explains Elton.

“If they choose to reject the document, they must provide a reason for doing so, which is all tracked and managed by BPsign too. It stores all the information for legality and compliance purposes.

“Everything is time and date stamped, and it’s all within the system.”

With the option to draw, type or upload a signature, as well as reject the document, instructions for the signatory can also be forwarded for added clarity.

Copies of the original document sent, as well as the signed version, are all available to view within the system, including information on pending signature requests and the exact timings that documents were last viewed, signed or rejected.

“When you’re dealing with big installation jobs and expensive contracts, there are significant legal elements,” explained Elton.

“You need to be certain that the job is definitely signed off, and that’s the power of having all the information associated with that process on an audit trail; ‘we sent it for signing on this date’; ‘you viewed it on this date’; ‘you signed it on that date’… Having that recorded and easily accessible for our users is invaluable,” he added.

To find out more please visit www.businesspilot.co.uk

AdminBase incorporates What3words for more precise navigation

Ab Initio has incorporated an additional time saving enhancement into its AdminBase CRM system with an integration with the What3words location technology. Particularly useful for window companies operating in more rural areas, or when working with installations with more complex access and delivery requirements, this latest integration facilitates absolute precise planning when scheduling jobs.

What3words is a location technology system that has divided the world into a grid of 3 x 3 metre squares, and assigned each square with a combination of

three random words, which is more accurate than a postal address or postcode.

What3words coordinates can now be entered and stored for every job inputted into AdminBase, giving window companies accuracy within three square metres. Navigation to addresses in the My AdminBase Diary now uses these more precise locations if they have been entered on the lead or contract in AdminBase.

“There is nothing more infuriating than wasting 15-20 minutes or more trying to find an obscure, tucked away location or

vsHome AR rebrands as VisiRoom

Production Software Technology (PST) has announced the rebrand of its augmented reality tool, vsHome AR, now relaunched as VisiRoom. The company says the

new name and branding better reflects the app’s role in helping the homeowner and installers visualise home improvement projects in the real-world setting.

VisiRoom allows users to place lifesize 3D models of conservatories, garden rooms, windows, doors and more, directly onto a property using just a smartphone or a tablet. With three immersive viewing modes – Real Scale, Tabletop and Virtual Reality, the app helps the customer understand how a project will look and feel before committing. Designs can be shared via text, email or QR code making collaboration fast and straightforward.

The app integrates seamlessly with vsHome, PST’s software built for

entranceway that might not show up on Google maps. Whether that is down isolated rural lanes, or in crowded residential streets, over weeks and months those wasted minutes can build up into many hours of unproductive time (and fuel),” said Ab Initio’s founder and director Rhonda Ridge. “This simple integration with What3words is small but powerful, adding to the process of continuing product development that goes into making sure our CRM software maintains its position as a market leader.” www.abinitiosoftware.co.uk

retailers and installers. vsHome makes it easy to design, visualise and price projects using drag-anddrop tools and a vast model library. Users can generate accurate quotes with automatic pricing, apply finance options, and produce branded reports in seconds –streamlining the sales and survey process from initial idea to the final contract.

In addition to the rebrand, PST has launched VisiConnect, a new feature within VisiRoom that connects homeowners directly with local installers. When a user explores a design, they are prompted to request a quote which will link them to a listing of nearby installers. Installers with an active vsHome licence are eligible for a free bronze listing in VisiConnect, simply by submitting their business details and opting in. For increased reach and visibility, PST says Silver and Gold tiers are available.

For more information, contact PST at info@pstonline.co.uk

UKO Glass partners with Sunbell to launch in-house

Sovu battery integral blind

UKO Glass, a trade-focused glass specialist based in West Yorkshire, has announced the launch of the Sovu Blind – its new range of battery-powered integral blinds, manufactured in partnership with Italian brand Sunbell.

Unveiled at FIT Show 2025, UKO Glass said the Sovu Blinds range received outstanding feedback from attendees for its sleek aesthetics, simple operation, and highly competitive pricing. These innovative integral blind units are manufactured in-house by UKO Glass and are now available to order.

Designed to offer modern

convenience with no need for wiring or electrical connections, the Sovu blinds are powered by a rechargeable battery and sealed within the cavity of doubleglazed units, This solution is said to be ideal for both residential and commercial installations where wiring access is limited or installation time needs to be minimised. The system also supports remote operation which can link together multiple units to operate together – with simple set up for installer peace of mind.

Sarah, sales manager at UKO Glass commented: “Our Sovu Blinds are a game-changer for the market. We’ve combined

the outstanding design and engineering of Sunbell with our own in-house manufacturing and logistics to create a truly accessible product for the UK trade. Customers are loving the simplicity, style, and price point.”

UKO Glass says trade customers can order Sovu blinds directly from UKO Glass, with flexible delivery options available – either to their manufacturing facility or direct to site.

www.ukoglass.co.uk

Eurocell launches Iconiq roof lantern

Home improvement specialists, Eurocell, has brought to the market a premium aluminium roof lantern that the company says is ‘a complete game changer’ for how fast and easy it is to fit on a flat roof – with size options that Eurocell claims spans larger than any other roof lantern in UK home improvements.

Iconiq from Eurocell also claims

to set a new standard for roof lantern installation with its cuttingedge, patent-pending, Q-lok system. According to Eurocell, designed with installers in mind, the innovative horse-shoe locking mechanism allows the lantern’s frame to be effortlessly pushed together – with fewer fixings and no drilling, just a quick and secure push-and-fit assembly through simple slide and lock connections

in a matter of moments.

Eurocell says the entire installation process takes under an hour, “making it faster and simpler than every other lantern in the market”.

Sean Bunyan, roof lantern specialist at Eurocell, believes Iconiq is the future of roof lanterns in the UK. He said: “Iconiq is something special. We know the demand for aluminium roof lanterns continues to grow and adding Iconiq to our offering means customers now have a complete choice to finish flat roof extensions and garden rooms in style.

“But it was key to us to bring to the market a premium aluminium roof lantern that is going to help

fabricators and installers grow their share of their markets beyond what they can achieve with what’s already out there. That’s what has fueled the innovation behind Iconiq. It offers a new innovative installation method that really speeds up time on site with its simple push-and-fit mechanism, increasing the capacity of projects the trade can deliver.

“Alongside this, there’s a huge range of size options, going from 1.75m by 1.75m and over 4m by 8m, making it the largest roof lantern currently available on the market.”

With an innovative GRP (glassreinforced plastic) eaves beam, it creates an insulating barrier to protect against heat loss – which

Eurocell says makes it the most thermally-efficient lantern on the market. The company claims the GRP ring beam is also the strongest of any roof lantern to date, giving it unmatched strength to weight ratio. Bespoke glazing clips secure the glass firmly in place, with an antitamper edge frame too, ensuring safety and security.

Iconiq is supplied in kit and bar length form to fabricator partners. While installers, including roofers, builders and window fitters, can also order online or in person from one of over 200 Eurocell trade branches in the UK. There’s four common sizes available online in anthracite grey, black and white, and all with self-cleaning glass as standard. All orders are made to order – with tinted glass options available too in bronze, blue, aqua and neutral.

With slim sightlines, integrated LED lighting tray, self-cleaning glass and availability in any RAL colour, Eurocell believes Iconiq has all the features homeowners need – complete with a 10-year guarantee.

Eurocell has a rich history of innovation in the roof lantern market, stemming from it being the first to launch a slimline,

pitched solution in 2013 with the Skypod, says the company.

Since then roof lanterns and the wider architectural lighting market has gone from strength to strength. The architectural lighting market generated a revenue of £322.7 million in 2024 and is expected to reach £463 million by 2030 as homeowners and property owners seek the latest products to bring more light into their homes. The benefits of which have been researched by Eurocell looking at the impact of natural light on productivity, with many people now working from home, it emphasises the need for natural light.

Sean adds; “When the Skypod first launched, it really set the standard for the roof lantern market. Since then, we have seen this area of the market grow significantly and we’ve seen newer contemporary lanterns come to the market to help push that innovation forward.

“We believe we have once again raised the bar with Iconiq through its revolutionary design. It is going to shape the next era of demand for roof lanterns. It is so easy to fit and has all the custom options savvy homeowners want to match their taste and personality.”

To find out more about Iconiq visit https://bit.ly/4ktsNKw

John Fredericks partners with Haffner for machinery upgrade

Trade fabricator John Fredericks Plastics has invested in a new Graf Synergy SLS – Single Head CNC Cill Welder from machinery experts Haffner.

Alan Barnard, factory director for John Fredericks, said: “We are delighted to introduce this advanced machine to our production line up. Its precision and efficiency perfectly support our drive for continuous improvement and ensure we can consistently deliver the superior product quality our customers expect.”

The team at John Fredericks wanted to invest in machinery that would help them increase output, save time and increase the quality for which they are renowned. After carefully researching the market, they contacted Haffner as the machinery supplier best placed to

meet their needs on this project, according to the company.

The Haffner team recommended the Graf Synergy SLS – Single Head CNC Cill Welder, the first and only single head CNC welding machine designed for the welding of bay cills. To finalise the details, Alan visited Graf Synergy’s headquarters near Modena, Italy, where the deal was agreed.

Like all Graf Synergy machines, the Cill Welder produces a perfect seamless weld which is free of excess sprue. This eliminates the need for post-weld cleaning or touch-ups, saving valuable production time and improving fabrication efficiencies. Further, only one operator is needed, boosting productivity. All profile tolerances are measured and recalibrated before welding, helping to reduce wastage., claims the company.

The compact machine has a small footprint to save space on the factory floor. It can be used on profiles coated with any film or foil including painted PVC.

Alan commented: “The Graf Synergy Cill Welder will increase our production output and eliminate the need for sanding and polishing plain white cills and remove the need for penning in. It delivers a seamless, high-quality weld that will complement our Ultimate Collection product range.”

According to the company, this latest investment reflects John Fredericks’ ongoing strategy to drive manufacturing efficiency and product quality through advanced automation. By embracing the latest machinery innovation, the company will continue to reinforce its position as a leading name in UK fabrication.

The collaborative approach and technical insight provided by Haffner have been instrumental in shaping this next phase of investment. Both companies are also exploring further opportunities to partner on future machinery developments.

www.haffnerltd.com

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WINNER

Cardiff listed building ‘banks’

on Ventrolla for window renovation

Ventrolla, a market leader in heritage restoration and renovation of timber sash and casement windows, has completed the works on 66 windows at the grade 2 listed

The Bank

‘The Bank’, an iconic building in Cardiff.

The Bank was originally built by the Cory brothers in 1874 and is considered a key part of Cardiff Bay’s heritage. When property developers, Quin &

Co took over the building, they were looking to renovate the property and transform it into 15 luxury two-bed apartments and a penthouse. At the forefront of the development was sympathetic, careful restoration to retain the character of the property.

Given the age of the building, expert knowledge was required to maintain the listed elements and respect the historically important building. Following a detailed technical survey of the site, we created CAD scale drawings of all different window types fo ease the client through the planning process and Listed Building Consent. The Ventrolla perimeter sealing system (VPSS) and sash removal system (SRS) were also deployed throughout the windows on the property, as it sat on a busy road. The systems, combined with acoustic glazing, helped improve the window energy rating (WER) by up to 30% and created noise reduction levels of up to 6-10dB(A), and allowed for the ease of maintenance.

John Pinn, director of Quinn & Co, said; “On a project of this scale, it’s of vital importance that we can work with suppliers who we can completely rely on as experts in their field. Ventrolla’s highly skilled craftsmanship, Listed Buildings expertise and attention to detail ensured that the work ran smoothly. We’re delighted with the windows in The Bank – they match the overall high-end finish of our project, and we know that the heritage of this iconic building has been preserved for generations to come.”

Mark Flanagan, managing director of Ventrolla, added; “Being given the opportunity to work on a property like The Bank was a real honour. We worked meticulously to maintain the look of the windows whilst improving the WER and heat retention, so our bespoke approach, coupled with our experience in commercial projects and the planning landscape, made us a perfect partner.”

www.ventrolla.co.uk

New windows and doors for Cambridgeshire home

Specialist aluminium fabricator, A Plus Aluminium has supplied trade partner, Admiral Homespace with a selection of Crown windows and doors for installation in a detached home in Cambridgeshire.

When it came to sourcing replacement windows and doors for their home in Huntingdon, Mr and Mrs Jackson sought the expertise of home improvement company, Admiral Homespace.

“They never said it was going to be easy, replacing your windows and doors,”

comments homeowner, Brian Jackson. “Time after time, companies wanted our money but offered little or no help with the product selection, detail or colour. Then we met Kieron at Admiral Homespace, he knew everything about replacement windows – it was just the detail we wanted, and this gave us the confidence to proceed.”

The couple had been undecided about whether to replace their timber windows and doors with aluminium or PVCu products. “Kieron confirmed our thoughts that aluminium was right for us.” The Jacksons appreciated the detailed aluminium profiles and the large selection of colours available.

Traditional aluminium profile

The couple wished to replicate the frame style of the original timber windows. To achieve a similar traditional look and feel, Admiral Homespace recommended the tried and trusted Technal Crown System for both the windows and doors.

Fabricated by A Plus Aluminium, the Crown casement windows combine modern performance with traditional aesthetics. Fitted throughout the property, these windows have a slim 52mm

profile which maximises the viewing area and lets in lots of natural light. With exceptional thermal performance and weather resistance, they achieve an A rating for energy efficiency. PAS 24 certification offers additional peace of mind.

Rear entrance doors

Two Crown residential doors have been installed in the single storey extension at the rear of the property. Both are halfglazed with obscure glass and feature brass lever/pad handles for enhanced security and complementary style. The door opening into the utility has a sidelight which is also glazed with obscure glass.

The doors replicate the squarecut aesthetics of traditional timber doors, but with the strength and longevity of aluminium. They both feature a

low threshold for easy access.

Bespoke colour

Colour was a key factor in the decision-making. “We could have any colour on the outside and white on the interior frame which meant, joy of joys – no more painting wood,” continues, Brian.

Yet, choosing the right colour was important to the couple. “We took samples away and even when we changed our minds, Kieron gave us more colour swatches to consider. It took a long time to select a colour that reflected the colour of our brickwork, but Keiron was brilliant throughout, encouraging us to take our time.”

In the end, Mr and Mrs Jackson chose two colours – white for the interior and a bespoke shade of green, outside. Tonally, the green complements the brickwork and is a subtle contrast to the light coloured render. The powder coated finish is durable and long-lasting and will look good for many years to come. For cohesion across the entire property, the front entrance door and garage door are colourmatched.

Experienced fitters

“It’s an odd feeling when vans arrive at your home and fitters

take out your front room window,” continues, Brian. “You question – will the new one fit? Will it rain on the carpet? But what can I say, the Admiral Homespace fitters were prompt, clean, tidy, helpful and knowledgeable, with an eye for detail. Within days the job was done and any snagging quickly resolved.”

Benefits of new windows and doors

“We’re not technical people,” concludes, Brian, “…but the house is so much warmer. There are no draughts, and it is so much quieter. We’ve no doubt that the aluminium profile has made such a difference.”

The replacement windows and doors have also caused quite a stir, locally. “Once complete, we stood back and admired our new windows and doors and, to our surprise, so did our neighbours, friends and people on the road. They want to know the colour and comment on how much the house has changed.

“We tell people to go to Admiral Homespace for their replacement windows and doors, and that’s exactly what our neighbours did!”

To find out more about Admiral Homespace please visit www.admiralhomespace.com. To learn more about A Plus Aluminium www.aplusaluminium.co.uk

Cambridge city council specifies ISO Chemie for energy improvement pilot project

ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified for a new energy saving pilot project being carried out by Cambridge City Council.

The move sees Winframer units retrofitted around new windows currently being installed at council owned properties in the Ross Street and Coldham’s Grove area to bring them up to a net zero carbon standard. An insulation layer is also being installed in front of each unit and clad over to significantly reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. The improvement

works are part of a wider initiative by the council to reduce a third of residential-based carbon dioxide emissions in the city, providing improved housing and wellbeing for homeowners along with longterm cost savings, claims the company.

As well as reduced energy consumption and emissions, the project aims to deliver a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year for tenants, better ventilation and indoor air quality with no damp or draughts, together with attractive homes in a state of good repair, says the company.

Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, Winframer is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm that allows windows to be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place.

Quick and easy to install, the product can be integrated alongside other systems to achieve Passivhaus certified window perimeter sealing performance.

The Cambridge project comes as the Government’s strategy continues to push to reduce carbon levels in housing that has single skin, cavity or non-cavity walls – these properties have a reputation for losing considerable amounts of energy, heat and sound.

The ISO Chemie products are expected to deliver improved

levels of air tightness and thermal performance across the properties when the work is completed in July 2025.

The Winframer together with the windows are being installed by Lincolnshire-based manufacturers and suppliers of windows, doors and conservatories, Synerjy Ltd. The company’s managing director said Cambridge City Council’s sustainability strategy outlines a roadmap that leads to its housing stock achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

He added: “With the sustainability programme in mind, we are retrofitting these properties to help the council achieve zero carbon ready standards. This work is scheduled to complete this summer and ISO Chemie’s products will undoubtedly prove their value in delivering longterm beneficial energy efficiency improvements.”

Nick Thompson, ISO Chemie’s technical adviser, said: “As new building regulations continue to take effect, property owners and landlords are increasingly requiring smarter ways to deliver their refurb projects through sustainable technologies. Our products can support this activity, providing high performance airtight, acoustic and thermal sealing solutions.”

The composite Winframer brackets can bear heavy window loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner, says the company.

A hinged insulation core combines with the composite structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with window energy saving regulations (EnEV) and the RAL quality assurance association.

Charming cottage transformed with Residence 9 windows

The Residence Collection has enhanced a stunning countryside cottage with new Residence 9 windows in the special colour option, Golden Oak.

Collaborating with fabricator HS Trade, Beta View Windows and Doors Limited completed their very first Residence Collection installation in the Golden Oak colourway, a special colour option that beautifully replicates traditional timber aesthetics. For a high quality, wood-look finish, the Timberweld joint manufacturing method was used on the R9 windows, says the company.

The windows feature Regal Black pear drop handles, Cassini glass with 28mm double glazing, and The Residence Collection’s trickle vent cover. Due to the depth of the R9 system, the team skilfully cut back the linings and used expertly scribed trims to ensure seamless symmetry throughout the property. The cottage sits in close proximity to a conversation area, making the Residence 9 windows the ideal choice for preserving period charm, all whilst delivering modern performance, efficiency and security, according to the company.

The selected windows exceed British Building Regulation standards with a u-value of 1.2W/ m²K with double glazing, and offer A++ energy ratings, as well as meeting Passivhaus standards with triple glazing. The R9 collection, available in 20 colours,

provides optimal insulation and energy savings, claims the company.

Daniel Sloan, director of Beta View Windows & Doors Ltd, commented: “We are proud to be officially recognised as a recommended installer for The Residence Collection. The onboarding process has been smooth and efficient, with the team visiting us several times to ensure we meet their high standards.

“Their support, from marketing materials to professional guidance, has been invaluable. We are thrilled to offer such high-quality products and are proud to represent The Residence Collection. Their products align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.”

Jo Trotman, marketing manager at The Residence Collection, added: “We are so glad to have Beta View Windows and Doors Limited join our installer network. Their commitment to quality and craftsmanship is evident in this fantastic project, which perfectly showcases the beauty and performance of Residence 9. Seeing the Golden Oak finish executed so well is a testament to their expertise, and we are confident that this is just the beginning of a successful partnership. We look forward to seeing more exceptional projects from them in the future.”

https://bit.ly/43Dd6J8

Crittall’s

crafted curves help surrealist art take form in London

Steel frame manufacturer Crittall Windows has partnered with artist Alex Chinneck to deliver A Week at the Knees, a jawdropping headline installation for Clerkenwell Design Week 2025.

Installed in London’s Charterhouse Square, the

13.5-metre-long structure replicates a Georgian townhouse façade seemingly ‘sitting down’ in its own space. Crittall engineered and supplied the custom steel sash windows that bend with the sculptural form, giving the illusion of movement within a rigid envelope.

The glazing was designed to meet the demands of structural integrity while matching the exaggerated curvature of the façade. The window profiles were modelled in close collaboration with Alex’s team and Crittall CAD technician

Rachel Johnson, who adapted the company’s classic steel sections to the installation’s unconventional geometry.

Ager, managing director of Crittall Windows, commented: “Working with Alex has been an absolute pleasure. The challenge of creating something so unconventional has energised our whole team. People across the factory were excited to see the frames taking shape and to know they were contributing to such a visible and imaginative project. We’re incredibly proud to have supported a work that highlights design innovation in such a compelling way.”

The installation includes 320 metres of repurposed structural steel, and more than 7,000 hand-laid brick slips. Crittall’s contribution used high-grade recycled steel, precision-welded and finished to maintain the brand’s hallmark slim sightlines despite the bespoke curvature.

Alex Chinneck said: “My work relies on specialist collaborators. Crittall brought both technical expertise and creative openness, which made them a perfect fit. I’d be very keen to work with them again.”

Designed for public interaction, the structure is free-standing and modular, with all elements fabricated off-site and assembled in situ. The windows were delivered pre-finished to meet a compressed installation schedule.

The sculpture will remain in place until late June and is expected to tour afterwards. For those seeking inspiration in the crossover between heritage craft and structural art, A Week at the Knees is a bold example of what’s possible through design-led collaboration.

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

NBP Hemel Hempstead super depot hosts two-day trade event showcase

Northern Building Plastics’ (NBP) new Hemel Hempstead super depot has hosted its first twoday trade event with a range of suppliers putting on product demonstrations and advice sessions.

The trade event took place on 15th and 16th April, and included demos, Q&As, tutorials, giveaways and free breakfast snacks for those attending on both days.

As well as benefiting customers, local homeless charity DENS also received a boost from the trade days, with £200 raised from various activities taking place as part of the event.

One of the standout product showcases was the distinctive Hardie Plank Challenge, where

competitors raced against the clock to install James Hardie cladding with precision and speed, with the quickest winning prizes across both days.

Swish had their full product range on display, along with pull-up banners, catalogues and samples, including the new NatureClad product and Freefoam which showcased their roofline, gutter, cladding, and geo’s ranges.

Soudal (UK) Limited demonstrated their Fix All range, plus the G&M aerosol cleaner, silicones, and expanding foams, along with technical support from their area sales manager on specifications relevant to NBP.

A range of other suppliers also hosted stands demonstrating their

products. These included Tapco and Metrotile roof tiles, Rapierstar, who hosted games and gave away screw cases and merchandise and Storm Building Products, who showcased their composite decking and cladding ranges.

Steve Jones, NBP sales director said: “The trade days are a great opportunity for the new Hemel Hempstead super depot to showcase the extensive range of products we offer from the site.

“With key suppliers hosting live product demonstrations, Q and As and providing advice on how to get the best from the products we supply, the trade days were informative, engaging and commercially beneficial to customers attending during the

two days.

“The new Hemel Hempstead site has been well received by customers since it opened in February this year. It’s already establishing a strong reputation with local tradespeople and we look forward to doing even more to support those customers in the future.”

The Hemel Hempstead super depot marks NBP’s first physical presence in the South of England and aims to repeat the success of its existing Bolton, Leeds, Birtley and Hinckley super depots.

A 25,000 sq ft facility, situated just off Junction 8 of the M1, it has the capacity to hold a vast range of products on site, in project quantities and all colours and sizes.

The key product lines include fascia, soffit, guttering, drainage and cladding. It will also operate a fleet of up to 20 vehicles, which will in time expand NBP’s total fleet to over 70, further reinforcing its next-day, direct-to-site delivery on thousands of building products.

The new site will service deliveries across the south of England, with London, the South-East and as far down as Cornwall, part of the new expanded territory.

It will enable NBP to continue its growth, take on more customers and service a range of small to large projects across the region, along with creating 22 new jobs across the site. Additionally, its proximity to key transport routes will allow for faster delivery times.

With the latest super depot now open for business, NBP is already planning ahead for the roll-out of further super depots, with a number of suitable locations under consideration across the UK to further enhance its geographical reach and customer service offer.

https://www.nbp.co.uk/

AluK announce ‘Exploration day’

This year, AluK has been inviting fabricators and installers to ‘Upgrade their System’ and on 26 June it is inviting them to visit its HQ in Chepstow to see all the benefits that upgrading to AluK could bring to their businesses.

The AluK Exploration Day will let visitors go behind the scenes and discover all the innovative products and technologies that AluK says now makes the company such a valuable supply partner. It will showcase the services available to help AluK customers stand out from the competition, and show visitors all the resources and expertise available to support their journey in aluminium.

On the day, visitors will get a guided tour of the 350,000 sq ft facility, witness the impressive logistics operation which lies behind the 5-day lead time on

stock products, and see how AluK designs and tests all its new products at its in-house R&D facility.

They will also be able to go back stage at the vertical powder-coated paint line, and learn what separates AluK’s industry leading Qualicoat approved facility from the rest.

And the day will finish in the dedicated Design Studio and showroom, where AluK’s sales, marketing and technical teams will be on hand to give expert insight into the products and outline the support available on everything from estimating and CAD drawings to showroom design and digital marketing.

To register for an exciting day of discovery, go to https://bit.ly/3Fvm97g and to find out more:

www.alukgb.com/exploration-day

Window Ware Celebrates Triple Nomination at the National Fenestration Awards

Window Ware, supplier of window and door hardware, has announced its nomination in not one, but three categories at this year’s National Fenestration Awards (NFAs).

These nominations, driven by the industry itself, underscore the dedication and excellence that define Window Ware, says the company.

The company has been recognised in the following categories: Hardware Company of the Year; Window Component of

the Year (Regal Hardware Monkey Tail & Pear Drop Handles); and Customer Service / Operations Person of the Year (Sam Richards, Window Ware Head of Customer Operations).

“We are absolutely delighted and truly honoured to be recognised with these nominations,” commented Sam Nuckey, managing director at Window Ware. “To have our commitment to superior service and the quality of our Regal Hardware range acknowledged by our peers in the industry is incredibly rewarding.

Knowing that our customers and partners have put us forward for these awards is the ultimate validation – an achievement that simply wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and passion of the entire Window Ware team.”

Sam Richards, nominated for customer service / operations person of the Year, shared his surprise and gratitude: “This nomination has genuinely taken me by surprise. It’s a fantastic feeling to know that the dedication we put into supporting our customers is truly making a difference and is being acknowledged.”

The nomination for Window Component of the Year celebrates the enduring popularity of Window Ware’s Regal Hardware Monkey Tail & Pear Drop Handles. Launched approximately seven years ago, this distinctive heritage range has become a firm favourite among fabricators. The buzz surrounding Regal Hardware was evident at FIT Show recently, where the handles were prominently featured on numerous stands, says the company.

Sam Nuckey affirms, “At the heart of Window Ware lies a clear mission: to be precisely the hardware partner fabricators need. We strive to be on hand with expert support, consistently on time with dependable deliveries, and always on point with a comprehensive and quality product offering. This dedication to being a reliable and responsive partner ensures fabricators and trade counters are empowered to adapt, thrive, and grow in a competitive and constantly evolving marketplace.”

The team at Window Ware extends their sincere thanks to everyone who nominated them and invites you to show your support by casting your vote. Voting is now open and closes on September 19th.

Stellar Aluminium named as finalists in the National Fenestration Awards 2025

Stellar has been named as a finalist in the Aluminium Systems Company of the Year category at the National Fenestration Awards 2025.

Gerald Allen, head of marketing at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We’re delighted that Stellar Aluminium has reached the finals of the National Fenestration Awards. They are voted for by the industry, so it’s an honour that celebrates the quality of the system and the team that works so hard for our customers.”

Stellar Aluminium products comply with the thermal efficiency requirements of Part L without additional foam inserts. Plus, all products meet the security requirements of PAS 24:2022 and Part Q of Building Regulations as standard. They can also be upgraded to meet Secured by

Design requirements for additional security reassurance, claims the company.

Every product offers slim sightlines that put all the focus on the glazing. Every profile is coated to the Qualicoat Seaside specification in Stellar’s in-house powder coating plant, to ensure an exceptional finish every time. The system was purpose-designed for easy fabrication, featuring a pregasketed system that streamlines the process. Benefits for installers include knock-in glazing beads that ensure quicker installation while delivering a neater gasket line that enhances the overall finish, says the company.

According to the company, alongside the strengths of the Stellar Aluminium system, customers also benefit from the strength of support on offer. This

Fentrade announced as double finalists at the National Fenestration Awards

Aluminium fabricator Fentrade has been announced as a finalist in two categories at the National Fenestration Awards 2025: Aluminium Fabricator of the Year and Bi-Folding Door Manufacturer Of The Year.

Chris Reeks, director of Fentrade, commented: “The National Fenestration Awards are decided completely by the participation of the industry, so it’s a real honour to be announced as finalists. Thank you to everyone who nominated us.”

Chris said: “The vision for Fentrade has always been to be a leading name in high-quality, expertly manufactured aluminium products,

includes Connect, the online customer support platform that brings together all the support that’s available to help fabricators and installers drive sales and grow profit.

Gerald concluded: “Good luck to all our fellow finalists. We look forward to celebrating our fantastic industry with you on 25 October!”

Voting for this year’s awards is open now at fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa25/ and closes on 19 September 2025. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 25 October 2025.

underpinned by an exceptional service ethos. It’s a mantra that guides everything we do, from fabricated products to customer support. Being recognised as a finalist is testament to the dedication and hard work of the Fentrade team.”

The National Fenestration Awards is now into its 12th year. Each year there is a nominations phase where people put forward the names of people and companies they believe deserve to be recognised. The industry then votes on shortlists in each category based on the nominations submitted.

Voting for this year’s awards is open now at www.fenestrationawards. co.uk/nfa25/ and closes on 19 September 2025. www.fentradealuminium.co.uk

Glazpart nominated for five awards

Glazpart has been nominated in five categories in this year’s National Fenestration Awards (NFAs). The nominations reflect Glazpart’s outstanding work in new product development, customer support, sales and marketing., says the company.

The NFA shortlist includes;

• Window Component of the Year: Multi-System Bridge Packer (MSBP)

• New Product of the Year: Bifold Vent

• Office Manager of the Year: Belinda White (Customer

Relations Manager)

• Social Networker of the Year: James Lee (Marketing Consultant)

• Best Business Development Manager / Sales Executive of the Year: Melanie Hickman (Area Sales Manager – South of England)

On receiving the news, Dean Bradley, Glazpart sales director, commented, “We are delighted to have been recognised in five categories at the NFAs for our work across the fenestration sector.”

On being shortlisted for Business

Development Manager / Sales Executive of the Year, Melanie Hickman said, “ ‘I’m really shocked & honoured to be nominated for this award. I’ve only been with Glazpart and in the fenestration industry for 18 months, so just the nomination itself is an achievement. Really looking forward to celebrating this year and I wish everyone the best of luck.”

Glazpart’s customer relations manager, Belinda White is responsible for keeping customer service standards high by making sure Glazpart’s products are not only delivered in time but arrive in first class condition. On her nomination for Office Manager of the Year, Belinda commented, “Being nominated is unexpected but it also nice to have our work recognised by our customers in the fenestration sector. I am very much looking forward to October’s event.”

James Lee, Marketing Consultant

James Lee, who is responsible for Glazpart’s PR and Social Media has been nominated for Social Networker of the Year. James commented on hearing the news, “I am both surprised and pleased to be nominated, but also delighted that Glazpart

Dean Bradley, sales director, Glazpart

has been recognised in four other categories. The last 12 months has seen an amazing surge in our social media activity highlighting Glazpart’s success in events, new product development, awards and customer relations. I can’t wait for the Awards Event in Doncaster this Autumn.”

To cast your vote in this unique competition, please visit the NFA website voting page here.

Dean Bradley summarised, “We encourage all our customers and colleagues to vote for Glazpart in the respective categories and we look forward to the awards

Sheerline sets sights on NFAs after receiving eight nominations

The team at Sheerline has announced they have been shortlisted for eight National Fenestration Awards. This is just the latest good news announcement on the back of the system being recognised with a coveted King’s Award for Innovation 2025.

One of the reasons the NFAs are so important

event later in the year. In the meantime, best of luck to all those shortlisted.”

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Saturday 25 October at Doncaster Racecourse, Hilton Garden Inn.

to Sheerline is the fact they’re peer-voted. This year’s awards look to be the most competitive yet, with Sheerline nominated in several soughtafter categories.

This includes the title of Aluminium Systems Company of the Year, which Sheerline was thrilled to receive last year, particularly as 12 other wellknown systems houses were in the running for the award. This year it will be even more hotly contested with 14 systems houses shortlisted.

Sheerline has been nominated in a broad range of categories covering its products, services, and people reflecting its continued impact within the industry. The S1 Roof Lantern is in the running for Conservatory Product of the Year while the Fast Connect Hybrid Bead is up for New Product.

Other categories featuring Sheerline include Colour Specialists and Systems Company. The ‘U-values You Can Trust’ campaign is up for Digital Marketing Campaign, While Martin Hepburn is up for sales executive of the Year and Felicity Theaker is up for social networker.

Tony Basile, Sheerline’s national sales director, commented: “We’re not even halfway through the year and we’ve already won Best Technical Innovation at the GGP Installer awards (for the third time), received a King’s Award for Innovation 2025, and now we’ve been shortlisted for eight NFAs.”

“2025 is shaping up to be the most successful year for Sheerline in terms of award wins and this is all while announcing our ambitious expansion plans and celebrating the 5th anniversary of our launch. If the previous five years are anything to go by, we’ve got a bright and busy future ahead,” he added.

The NFAs are scheduled to take place on Saturday 25 October at Doncaster Racecourse. Voting opened at the beginning of May and will remain open until September 19, giving plenty of time to break last year’s voting record.

www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa25

The Residence Collection finalist for five awards in the 2025 National Fenestration Awards

The Residence Collection has been named as a finalist in five categories at one of the most recognised fenestration industry awards.

Founded more than a decade ago, The National Fenestration Awards has been celebrating the very best in the sector by recognising individuals and businesses for their innovation, dedication and impact. The winners of each awards category are determined through an open voting system, where industry professionals act as judges and cast their votes with voting closes on 19th September at 5pm.

The Residence Collection has

been shortlisted in five categories: Best Use of Video, PVCu Systems Company of the Year, Systems Company of The Year, Timber Alternative of the Year and their Brand Ambassador, James Moon, is a finalist for Young Person of the Year.

Last year marked the seventh time The Residence Collection has won the Timber Alternative Company of the Year award, as they look to continue their winning streak.

James’ nomination for Young Person of the Year is a testament to his hard work and dedication since joining The Residence Collection team

last year. He manages the Southern installer network and is responsible for promoting The Residence Collection brand, its products, and services through professional sales strategies. James supports both their existing installer base and potential clients—including homeowners, architects, and specifiers in the building industry—by delivering an exceptional level of customer service and support.

Speaking about his nomination, James said: “It’s an honour to be recognised in such a respected industry awards programme, especially alongside so many talented people. I’m proud to represent a brand that genuinely leads with innovation and quality, and I’m excited to see what we achieve next.”

Jo Trotman, marketing manager at The Residence Collection, added:”We’re really proud to see The Residence Collection named as finalists for four outstanding categories in the National Fenestration Awards this year, and even more proud of our Brand Ambassador, James, for his well-deserved nomination.

“We’ve worked extremely hard this year to diversify our efforts with The Residence Collection brands, in order to ensure that installers and fabricators are continually trusting us as their go-to companies for premium timber alternative windows, and now doors too.

“There are lots of deserving finalists in all categories of the awards this year and we look forward to the ceremony in October.”

Voting is now open and runs until 19th September 2025. To support The Residence Collection, visit fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa25 to cast your vote.

Carl F Groupco announced

as NFA25 finalist

Carl F Groupco has been announced as a finalist in the Hardware Company of the Year in this year’s National Fenestration Awards. Owen Coop, CEO of Carl F Groupco, said: “The National Fenestration Awards are voted for by the industry, so being shortlisted is recognition of the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

Carl F Groupco is one of the industry’s only independentlyowned hardware distributors. The company supplies a complete range of premium quality window and door hardware from 57 brands including Roto, Siegenia, Fuhr, Maco and Yale. The company says its independent status means it can objectively offer the best technical hardware solutions without the constraints of prioritising commercial gain.

In addition to the strength of its hardware offer, Carl F Groupco is widely recognised for its exceptional customer support. For example, its testing service goes beyond advising on compliant hardware. The team provides end-to-end support, from hardware selection advice to onsite visits to support fit-ups and pre-test preparation, ensuring a smooth and successful process for its customers.

The company holds up to £5 million in stock at any one time and operates with a stringent ‘On Time In Full’ (OTIF) target of 98%. Notably this metric is measured by orders rather than by component part, setting a higher standard of performance. With distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld, Carl F Groupco offers daily,

next-day deliveries, including to Scotland and the Scottish Highlands. This helps customers keep their stock holding low, reducing risk and improving cash flow.

Owen commented: “In a competitive market, we know it takes more than great products to earn long-term loyalty. That is why we focus on delivering exceptional service, technical expertise and reliability, giving our customers complete confidence in choosing us.”

Now in their 12th year, the National Fenestration Awards are designed to celebrate excellence across the entire fenestration sector, recognising achievement through a transparent and industry-led voting process.

Voting for this year’s awards is open now at fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa25 and closes on 19 September 2025. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 25 October 2025.

The benefits of giving back

From community engagement to camaraderie, Hurst Doors looks beyond the sponsored walks and bake sales to explore the wide-ranging benefits of its recent fundraising collaboration with Dove House Hospice.

An invaluable source of support for those in the local community with life-limiting illnesses, Dove House Hospice has been caring for people in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire for almost four decades.

With patients and families firmly at the heart of the charity’s vital work, Hull-based door supplier, Hurst Doors, was keen to contribute to this worthy cause, with a year-long fundraising collaboration that has brought far-reaching rewards.

Generating an impressive £4,700 and smashing its fundraising target of £2,500, Hurst employees took part in a series of events throughout 2024, from organised obstacle courses to in-house bake-offs, raising much-need funds in the process.

But the benefits of Hurst’s involvement run much deeper, as Hayley Barker, head of marketing at Hurst, explains: “As a peoplefocussed, local business, we are fully committed to community engagement and corporate responsibility,” she says.

“Our fundraising partnership with

Dove House in 2024 provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the essential work the charity does – as well as contributing to its annual £10m operating costs – but it also strengthened our integration into the local community, as well as boosting camaraderie amongst our own team.”

Against a backdrop of bake-sales and in-house events, Hurst’s fundraising highlights included the ‘Get Caked’ challenge. Billed as five miles of ‘wet, muddy fun’, the event saw the Hurst team clamber over, leap through, crawl under and run across a series of natural and man-made obstacles, generating cash for Dove House and building a strong team ethic in the process.

Later in the year came the Hull 10K Run, as well as Dove House’s first-ever Pub-to-Pub Walk, a 12mile trek through East Yorkshire, sponsored by Hurst.

Taking in the region’s beautiful countryside, shoreline, and charming villages, Hurst employees were among the 200 participants to don their walking

boots and set out on a scenic journey, stopping at six local pubs along the way.

Later in the year came the daunting Fire & Ice Walk, where Team Hurst bravely took on the dual challenges of walking barefoot over hot embers, heated to a scorching 650ºC, and razorsharp, sterilised glass shards!

“We’re incredibly proud of the bravery and determination shown by members of the Hurst team who took part in the various challenges for Dove House throughout our partnership last year,” added Hayley.

“Our efforts to push through discomfort for a greater cause have really boosted engagement at Hurst. Our fundraising efforts have brought about a sense of unity, camaraderie, satisfaction and purpose, and it’s also been great fun!

“Dove House Hospice provides an invaluable community service, from the provision of endof-life care to much-needed bereavement support for grieving families and contributing in our own way has been an honour. We’re overwhelmed by the support we’ve received.”

Praising Hurst as a model for community-focused business engagement, Jonny Bottomley, partnership development fundraiser at Dove House Hospice, said: “Hurst’s association with Dove House is a great endorsement for the business community.

“They’ve demonstrated a clear sense of social responsibility and a genuine commitment to community welfare. I’d encourage other businesses to get involved with worthy causes like Dove House to drive real change and make a positive difference in the areas they operate in.”

www.hurstdoors.co.uk

National

Processing,

Quality

In-house technical team

Partner

CAB and GGF memberships

Full accreditation

Sustainability

KINETICA FREEZGUARD

A 3-star cylinder with BSI Kitemark security certification

Certified to PAS24:2022-A1:2024

Secured by Design accredited

Provides protection from multiplebreak-in techniques, including:

• Freezing

• Gluing

• Snapping

• Drilling

• Picking

• Bumping