Window News July August 2019

Deceuninck Opens Doors For Nu-Era 15

Stellar In Colour 49

Kawneer Helps Wales Get Creative 64

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WINDOWNEWS

CONTENTS WINDOW NEWS

W INDOWNEWS THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

TRADE NEWS 4

INDOW NEWS W INDUSTRY DIRECTORY DEAR GERALD 34 PEOPLE 30

WINDOW

PRODUCT NEWS 35 MANCHINERY 56

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ON-SITE 58 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS MARKETING / INTERNET

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AWARDS 74 CHARITY 76

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Cover picture: Howells Launches New Glass Rafter Rooflights, read more on page 48

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 3

TRADE NEWS

Customade

Group Invests

In Door Growth

Kevin Buckley GGF Group Chief Executive

GGF Set For Fresh

Customade Group Trading Limited (“Customade”) has acquired the manufacturing assets of Worcester-based GBW Panels Ltd from administrators Leonard Curtis. The manufacture of GBW panels will be moved to Customade’s Virtuoso Doors division, the Birtley based manufacturer of composite door sets and PVCu door panels.

Approach To New Cabinet

These changes come into effect immediately and the GBW panel additions will further enhance the extensive range of PVCu door panels already available from Virtuoso.

Any former customers of GBW are welcome to contact Tony Craggs the MD of Virtuoso Doors who will work with them to ensure continued availability.

With all the Westminster political activity ongoing, the GGF Political Strategy Committee met on 1st July to discuss the status, progress and future plans for the GGF’s campaigns on fire safety, skills and training, energy efficiency.

David Leng, Customade CEO, said: “Virtuoso Doors has been a huge success over the last few years with spectacular growth in both composite doors and panels, benefitting from more than £1 million of capex investment from Customade.

We continue to invest heavily in our composite door factory, most recently with a new Stuga machine centre being installed this month.

Acquiring an extensive range of assets to support growth in our panel sales is a great opportunity and we welcome any previous GBW customers to come and trade with our group.” www.customade.co.uk

With the Conservative party leadership decided and Boris Johnson elected as the new Prime Minister of UK, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is set for a fresh approach ahead of the imminent Cabinet re-shuffle.

Kevin Buckley, GGF Chief Executive commented, “Now that the new Prime Minister has been elected, we are anticipating changes to the Cabinet. When the new appointments are finalised – hopefully in the next few weeks – then we will approach the relevant ministers and key decision makers with fresh communications on our campaigns. In the meantime, we will continue to cascade any relevant information on the campaigns, Brexit and glazing in conservation areas as and when we have it.”

As part of the GGF’s Fire Safety campaign, Adrian Blaydon, GGF Technical Officer presented on “The Importance of Fire Resistant Glazing” at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fire Safety in the

4 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

House of Commons on 9th July.

On his presentation Adrian commented, “It was a great opportunity to present the case for Fire Resistant Glazing to a meeting of such passionate advocates of fire safety.

It was also extremely encouraging that despite the events currently occurring within parliament, that MPs had certainly not lost focus on this life safety – and potentially life-threatening – issue.”

Also this month, the GGF has attended meetings with political partners Construction Products Association (CPA) and the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) on shared political goals such as fire safety and improving energy efficiency in buildings as well as looking for ways to tackle the increasing problems around skilled labour shortages and training for the industry.

There will be a full update and presentation on all of the GGF’s political activity at the next joint meeting of the Window and Door Group and Conservatory Association in Solihull on the 8th August.

All GGF Members are welcome to attend this meeting and should contact membership@ggf.org.uk if they wish to attend. www.ggf.org.uk

TRADE NEWS

Pilkington United Kingdom Limited Invests £3 Million In New Machinery To Increase Structural Glazing Capacity both domestic clients and a growing number of export customers across the globe.

Phil Savage, head of sales – UK processing at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “We’re at the forefront of providing innovative products into the commercial construction sector, especially in the area of structural glazing, where this type of glass and glazing system is increasingly specified and incorporated in high-performance buildings.

Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd, part of the NSG Group, has invested more than £3 million in new technology to increase its capacity to manufacture Pilkington Planar™, and meet growing market demand for its internationally sold structural glazing system.

The glass manufacturer has invested in a new state of the art toughening furnace, an increased capability heat soak oven, and a glass measuring device. Each will be used as part of the manufacturing process for its Pilkington Planar™ structural glazing system and associated products.

The new toughening furnace, due to be operational by August, will be located at the Pilkington Architectural site in

St Helens. It’s expected to help the company manufacture increased volumes of the Pilkington Planar™ System.

The investment also increases the size capability of the toughening furnace and heat soak oven to 6000 mm x 3000 mm.

Meanwhile, the newly developed glass measuring device will enhance the manufacturer’s quality control systems and processes for the benefit of customer and end-clients.

Structural glazing systems are used in a variety of applications including glass atriums, facades and other specialist uses. The company has developed, designed and manufactured structural glazing systems and products in the UK for more than 60 years, serving

“The challenge of delivering projects that achieve both high functionality and excellent aesthetical appeal has been more ubiquitous in building design over the last five years. This is where structural glazing systems are an established solution, helping specifiers to meet both requirements.

“This investment helps us to serve this growing demand with enhanced efficiency and superior quality products, helping our customers to create a built environment fit for the future.”

UK-manufactured Pilkington Planar™ glass has been recently installed in international projects including the Al-farwania Court Complex and Hawally Courts Complex both in Kuwait; the 601 Massachusetts Avenue development in Washington DC; the American Dream Mall in New Jersey; and the Valley Fair Mall, California.

For more information on Pilkington structural glazing products, click here.

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 5

TRADE NEWS climate change.

Undeniably, home insulation installations are among the cheapest carbon cutting measures, reducing energy bills by £100 a year on average. However, the cancellation of government incentives has seen a 95% fall off in work in this area since 2012, according to the Committee on Climate Change.

New Report Highlights Greater Energy Efficiency Windows As a new report calls for action to tackle energy inefficient homes in the UK, Andy Swift, sales and operations manager at Iso Chemie, says architects who adopt new approaches to sealing specification will improve the energy efficiency around window and door installations.

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee’s report*, Energy Efficiency: building towards net zero, which follows recommendations laid out in the 2018 National Infrastructure Assessment, stresses the importance of pushing more energy efficient buildings to help the UK meet its carbon reduction targets cost-effectively.

Specifically, it flags concerns that currently, public investment is inadequate when it comes to making homes energy efficient and urges that greater attention and priority should be given to home insulation. The move also comes hot of the heals of an earlier report

Andrew Swift

by the Committee on Climate Change (UK Housing Fit for the Future, February 2019) into energy efficiency in homes, which called for all new homes to be built to be as thermally efficient as possible.

These reports – the latest in a long line of similar studies – showcase seeming indifference among government ministers when it comes to propagating more energy efficient housing, rebuffing simple yet effective home insulation measures that could help people to pay less than they need to tackle

6 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Despite great strides in modern housing design and development, evidence points to doors and windows continuing to be among the biggest culprits when it comes to energy inefficient homes.

Indeed, it might be said that in the light of product innovation, its almost ‘criminal’ that so many fenestration installations remain unchecked or unregulated, leaving a legacy of problems that last for years and cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to rectify.

This is a pity because with advancements in cost effective, simple to use technologies, there’s no longer any justifiable reason for procrastination around the specification of energy efficient window and door sealing solutions.

Heat will always find the fastest exit as it comes up against the ‘A’ or ‘A+’ rated window, and invariably this emanates from the 10mm or so expansion gap left around the window following fitment. This is normally left empty, but some amount of spray foam can be injected to fill the void before a silicone trim is applied for a smart looking finish.

Unfortunately, as expedient as this might sound, none of these solutions create a measurable, long term, high performance thermal, acoustic or airtight barrier – the U-Value of the installed window is simply reduced, which leads to heat escape and ultimately, financial loss.

If building regulations remain lenient, we will continue to see win-

TRADE NEWS dow and door developments that only just comply with the minimum standards. But the industry deserves better insulating products to improve energy efficiency and save money for their end-users, and self-adhesive foam sealing tapes, which use ‘smart’ foams impregnated with different substances to create a measurable U-Value as low as 0.6w/m2k, offer superb thermal insulation and can contribute to acoustic sound reduction by 63dB. As these installation tapes are completely weather tight against driving rain up to hurricane force wind speeds, installers can quickly apply them around the frame during initial fitting. This provides the assurance that they have completed a comprehensive ‘A’ rated installation rather than just supplying an ‘A’ rated window.

This is a benefit that can be sold on to deliver enhanced energy efficiency advantages for customers and property owners.

There’s no question that those responsible for fenestration specification can do more to support greater energy efficiency. Technical innovation through sealing technologies is one way that this can be achieved. Indeed, as sustainability continues to be paramount in the development of low carbon and eco-friendly housing schemes, we are seeing technologies such as foam tapes gaining traction as effective solutions for sealing window and door frame expansion joints and gaps in houses.

The challenge for new technologies is to provide those at the sharp end of designing the built environment with the confidence to assure customers that energy efficiency is at least as good as the window. More at www.iso-chemie.co.uk www.parliament.uk/business/ committees/committees-a-z/

Everglade Windows

Launch One Collection

hand, including a homeowner brochure that includes the whole range, as well as individual product brochures, and fitter-friendly technical guides for each product,” continues Jay.

One Collection by Everglade Windows is a new uPVC range that offers more opportunities for installers. It features ovolo, chamfered and flush sash windows and doors as well as French and patio doors.

Sales & Marketing Director, Jay Patel, says: “We asked installers what they were being asked about most by homeowners, and what came out on top was more colour options, extra design details and flush windows.

One Collection has all this and more.

“That’s why we’ve launched our new uPVC range that includes OC-Ovolo, OC-Chamfered and OC-Flush windows and doors, along with the OC-Patio doors, in an industry leading 26 colourways from stock, and even more options available to order.”

One Collection offers the great performance expected from Everglade Windows, with U-values as low as 1.2 W/m2K for the windows. Security is covered with One Collection windows and doors, as they’re PAS 24:2016 and Secured by Design certified and come with corrosion resistant multipoint locking as standard. For customers looking to frame the view, OC-Patio doors are available with large panel sizes making for impressive style.

Everglade Windows has created a full series of sales and marketing support to help installers to sell the benefits of One Collection.

Jay adds: “With the One Collection by Everglade Windows, installers can offer discerning homeowners exactly what they want – the ability to add their individual spin to their windows and door designs, along with the energy performance and security that they’re looking for.”

“We’ve got lots of literature on

www.evergladetrade.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 7

TRADE NEWS

aluplast Commits To Multi-Million Pound Investment Programme

New product launches from aluplast in the last year have included Woodec, a next generation foil which replicates the natural appearance of timber while combining it with the through-life advantages of PVC-U. This includes three ultra-life-like woodgrains: Turner Oak Malt, a subtle light oak finish; Sheffield Oak Alpine, a silvered oak finish; and slightly darker, Sheffield Oak Concrete.

These are available across aluplast’s core Ideal 70 and contemporary Squareline Ideal 4000 system, plus its Lift-and-Slide Patio and new Smart-Slide inline sliding door and flush casement sash.

aluplast has announced a multi-million-pound investment programme more than doubling capacity within its extrusion and warehousing operations in Europe.

This builds on its existing 60,000m2 state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, with the development of a new 13-hectare site in Poland.

In addition, aluplast is also in doubling capacity at its headquarters in Karlsruhe, further increasing the German system’s house’s European and global manufacturing capability.

Ian Cocken, Director of Sales and Marketing, aluplast, said the investment programme was part of aluplast’s commitment to long term growth in the UK and Ireland.

“The investment aluplast is making delivers direct benefit to its customers here in the UK and Ireland, driving forward global leading product innovation while underpinning it with continuous improvement in quality and service.”

Processing approaching 200,000 tonnes of PVC-U globally annually, equivalent to 75 per cent of the whole UK and Irish markets combined and with its worldwide customer base manufacturing more than 10million windows per year, aluplast is one of the world’s largest PVC-U systems houses.

Despite this it remains a family-run and privately-owned business, something Cocken argues also delivers major benefits to its customers.

“It’s exceptionally unusual for a privately-owned business to operate on this kind of scale. This, however, delivers multiple benefits to UK and Irish fabricators and installers, first because of the stability it delivers – aluplast doesn’t have to answer to venture capitalists.

“Second, it has the depth of resource to continue to invest in product development regardless of fluctuations in ‘local’ national markets. In short, we’re here for the long term”, he said.

8 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Also launched last year, the aluplast Flush sash is defined by a slim-sight line chamfer to the IGU. Designed to integrate with aluplast’s Ideal 70 and Ideal 4000 systems, it features a choice of standard and heritage, deep bottom rail, increasing its appeal among owners of period properties, while also minimising additional stock holding.

The company has also applied the same principles to the design of its second inline sliding door system, Smart-Slide. It combines ultra-smooth running and easy intuitive operation, pitched by aluplast as a mid-market alternative to its premium, Lift-and-Slide offering.

Cocken continued: “We can genuinely deliver a step change in service and what is perhaps a welcome shift in expectation. Woodec offers the end user something tangibly different and that’s a foundation on which to win business and command higher margins.

“It’s the latest in a series of innovations delivered by a global leading research and development programme, which is delivering opportunities to the growing number of aluplast customers in the UK and Ireland.” www.aluplast.co.uk

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“Euroglaze has always prided itself on providing a personal service and the team have shown time and time again over the years a willingness to go above and beyond what we would expect to help us out of any difficult situations.

Praise For Euroglaze In Its Annivesary Year In its 40th year, REHAU’s longest running fabricator Euroglaze in Barnsley is continuing to set the agenda when it comes to developing innovative IT solutions.

customer’s premises to eliminate errors, it means that, for Euroglaze customers, shortages and incomplete deliveries are very definitely now a thing of the past.

Far from looking back at its successful past, Euroglaze is firmly focused on the future, introducing bespoke new software which enables it to manage stock, despatch and deliveries more efficiently than ever.

Long standing trade customers such as DTU Windows in Poole, Dorset are delighted with Euroglaze’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. DTU Director Correne Denham commented: “We have been buying from Euroglaze for more than 10 years and during that time they have always been focused on improving efficiency, but always with the requirements of us as the customer in mind, and never at the expense of friendly and accessible service.

Now, when trade customers place an order, Euroglaze’s customer service team can instantly check stock availability of every item in that order and, if there are any shortages from third party suppliers, immediately suggest an appropriate substitution.

Similarly, if any part of any order is missing or damaged for any reason, that is being flagged automatically before despatch and the customer notified straightaway.

Added to Euroglaze’s existing software system which scans every item being delivered as it is loaded onto vehicles and then again as it is being unloaded at a

“For instance, their online ordering system is set up for us to default to the products we order most often which makes ordering and quoting really easy, and our deliveries arrive like clockwork on time and in full. At the same, we know that we can just call our delivery driver any time we like for instant updates and we can talk directly to the experienced team in the customer service

10 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

“We toured the factory ourselves a couple of months ago and were really impressed by all the new IT initiatives designed to make their processes more efficient and eliminate shortages before they ever become a problem for us, but what we also liked was the fact that they obviously wanted to hear from us about what additional improvements we felt would make a positive difference to our business.

“We respect each other completely and have developed a partnership based on mutual trust. Euroglaze’s ethos as a family business is very similar to our own. As both a trade and retail supplier, our main focus is customer care and we pride ourselves on doing all we can to keep our customers happy.”

Euroglaze’s Managing Director Martin Nettleton is keen to stress that Euroglaze’s ongoing investments in IT are directed at improving the customer experience.

He points out: “We focus our investments on areas which will really make a difference to our customers such as deliveries and despatch.

“We know that our IT capability puts us on a par with much larger fabricators, but we never lose sight of the fact that it is our friendly customer service and personalised approach which really sets us apart.”

More details are at: www.euroglaze.co.uk and www.dtutradewindows.com

TRADE NEWS

100% Of Timber Fire Doors Pass MHCLG Tests The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) says all timber fire doors which underwent fire-resistance testing by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) were found to have met required standards, exceeding the minimum 30-minute burn time requirement, with one door resisting flames for as long as 59 minutes when opening away from the furnace.

went on to say that an expert panel had “concluded that they do not believe there is a performance concern with timber fire doors across industry, where they are purchased directly from the manufacturer and produced to specification.”

The BWF goes on to say that this is in direct contrast to glass reinforced polymer foam filled fire doors – the type recovered from Grenfell tower, which initiated this investigation – three quarters of which failed MHCLG tests in results published earlier this year.

“We know through carrying out our own survey that doors produced by members of the BWF Fire Door Alliance have all performed beyond the minimum standards required in these tests.

In a written statement released recently, announcing the results of the testing from a sample of timber fire doors from 25 manufacturers, James Brokenshire, Secretary of State for the MHCLG said that he was “pleased to report that all [timber fire doors] have succeeded in meeting the required 30-minute fire performance standard”. He

Kevin Underwood, Technical Director for the British Woodworking Federation which operates the BWF Fire Door Alliance said:

“We would actively encourage those responsible for the fire safety of buildings to review the test and certification documents that support the performance of their fire doors to ensure people’s lives are not put at risk.

He added “Fire doors perform an essential role of preventing the spread of fire and smoke and keeping escape routes clear. The

government must act quickly to eliminate all existing issues and ensure that all future fire doors are fit for purpose.”

Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the British Woodworking Federation said: “The Government is rightly focused on providing communities with greater protection through implementation of its much needed ‘Building a Safer Future’ plan. The introduction of a more effective regulatory framework, greater accountability, supported by clearer standards and guidance will create a more responsible construction industry.

Product safety performance and traceability will be key, with testing and certification intrinsic to driving this forward.

“With the BWF Fire Door Alliance, we have been campaigning for greater fire safety for decades – including starting the Fire Door Safety Week national awareness campaign seven years ago. In conjunction with our members, the week continues to raise the importance of fire doors working to inform, educate and call for change. Importantly, it also generates awareness of how fire doors protect occupants, buildings and fire fighters.” www.bwf.org.uk

Fastener ‘Health Checks’ Set Sights

On Eliminating Accident Risks

Specialist fastener advice from Rapierstar on choosing the correct fabrication screws, and applying them in the right way, is helping window and door fabricators to maintain and improve their health and safety performance and eliminate accident risks.

The fastener supplier’s ‘Health Check’ audits, which offer a comprehensive review of and advice on the usage of fabrication screws throughout the manufacturing process, provide valuable insights into where production

operatives could be risking serious injuries as a result of poor component choice. It is a service that Rapierstar customers are increasingly utilising as part of their health and safety strategy, to help address issues such as screws slipping during insertion because the drill point is poorly formed, and fasteners excessively wobbling or breaking during insertion.

The latest data from the HSE (2017-18) estimates that workplace injuries cost businesses in Great Britain around £5.2bn

annually, 20% of which is picked up by employers and more than 57% by employees. The costs to employers go well beyond personal injury claims by employees, with the HSE estimating that the hidden cost of accidents can be up to 10 times greater than the insured costs. including lost time, sick pay, extra wages, overtime working and production delays. More serious reputational damage could also result if a prosecution case results and this is reported in the media. www.rapierstar.com

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 11

TRADE NEWS

IGU manufacturers must also operate a Factory Production Control in compliance with EN 1279-6:2018 – Factory production control and periodic tests.

GGF Issues Statement On CPR And Insulating Glass Units It is now six years since compliance with the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) became a legal requirement in the UK. The CPR (which replaced the Construction Products Directive) was implemented in the UK, on 1st July 2013 and requires all construction products placed on the market, which fall within the scope of a harmonised European Standard (hEN), to have a Declaration of Performance (DoP) produced by the manufacturer and be CE Marked in accordance with the requirements of the CPR. In terms of Insulating Glass Units (IGUs), the relevant hEN (Harmonised European Norm) is EN 1279-5:2018 – Product Standard, this standard details the requirements to comply with the CPR. In turn, EN 12795:2018 requires IGU manufacturers to have test evidence to show compliance with: EN 1279-2:2018 – Long term test method and requirements for moisture penetration

Steve Rice GGF Director of External Affairs

EN 1279 3:2018 – Long term test method and requirements for gas leakage rate and for gas concentration tolerances EN 1279-4:2018 – Methods of test for the physical attributes of edge seal components and inserts; and a system description in accordance with EN 12791:2018 – Generalities, system description, rules for substitution, tolerances and visual quality.

12 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

The CPR does allow manufacturers to refrain from drawing up a DoP and CE Marking products under certain circumstances, these are known as derogations and are detailed in Article 5 of the CPR. There are three conditions under which a derogation is allowed. These are detailed in the GGF publication, ‘Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) – Conforming to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)’, which can be downloaded from the Members Area on the GGF website.

This publication also details the GGFs interpretation on the application of these derogations in relation to IGUs being placed on the market. The GGFs position is that the derogations do not apply to the manufacture of any IGUs and Best Practice advice to Members, is to ensure they always have their products tested to the appropriate parts of EN 1279 series, have a system description specific to all specifications of IGUs they manufacture, have an appropriate Factory Production Control in accordance with EN 1279-6:2018 and create a DoP and CE Mark for their product ranges. This is also clarified in CPR document 07/07/1 from the European Commission.

By following the GGFs guidance, IGU manufacturers will be able to demonstrate compliance with the product standard, EN 1279-5:2018 and comply with the legal requirements of the Construction Products Regulations.

Steve Rice GGF Director of Technical Affairs www.ggf.org.uk

You Ready?

smartready.com

TRADE NEWS

Glazerite

Joins Glass And Glazing

Federation

ALUFAST Expand

With Exlabesa Building Systems Jason Thompson

VEKA fabricator, the Glazerite UK Group Ltd, has joined the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).

Membership to the GGF opens up easy access to a number of benefits, including technical support, regulatory advice, networking and alignment with some of the most powerful industry brands.

Jason Thompson, Group Managing Director of Glazerite, says of the move: “The GGF is committed to driving standards in the glass and glazing sector, as well as promoting best practice at all times.

That’s what we aspire to as a fabricator; for our customers and the homeowner. With their restructure and expansion plans announced at the start of this year, it’s clear the GGF and its associated companies have already become a lot more proactive, particularly on the consumer-facing side.” www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

There is no better endorsement of a product’s quality than if you’re willing to use it in your own projects. Yorkshire’s ALUFAST has been working with Exlabesa Building Products for over two years.

When the time came to upgrade and expand their own premises, the team had no hesitation in specifying Exlabesa curtain walling for the project.

James of ALUFAST said: “Exlabesa’s products really sell well. The quality and the price are at the right level for the market and we have attracted regular aluminium contracts as a result. The range of Exlabesa products are also easy to manufacture and install, just as the marketing material promotes.”

ALUFAST designs manufactures and installs aluminium window, door and curtain walling and PVC-U systems. Its management team has over 30 years’ experience in window specification for commercial new build and refurbishment and works on small and

14 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

large scale projects.

The team focuses on adding value and ensuring they contribute to a high quality end result. They work closely with clients at every stage, including offering input when they think there is scope for improving the design or performance or lowering the unit cost. As a result, it has a reputation for excellence that makes the difference.

It’s an approach that is working – ALUFAST has just increased its Leeds manufacturing premises to 12,000 sq ft. It has also opened a second 6,000 sq ft premises in Huddersfield to help keep pace with demand.

James concluded: We’re delighted with the new manufacturing premises. The Exlabesa curtain walling has taken our building envelope to the next level and given us a site that reflects the quality and professionalism of our business.” www.exlabesa.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Deceuninck Opens

Doors For Nu-Era

Neil adds: “Deceuninck’s doors are easy to fabricate and the colour offering gives us a big advantage.

The new Heritage Flush Door is a really exciting product and customers love it!

Door specialist Nu-Era Doors has grown rapidly with Deceuninck.

The Midlands-based fabricator is celebrating its five-year anniversary and growing sales thanks to the company’s strong partnership with Deceuninck.

“Colour is another important trend.

We’re selling around 50% colour now and it’s growing. Thanks to Deceuninck’s everything-fromstock colours we have the confidence to sell colour on fast, competitive lead times.”

Nu-Era Director, Neil Dattani says: “Deceuninck has been instrumental in Nu-Era’s success. They saw our potential and have helped us grow and nurture our business with marketing support, a fantastic product range and excellent customer service. Deceuninck has a small, effective team and we always know we can pick up the phone and speak to them.

Deceuninck Managing Director Rob McGlennon comments: “NuEra is a shining example of what a start-up can achieve with the right vision and focus. Neil and Co-Director Suki Sohal are dedicated to quality and service. It’s been great to be part of their success and we’re sure Nu-Era will continue to grow.”

“It doesn’t matter how big or small

you are, Deceuninck still cares. In fact, we moulded ourselves on the Deceuninck model. Like Deceuninck, we’re focused on our customers and giving them an unbeatable service.”

Founded in 2014, Nu-Era saw a gap in the market for a dedicated trade manufacturer of composite doors, bi-folds and patio doors.

www.nueradoors.co.uk. www.deceuninck.co.uk

Carl F Groupco Partners with Yale

Established hardware distributor Carl F Groupco has partnered with Yale to supply the lock manufacturer’s full product range. This announcement is the latest in a series of significant developments by Carl F Groupco that will maintain the company’s position at the forefront of the UK’s Fenestration hardware market.

Commenting on the importance of the partnership with Yale, Carl F Groupco’s Managing Director John Crittenden said: “This is a strategic move for Carl F Groupco and we are excited to be working closely with Yale which means we are introducing new products, future product development and testing which will ensure continued advancements for our customers.

“The Yale brand has instant consumer recognition along with

excellent product and security guarantees. This is a great fit with the Carl F Groupco philosophy of supplying secure fittings backed by strong warranties that our customers can trust. We really like the fact that Yale products are designed for the UK market and the majority are developed and manufactured in Britain, which resonates with many of our customers and supports our On Time in Full delivery ethos.”

Confirming the significance of Carl F Groupco supplying the full Yale range, Paul Atkinson Sales & Marketing Director for Yale said: “We are delighted to welcome Carl F Groupco as a major stockist of

Yale Hardware. The relationship has been strong for many years with Carl F Groupco stocking Defender Friction stays and various Yale ranges, however with our most recent acquisition of Trojan Hardware the relationship has become much closer and more strategic.

This development means that Carl F Groupco has the ability to sell the full Yale range with full utilisation of our guarantees and brand.”

As the oldest lock brand, Yale is one of the best-known and most respected names in the lock industry.

Carl F Groupco also has a strong provenance with a trading history dating back over fifty years, partnering with leading hardware manufacturers such as Cotswold, FUHR, Glazpart, Greenwood, Hoppe, Kenrick, MACO, Roto, Strand, Siegenia and now Yale. www.yaledws.co.uk www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 15

TRADE NEWS

Emplas Are Kubu Official Launch Partners that differentiates them from their competitors. The Kubu lock offers just that.

Emplas is offering the Kubu Smart Lock from Avantis on all entrance doors as standard, as an official launch partner.

The Kubu lock is fitted to doors and connected to the Kubu App and Home Hub so that homeowners can check on the lock status of their door. Kubu also features a WiFi perimeter feature, so when homeowners leave their property and their phone automatically disconnects from the home WiFi to 4G, Kubu will send them a notification to tell them if they have left their door unlocked Ryan Johnson, Managing Director at Emplas, says: “We’re very excited to be working with Avantis on something that’s going to revolutionise the window and door

“Kubu is something not only different and exciting for the homeowner, but beneficial too. With the Kubu lock, they’ll never leave home without the door being unlocked again.” industry.

“We’ve decided to take the Kubu lock and become launch partners as we want to be at the forefront of innovation and technology.

“We have decided to supply the Kubu lock on every single door that we manufacture, at no extra cost to our customers. This is a first in the UK market.”

“The key for us is to give installers an advantage and something

Mark Bromley, CEO of Avantis, says: “Emplas is the perfect partner to be launching this product.

They’re young and fresh with dynamic, forward-moving ideas.

“To have the opportunity to deliver Kubu as part of the Emplas product package is a wonderful opportunity for Avantis. The whole product range reflects quality in every sense, and we believe the Kubu smart lock will be a fantastic addition.” www.avantis-hardware.com

Leads2Trade On The Lookout For Conservatory Installers As Lead Gen Reaches All-Time High One of the country’s leading provider of double qualified sales leads for companies in the home improvement industry is on the lookout for more conservatory installers.

Leads2Trade are generating 40% more conservatory leads compared to the same period as last year and need to strengthen their nationwide network to cope.

And Andy Royle, co-founder and Director at Leads2trade, says there could be even more on the horizon.

The Stockport-based company has been leading the way in matching conservatory installers with homeowners looking to add a conservatory or replacement conservatory roof to their home.

atory leads is down to two things – the ‘improve don’t move’ trend and increasingly more sophisticated designs.

“Better designs and better materials have seen the conservatory become popular as a room that now stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer months,” said Andy.

“We are delighted to be generating 40% more conservatory lead volumes, but we don’t have enough installers to take advantage of them,” said Andy.

“But more and more homeowners are also deciding to stay put rather than move and are looking to add value to their home in the process with a conservatory.”

“The demand is clearly there, and the conservatory market is providing a huge opportunity that installers can’t afford to miss.”

Becoming a Leads2Trade installer member means you get the very best leads, which have been double qualified by Leads2trade’s in-house call centre, in postcodes of your choice. www.leads2trade.co.uk

For Andy, the increase in conserv-

16 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

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TRADE NEWS

Garnalex Gathers Top Team To Innovate And Grow Fast In Aluminium Garner Aluminium Extrusions (Garnalex) is an innovative new aluminium systems company that’s reinventing the way aluminium windows and doors are fabricated, installed and sold. Garnalex aims to transform every aspect of the customer experience. The new venture from industry legend Roger Hartshorn is a team effort though.

“Aluminium is a great material,” explains Roger, “but residential window systems haven’t always lived up to the material. So, we’re on a journey to transform fabricators’ and installers’ experience of buying aluminium systems and aluminium windows, and make it easier and better to fabricate, install and sell.

And it will be a beautiful window.

So, we’ve assembled ‘probably’ the best, most experienced team there is in the market.”

Phil Parry joined Garnalex as Technical Director a year ago. Phil is an

industry veteran, having worked at LB, then 10 years at Eurocell, and recently as Head of Research and Development at Synseal where he brought WarmCore to market. Phil is responsible for technical specification, testing and development of the Garnalex window and door systems which is coming in Q1 2020.

David Lennox, Operations Director, who joined at the start of 2019, gained his considerable experience at Eurocell, The Epwin Group and most recently HL Plastics.

Adrian Girling, ex-Business Micros and Total Glass, is Software Development Director, creating new software to work in conjunction with the new Garnalex system so it is easier than ever to fabricate high-quality windows and doors.

Emma Arrell, Finance Director, was previously Financial Director of the HL Plastics Group, which includes

18 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

industry-leader Liniar.

Roger Hartshorn, CEO comments: “Some of the best brains in the industry are joining me on this aluminium journey. We are investing in the best machinery, the best people and facilities. Fabricators and installers will be glad to know that we also intend our service to be ‘PVC outstanding’ in performance. That’s not perhaps what they’re used to in the aluminium market. With the new state-ofthe-art aluminium extrusion press installed, Garnalex aims to be supplying the trade extrusion market in October, and be launching two truly innovative, residential aluminium window systems at the end of Q1 2020. Fabricators and installers who’ve seen what we are creating say it’s aluminium – but not as you know it!”

“Fabricators and installers who want to see what they’ll be making and selling in 2020 can reserve their place on a Garnalex Ambassador Workshop which we’re running over the summer and autumn.

They’ll have the opportunity to learn about the new systems and beautiful windows and be among the first to sell them at the end of Q1 next year.”

TRADE NEWS

Glazerite Grows Fleet To Go Further

Prefix’s New Showroom

Opening Is A Big Success The opening of the new flagship showroom at Prefix Systems proved to be a huge success, as the industry media and customers all enjoyed the event and experienced a wide range of perfectly presented products and systems on display.

Glazerite’s sales & marketing director, Jeff Dunn, receives the keys for the new lorries

The Glazerite UK Group Ltd has made a £150,000 investment into the expansion of its delivery vehicle fleet, with the addition of two new 18-tonne, custom built lorries. The move will further strengthen the VEKA fabricator’s ability to deliver to customers on time, in full, all over the UK.

and complete these deliveries utilising one larger vehicle.”

Ian Lloyd, Glazerite’s Operations Director, explains the reasons behind the investment. He says: “The new lorries complement our existing 16-strong fleet of 7.5 tonne delivery vehicles, and will allow us to improve on our distance and overnight capabilities.

Being able to fulfil our order book and deliver to customers on time is integral to our offering as a leading fabricator.”

Glazerite’s fleet has undergone a largescale rebrand in the last 18 months following the fabricator’s transition from Glazerite Windows Ltd to The Glazerite UK Group, and the rebrand of Network VEKA to Independent Network.

Following the investment, Glazerite has improved its carrying capacity for particular delivery routes, including Scotland and the South West. Ian says: “Deliveries from Glazerite North West to Scotland, and from Glazerite’s HQ in the Midlands to Cornwall, South Wales and the Isle of Wight involve overnight stays. These routes are growing in volume and often we have to send two trucks. This investment allows us to cater for that growth

Two dedicated drivers have been employed by Glazerite at its sites in Wellingborough and Bolton – where the vehicles are based – and both have already begun making deliveries to installers.

Michelle Wright, Group Marketing Manager, explains what a key part the vehicle livery plays in Glazerite’s profile. She says: “Our vehicle livery approach has been to focus on retail rather than trade following the recent rebrand. The fleet covers tens of thousands of miles across the UK every week, making it one of our most valuable and visible brand carriers. We hope that by aligning with our retail brand, the refreshed livery and new lorries will inspire homeowners to invest in high quality windows and doors, which will ultimately benefit our installers.” www.glazerite.co.uk

After several months in construction, the new showroom has been developed to showcase the entire Prefix product range that includes glass roofs, solid roofs, rooflights, Verandah and a complete range of aluminium windows and doors under the new OPAL brand umbrella.

To support the event there were also hot drinks and pizza vans, serving drinks and food during the lunchtime and well in to the afternoon.

The numbers in attendance clearly showed that customers had made the effort and travelled from far afield as Southern England and Scotland. They were also rewarded with a factory tour and a bag of promotional goodies to take away.

With around 100 people in attendance it was a good day for all and those customers wishing to visit the showroom with their own prospects, can now do so in a new premium sales environment, as an extension or in support of their own showroom. As a trade only supply Prefix customers can use the facilities without fear of conflict and with or without the support of Prefix staff. prefixsystems.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 19

Window News has the highest online traffic of any publisher within the window, door and glazing industry in the UK and is now launching Window News TV. Window News TV has been designed to showcase supplier’s videos in an engaging way, with maximum coverage of the UK glass and glazing industry at a cost effective price.

Window News TV has its own homepage with the videos categorised under three main headings: Instructional, Products and Corporate. There is a prominent link from the main Window News homepage to Window News TV and our twice-weekly Newscasts will also highlight the latest videos contained within this important area of the website. All videos will be

tweeted out to Window News’ industry leading twitter following once going live on the website Should you choose, you can also include your video within a half or full page advertising space within the monthly online Window News magazine, which will contain a live link direct to the video.Having invested the time and money into producing a polished video, let Window News take it to the audience it deserves!

For more information, please contact us in one of the following ways: Call Gerald Batt on 01255 850245, email gerald@ windownews.co.uk or complete the enquiry form on the Window News TV homepage www.windownewstv.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Get Your Coat With Senior Senior Architectural Systems is making it easier than ever for trade contractors to take advantage of the growing trend for coloured and textured aluminium profiles thanks to its state-of-the-art in-house powder coating facility and technical support services.

As one of the UK’s largest privately-owned aluminium fenestration systems manufacturer, Senior has invested heavily to ensure that vital services can be offered in-house rather than outsourced. Key to this is the company’s powder coating facility in South Yorkshire which is not only the most technically advanced of its kind but also the most efficient, with the new waste reducing paint line helping to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. By being able to powder coat all its extensive range of aluminium doors, windows and curtain walling profiles in-house, Senior can offer its trade customers a quick turnaround, consistent performance and reliable nationwide delivery service.

Senior can powder coat its alumin-

ium products in an almost limitless spectrum of colours, helping contractors to find the perfect match whether they are looking for standard RAL colours or more bespoke designs. With full technical support available, Senior has also developed its Signature colour guide to make it easier than ever to choose from both traditional and popular shades.

Senior’s advanced powder-coating offering also includes a number of high-performance finishes that help to boost the already impressive durability and strength of aluminium by giving the fenestration systems improved resistance from

22 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

weathering and corrosion. Contractors can choose from standard matt, satin or gloss finishes or for a traditional metallic look, anodised and mill finishes are also available.

In keeping with the latest architectural design trends, Senior is also able to provide guidance on the new generation of bespoke decorative and textured finishes, as well as specialist coatings such as those that offer anti-bacterial properties or higher resistance to exposure to UV light and humidity.

Commenting, James Keeling-Heane, sales director from Senior Architectural Systems said: “There is a huge demand for powder-coated aluminium profiles in both the commercial and domestic sector and we understand that to use a separate supplier for this service can bring a risk of delays and extra costs. That’s why we have always been keen to keep such services in-house as by streamlining the supply chain in this way, we can add even more value to our customers’ business.” www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

VBH And Fentrade – Working Together To Deliver The Best grown fast in a short space of time and it’s great to be working with a like-minded company.

“VBH is committed to supplying products for the growing aluminium market; in fact, aluminium has always been an important part of our business since we started supplying the UK in 1975! The market has developed from mostly supplying hardware for commercial aluminium tilt-and-turn windows to offering products for all types of residential and commercial aluminium installations. Aluminium is definitely a growth area, accounting for 25% of total VBH sales, and like Fentrade themselves we’ve recently joined the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) to confirm our commitment to this sector.”

VBH has enjoyed a successful partnership with aluminium fabricator Fentrade Limited since it started in 2018. Founding Director Chris Reeks set up Fentrade to supply customers with superb products, excellent service and reliable deliveries. An industry expert with over 30 years’ experience, Chris chose VBH as their main hardware supplier from day one. Fentrade now uses the VBH’s Clearspan system, Alpha standard and slim handles, Q-Star 1* profile cylinders, all from the greenteQ range.

Chris explains: “I’ve worked with VBH for many years and I went straight to them when I set up Fentrade. Our two companies

share the same ethos and focus on quality and service. VBH offers us excellent support, service and products and their experience and knowledge are invaluable – they know what partnership means!

“We use greenteQ’s Clearspan system on our bifolds – it’s very reliable, robust and easy to work with. All greenteQ products are consistently high quality, well made and the colour range complements nicely with all our aluminium products, from commercial shop front systems to domestic windows and doors.”

Simon Monks, Managing Director at VBH says: “Fentrade has

VBH’s ‘aluminium champion’, Systems Sales Manager Rob Norman, works closely with fabricators like Fentrade and aluminium systems houses to develop new products and finishes. Rob is closely involved with the research and development and technical teams and oversees the exhaustive testing program at BSI, so customers can be confident that products meet current PAS24 requirements and will perform well for years. All greenteQ products come with a 10-year performance and corrosion guarantee, and the upgraded Coastline range has an industry leading 25-year guarantee.

For more information on Fentrade visit www.fentradealuminium.co.uk For more on VBH see www.vbhgb.com

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 23

TRADE NEWS

Newview Homes Seals Heathrow Deal As Runway Three Takes Off companies, housing developers, and, of course, airports.

“But Heathrow are one of the most rigorous, quality-focused organisations we’ve ever come across. On everything from recycling and sustainability to procurement and corporate social responsibility, they’re relentless in their pursuit of excellence – and that means we have to be too.

“To be selected for contracts like these, we have to demonstrate an outstanding service across the board – exemplary supply chain management, superb product quality, highly responsive account management, and, particularly in this case, an unshakable commitment to sustainability.

It’s Britain’s biggest infrastructure project, with the potential to transform the area’s economic prospects.

Heathrow’s Runway Three will cost £14bn over almost a decade, creating an estimated 77,000 local jobs – and acoustic glazing experts Newview Homes have just signed the deal that will see them play a critical part in carrying it out.

Already long-standing Heathrow collaborators, Newview have installed thousands of acoustic windows for nearby homeowners as part of the airport’s ongoing noise attenuation scheme.

Now, that scheme will be massively expanded, with the Airport expected to spend £660m on noise attenuation over the next 15 years (equivalent to 10% of the total UK glazing market).

It’s Newview that will deliver a large proportion of that work – a task that MD Michele Wietscher relishes.

“We love working with Heathrow, because it means constantly challenging ourselves to up our game.

“Over the last fifteen years, we’ve built ourselves into one of the country’s leading acoustic glazing installers, working with major construction 24 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

“Heathrow are incredibly driven when it comes to minimising their environmental impact, and one of the key reasons we won the contract is because we are too.

“All the vehicles in our fleet have now been equipped with emissions trackers, for example, we’ve invested heavily in waste reduction, and any profits that our recycling efforts generate are used to plant trees with the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Over the next year, we’ll be switching all our vans for hybrid vehicles, too.

“We’re delighted to be working with Heathrow again – and to be part of one of the most ambitious undertakings that the country’s seen this century.” www.newview-homes.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

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TRADE NEWS blinds specialist moved into at the beginning of the year.

“There isn’t anyone currently in the US with the ability to manufacture a 7/8-inch unit with integral blind. We are going to mirror exactly what we do here in the UK – apply the same specialism and expertise in integral blind and high performance IGU manufacture – in an almost limitless market”, Nigel added.

Also available with a 20mm blind for use in standard 28mm units, Integral Blinds from HiTech are available in nine standard colours plus a dual colour option, with white inside and anthracite grey outside. HiTech also offers any RAL colour on special order.

HiTech Blinds added the TRL90 Aluminium Rooflight at the end of last year. Fitted in exactly the same way as a ‘standard’ aluminium rooflight system, its’ USP is an IGU featuring a fully automatic pleated blind.

‘California Dreaming’

Operated via a wall mounted switch and remote control, this is opened or closed at the flick of a switch or press of a button, to provide privacy or to control the flow of natural daylight inside the property.

Specialist IGU manufacturer HiTech Blinds has agreed a multi-million-dollar deal with one of the US’ largest window and door manufacturers.

This includes retracting completely behind a ceramic surround when fully closed, giving the HiTech Blinds TRL90 Aluminium Rooflight, exactly the same appearance as a ‘standard’ aluminium rooflight system.

HiTech Blinds Agrees Multi-Million US Deal

Announced at the FIT Show, the deal will see HiTech supply its ultra slim 15.5mm integral blind in 21.5mm units, as part of its as yet unnamed US partner’s strategy to target the 52million window a year, US retrofit market.

Nigel Greening, owner HiTech Blinds said: “This is a very significant deal, giving us reach into an enormous market with an exclusive supply agreement for our proven 15.5mm slim line blind.

“The perception is that US market is simply about new build and off-the-shelf solutions, however, there is also a very strong home improvement and retrofit market, which our new partnership will allow us – and them – to access for the first time.

“The growth potential is enormous.”

To support delivery, HiTech Blinds is in the process of setting up a new production facility in Sacramento, California.

This will mirror its new 8,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility in Peterborough, which the integral

26 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

HiTech says the US home improvement market was worth $394bn last year, reporting annual growth of almost 6%. Individual homeowners spent on average more than $7,000 a year on home improvements, buoyed by house price inflation, increased equity and growing consumer confidence. www.hitechblinds.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Distinction’s Fine Stock Makes For Fine Service

Senior staff at Barnsley’s Distinction Doors run a tight ship when it comes to controlling their stockholding, and it would appear that they are sailing in the right direction.

In a recent review, the company is running at 99.4% stock availability for 2019 – one of the highest figures across the industry. David Hoyland is Distinction’s Operations Manager with day-to-day experience of being in the company’s two warehouses – which span an impressive 86,000 sq.ft – and has an intimate knowledge of the comprehensive stock available: “Our approach is simple; be consistent and deliver quality, and we’ve achieved this outcome by administering a thorough ordering, inventory and dispatch re-

gime. We currently carry £9 million worth of stock across doors, glass products and consumables held in approximately 50,000 sq.ft. One of our warehouses is solely dedicated to products, while the other also houses machinery and operations. Effective orchestration and management of incoming stock and outgoing deliveries is of key importance; everything must be well coordinated to allow for ease of access

19 Million Britons Watch FENSA TV Ads So Far FENSA, one of the largest government-authorised Building Regulation compliance schemes for the installation of replacement windows and doors in England and Wales, has released statistics on the performance of its first-ever TV campaign which began broadcasting in March this year.

According to analysis of the TV campaign so far more than one third of all Britons in the catchment area for the adverts, almost 19 million people, have seen the advert, with each person seeing the ad an average of three times.

And by the end of the campaign,

which continues until December 2019, the ads – which advise homeowners on the importance of using FENSA Approved Installers and obtaining a FENSA certificate for their replacement windows and doors – will have been seen more than 190 million times.

and to prevent shortages.”

Maintaining such a sizeable and varied supply enables Distinction to fulfil orders to fabricators at exceptional ‘on time in full’ levels, something David says the company’s growing customers seek above all else. Delays can cause irreparable damage to reputations both locally, and down the chain, not to mention a reduction in margins when projects run over due to insufficient product availability. In this industry, with competition high, status is everything.

Andy Copeland works alongside David to manage the warehouses: “Each process, from initial marketing to generating customer interest, quoting and ultimately guaranteeing a job, is all run up to the eventual goal – a service that is delivered on time and surpassing expectation. Over the years, we have fostered precious relationships with our suppliers, all of whom understand the coordinated approach it takes to remain reputable. No one wants to bear the brunt of additional costs that could have been avoided by effective communication and timely ordering. Shortages can and do occur throughout the industry. Holding tens of thousands of units per product type in situ as we do, avoids us falling subject to these errors.” www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 27

TRADE NEWS ite doors. As the free recycling service demonstrates, CMS Trade is combining an extensive and attractive range of custom made windows and doors with customer service that will help installers be more competitive, including quality assurance, good lead times and remakes in just 24 hours.

CMS Trade’s Free Recycling Service Helps Installers Save Money And The Environment Window and door installers in Scotland can now take advantage of a free recycling service for their old, post-use windows and doors, which are removed as part of replacement projects, when buying their new products from CMS Trade.

The East Kilbride based company is the new trade window and door division of CMS Window Systems, who have been at the forefront of ‘closed-loop’ recycling in the window industry since their inception in 2006. By setting itself up from the outset with a complete in-house waste collection, separation and recycling operation, CMS is perfectly placed to take post-use windows and doors from CMS Trade customers, whether these are timber, aluminium or PVCu frames, helping them to save hundreds of pounds every year on waste disposal costs.

The Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) standard rate is currently £91.35 per tonne, which is why local authorities are required to charge commercial customers (as well as householders through taxation), and this can amount to a significant cost to installers over the course of a year. But, in addition to boosting the bottom line for installers, CMS Trade’s recycling service is an important selling point for homeowners and commercial customers, who are increasingly seeking assurances that recycling is being undertaken wherever possible in the supply chain for building works.

Operating from a new 25,000 sq. ft. factory, purpose-designed to manufacture high quality trade windows and doors for today’s market, CMS Trade provides a complete range of products using both Eurocell and REHAU PVCu systems, plus compos-

28 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Colin Torley, General Manager at CMS Trade says: “Recycling has become routine in our daily lives and, with the award winning facilities and processes we have in-house, there is no reason why post-use windows and doors shouldn’t be put to good use rather than being dumped in landfill. For any installer seeking to reduce their costs, this service has enormous value, but don’t forget the appeal to end-customers too as the demand for suppliers to be more sustainable grows ever stronger.”

For the last two years CMS has diverted 100% of its waste away from landfill, with 97% being separated and sent away to respective re-processing specialists and the remaining 3% going to waste-to-energy plants to generate electricity. In 2017-18, this amounted to more than 2,800 tonnes of waste handled through a unique operation that has seen CMS win numerous environmental awards, including a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2017 and a Green Apple Award last year.

Colin continues: “If you are a trade installer in central Scotland, why not come and see our recycling operations for yourself and what we are creating with CMS Trade? Our new factory is located at 6 Colvilles Place in East Kilbride (G75 0PZ), with our main recycling centre at Castlecary near Cumbernauld, and our door is always open for you to take a look around and meet me and the team.”

Find out more at www.cmswindows.com/trade

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PEOPLE

Julian Newman, GAI president

Time For Change

At The GAI Julian Newman has been appointed as the new president of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), with a new team of executive officers and a clear agenda for change.

Julian will lead the major new developments currently underway at the GAI and Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI) as part of the One Future Vision initiative.

One Future Vision is the name given to the change programme first proposed three years ago. It was born from concerns among members and the executive teams of both the GAI and the IAI that, in the fast-changing business environment for architectural ironmongers and the construction industry we serve, ‘we were at risk of having much less influence and impact.’

Julian is the managing director of Oxford Ironmongery. He started his career in architectural ironmongery as a sales representative with Henderson Hardware, and has taken on a series of roles since then that are all focused on demonstrating the value of architectural hardware and progressing professional standards in the industry.

Julian said: “While members may not have felt it directly yet, major change is already underway. Next year we will launch a brand new, dynamic organisation that will be the voice of the industry and that will stop at nothing to advocate and advance the membership and industry.

“My aim is to drive the new organisation forward but I want to reassure all members that we won’t

30 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

be making major changes without consulting them every step of the way.

“I look forward to working with the rest of the GAI team and the executive committee to take the One Future Vision initiative through to a successful conclusion and provide a platform for future industry success.”

Angie Corkhill, director of the GAI, said: “Julian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the architectural ironmongery industry and to the GAI. His 30 years of commitment to the industry and his dedication to the profession makes him an ideal candidate for the GAI Presidential role at this exciting and pivotal time.”

Other senior appointments confirmed at the GAI’s AGM included Mario Del-Signore, managing director at CES Security Solutions, who takes on the role of GAI Vice President, and Steve Bewick, senior vice president at dormakaba, who becomes the GAI’s Treasurer. www.gai.org.uk

PEOPLE

Yale Door And Window Solutions Appoint Key Account Manager Yale Door and Window Solutions has strengthened its team by appointing Alastair Wheeler as a Key Account Manager.

Alastair comments: “I’m really excited to be joining the team at Yale, taking on my new role as Key Account Manager. This position will allow me to get back to what I enjoy the most – being out in the field and speaking directly to customers on a day to day basis.

In his new role at Yale, Alastair will be developing relationships with system houses, key fabricators and national key accounts, focusing on the development of aluminium in a number of areas.

During his 35 years in the industry, Alastair worked for Siegenia Group, before going on to work for Caldwell Hardware in a variety of senior managerial roles. Working in external sales, key account management, technical and collaborating closely with internal engineering teams, Alastair is well used to spinning multiple plates.

about acoustic air ventilation units, Alastair realised that these could be what was missing from sound reduction schemes across the country. Taking the product under his wing, Alastair secured specification for local residential buildings located near a variety of major UK airports.

“Yale is known for its high standards, both for quality and certification – my goal is to exceed these expectations and deliver the best possible service I can for my customers.”

One of Alastair’s most successful achievements stemmed from his natural interest in the field. After receiving an enquiry

yaledoorandwindowsolutions.co.uk

Understanding Our Customers David Stockwell is the latest Business Micros team member to feature in the campaign celebrating the software company’s 40th anniversary in 2019.

can relate entirely to the demands, frustrations and changing expectations of customers.

He says: “Our approach is one of partnership. We’re always on the customer’s side and I particularly understand that time is money for them, so we put a huge emphasis on being as efficient and responsive as possible.

Having been with the business for 15 years, starting as a technician and rising to his current role as Head of Installations, David is already very well known to lots of customers.

Almost all new customers meet David when he takes them through the process of installing Business Micros software and switching from their previous supplier, and he remains their key point of contact once they become part of the Business Micros family.

Based at the company’s Newton Le Willows sales and installations HQ, David manages the team of five installation tech-

nicians across the country and is an acknowledged expert in setting up EDI and CNC links.

“Obviously in recent years, the pace of change has accelerated massively not just in terms of software application but also in how SMEs have consolidated into multi-million pound groups and expanded the scale of what we do. We’re keeping pace with that though and relishing the challenge because we have the resources and the will to keep on investing.”

He worked as a fabricator himself when he first left school so

More details are on the website at: www.businessmicros.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 31

PEOPLE

Double Appointment At

Window Ware Strengthens

Sales Team Window Ware have once again bolstered their expert team with not one, but two new appointments.

Swiftly Forward For ISO-CHEMIE

With New Head

Of Operations Andy Swift has been appointed as head of UK and Republic of Ireland operations for window and door sealants and air tightness specialist, ISO-CHEMIE. Heading up a national team, Andy Swift, who brings more than 20 years’ experience in the window and conservatory manufacturing industries to the role, will continue to oversee strong growth and expansion.

Since joining ISO-CHEMIE in 2014 as national sales manager, he has been at the forefront of building the brand in the UK fenestration sector, raising awareness of thermal leakage around windows. In particular, he has been involved in promoting the energy efficiency and installation benefits of sealant tapes among sector decision makers and installers.

Targeting architects at the design stage and installers during the fitment of windows and doors, he will together with technical advisers Nick Thompson and Marc Barton, continue to focus on highlighting to the construction sector the benefits of using specialist technology to secure air-tight solutions. www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home/

Olivia Dalton and Hannah Mattu have both joined the Bedfordshire firm as Window Ware’s new Sales Co-ordinators. In their roles, Olivia and Hannah will support both the internal and external sales teams to ensure they meet the needs of customers efficiently and effectively.

Speaking about her new role, Olivia comments: “I’m delighted to be a part of the fantastic team here at Window Ware. As sales co-ordinators, we are usually the first point of contact for customer orders and enquiries. That means we play a major role in making a positive first impression and helping the sales teams maintain the high-levels of service our customers have come

to expect. It’s a big responsibility but I’m definitely up for the challenge!”

Hannah adds: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with an experienced team that’s renowned for offering great customer service.

I’m looking forward to getting to know our customers and adding my skills to the team. There’s still lots to take in but everyone here has been really helpful and it’s easy to learn among friends.”

New Commercial Director

At Hodgson Sealants Dow Corning and Geocel. This new position at Hodgson Sealants will enable him to add significant value to the sales and marketing functions and in helping the future strategy and direction of the overall business.

Hodgson Sealants have just appointed Gary Thomas as their new commercial director, to oversee all sales and marketing activity for the UK based sealant specialist.

With over 30 years’ experience in the sealants and adhesive industries, Gary brings with him considerable expertise at managerial and board level with the likes of

32 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Gary Thomas, new commercial director for Hodgson Sealants commented: ‘I’m genuinely excited about the prospects here at Hodgson Sealants as a UK manufacturer. The product range and resources are impressive and I’m looking forward to developing the business further through product innovation, service and outstanding levels of customer support.’ www.hodgsonsealants.com

with the prospects are in your hands.

Our data allows you to target prospects directly, helping you win more sales, more effectively.

So if you need more fabricator, installer or trade counter customers, we’re the only database supplier that’s 100% dedicated to the window, door, conservatory and curtain walling industry.

For your FREE trial go to: windowbase.info/free-trial or call us on 01453 845717 e: info@windowbase.info

@WindowbaseLtd

DEAR GERALD

Dear

Gerald Dear Gerald One of the final tasks on any window or door installation is to apply a perimeter sealant, where the cost of materials is a matter of a few £’s in comparison to the £000’s charged for the overall installation. So surely, the industry as a whole should be adopting the very best sealants, to ensure the finishing on the installation not only looks good, but is there to perform for the long-term.

Our experience and rigorous testing has shown that there is a significant difference in performance between silicones. Shrinkage and discolouration are two obvious issues with inferior silicones and so we believe that the adoption of proven and branded sealants is necessary throughout the industry.

that must be upheld and given the modest ticket price of sealants, it’s also a low-cost investment for everyone’s future.

Yours sincerely Gary Thomas Commercial Director Hodgson Sealants

There’s also the consideration of the latest, new generation hybrid sealants that offer a number of additional performance credentials. This can be seen with our HY-SPEC® 25, a technological advancement for installers that’s paintable and was so warmly received at the recent FIT Show.

As much as the technologies in IGU’s, window and door systems etc have moved on over the years, so to have modern day sealants. Therefore, before you or your fitting teams “gun up” next time, it might be worth considering the quality of silicone used, or you may even wish to embrace the latest hybrids, that can even be applied in damp conditions.

Ultimately, we have a duty of care to the consumer 34 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

If you want to get involved in the discussion, or would like to air your views on a particular industry subject, then Email me at gerald@windownews.co.uk We cannot guarantee that we will publish everything, but we will do our utmost to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard. Your views and thoughts are imprortant to us.

PRODUCT NEWS

Sliding Door Hardware

– We Have Lift Off, Says Hoppe (UK) Over recent years, large patio doors that allow lots of natural light into the home have become increasingly popular in the UK. The trend for linking the home and garden into one connected living space has fuelled a trend for a wide range of glass doors, from the simple French doors to bi-fold doors and entire, sleek contemporary walls of fully retractable glass.

It’s a lovely way to create lots of natural light and a feeling of spaciousness and wellbeing.

But although they look great, some of these door systems can be very heavy, difficult to manoeuvre, and in some cases quite dangerous for unwary hands.

Thanks to the flush lift and slide door handle from HOPPE (UK), homeowners can now let more light into their home without having to worry about how to operate the door.

Lift and slide patio doors allow you to use larger glass panels than other types of door systems but, despite the additional weight, lift and slide door systems are much easier to use than traditional sliding doors.

Architectural Ironmongers B J Waller approached HOPPE (UK) looking for a solution to a non-traditional sliding door installation.

handle to 180º, the panels lift completely off the track and slide open, quite literally with the push of a finger. The advanced running gears mean that the doors are much easier to move, regardless of the weight.

It allows you to move multiple inline panels that weigh up to 440kg each.

To return the door to a stationary position, the handle is used again to lower the panel.

The wheels are protected from excessive wear, and the panel weight creates a weather-tight seal.

“I was asked by our customer to come up with a solution for a pair of pocket lift and slide doors that closed onto a corner post,” said Adrian Bailey, technical sales representative at B J Waller. “Standard lift and slide handles would have collided with each other, but as the HOPPE handle sits flush to the door, it provided the perfect fit and our customer was really pleased with the final design.”

Lisa Nightingale, door and window sales manager at HOPPE (UK), says: “Lift and slide door systems are becoming increasingly popular in the UK as they allow us to create much larger openings than with traditional sliding doors. The flush design of the handle complements the smooth, minimalist design, and homeowners feel like they are bringing the outside in without having their view blocked by bulky doors and hardware.”

By simply turning the lever

www.hoppe.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 35

PRODUCT NEWS

Fastener Innovation Delivers Smoother, Better Quality Casements Sticking, scraping and binding friction stays could be a thing of the past thanks to the development of the new LFG low profile screw by window and door fastener specialist Rapierstar.

Following a comprehensive 12-month trial with several major fabricators and distributors across the UK fenestration sector, Rapierstar is extending the roll out this pan head fastener, which is specifically designed to attach friction stays to PVC-U frames. LFG was developed by Rapierstar at its NPD and technical centre in Cheshire in combination with a leading friction stay manufacturer in response to feedback from across the industry, but it has the potential to deliver better casements for fabricators using any hinge brands.

In certain circumstances, such as where a friction stay fastener is not inserted at a precise 90 degrees, or swarf causes slight misalignment of the screw as it is driven

into place, the head will be raised slightly. This will snag the friction stay during opening and closing of a casement window and impact on its smooth operation.

The LFG pan-head fastener from Rapierstar, which is designed to reduce the risk of sticking, scraping and binding on friction stays Despite the tiny cost of this component, its impact can be significant. The fastener head snagging can result in customer dissatisfaction, along with more costly reputational damage for installers, particularly where a coated carbon steel fastener is used. The frequent opening and closing motion over time will scrape off a carbon steel screw’s protective coating, potentially causing premature corrosion and both the hinge and opening

36 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

sash itself to become loose.

David Furness, MD of Rapierstar, said: “Traditional pan head fasteners, like those in our StarPVCU range, fit the bill perfectly under normal circumstances, but we know that the limited clearance between the opening sash and frame leaves little margin for error.

By engineering a fastener with a lower profile head, which has been achieved without compromising its technical performance, we can now offer fabricators another option to remove the risk of sticking, scraping and binding resulting in their casement windows over time.”

The LFG fastener is manufactured in austenitic stainless steel (grade 302) to provide enhanced resistance to corrosion, with a lifespan of at least 25 years guaranteed.

It is one of a wide variety of high quality fasteners within the StarPVCU range, which provides fastener solutions for every element of a PVC-U window or door.

Detailed guidance on which fasteners to use is available in Rapierstar’s Recommended Fixing Manuals (RFMs), which are published for all the main PVC-U profile systems and can be downloaded at www.rapierstar.com

PRODUCT NEWS

Certifire Approval For UAP TS008 Letterplate The TS008 letterplate was approved on the basis of initial type testing, a design appraisal against TS32, certification of Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2008 and inspection and surveillance of factory production control; and certified in accordance with TS00 General Requirements for Certification of Fire Protection Products.

Hardware solutions provider, UAP Ltd is pleased to announce that its TS008 letterplate, The Soterian has achieved Certifire approval. Independently tested by Warringtonfire Testing & Certification Ltd, the letterplate is certified for FD30 and FD60 timber doorsets.

The Soterian is approved for use with a variety of door assemblies – timber faced and edged door leaves with a solid cellulosic core in a timber, metal or composite frames having fire resistance of 30 and 60 minutes, depending on letterplate assembly.

As a complete letterplate system

with an integral intumescent liner material, The Soterian, part of the company’s Salamander product range, can be fitted to endure fire attack from either face.

If you are a timber door manufacturer and want to hear more about our Certifire approved TS008 letterplate, then get in touch. We welcome visitors to our head office in Whitefield, Manchester and we’d be pleased to share our knowledge and experience in fire-rated hardware solutions. www.uapcorporate.com

Mighty. Smart.

Retro fittable, standard backplate size, key override & works with any Apple device.

In fact, AVIA is so smart that it’s the only smart lock in the UK to have achieved ETSI TS 103 645 specification for consumer IoT security & comply with the government code of practise for consumer IoT.

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 37

PRODUCT NEWS

SmartSecure’s Innovative

Residential Solution

Trombé has successfully completed a SmartSecure installation at a high-end residential property. The specialists in the design and installation of modern, structurally glazed buildings and extensions chose Carl F Groupco’s new generation electronic locking solution to meet a brief to provide secure rear access

to the home via a glass garden room.

Easy operation using a fob and keypad met the home owner’s requirements for controlled access to the property. SmartSecure’s manual and electronic options also appealed to Trombé’s client

How Do You Make The Residence

Collection Even Better?

as these provide an override solution. Additionally, the discreet nature of SmartSecure also impressed the property owner. The system is incorporated within Trombé’s minimal frame sliding door system ensuring that design aesthetics weren’t compromised.

Carl F Groupco worked with Trombé’s technical team to produce an innovative solution where the SmartSecure lock was fitted into the frame and the keep was integrated into the sash. Taking this alternative approach demonstrated creativity and hardware flexibility to maintain the slim sight lines of the profile: the new configuration enabled Trombé to provide motorised Secured by Design multipoint locking with access control.

Growing demand is reported by Carl F Groupco for its SmartSecure solutions in both design-led residential installations and the Housing Association / care sector looking for enhanced access control. www.smartsecure.co.uk www.trombe.co.uk “In an era when homeowners are increasingly demanding products that are quirky and bespoke rather than the same old off-the-shelf offerings, From The Anvil’s hardware is a perfect fit,” comments Stedek Sales Director Richard Hammond.

“No two items they make are the same – and that means pairing Stedek-made Residence window with their superb hardware gives you a product that’s totally unique.”

Have Stedek achieved the impossible?

With the help of expert ironmongers From The Anvil, the fast-growing fabricator has managed to make the Residence Collection even better.

Hand-forged in the Welsh hills, From The Anvil’s handles, bolts, hinges, stays and more are some of the most robust and individual on the market.

And now, they’re an option on any of Stedek’s R9, R7 or R2 windows, and any of its Residence Doors.

38 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

It’s just the latest step in the Midlands firm’s ongoing quest to take R9, R7, and R2, already some of the world’s best heritage windows, and make them even better, claims the company.

The company constantly strives for what it describes as Residence Excellence – Residence windows made as perfectly as humanly possible. www.stedek.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Mila Extends

Prosecure TBT Range Mila’s ProSecure TBT gearing range is now available with the option of a new fully concealed hinge alongside the existing visible, facefix option.

It comes with the same combination of high specification and SBD accreditation which is already making Mila’s ProSecure TBT hardware popular with leading fabricators such as Pearl Windows, and with the same market leading 10 year mechanical operation guarantee.

This new profile related hinge offers what Mila are describing as ‘significant’ benefits for the fabricator, the installer and the end user.

For fabricators, it offers simple, jigless assembly and easier fitting because it allows the window to open to 95° and eliminates the familiar problem of TBT sashes continually trying to close during production.

For installers, it is concealed on both the inside and out so there are no issues to address in terms of plaster lines or colour matching.

And, for end users, as well as the improved aesthetics, the new hinge features an anti-blowback function which stops the window from slamming closed or fully open in windy conditions.

Richard Gyde, Mila’s Managing Director, says

this is clearly a winning product: “Our ProSecure TBT range is manufactured by AXOR, one of Europe’s leading hardware manufacturers. Quality and value are the trademarks of AXOR’s products, but they also incorporate real user-friendly design innovation as well. This new hinge is the perfect example of that, with clever features which outstrip the competition but at a lower price point.”

The concealed hinge matches the 130kg capacity of the standard visible hinge and can accommodate windows up to1520mm wide and 2390mm high. It has already sailed through PAS24:2016 testing on TBT windows in Veka, Liniar and Eurocell profiles, with further tests to come, making it easy for customers to achieve the ADQ and Secured by Design accreditations they need in the new build sectors.

Mila’s ProSecure TBT range is manufactured in AXOR’s hugely impressive, purpose built factory in Ukraine which has full ISO9001 quality accreditation. It has been tested and accredited to way beyond the UK endurance and corrosion standards at IFT Rosenheim in Germany, says Mila, which, as the largest test facility in Europe, is used by all of the best known names in the TBT hardware sector.

More details are at: www.mila.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 39

PRODUCT NEWS

Yale Sets A Standard By Upgrading To Stainless Steel Yale has announced that it is upgrading to stainless steel on all of its multipoint lock faceplates as standard, providing new user features and benefits in terms of durability, aesthetics and reduced carbon footprint.

This improves carbon footprint, avoiding the need to transport components to and from specialist platers or avoiding manufacture off-shore where controls may be less stringent, whilst also ensuring a more ethical sourcing approach as it does not exploit the cheaper prices typically available in developing countries.

Stainless steel is instantly associated by the consumer with its anti-corrosion properties; is more durable in transportation and fabrication and is less susceptible to surface damage and corrosion, ensuring a longer lasting and sturdier locking solution.

Yale’s shift to stainless steel supports the ASSA ABLOY group’s sustainability initiatives, tackling industrial processes that are present and challenging throughout the hardware industry today.

and with extreme care to avoid environmental damage – whereas stainless steel has no requirement for this process entirely, with the whole manufacturing process taking place solely at Yale HQ.

The chemical process of plating has always created environmental challenges in that, by-product must be disposed of correctly

Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director for Yale Door and Window Solutions, comments: “We are always looking for new ways to develop our product ranges, ensuring we are constantly enhancing our product offering with gains such as this to maintain our market leading status”. www.yaledws.co.uk

Cubelock Window Restrictors Added To Window Ware Range

Window Ware has increased its specialist product offering with a selection of Cubelock window restrictors.

“We understand the importance of supplying quality hardware to our customers to help them achieve optimum results, meet regulations and keep their customers happy,” says Richard Bryant, Commercial Director for Window Ware.

“That’s why we cherry-pick the very best products and these window restrictors from Cubelock fit perfectly with that philosophy.”

Window Ware has added three restrictors from the Cubelock range – CLS1, CLS3 and CLB1 – offering a quick and simple meth-

stock in white and supplied in box quantities of 10, the restrictors include tamper-proof screws.

od of increasing window safety and protecting occupants. Ideal for use in homes and apartments, as well as commercial and public buildings, the restrictors comply with the European child safety standard BS EN 13126-5:2011.

Independently tested to withstand a breaking force of 1971N, the restrictors have a cable length of 200mm and are suitable on PVCu, aluminium, steel and timber frames. Available from

40 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Cubelock window restrictors are the innovation of safety and security hardware specialists Newstar Door Controls. Toby Staff, Managing Director at Newstar, says: “We’re very happy that Window Ware has added a selection of our restrictors to its range.

“By making these Cubelock restrictors even more accessible to fabricators and trade customers, it can only encourage an increase in safety measures being taken and that’s something we should all be aiming for.” www.windowware.co.uk

Meet the NEW star in glazing Introducing Stellar, the ultra slim, ultra-quick-to-fabricate aluminium system. This is simple fabrication, faster installation and future-proof design. This is Stellar.

Discover star quality with stellaraluminium.co.uk 0845 300 9356

#anewstaringlazing

Epwin Window Systems

PRODUCT NEWS

Universal Trade Frames Adds Visofold

1000 Bi-Folding Doors To Its Range Trade fabricator Universal Trade Frames has just added Visofold 1000 bi-folding doors to its range of products. Brian Kruger, Managing Director of Universal, said: “Bi-folding doors continue to be an on-trend product for homeowners. Visofold 1000 bi-folding doors come with all the assurances you would expect from a quality designed product and will add value to any installers’ portfolio.”

imal maintenance, while smooth glide opening mechanisms deliver reliable performance over a lifetime of use. The polyamide thermal barrier technology delivers impressive thermal efficiency. The doors are fitted with high security multi-point locking mechanisms on opening sashes and feature internally glazed sealed units for additional security, with PAS24 accreditation versions available upon request.

The company says Visofold 1000 bi-folding doors offer a strong, durable, secure and stylish solution. The high-quality aluminium profile, designed for strength and durability, delivers a structurally sound product that requires min-

The doors offer exceptional design flexibility, up to 6.5m wide and 2.5m high, with each sash up to 1.2m. The doors boast many features and benefits with various threshold options and square and round sash options. 20 and 42mm

42 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

add-ons are available on request and trickle vents are available on the 42mm version. Gloss White (RAL9910), Matt Grey (RAL7016), Matt Black (9005) and dual options of these colours all available from stock. Any RAL colour is available as a special order, giving the customer unlimited options and ensuring they can find their perfect match. All colours are polyester powder-coated for pleasing aesthetics and a durable scratch resistant finish.

The doors comply with Building Regulations as standard and are backed with comprehensive 10year guarantee for peace of mind. www.utfl.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

AC Aluminium Project Showcases

Excellence Of Exlabesa’s

Patio Door System

PatioMaster To Switch To ERA Hardware

County Durham fabricator and installer AC Aluminium has recently installed a 9 metre wide anthracite grey aluminium patio door in a home in County Durham using the KLS patio system from Exlabesa Building Systems. Carl Buckingham, of AC Aluminium, said: “The door looks stunning. We’re delighted with the results – and so is the customer.”

Carl says large aperture aluminium patio doors, as featured in this property, are a growth market for his company and are overtaking bi-fold doors as the homeowner favourite. “In the UK, patio doors are more often closed than open due to our changing seasons.

With a sliding patio you can have a much larger glass area than on a bi-fold, so the views are much less interrupted. Demand for large aperture patios has gained momentum in the last couple of years and we are seeing little signs of this trend slowing down.”

The KLS patio system that AC Aluminium used delivers all the benefits fabricators and installers can expect from an Exlabesa Building Systems product. It features an

intelligent design and is engineered for quality fabrication and ease of installation.

AC Aluminium has been manufacturing Exlabesa Building Systems products for three years and Carl appreciates what the company has to offer. “We like working with Exlabesa. The products are very easy to manufacture and install and they have common ancillaries too. The product quality is exceptional and gives our markets what they need. This latest installation was a perfect example – the KLS system enabled us to manufacture a 9 metre wide patio that was able to take the necessary weight.”

Exlabesa Building Systems is one of UK’s leading aluminium systems houses and offers a wide range of profiles that add value to every sector. All systems are extruded in its UK facility in Doncaster and General Manager Paul Benn says this is an important factor. “We have complete control from start to finish, which means we can guarantee everything from quality to delivery times. Our customers depend on this reliability.” www.exlabesa.co.uk

pwin Window Systems’ brand PatioMaster, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of patio doors, has announced that its doors will be fitted with ERA hardware as standard from Autumn 2019. Gerald Allen, Marketing Manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “ERA has been driving innovation in home security for over 175 years.

Like PatioMaster it’s a tried and tested brand that homeowners appreciate.”

The ERA hardware gives PatioMaster doors PAS24:2016 compliance as standard, providing homeowners with peace of mind. It also means PatioMaster doors will be covered by the ERA Lifetime Guarantee. Gerald said: “The ERA Lifetime Guarantee is the only security scheme recognised by Neighbourhood Watch, which is a huge selling point for installers. In the event of a break-in it covers homeowners for the cost of a replacement door plus £5,000 compensation.”

Aside from the security benefits, the ERA hardware will also offer style. The completely suited solution across handles, locks and cylinders ensures PatioMaster will enhance its reputation for attention to detail and design. www.patiomaster.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 43

PRODUCT NEWS

West Port’s Fastener Focus Helps Deliver Assured Fire

Door Performance

Rapierstar’s specialist technical support has played a key role in helping West Port to achieve high performing fire rated door-sets, by eliminating the risk of failure during testing as a result of the incorrect choice and application of fasteners.

Rapierstar, a UK market-leading supplier of window and door fasteners, is recommending that fire door manufacturers follow West Port’s lead and not overlook the major role that these smallest of components play in a door-set’s structural integrity, durability and long term quality.

ODL Europe, exclusive partner of Capstone Engineering and supplier of the Capstone door slab, has announced the introduction of the new Capstone SecureDesign™ Door Slab. Nathan Barr, ODL Europe’s Managing Director, said: “Our remit is to constantly innovate. The new SecureDesign™ Door Slab has been specifically designed to further enhance our composite doors to deliver a truly maintenance free door with even better performance.”

The SecureDesign™ Door Slab is manufactured with polypropylene, which eliminates water absorption and means doors will not bulge or rot, even if water intrudes through openings from seal failure of glass and letterplates, says the company. Polypropylene also retains its shape even after torsion, bending and / or flexing, giving it superior toughness. Plus, as a thermoplastic it is a good candidate for recycling.

Security is built in, which means the SecureDesign™ Door Slab is PAS 24:2016 accredited as standard. It has been designed to create

West Port door-sets offer outstanding performance in either 30-minute or 60-minute options, providing installers with a trusted fire protection solution.

Andy Tyas, Operations Director at West Port says: “From the outset we wanted to create fire doors that offer performance that far exceeds the ratings they are awarded, demonstrated by our 30 minute fire doors actually achieving 42 minutes in testing. Our 60 minute fire door is another really important development which, like our FD30 option,

is built using only technically superior components.”

Rapierstar, whose collective technical expertise in fastener design, manufacture and application totals more than 100 years, has provided West Port with detailed guidance on which fasteners to use throughout the door-set’s construction in order to achieve the 30 and 60 minute fire ratings. In addition to input at the design stage, this includes training to ensure fabricators use fasteners correctly, and regular auditing of the factory to maintain consistency in the quality and promised protection level in finished door-sets. www.rapierstar.com

ODL Europe Introduces

New Capstone SecureDesign™ Door Slab strength and overall security.

The SecureDesign™ Door Slab has a high-density polyurethane foam core which has been designed and engineered for the best flowability of the foam. This reduces possible foam voids, bulging and uneven surfaces, ensuring high quality aesthetics. Every slab is injection moulded to the specific design, delivering the same specifications and delivering consistent performance every time.

fewer areas of vulnerability, which increases the difficulty of cutting through the door. The SecureDesign™ Door Slab is an integral part of the door core, rather than ‘floating’ in the door, further improving

44 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Nathan concludes: “The new Capstone SecureDesign™ Door Slab has uncompromising standards of design, build and quality that stand the test of time. Its intelligent design, superb aesthetics and technical excellence gives installers a clear competitive advantage.”

PRODUCT NEWS

Designer Doors From

Window Warehouse (UK) Window Warehouse (UK) is to offer the Designer Door range from Smart Architectural Aluminium.

Available in cottage, modern, traditional and vintage styles, the aluminium entrance doors deliver on style, security, performance and quality, says the company.

require glazing beads for example, which provides maximum protection against ramming.

While the profiles include a polyamide thermal barrier that enhances thermal performance.

Each door has a low threshold for ease of access.

Available in around 15 working days, each door is securely packed and delivered direct to the customer, ready for installation. For added peace of mind, the finish on each Designer Door is backed by a comprehensive, 20-year paint guarantee.

An extensive colour palette and door furniture options elevates the range and provides the end-user with almost limitless design possibilities. Window Warehouse also offers additional options including fingerprint and key pad entry systems.

Successfully tested to PAS 24:

2016, Designer Doors are said to combine style with high-performance and outstanding security. The door sashes don’t

www.windowwarehouse.co

NEW PATINA COLOUR RANGE

INNOVATION? Over the last decade, DOORCO has rewritten the composite door rulebook.

We are committed to upholding a market of choice that gives our customers the competitive edge.

Our innovation means our customers never stand still.

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E info@door-co.com W www.door-co.com

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 45

PRODUCT NEWS

Above Us

Only Sky

The Ultrasky roof from Ultraframe has been used to create a stunning contemporary orangery extension in an installation by Vale Conservatories.

The extension which features a curved cornice and is finished in anthracite grey, has been added onto a new build property on a top-end development.

Alex Fellows, Managing Director

of Vale Conservatories, said: “The Ultrasky system provides a fantastic way to create contemporary orangeries and conservatories and its minimalist good looks make it extremely popular with style-conscious homeowners. Used with large spans of bi-fold doors and knocked through to the existing house as on this installation, it provides a fast way to create a highly thermally efficient extension.”

46 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Ultrasky boasts the strongest ridge on the UK market, making it the strongest glazed roof on the market, claims the company.

This formidable strength and its integrated structural goalpost mean that Ultrasky can support spans of up to 6.5m without the need for additional support, meaning it is the perfect roofing partner for bi-fold doors.

Concluding about the beautiful installation, Ultraframe Marketing Director, Alex Hewitt, said: “This beautiful orangery extension by Vale Conservatories is the perfect example of what can be achieved with Ultrasky. It’s stunning to look at, minimalist in style and highly thermally efficient. Ultrasky is the modern way to create contemporary orangeries for retailers in the know.”

PRODUCT NEWS

Double R Introduces

Guardian Solstice Double R Glass & Roofing Systems Ltd prides itself on its pioneering approach. It’s often the first to bring new products to market or invest in new pieces of machinery – all in the name of keeping customers ahead of the competition. The company says it is now pleased to announce its latest offering in the form of the new Guardian Solstice Skylight System – stunning built-in roof lights in the Guardian Warm Roof.

“As soon as Guardian showed us the new product, we knew we would be adding it to our portfolio immediately,” says Ian Sims, Managing Director of Double R, “because we like to be among

the first, but also because we could see the huge potential for the product in today’s market.

It’s completely on target for the increasing demand for more grand design style features from the more discerning homeowner.

We showed the product to customers shortly after its launch to market and we’ve seen fantastic

uptake for it already.

“The Solstice Skylight System is flexible and robust and proving immensely popular with homeowners. The ability to allow more natural light into the space, while keeping all the insulating benefits of a solid roof, make this a great proposition for installers to offer on new conservatories or as a replacement roof on an existing conservatory. The stylish, innovative solution offers homeowners a flush fitting rooflight that is a cost-effective alternative to conventional rooflights, with an outstanding end-result.

“We have an excellent working relationship with Guardian because like us they are continuously looking for ways to do things better. We are thrilled to be supplying this latest innovation to help keep our customers ahead of the competition.” www.glassandroofs.com

WARMroof Hybrid Goes Double The impressive WARMroof hybrid roof from Prefix Systems will now be made available with a double glazed unit as standard, providing installers with significantly lighter units to handle on site.

board finish to the inside reveals of the glazed hybrid elements in the roof, making for an appearance typical to that of a standard extension construction, yet with the benefit of large glazed areas.

The WARMroof system has been designed to be the ultimate solid and tiled roof system in the market and the hybrid variant has brought full length glazed units from eaves to ridge into the overall design, allowing for a greater passage of light in the room.

Chris Baron, co-director Of Prefix Systems commented:’WARMroof hybrid is the benchmark in terms of roof configurability and overall design. As is the way at Prefix, we listen to the needs of our customers and so the move to a double glazed unit as standard will make on site installation and handling far easier given the weight reduction. However, the 44mm triple glazed unit will still be an option for consumers specifically specifying this option.’

The company says the addition of double-glazed units as its standard offering has been a popular change, so that installers can better handle the glass on site. The upgrade to triple glazing is still available for the consumers who wish to have the most thermally efficient option and indeed, the WARMroof triple

glazed option is the most thermally efficient hybrid roof system on the market today, claims Prefix.

Importantly, the new double-glazed units have a low U-value of just 1.0 W/(m2K), ensuring that the new rooms in which they are intended for stay warm, regardless of the time of year. The company has also recently standardised a plaster-

For brochures and further information on WARMroof please visit the downloads section at www.prefixsystems.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 47

PRODUCT NEWS

Howells Launches New Glass Rafter

Rooflights glass consultant.

Installers will benefit from the company’s preassembly service. If the rooflight measures less than five metres by two metres, the unglazed rooflight frame can be delivered preassembled, direct to site in an unmarked vehicle. If the rooflight exceeds these dimensions it can be delivered in multiple parts. Early morning drop-offs mean that the Ultraline roof light can be installed in just one day.

With manual handling limited to 130kg, larger expanses of glass will require a crane and glazing robot for installation.

Preassembly offers greater peace of mind as the corners are factory sealed. Ultraline has been independently tested for Weathertightness (BS 6375 Part 1) and Resistance to snow and permanent load (EN 14351). For a compliant installation, fitters should refer to the manufacturer’s installation guide.

Howells Patent Glazing is pleased to announce the launch of its new glass rafter rooflight, Ultraline which was unveiled at FIT Show 2019. Designed to maximise daylight, Ultraline allows for larger expanses of glass. Each joint is supported by a glass rafter, or fin, which reinforces the structure without breaking the sightline.

The low-pitch aluminium rooflight is non-intrusive and typically measures 2.4 metres long and 1.2 metres wide, ideal for the average house extension, at around three to four metres. However, as each rooflight is designed and made to order, customers can increase the width and depth to suit the application. Loadings are calculated by an independent 48 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Howells offers several glazing options with clear toughened glass as standard. Customers can upgrade to solar-controlled, high performance or super neutral glass. For certain applications such as swimming pools, schools and hospitals, the company offers a toughened laminated glass.

It is certified against PAS 24 and Approved Document Q (Security – Dwellings), offering peace of mind against low-level burglary. The glass rafter rooflight also meets the requirements of Secured by Design.

For added impact, Ultraline can be powder coated in a standard RAL colour, including dual colours (one colour inside, another out). Typically, Howells offers High Gloss Black or RAL 7016M Anthracite Grey externally and RAL 9910S Hipca White internally, as standard.

PRODUCT NEWS

Stellar

In Colour

Stellar, the new aluminium window and door system from Epwin Window Systems, has rapidly become the most talked-about aluminium system for years, the company claims.

The brand new system has been designed from the ground up and offers powerful benefits to homeowners, fabricators and installers alike. And what is true of the system as a whole is also true of the colour offering.

Stellar is available in a range of gloss levels, giving customers an outstanding choice. In

addition to stocked colours, customers can choose any RAL colour or dual colour combination. Stellar colour uses a polyester powder coat that has been certified to the Qualicoat coastal standard, which surpasses European requirements and delivers powerful durability.

And the coating process uses a chrome-free pre-treatment, which means it is already compliant with new regulations that come into effect in 2021 and makes it more environmentally friendly.

Stellar’s standard colours are Signal White (RAL9003), Anthracite Grey (RAL7016) and the dual colour Anthracite Grey / Signal White (RAL7016 / RAL9003), all in a flat matt finish.

Non-standard colours are Cream (RAL9001), Agate Grey (RAL7038), Slate Grey (RAL7015), Chocolate Brown (RAL8017), Jet Black (RAL9005), available in a flat matt finish, and Anthracite Grey (RAL7016) in a textured finish.

Stellar’s colour offering is part of an exceptional package of benefits that add real value to fabricators and installers’ portfolios. For example, Stellar’s fully flush casement window has no stepped frame inside or out, making it a first for the aluminium sector, says the company. Epwin also states that the standard flush casement window has at least 30% slimmer sightlines than competitor windows and delivers a glass area that’s around 12% larger. www.stellaraluminium.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 49

PRODUCT NEWS of pretreatment can cope with the harshest of environments and can be specified where access to finishes make it difficult to offer regular maintenance.

Understanding the Performance of Powder Coating There still seems to be confusion in the correct specification of powder coating for any given project.

Suggesting that you should seek guidance on the correct specification are wise words but not all Powder Coaters are equal in the UK. Some Powder Coaters are what are known as ‘general’ Powder Coaters’ and not specialists in the architectural coating market and as such, often lack specialist equipment for treating the aluminium.

Correctly specified, architectural powder coating can last the lifetime of the building.

Specifying QUALICOAT and seeking advice from a QUALICOAT approved applicator is a good start, but, to become a QUALICOAT licenced applicator, each member must have a high standard of equipment and experience in coating architectural aluminium which is often been exposed to severe weathering.

To suggest that a thicker powder coating should be applied to the aluminium to resist the ravages of the British weather is simply wrong and this article will explain why this is the case.

There are basically two fundamental weathering concerns when it come

to architectural powder coating.

First we have the issue of potential corrosion of the aluminium under the powder coating which will result in blistering under the powder coated surface. Secondly, we have the performance of the coating, basically a resistance to UV. This is where the coating can fade or chalk over time.

Powder coating is not impermeable, water and air can, and will, penetrate its thickness, so we have to ensure that the aluminium is very carefully pretreated. This pretreatment consists of cleaning and etching the aluminium prior to applying a pretreatment system, chrome based or chrome-free, which will completely seal the aluminium surface and offer a good ‘key’ for the powder coating to adhere to.

A quality pretreatment is crucial to getting a long lasting powder coat finish. Pretreatment systems can be immersive or sprayed, but the plant investment and space to do this correctly is excessive hence the reason why ‘general’ powder coaters do not have this as a standard process.

More recently, we have seen the availability of flash anodised pretreatment systems become available in the UK. This system

50 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

There is what is known as a ‘Marine Class’ of coating, or ‘Seaside’ Class under QUALICOAT. This is where powder coating is going to be placed near to coastal regions and offers a deeper etch of the aluminium for a more robust pretreatment application. Flash anodising can also be specified in these more severe weather rated areas.

Once powder coating is applied and cured correctly, the powder coating on the project will be subject to UV (Ultra Violet) attack over time, this can become evident in two ways. First, ‘chalking’ on the surface can occur, these are which deposits and are as a result of free-radical UV degradation of the polymer matrix. As the polymer matrix gradually breaks down it exposes the pigment and inorganic fillers contained within the paint film. Importantly this can be relatively easily removed from the film by adopting a regular cleaning regime.

Fade on the other hand, whilst also UV catalysed, is a different mechanism. Generally bright, clean organic pigmented colours such as bright yellow, orange & reds are more susceptible to pigment fade which will occur on almost any applied finish.

Powder coatings are now available in three Classes, 1, 2 & 3. Most low rise city projects are coated in Class 1 powders, but there is a growing increase in the specification of Class 2 powders in the UK. Class 2 powders have a higher resistance to attack from UV and have reduced UV degradation as a result.

So in closing, for a long architectural powder coating life, make sure your Powder Coater has the pretreatment system and experience in place, or just talk to, a QUALICOAT member and specify for peace of mind. www.qualicoatuki.org

Natural

PRODUCT NEWS

Grey Looking Matt Finish Light Makes A Baker’s RENOLIT EXOFOL PFX Super-Matt launches with four different oak decors.

Matt surfaces are in vogue, and not just in interior design or the automotive sector. There is also widespread demand around the house for surfaces that are pleasant to the touch – the attractive, the more fashionable. With its new finish for exterior films, RENOLIT is now raising the bar for window profiles, door panels and facades. The surface specialists from Worms have combined the deep, dynamic wood texture VLF with a transparent PVDF layer, creating an extremely natural look. “This texture is practically indistinguishable from real wood, neither visually nor in terms of touch,” says Product Manager Franz Josef Weber.

RENOLIT EXOFOL PFX Super-Matt is the name of the new film which is based on the unplasticised PVC film RENOLIT EXOFOL PX and combined with the PVDF top coat already well known from the premium product RENOLIT EXOFOL FX. This fluoric plastic behaves similarly to a Teflon coating on frying pans. It improves surface protection and increases the film’s resistance to dirt and chemicals, and even graffiti can be easily removed.

“Its low surface tension makes the film dirt-repellent and easy to

clean. Even on this very smooth surface, dust and dirt particles will not stick to the film,” says business unit manager Stefan Friedrich, describing the low maintenance of the new development. Water, soap or detergent as well as a soft brush or sponge are sufficient for cleaning.

Surface emphasizes wood character RENOLIT EXOFOL PFX Super-Matt launches with four oak decors in different colours: Honey Oak, Ginger Oak, Pepper Oak and Weissbach Eiche, whose authentic designs are particularly well suited to the strikingly different woodgrain surface finish.

With a subtle sheen emanating from the emboss valleys, the surface resembles a natural, matt finished oak.

As with all RENOLIT EXOFOL films, Solar Shield Technology (SST) is an integral part of the construction. IR-reflecting colour pigments reduce the temperature differences between the outer and inner profile surfaces. In this way, the profiles retain their shape and windows and doors retain their exact fit. For easier processing, RENOLIT EXOFOL PFX also has a primer on its reverse side. The warranty periods for the new film are the same as for the proven RENOLIT EXOFOL PX film. www.renolit.com

Dozen Standard

For Apeer

Composite door manufacturer Apeer has proved an astute knowledge of consumer preference by removing Light Grey from its premium colour range and incorporating it into the standard line, as of March.

The reason for making the change is simple, as Marketing Manager Linda Tomb explains: “Light Grey is proving to be a popular inside door colour choice among our customers, often complementing our darker Anthracite Grey on the outside.

After watching the stock levels for a while and noticing a continuing trend, the decision was made to start supplying pre-foiled units in the shade. Consequently, both our factory and customers benefit; we no longer need to spray the frames, saving time, and they don’t carry an additional paint premium.”

So why is grey so popular? Well, its grounding, non-committal and natural, making it an ideal carrier for almost any other colour on the wheel. In narrow hallways, a light coloured door keeps imagined space at a maximum and psychologically, grey suggests an aura of stability or wisdom.

In order to always offer optimum pricing, Apeer plans to analyse its customer colour choices on an ongoing basis; if additional colours take off in the same vein, there is scope for widening their standard line of pre-foiled doors, further. www.apeer.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 51

PRODUCT NEWS

SWISSPACER Helps Sheffield Window Centre’s

Customers Cut Heating Bills Homeowner energy efficiency is at the heart of a 10-year partnership between SWISSPACER and Sheffield Window Centre, a family business which has been manufacturing high quality PVC-U windows, doors and conservatory products for over 40 years. For the past decade, Sheffield Window Centre has used sealed units incorporating SWISSPACER’s warm edge spacer bar in all PVC-U and aluminium products.

Joe Walker, Retail Sales Manager of Sheffield Window Centre says: “Warm edge spacer bars are incredibly important when it comes to energy efficiency, since they greatly

reduce heat loss through the window. Research shows that on an average semi-detached house in the UK, the homeowner can save around 10% a year on their annual heating bills when all windows fitted are ‘A’ rated or higher.”

“SWISSPACER’s warm edge spacer bar is tried and tested for excellent thermal efficiency and long-lasting results. That’s why all glass units used in our windows, conservatories, bifolds and patio doors – and all products fitted with our own manufactured sealed units – have SWISSSPACER inside as standard.”

While traditional metal spacer

52 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

bars are highly conductive and allow heat to transfer through the window, warm edge spacer bars, like SWISSSPACER, are made from an insulating plastic composite material that reduces heat loss through the sealed unit, keeping energy bills low.

SWISSPACER also cuts the risk of condensation forming at the edge of the sealed unit and keeps rooms at a comfortable temperature. It is available in an unbeatable choice of 19 widths and 17 colours to suit a variety of products and applications. www.sheffield-window-centre. co.uk www.swisspacer.com

PRODUCT NEWS

Doors And Windows Exeter Excels With Illbruck’s TP650 One of Devon’s leading installers has become an enthusiastic advocate for illbruck’s TP650 compressed foam window installation tape.

it for a quarter of a century.

“But Illbruck were running a promotion, and we thought, why not?

If it was half as good as they said it was, it was definitely worth a try.

For more than 25 years, Doors and Windows Exeter has been providing top-of-the-range installations to homeowners from Torquay to Taunton.

“So, we took them up on their offer, trialled it on one of our installation projects, and we haven’t looked back.”

Offering a huge selection of highend glazing products, it has earned fans throughout the region for its approachability, no-pressure sales philosophy and proud family values.

TP650 Trio is a compressed foam window installation tape. Once you remove the backing paper, the tape steadily expands to effectively seal all gaps and spaces between the frame and wall.

And when the company visited their local Eurocell depot back in 2018, their never-ending quest for quality meant a new product caught their eye.

Impregnated with a flame-retardant resin, illbruck says it’s extremely safe, and offers outstanding thermal efficiency, outstanding air-tightness and driving rain resistance of at least 600 PA. www.illbruck.com

“We’d heard bits and pieces about

installation tapes over the years,” comments company Director Nick George, “but we’d never seen any reason to ditch silicone. It’s far from perfect, but we’d been using

Authentic Sash Windows Meet Top

Thermal Specifications With SWISSPACER

Masterframe is a specialist fabricator of heritage-style PVC-U sash windows, producing the most authentic sash windows on the market for the last 31 years. For the last 10 years, Masterframe has used SWISSPACER warm edge spacer bars inside its sealed units.

The company manufactures four styles of sash window, from the competitively priced Imperial Collection, through to the Vintage Collection which is ideal for conservation areas and restoration. All styles use SWISSPACER for unobtrusive warm edge excellence, helping Masterframe meet their specification

fulfilling the PSI values, and is a ‘hidden’ component that helps our windows achieve ‘A’ and ‘A+’ energy ratings easily and effectively.

requirements. Masterframe use SWISSPACER ULTIMATE in both white and black, in sizes 8, 10, 14 and 16mm.

Ramon Rabett, Technical Director at Masterframe comments: “SWISSPACER is ideal for

“In addition to contributing to excellent thermal specifications, with SWISSPACER we can also fix internal duplex bars to recreate an authentic Georgian look and we can bond our applied Georgian bars onto the surface of the glass using our patented Georgie® clips.”

To learn more about SWISSPACER visit www.swisspacer. com. For more on Masterframe visit www.masterframe.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 53

PRODUCT NEWS

Senior’s PURe

®

Range Moves Forward With New Parallel Push Window More Choice With

Exlabesa

Doncaster-based aluminium systems house Exlabesa Building Systems offer a range of aluminium window solutions that are proving popular across both retail and commercial markets. Paul Benn, General Manager at Exlabesa said: “Today’s fabricator is looking for choice. Whether they work in the retail or commercial arena, customers are demanding more choice in order to fulfil the expectations of their clients. At Exlabesa Building System we have a platform of window systems suitable for all markets and allowing our customers to have degree of flexibility on product offering but with one common factor– every window system is easy to fabricate and easy to install.”

The KS59 Window Suite was launched in 2016 and has been gaining plaudits ever since. The window was designed with the steel replacement market in mind and offers a technically advanced framing system with slim sightlines and is perfect for a wide variety of commercial applications.

The system is fabricated using a mechanical corner cleat which means easy and fast production.

To speed up production still further, it can be dry glazed using clip in beads, something that also means quicker glass replacement. The system uses 28mm glass as standard and is suitable for top and side hung applications. Easy clean and egress options are also available. www.exlabesa.co.uk

Senior Architectural Systems has added further flexibility to its innovative PURe® range of ultra-low U-value aluminium windows with the development of a new parallel push option.

Designed to offer balanced air flow and ventilation with maximum safety, the restricted opening of the PURe® parallel push aluminium windows make them ideally suited to a wide range of sectors including education, healthcare, and high-rise commercial and residential developments.

Benefitting from a patented thermal barrier manufactured from expanded polyurethane (PUR) foam, the new PURe® parallel push aluminium window, like the rest of the range, offers exceptional low U-values and high thermal performance. The new window option is able to receive double or triple glazing up to 57mm for maximum thermal and acoustic performance and can achieve U-values as low as 0.90 W/m²K when calculated as a commercial CEN standard window.

With hinges on all sides of the frame, the window can be easily pushed open and yet will remain parallel to the wall. This enables rooms to be safely ventilated, with the limited opening helping to reduce the risk of falls from the window. Aesthetically, the use of push parallel style windows can also help to create a more uniform façade and the new PURe® window option is fully compatible with the full range of Senior’s slim profile aluminium curtain walling system for seamless integration.

54 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

The new parallel push option is the latest configuration to be added to Senior’s popular PURe® aluminium window range, with existing options including casement, tilt and turn and reversible overswing.

Thanks to Senior’s reliable and high-quality in-house powder coating service, all of the company’s aluminium fenestration solutions can also be specified in an almost limitless spectrum of colours and a vast array of finishes.

Easy to fabricate and install and boasting excellent weather performance and security credentials, the new PURe® parallel push aluminium window is also highly durable and easy to maintain, with a life expectancy in excess of 40 years.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

The Aluminium Sector Takes A Giant

Leap Forward With Stellar

Stellar, the new aluminium window and door system from Epwin Window Systems has been gaining plaudits since it was launched at FIT 2019. The brand-new aluminium system, designed for the retail and light commercial markets, addresses the need for cutting-edge windows and doors as witnessed in the advances being made in the PVC-U sector.

Gerald Allen, Marketing Manager of Epwin Window Systems explains: “The PVC-U sector has witnessed some incredible design and technical advances in recent years. The same cannot be said for the aluminium sector. Rather than designing new systems from scratch, existing product suites have been adapted to fit and often lacked the design flair that was needed. It’s an approach that has held the sector back. But

Stellar has changed this. It’s a system that has been designed from the ground up by a team of aluminium experts and delivers on every aspect of modern-day design giving our customers a real competitive advantage”.

The initial design brief was to produce the best aluminium system for the UK’s homeowners. The results are an extraordinary example of what a refusal to compromise on excellence can deliver.

For example, there are two casement window options.

The first has no stepped frame inside or out, making it the only fully flush aluminium casement window on the market today.

The standard flush casement window has at least 30% slimmer sightlines than competitor windows and delivers a glass

area that’s around 12% larger.

And the bifold door has the option of using PVC-U beading, so it has the strength a bifold needs but aesthetics that sit more comfortably in the typical UK home.

Not only does Stellar take aluminium aesthetics to the next level, it has also been designed to be straightforward to fabricate and install.

The unique pre-gasketed system saves up to 20% on fabrication time and reduces overall waste. The patent-pending Reverse Butt Joint means no dummy sashes or reverse adaptor profiles are needed, so the system uses up to 30% less aluminium. It takes fast-fit espagnolettes so no shootbolts are required too.

Patent-pending knock-in beads make glazing quicker and easier. They also leave a clean gasket line on the inside, enhancing the aesthetics. The frames are flat backed to make it easy to position them while flat rebates make fitting glazing packers simple. www.stellaraluminium.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 55

MACHINERY

Exceptional Automation In Aluminium Processing:

The New FOM FMC70 FOM has unveiled its new FMC 470 CNC machining centre, which brings new levels of flexibility and efficiency to aluminium processing through a highly automated process and rapid machining.

Launched earlier this year the new FMC 470 (7m) and 440 (4m) platforms employ cutting edge innovation in programming and automated tooling change to deliver rapid and high volume aluminium CNC machining.

This includes the capacity to machine profile of up to 230X250mm and with a 7Kw liquid cooled electrospindle, delivering a maximum rotation of 20000 RPM, steel at thickness of up to 2mm thick.

“The FOM FMC70 is simply an aluminium CNC on steroids”, says Paul Yeo, Sales Manager, Promac Group. “It’s geared in all aspects of its DNA to high volume, complex and exceptionally high-precision, processing of aluminium.

“You get very impressive machining depth ideally suited to large

scale applications, for example curtain walling and features advanced parametric programming, which allows you to drill and rout any geometrical shape.

“You simply load it, choose your programme and it takes care of absolutely everything else”, he adds.

The machining head supports working of the profile on four axes: three sides plus the two ends. With an automatic bar length machining device, it automatically detects the length of the profile and optimizes positioning, automatically clamping it.

It also features two automatic and one fixed pneumatically controlled bar positioning stops, with an optional fourth, to support simultaneous working of up to four bar lengths.

In addition to impressive 7Kw torque, which remains constant regardless of machining tools being used or RPM they are run at, the FOM FMC 470 features an 8-tool

56 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

fixed tool magazine and 9-tool magazine on the CNC head.

The FOM FMC 470, also features the machinery manufacturer’s patented X Flow lubrication system, which automatically directs the orientation of lubrication nozzles according to the tool being used.

“X Flow is a minimal lubrication loss (MLL) system, which means you’re not flood lubricating tooling, increasing efficiency”, Paul adds.

The patented base has been designed to optimize collection of chips and waste, while ergonomically designed protective casing guarantees visibility during machining, while a push button strip and user-friendly console, simplify operation.

“The FMC 470 is a very advanced aluminium CNC with the potential to complete very complicated tasks at volume, requiring minimum input from the operative”, says Paul.

“If you look at the market for aluminium, you don’t just need to be manufacturing curtain walling to need capacity to manufacture at larger scale.

“The FOM FMC 470 gives you capacity to process bar length for the most complex designs in aluminium and at incredible speed.” www.promac.co.uk

MACHINERY

Garnalex Invests In 170 Tonne State-Of-The-Art

Aluminium Extrusion Press

Garnalex (Garner Aluminium Extrusions Ltd), Roger Hartshorn’s new venture, has invested over £9 million so far in its new manufacturing facility in Nether Heague, Derbyshire. Roger is best known for founding, growing and selling two leading PVC-U systems companies, Eurocell and Liniar.

The company recently took delivery of a state-of-the-art aluminium extrusion press, weighing over 170 tonnes. The press is so big it needed a special vehicle in convoy and a police escort from the port

of Hull on an agreed route, and a team of technicians from its German manufacturer to assemble in the factory.

Garnalex will start extruding later this year, supplying trade extrusions to aluminium companies, and then launch its own innovative aluminium window system at the end of Q1 2020.

Roger Hartshorn, Garnalex CEO comments: “This investment is only the start of our story. We’re excited about the future of alumin-

ium – our team of top technical experts and designers have examined every aspect of the aluminium window and we’re redesigning it from the ground up so it’s easy to fabricate, install and sell.

“Unlike PVC-U and timber windows, which have transformed themselves over the past 30 years or so, aluminium windows are pretty much as they were in the 1980s.

From the point of view of fabricators and installers, it’s almost as if time has been standing still. But I’ve fallen for aluminium and its huge potential and have built the best window design team in the industry, and we’re building in to the window all the innovations and improvements that should have taken place over the last 30 years.

“Garnalex is aluminium, but not as the industry knows it. Watch this space!”

See the aluminium extrusion press being delivered here. Visit www.garnalex.com

Growth In Aluminium Sector Reflected In Sales Of Haffner Murat’s Spring S7000 Machining Centre Dave Thomas, Managing Director of machinery specialists Haffner Murat, says his company’s sales are always a reliable indicator of what’s happening in the window industry. “The industry buzz at the moment is all about the growth of aluminium. Our sales show that to be true with many fabricators choosing to invest in our ITALMAC Spring S7000 4 Axis Machining Centre as they look to capitalise on what aluminium has to offer.”

Haffner Murat is the UK’s official agent for the Italian range of ITALMAC aluminium fabrication machinery. ITALMAC has an international reputation for quality machinery that combines the

tro-welded steel, normalised and worked with CNC machine tools, and a 4-Axis movement controlled by high-precision brushless servomotors.

latest technology with skilled engineering and competitive prices.

The machine is specifically designed for milling, drilling, threading and cutting bars or workpieces made of aluminium, PVC, light alloys and steel. It has a robust construction for years of trouble-free service and includes main structures made of elec-

Haffner Murat says it has a wealth of practical, safety and time-saving features. There’s an electric spindle with an ISO 30 tool connection suitable for material removal processes during milling and drilling operations.

Safety is prioritised with a safety light curtain system in front of the machine and safety guards in electro-welded net on the three sides of the machine. www.haffnermurat.com

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 57

ON SITE

P C Henderson Specified For World’s First Underwater Quarry Hotel P C Henderson’s sliding door hardware has been specified for the world’s first underwater quarry hotel located in Songjiang Shanghai, China.

The Intercontinental Hotel Shanghai Wonderland, which was opened in October 2018, is being hailed as a modern architectural wonder of the world.

Built onto the side of a 289 foot deep, water filled quarry, the five star luxury hotel took ten years to build and boasts 337 rooms across 18 floors, 16 of which are technically below ground and two underwater.

P C Henderson’s Husky Telescopic system was specified for 314 of the rooms in order to create two large movable walls between the bathroom and bedroom. The telescopic formation of the doors allows for a modern, open plan design whilst still ensuring that the bathroom can be completely closed off when privacy is required. The company’s Husky Simultaneous Action kit was also specified for 44 of the rooms which required bi-parting doors in order to separate two rooms.

Julius Zhu, China Business

58 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

ON SITE Development Manager at P C Henderson commented, “The Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland, or deep pit hotel as it is often known, has been built in a way that pushes the limits of interior design. Open plan bedrooms and bathrooms are becoming an increasingly popular trend within the luxury hotel market – as developers aim to create a unique and modern living experience which visitors are unable to achieve at home.

Spectus Elite 70 Doorsets Transform Residential Conversion

A number of the hotel rooms also include a cavity wall for one of the movable walls to slide into meaning the doors are completely hidden from view when not in use – further complementing the open plan, minimalistic design.

Designed by British design firm Atkins – the company behind the famous Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai – the state of the art hotel is part of a new wave of ambitious architectural projects being carried out in China due to an increase in economic growth. The £225 million hotel has been designed with a number of eco-friendly principles – geo thermal power and solar power generates energy for heat and lighting whilst the pond in the base of the quarry cools the air which is then drawn into the building as natural air circulation.

“Our sales into the Chinese hotel market have seen a significant upturn recently as developers request only the highest quality hardware for the new wave of prestigious hotels being developed”, continued Julius.

P C Henderson’s Husky Telescopic system caters for wooden doors weighing up to 80kg and can cater for 2 or 3 doors to travel together in a telescopic type motion. www.pchenderson.com

A conversion of a Victorian warehouse into residential accommodation has used Spectus Elite 70 doorsets to stunning effect.

The project had two entrances and the doorsets were manufactured by Derbyshire-based Spectus fabricator Titan Trade Windows. The clients chose a bevelled profile in cream, with one entrance replaced by a single residential doorset set into a glazed section and the other by large French doors.

Ben Vowles, Operations Manager at Titan, takes up the story. “The project needed exceptional attention to detail to deliver a high quality finish. The position of the mullions was key in ensuring the sightlines were intact with the first floor frames and also gave internal clearance for the stairs.”

To ensure the project was completed to the standard required, Titan worked closely with the in-

staller, Leicestershire’s The Right Window Company. The support of the Epwin Window Systems technical team was also drawn upon.

Ben says: “Conversations with the Epwin Window Systems technical team helped us develop the right solution. We used the structural mullion profiles not only between the shaped frames and doorset frames but also between the doors and side lights. This gave us the high quality aesthetic finish the project required.”

Ben concludes: “The level of support we were able to offer thanks to the technical team at Epwin Window Systems meant The Right Window Company had the confidence in us to manufacture and deliver the doorsets. This in turn allowed them to focus on the installation and care for their customer.” www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 59

ON SITE

Sidey Delivers To Gardener’s Cottage, Tastefully

Transformed Into Luxury Five-Star Hideaway A tiny gardener’s cottage, nestled in picturesque Aberdeenshire, has been transformed into a five-star holiday hideaway using bespoke aluminium glazing from Sidey.

The self-catering property, called The Invergarry, lies in the charming village of Aboyne and has been tastefully converted and extended for visiting tourists.

Sidey was selected to supply aluminium windows and doors for the refurbishment project.

Grey aluminium fixed casement tilt and turn windows, with low-E toughened glass to offer high weather resistance to the cold, were

manufactured and supplied by Sidey. At the back of the property, an aluminium residential door, with a matching coloured sash in grey, was delivered to site. And finally, an aluminium open-out bifold door was manufactured for the property’s lounge area, to integrate the luxury feel of the interior with the newly-installed granite patio and bespoke al-fresco dining area.

Ron Shanks and his wife, Sheila Fraser, of Ron Shanks Development Projects Limited, bought the gardener’s cottage three years ago and spent the next few months transforming it into a five-star self-catering cottage for holidaymakers.

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Sheila Fraser, director at Ron Shanks Development Projects Limited, said working with Sidey had been “efficient” and “straight-forward”.

“My business partner, Ron, visited Sidey to talk to the team about what we needed at the property and he was really impressed to discover that the waiting time for local trade customers was not that long. From ordering the products to having them delivered, I think we waited about six weeks.

“As well as aluminium casement tilt and turn windows, we also ordered an aluminium door and aluminium open-out bifold doors, in grey, for the exterior of the property.

“Ron came back to the office feeling pleased with what Sidey had quoted and this information gave us the green light to start working on the extension project. www.sidey.co.uk

ON SITE

Cool Elegance On The Water “CentoNew” Office Building Uses SWISSPACER

Centogene AG has built a new research centre for the genetic diagnosis of rare hereditary diseases in Rostock, Germany. A number of different types of glass were used for the glazing. SWISSPACER warm edge spacer bars were specified for the glazed units for improved heat loss and energy efficiency within the building.

Centogene is a world-leading organisation studying the genetic analysis of rare, hereditary diseases.

Since it was founded over a decade ago, the company has been growing steadily. The construction of the ‘CentoNew’ headquarters in the Silo Peninsula, Rostock, will have space for approximately 250 employees.

The building’s attractive location on the Unterwarnow quayside fits in well with the local surroundings thanks to the large cobble stone front.

CentoNew was designed by the architects Gewers Pudewill Berlin with an irregular pentagonal outline.

It has underground parking and four above-ground floors with staggered building structures. The ground floor is located on a podium, with several open staircases leading to it. When entering the building, employees and visitors will first see an atrium with lush greenery that opens out to the water.

A finely structured metal façade coated in warm shades of copper surrounds the building like a skin.

Another distinctive element is the glazing, which boasts a number of different types of glass.

Saint-Gobain GLASSOLUTIONS supplied approximately 2,500 sqm of glass for the project. The Rostock site used around 900 sqm of high-quality heat insulating glass CLIMATOP XN (triple) and SWISSPACER ADVANCE warm edge spacer bar. STADIP laminated safety glass was also used. The GLASSOLUTIONS Flensburg site manufactured the laminated safety glass (LSG) for the project. Special

structures and insulating glass, some with additional heat thermal and sound insulation, came from the Potsdam site.

Warm edge spacer bars from Swiss manufacturer, SWISSPACER, improves energy efficiency and reduces heat loss from buildings. SWISSPACER ADVANCE is a warm edge spacer bar with the best price/ performance ratio in the market.

The rigid structure of SWISSPACER creates precise edges and clean, crisp parallel lines for a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing finish which is ideal for triple glazing.

Depending on frame construction SWISSPACER ADVANCE achieves Psi values of up to 0.037 W/mK. The specification of SWISSPACER ADVANCE and was integral to the development of the new office building.

For more information visit www.swisspacer.com

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 61

ON SITE

Scotland’s Cube Glass

Adds Sparkle To Edinburgh’s New Moxy Hotel With Glass Curtain Walling Project Scottish glass and aluminium specialist Cube Glass has made its first inroads into the lucrative leisure and hospitality sector with a project for one of the market’s brightest new chains.

The Cumbernauld-based manufacturer and installer was selected to provide more than 150 sq metres of glass curtain walling at the new Moxy Hotel at Edinburgh Airport delivered

by Clark Contracts, which opened its doors earlier this year.

Cube Glass created a vista of glass in the reception area and downstairs bar of the millennial-focused brand, which is part of the global Marriott hotel giant.

The 230-bed hotel is a boutique concept for the next-Gen traveller, providing fresh and stylish design, tech-enabled accommodation and approachable service at an attractive price point. The new Edinburgh Moxy has a book-themed interior in a nod to Edinburgh’s status as a Unesco City of Literature.

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Cube Glass project manager Trevor Clark, who oversaw the Moxy work, said: “This was a very high-profile exercise in a hotel which has attracted a lot of attention in the Edinburgh area.

“The floor-to-ceiling SF52 curtain wall units, which we sourced from Senior Architectural Systems, create a light and airy space which complements Moxy’s spirited and fun guest experience.”

The deal is the latest in a number of contracts won by Cube

ON SITE

High Specification

AluK Windows

And Doors In

New Cardiff Bay

Development

AluK façade solutions are at the heart of a recently completed residential development on Cardiff’s Bute East Dock which combines both new build apartments and affordable homes.

Schooner Wharf is the first open market scheme to be developed by Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), who were working in partnership with main contractors Morganstone.

Glass all over the UK, totalling more than half a million pounds, which have helped put the business on track for another record year of sales and profits.

bernauld’s Lenziemill Industrial Estate, focuses on curtain walling, doors, windows, glass roofing systems and shop fronts as well as bullet, bomb and blast resistant glass.

Gary Thorn, Cube Glass founder and Managing Director, said: “Moxy is a very high-profile brand and an excellent entry for us into the hotel and leisure arena. With our package complete on time and on budget, I expect it will lead to more, similarly prestigious, contracts.”

With record sales this year of around £2.75 million, it has 14 highly-qualified employees.

Around 80% of the company’s sales are made to major companies such as Hilton Hotels, the Ministry of Defence, Arnold Clark, and Clark Contracts.

Cube Glass, based within Cum-

www.cube-glass.co.uk

It features 32 two, three and four bedroom affordable homes, alongside a seven storey waterside apartment building with 85 one and two bedroom apartments for sale on the open market.

AluK products have been installed extensively throughout the scheme in contemporary Anthracite grey, including fully suited 58BW windows and 58BD doors, GT55TB commercial entrance doors and SL52 curtain walling.

The products were chosen as they all met the high performance specifications laid down by the architects Austin Smith Lord and had the benefit of providing a coherent, fully suited look to support the overall design vision.

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 63

ON SITE

Kawneer

Helps Wales Get Creative Architectural glazing systems UK manufacturer Kawneer played a key role in a new state-of-the-art building which is at the heart of Wales’ creative and digital future.

Kawneer’s AA®110 curtain walling, AA®720 doors and window vents, and series 190 doors feature on the £10 million new creative and digital centre, Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, located on the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Carmarthen campus.

Specified by BDP architects, they were installed over 10 months by a team of up to eight from Kawneer-approved dealer APiC UK for main contractor Kier Construction.

The AA®110 zone-drained curtain walling with 65mm sightlines

was used alongside Kawneer’s thermally superior AA®720 doors and series 190 automatic entrance doors on the ground floor which houses a spacious public café alongside performance space and auditorium as well as resources for community groups and offices for the building’s administrative staff.

And it also features on the third floor, which is let to a number of different companies working in the creative and digital sector, as well as on a clerestory lantern above an atrium which overarches the three storeys. Many of these tenants will offer work experience to UWTSD students, allowing them to make the most of the university’s connections during their studies.

The AA®110 system also features on the first floor, which is let to the centre’s main anchor tenant – Welsh language broadcaster S4C – for its headquarters (corporate, communications, finance, business affairs and legal departments) alongside actuator-operated AA®720 top-hung, open-out window vents.

BDP’s award-winning design was based on the close relationship between the university, prospective tenants of the centre and the wider community. This relationship, or trinity, is reflected in its form – a simple triangle that grows from Carmarthenshire’s soil, a titular reference to Yr Egin – a Welsh play on words referencing energy and birth.

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ON SITE character for each level of the building – a challenge for a facade almost entirely constructed from curtain wall. This challenge was met by the extensive range of Kawneer features, especially the fin capping, which was vital to the characterisation of the different elements of the facade.”

The durability, strength to weight ratio and life cycle benefits of aluminium were key factors in the consideration of Kawneer’s system when specifying the external envelope.

APiC UK senior sales and estimating technician Andrew Finn said: “Working with Kawneer we were able to offer solutions for all the differing project requirements including profiled vertical faced caps with new dies for the 100mm and 150mm profiles to the ground-floor curtain wall which was specified to accommodate the vertical movement of the building.

The layout of the building encourages collaboration, communication and interaction between all users of the building, where initial ideas can be shared and developed – an incubator for the establishment of new companies and a breeding ground for a new generation of creative and technical people.

Externally, the theme of trinity is expressed through the use of differing materials in a tripartite arrangement – a dynamic, reflective volume is seen to float over a solid plinth at ground level and a translucent intermediate layer reinforces the distinction between plinth and reflective object.

The 3,600m2 building is linked to the main campus by a large public square which allows for the staging of a variety of outdoor activities in its stunning Carmarthenshire location between the Pembrokeshire coast and the Brecon Beacons.

On the use of Kawneer’s systems, BDP’s project architect noted: “As most of the façade comprises curtain wall we needed a system that could meet a wide range of performance requirements. We specified Kawneer due to their extensive

“The 100mm, 150mm and 200mm vertical faced caps provide a strong vertical emphasis to the curtain wall. The use of differing sizes and finishes to these are designed to provide a ‘flickering effect”.

range of features which met the functional and aesthetic demands of the project.

“The Kawneer curtain walling had a key role in the project. As a naturally ventilated building it has an active façade that reacts to changing environmental conditions.

The Kawneer system houses the various components that protect the interior from the elements while allowing air to flow through.

“A key element of the building’s aesthetic was to create a distinct

Canolfan S4C Yr Egin was opened by the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, first Minister of Wales, in October 2018 and has since won a RICS Wales award for best commercial building.

RICS judges said the team behind the project – including Mott McDonald, BDP, Rural Office for Architecture, and the University of Wales Trinity St David – had succeeded in designing a scheme that encouraged occupiers to collaborate, network and exchange information and ideas, to innovate and create jobs.

For further information about Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, please visit https://yregin.cymru/

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 65

ON SITE

First Europassive® House Uses

SWISSPACER The town of Gambshelm, Aslace (France) has seen the construction of the world’s first Europassive® house. Europassive® is a new low-energy standard created by architectural and planning firm KMO, based in Bouxwiller, just outside of Strasbourg.

Vincent Kempf, owner of KMO and Europassive® project manager explains that he wanted to develop and focus on existing certified Passivhaus standards.

“We wanted to combine the most demanding energy efficient criteria with the latest innovations.

This applied to all construction aspects of the building, living comfort, as well as ensuring protection of the surrounding environment with a strong visual appearance.”

The Europassive® concept combines ecological responsibility with high profitability and excellent quality. It also emphasises optimised user comfort

and a team of contractors who also embrace these values. KMO prides itself on paying particular attention to high-quality and reliable construction. Building owners can therefore enjoy high energy efficiency, a rapid return on investment and minimal energy, utility and maintenance costs.

The materials used are deployed sparingly and intelligent waste management on the construction site benefits the environment in the long term. Europassive® buildings use wooden construction and contain lots of bio-based materials, such as animal wool for insulation.

In addition to the homes’ technical specification, the designers wanted the people living in them to feel at home. The homeowners wanted a bright, spacious detached house with a living room spread over two floors. The south-facing glass façade ensures a high level of natural daylight enters the building. Thanks

66 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

to its sophistication and excellent design features, the detached home boasts comfortable room temperatures in both winter and summer. The building has already been put through its paces: “Even in the scorching heat of last summer, the internal temperature only rose to 25°C”, reported the owners proudly.

The build was not without its challenges: the specification in the land use plan was complex, as were the plot groundwork conditions and the homeowner’s requirements. The parameters for Passivhaus certification were also strict. It was important for the project to not use traditional heating sources, as the optimally insulated building envelope ensures the heat of the house does not escape outside. The heat that the inhabitants, devices and solar light is enough for pleasant indoor temperatures.

Kempf emphasises: “On any Passivhaus project we work to gain as much heat as possible from sunlight – and to prevent the building overheating in the summer”. The project works to a bioclimatic concept where the

ON SITE construction of the building takes into consideration protecting both the environment and the ecosystem on site. This meant that all tradesmen and contractors involved, including those working on electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and even the timber construction frame company came from the surrounding area.

CMS Raises The Standard

Sustainably At Ferguslie Park

The property is constructed from wood, including the base plate.

The plate sits on 27 metal brackets, which are placed on the load-bearing concrete columns.

This design ensures better insulation of the building in comparison to a reinforced concrete base plate.

Thermal insulation challenges included any cold bridges surrounding the windows and glass façade. The north and east sides of the property have only a few window openings, but the south side is almost completely glazed, allowing for sunlight to come far into the interior during the winter for warmth.

Careful selection of the glazing components was crucial to ensure maximum energy efficiency and thermal comfort. The glass façade consists of triple-glazed insulating glass with a U-value of 0.5 W/m2K and a light transmittance of 61%. In summer, external solar protection prevents overheating of the interior and the ventilation system with heat recovery creates a pleasant indoor climate. Manual ventilation is possible only through the doors – all windows in the property as well as the façade have fixed glazing.

SWISSPACER ULTIMATE warm edge spacer bars are fitted throughout the triple glazing. One of the market-leading spacer bars, ULTIMATE provides an excellent isolated edge composite – with Psi values up to 0.029 W/ mK and a correspondingly low U– value for windows and façades. www.swisspacer.com

Hundreds of homes at Ferguslie Park in Paisley have been upgraded sustainably with high performance PVCu windows and doors manufactured and installed by CMS Window Systems.

The large-scale refurbishment project for Ferguslie Park Housing Association has seen 300 of the landlord’s 803 properties transformed, in an area which – like many of the UK’s economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods – has faced numerous challenges in recent years. A comprehensive strategy driven by Ferguslie Park Housing Association, however, to improve the quality of housing and the community facilities is ensuring that the future is looking bright for its residents.

Awarded the contract through Scotland Excel’s competitive tendering framework, CMS was tasked with replacing windows and doors that had gone beyond the point of economic repair. One of Ferguslie Park HA’s key aims was to ensure properties comply with the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH). This seeks to improve the energy efficiency of social housing in Scotland, helping to reduce energy consumption, fuel poverty and the emission of greenhouse gases.

CMS Window Systems windows installed in Ferguslie Park Housing Association properties, Ferguslie Park, Paisley, Renfrewshire.

The project involved the manufacture and installation of a range of PVCu window types, plus external doors complete with sidescreens, finished with a Rosewood external woodgrain to the exterior and white inside the homes. CMS was also able to meet the brief for enhanced security through its PAS 24 tested and Secured by Design licensed windows and doors, providing tenants with extra peace of mind and helping to reduce crime overall.

In addition to improving the quality of housing stock to deliver immediate benefits to tenants, by choosing CMS as their supply chain partner, Ferguslie Park HA has been able to leverage much broader environmental and social benefits. Firstly, CMS has ensured that all the ‘post-consumer’ waste windows and doors removed during the contract have been recycled, with zero waste going to landfill. And, secondly, by choosing CMS, Ferguslie Park HA is helping to support the local economy and a major regional employer which has one of Scotland’s most comprehensive training and apprenticeship programmes of its kind for young workers. www.cmswindows.com

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 67

MARKETING / INTERNET

GGFi Works Towards

Paperless

With Policy Documents Delivered

Through Secure Link GGFi, the glazing industry’s insurance broker and Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) provider, has further improved its customer service offer with the introduction of a paperless option, with policy documents delivered via email to homeowners following completion of a secure link process.

GGFi Head of Operations, Frank Allain, explains: “These days email and digital communication is the first choice of contact for the majority of homeowners so we have responded accordingly. For policyholders for whom we

have an email address, we offer the option to email their documentation which means they receive the material almost immediately and will always have their policy available – no more paperwork being lost or accidentally thrown away.”

The online function is a secure process for everyone involved and requires the policyholder to validate their email address by clicking on a secure link, following which their policy documents will be emailed to them automatically. Documents will continue to be sent via post should homeowners prefer it.

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GGFi sends out more than 200,000 policies per year and moving to an online model will have a significant, positive environmental effect for the business. Frank Allain continues, “GGFi strives to be as sustainable a business as possible. Moving to an online model provides us with the perfect opportunity to do just that whilst simultaneously improving service levels for our policy holders and customers alike.”

GGF Commercial Group Managing Director, Anda Gregory, “This is a fantastic new initiative for GGFi to implement and one which will prove to be extremely popular for all concerned and further enhances the GGFi position as an industry leader. It’s just one initiative out of many that we have planned throughout 2019 and we are incredibly excited about what we have in store during the next 6 months.”

GGFi Head of Operations, Frank Allain, is available for interview upon request

MARKETING / INTERNET

VEKA Recycling’s Timely New

Website As Plant Build Continues VEKA Recycling Ltd has launched a fresh new website that is in keeping with the continuing construction of what will be Europe’s most advanced PVC-U window and door recycling facility, claims the company.

Using fresh photography and graphics the website describes VEKA Recycling’s role in the reprocessing of virgin offcuts and post-consumer and industrial end-of-life windows and doors and how the company is highly adept at working with fabricators and installers to turn waste products into new. Crucially, through the website VEKA Recycling emphasises just how simple the company makes it for old frames to be recycled, for

on making the new site easy to navigate and, actually, stimulating to use. Facts about the company including its development in the UK and also Germany – VEKA was the first in Europe to create such a facility in 1993 – are displayed in a style that takes the user seamlessly from one page to the next. the increasingly important benefits to the environment of course, but actually as a sound business proposition too.

In keeping with the increased importance of websites as the first impression that new customers may have of a company, a great deal of emphasis has been placed

VEKA Recycling’s Wellingborough plant is scheduled to become fully operational from early 2020. Whilst the plant currently recycles material from over 90,000 windows each month, further stages are being added that will enable the full processing and separation of rubber, metals and other impurities from PVC-U, entirely on site. veka-recycling.co.uk

New Brand, New Brochure

For Entrance

Entrance Composite Door Solutions have just published a new 72-page, perfect bound composite door brochure under their new brand identity and it is designed to entice installers and consumers to specify a better door.

This new brochure was launched at the FIT Show as the business moved into new premises to cope with a strong business performance over the last 18 months. The new publication showcases one of the widest ranges of composite doors in the sector, with both grained and smooth doors featured throughout.

Options include single, dou-

facility of bespoke RAL colour.

For the painted doors, there’s also the promise of a matching painted hinge edge, a unique product feature to Entrance, says the company.

Entrance offer grained doors in their Gemstone and Galaxy collections and with their popularity growing, they offer a range of designs in smooth composite doors in the Elements, Elegance and Edge collections.

ble and stable doors with a full range of side and top light options. With the demand for colour ever increasing, Entrance now boast seven standard colours including 2 woodgrains, thirty-six painted finishes and 6 hand-stained premium woodgrain finishes, along with the

Security also features heavily in the brochure for Entrance, who offer the Ultion cylinder and Winkhaus multi-point lock as standard. Other hardware and glass options are presented in the brochure as is the offer of finger print recognition technology with ekey. www.entranceway.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 69

MARKETING / INTERNET

‘We are able to transform their vision into a formal quote by adding the technical specification such as cills and sizes etc. on the retailer portal to allow us to offer an accurate quote.

Once the customer is happy we are able to submit the order direct to Bowater.’

Gemma Smith, Marketing Manager at Bowater by Birtley is pleased with the feedback, she comments: ‘As a company, we are always looking at ways to streamline our order process so we can remove any barriers when dealing with us. We want to make sure that when a retailer works with Bowater

by Birtley, they can be assured that being ‘easy to do business with’ is at the heart of everything we do.

Bowater Receive High Praise For New Online

The feedback has been great from those currently using the system; it has allowed our customers to offer quick and accurate quotes to their customers, whereas in the past they would have to wait for it to be processed by our team of estimators. Now they are able to give on the spot prices and close the sale efficiently.”

Bowater by Birtley have received praise from existing customers since the launch of their new online door designer.

Kevin Kiernan, National Sales Manager added: “We view these two new systems as a closed sales cycle. Homeowners will design their door on our website and the lead will be passed on to one of our approved retailers, who can then log on and produce a quote quickly and efficiently.

Door Designer Split into two applications, the website version allows homeowners to design their own front door in an easy to follow step by step process. They can then upload a picture of their home to visualise their design. In addition to this they can also enter their postcode to find their nearest retailer and installer.

The second application allows retailers to produce immediate quotes for their customers, allowing them to provide a seamless efficient service. The com-

pany says many of these leads and quote requests will come from the homeowners using the website door builder and consequently there has never been a better time to partner with Bowater by Birtley.

Steve Halliwell, Director at Red Deal Windows in Oldham has seen a positive response from his customers and employees, he comments: ‘The Bowater by Birtley Online Door Builder has really helped us, we have it on our own website so the leads we receive direct from the system gives us a firm understanding of the customers’ requirements before we contact them.

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In addition to this, they can also use it as an in-house sales tool -the website version can be loaded onto an iPad or similar device in their showroom and used as an interactive POS display.” www.bowaterbybirtley.co.uk

MARKETING / INTERNET

Edgetech

Orders Easier Than Ever Thanks

To New E-Commerce System

Emplas Joins Forces With Insight Data

Emplas has become the latest industry-leading brand to partner with Insight Data.

An intuitive new online ordering system is set to make it easier than ever to buy from Edgetech.

Unveiled for the first time at May’s FIT Show, the platform allows IGU manufacturers to quickly and simply pick a product, input quantities, finalise an order and arrange deliveries with the click of a mouse.

The system will even remember a user’s last purchases, making repeat orders a breeze, says Edgetech.

At the FIT Show, key Edgetech customers and others from across the industry were able to try it out, and feedback was very positive, as Managing Director Chris Alderson explains: “At Edgetech, we’ve always striven to put our customers at the centre of everything we do. We want to offer the best products, backed with the best service, and

to make it all as easy as possible for our customers to access.

“The new e-commerce system is designed to help us achieve the third of those objectives – making it simpler than ever for busy IGU manufacturers to place orders, and ensuring we have all the information we need to offer them a fantastic level of service.

“A huge amount of effort has gone on behind the scenes to bring e-commerce online, and I want to thank everyone here at Edgetech who’s worked on the project.

The Wellingborough-based fabricator, which last year celebrated its 40th year in business, will now be taking advantage of Insight Data’s prospect data and market intelligence. In particular, the Emplas team will be using Insight’s Salestracker platform to access the UK fenestration database, providing live information on uPVC and aluminium fabricators and installers across the UK. Jade Greenhow, Operations Director at Insight Data comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with the fantastic team at Emplas. Over its 40 years in business, Emplas has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s most respected fabricators, and it’s a real coup for us to be chosen as their data partner”.

“But that work would count for nothing if our customers didn’t find the finished system easy to use. Thankfully, we had some very encouraging feedback from the people who trialled it on our stand at the FIT Show, and we’re hoping that many now go on to use it on a regular basis!”

John Leary, Sales and Marketing Director at Emplas adds: “Salestracker gives us all the information we need right at our fingertips, allowing us to not only connect with our ideal customer but to exploit the real-time intelligence to help our customers stay ahead of the curve.

After a successful onboarding with Jade and the team, we are incredibly optimistic and look forward to seeing what we can achieve with Salestracker.”

www.edgetechig.co.uk

www.insightdata.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 71

MARKETING / INTERNET isations and client presentations.

BIM is playing an increasingly significant role in the design and delivery of large and complex fenestration projects and installations in the UK. Product information and specification data from the company’s joint sealing tapes, multi-function joint sealing tapes and in-front-ofwall installation systems such as Winframer will be available initially for downloading free as BIM-ready items via www.portal.iso-chemie. eu or an external database.

New 3D BIM Service Launched By ISO CHEMIE

New 3D BIM Service Launched By ISO CHEMIE

It can also be used in CAD software such as ‘Autodesk Revit, while an electronic CAD product catalogue will be available as a supplement to this as more products are at the planning stage.

The new service will facilitate the planning, delivery and management of window and door design and installations using a common data model for all participants. All the relevant building data is digitally recorded, combined and interlinked in a model.

Andy Swift, ISO CHEMIE’s UK national sales manager, said the scope of 3D BIM is expected to expand as the service gains traction among existing and new customers.

He added: “It’s important that clear information is made available to those involved in the fenestration design, specification and supply sectors. Linking this to the 3D visualisation of plans and drawings delivers new levels of accuracy.

New 3D BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology is available from foam tape sealing company ISO CHEMIE.

The move will enable architects and designers to integrate high quality scaled digital information around window and door sealing solutions as part of their 3D visual-

72 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

“If a window needs replacing in the future, it will be clearly identifiable which products were originally used and the affected component connections. Renovation and refurbishment projects can therefore be planned more efficiently and carried out under controlled conditions.” www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home

MARKETING / INTERNET

DNA Home Improvements To Grow With Leads2Trade

waste time on customers who are not serious about investing in a home improvement project.

DNA Home Improvements signed up to the Leads2Trade network in January and have been taking conservatory leads since March.

“We believe there are only a very small number of high-quality lead providers and Leads2Trade have a strong reputation within the home improvement lead generation market.

A home improvements company is looking to grow the conservatory side of its business with lead generation company Leads2Trade.

A 5-star independent local Trusted Trader, DNA was established in 2007 and has successfully grown year on year prior to new investment, thanks to offering value for money, good straight forward advice and professional installation.

Phil Anderson, a Director and one of the new shareholders in the DNA Group, explained: “We knew of Leads2Trade’s reputation as a quality lead provider in a market-place where quality leads can be hard to come by.

Shortly after the business received investment, DNA decided to link up with Leads2Trade.

“It’s key that all enquiries we get as a business are fully GDPR compliant and that we don’t

“We see massive growth in the market being driven by a real desire from customers looking to both increase and remodel their living space.

“Their leads are heavily qualified, and they operate in partnership with customers.”

DNA have not looked back since and are now looking to grow the conservatory side of the business, with Leads2Trade having a big role to play. www.leads2trade.co.uk

Hitting The Ground Running Since joining the Ultraframe Ultra Installer Scheme just over four months ago, Hainault Home Improvements has already sold eight of the leads they’ve received from the scheme – at a whopping total of £240,000!

Hainault Design Consultant Rob Kobylka is naturally thrilled with the quality of the leads and said: “When we joined the Ultra Installer Scheme at the end of January, we would never have imagined that the leads we’d receive would have secured us almost a quarter of a million pounds worth of sales by early June. As the sales figures reflect, the quality of the leads has been extremely high and we’re confident that these are sales that we wouldn’t have got, had we not received the leads via the Ultra Installer Scheme.”

The Ultra Installer Scheme is one of

the longest-established schemes of its type in the industry, offering homeowners the chance to find reputable and approved companies in their area to carry out their home improvement project.

For the elite companies which make up its membership, the benefits of being an Ultra Installer are huge – not least the high-quality consumer leads which are generated via the Ultraframe website.

Commenting about Hainault’s successful start to membership of the Scheme, Ultraframe Marketing Director, Alex Hewitt, said: “It’s fantastic to hear of our Ultra Installers

having such success with the leads we generate, especially a company such as Hainault who only recently joined the scheme and has really hit the ground running! Our marketing team works extremely hard to ensure that the leads generated via our website are of the highest quality and it’s great for us to hear just how successful these leads can be when passed to our members such as Hainault, who are the elite of the industry. We invested in a new consumer-facing website quite recently and have since seen an increase in the number of homeowner leads generated; in fact, they are up 9% year on year and continue to grow in number as do our members. With Brexit uncertainty continuing to affect consumer confidence it’s fantastic to hear that homeowners continue to put their trust in our Ultra Installers when investing in a new conservatory or extension.”

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AWARDS

Glazerite Installers

Recognised At Annual Independent

Network Awards VEKA’s installer support organisation, Independent Network, held its annual Members’ Weekend on 8th June 2019, in the grand surroundings of The Queen’s Hotel in Leeds. Following on from the VEKA conference and AGM, the ‘Great Gatsby’ themed Gala Dinner and IN Awards ceremony was hosted by Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis,

with guests gathering together to celebrate the best of the IN and its members.

As one of the event’s key sponsors and a leading VEKA fabricator, employees from the Glazerite UK Group Ltd were in attendance alongside a number of its installers, who once again triumphed in the National Customer Satisfaction award

74 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

category.

Mews Windows were worthy winners in the ‘up to £250k’ category, while Rugby Double Glazing took the same accolade in the ‘£600k-1m’ category. In the ‘£1-1.5m’ section, Goliath Homeworld Ltd shared the award with Hallmark Windows (Harrogate), while Heavers of Bridport Ltd were victorious in the ‘£1.5m-2m’ category.

Finally, Suffolk-based Frames Conservatories Direct Ltd were crowned winners in the ‘over £2m’ section.

The event also included table donations, a raffle and an auction to raise money for two important charities, the GM Fundraising’s ‘From Russia with Hope’ cycling challenge and We Mind & Kelly Matters, which was set up by Glazerite Group Chairman John Hewitt, in memory of his late daugh-

AWARDS ter Kelly. There was some stiff competition between bidders in the charity auction, thanks to lots which included a holiday apartment package in Spain and a Mo Salah signed Liverpool FC shirt. In total, an incredible £5,500 was raised, to be shared equally among both charities.

John, who founded We Mind & Kelly Matters (www.wemindandkellymatters.co.uk) this year, set up the charity to help raise awareness of mental health and to increase and improve understanding of its impact. He says of IN’s support: “It made me very emotional when Karen Lund of Independent Network told me they were planning to raise funds for our charity at this year’s AGM. The fact they wanted to help us raise money and awareness of mental health has been fantastic and the amount raised is testament to the unbelievable effort put in by all who attended.

“On behalf of We Mind & Kelly Matters and Glazerite, I’d like to say a massive thank you to Independent Network and its members for such a fantastic contribution.”

Michelle Wright, Glazerite’s Group Marketing Manager, adds: “It’s a huge amount for a great charity, which is working hard to break down the stigma attached to mental health.

“As longstanding IN members, Glazerite is also delighted that the event was once again such a great success, and that so many of our installer partners were recognised on the night.

The team always does a great job with the event and I particularly loved how fitting the venue was for the theme this year. It’s always a terrific night out, with some faces you don’t get to see all the time.” www.glazerite.co.uk

Quadruple Award

Win for Certass TA

Certass Trade Association won an incredible four trophies at this year’s Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards. The ceremony at London’s County Hall saw Certass TA take the gongs for Good Governance, Best Marketing Campaign, Best Social Media and the biggest award of the night, Trade Association of the Year.

Jon Vanstone, Chair of Certass TA, said: “We are thrilled with these award wins – which have been made even sweeter by the fact that our trade association is only just one year old.

“The Trade Association Forum is the association of associations. It encourages best practice and promotes excellence in a whole range of industries from hairdressing to engineering and everything in between. The awards are supported

by Government too, making them the most significant for any trade association.

“Having the success of Certass TA recognised by leaders and influencers from other industries as well as government is fantastic.

It proves to us that our approach to addressing the biggest issues facing the glazing industry really is the best.

“We’re committed to levelling the playing field for the local tradesperson, promoting the industry, ensuring a skilled, professional workforce and championing diversity. These awards are a real credit to our members and our team.”

Linda Cavender, CEO of the Trade Association Forum said: “Certass TA has experienced a phenomenal journey in a very short space of time, positioning itself as a solution to a whole host of problems in their industry. Introducing a strategic plan and pledging to provide information and support to help their members manage their businesses effectively…is exactly what today’s association should be doing.

“This approach has ensured that this organisation has become the largest association in their industry with a huge number of members, most of which are clearly engaging with this organisation’s activities on a regular basis. This is all the more remarkable given that this organisation was established just a year ago. Certass TA has become a force to be reckoned with and they are a shining example of just how to go about setting up a new association.” www.certass.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019 75

CHARITY partners and colleagues joined in for the evening event, during which John Hewitt gave a presentation about We Mind & Kelly Matters, and thanked all those who attended for their support and generosity.

Glazerite Golf Day Raises

Over £10,000 For Mental Health Charity Now in its 14th year, the sun shone once again for the Glazerite UK Group’s annual Pro-Am Golf Day. Held on Friday 5th July in the tranquil surroundings of Wellingborough Golf Club, the event was attended by a number of the VEKA fabricator’s customers, suppliers and employees, who travelled from across the UK to take part. In total, over £10,000 was raised for the charity We Mind & Kelly Matters, which was set up

by Glazerite Chairman John Hewitt in memory of his late daughter.

The day teed off just after 9am with the golfers playing right through to late afternoon. 29

Glazerite teams took part in the event – of which seven placed in the top 10 – and D & M Windows & Doors’ Chris Hoolickin won the coveted ‘Nearest the Pin’ at the 18th hole.

Tucker Glass & Glazing took second place alongside golf professional, Mark Sparrow.

Danny Tucker says: “This is the second golf day we’ve attended and it’s a very special event. It gives us the chance to catch up with the team from Glazerite, as well as raise money for a fantastic cause and have fun at the same time.”

Following the golf, the players’

76 WINDOW NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2019

Pete Mew of Mews Windows led the auction, with lots including a motorbike experience at Donington Park, a round of golf for two at The Belfry and a two-week holiday home rental in Spain. Glazerite’s Group Managing Director, Jason Thompson, even bid £500 in exchange for one of Pete’s legendary suits.

Glazerite’s Sales & Marketing Director, Jeff Dunn, says: “The Glazerite Golf Day is always a highlight of the industry’s social calendar. It was great to be a part of it on my first working day at Glazerite last year and this year was just as enjoyable. Thanks to all of those who joined us; the feedback has been fantastic. We’ve already had a number of people expressing their interest for the 15th Pro-Am trophy next year.”

John Hewitt adds: “We owe a massive thank you to the PGA and Wellingborough Golf Club for their support and involvement in organising the day.

You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy the event, as the evening reception is as much a part of it as the golf, with an auction, great food, and live music.

“The generosity from all who attended was amazing, especially when a heavy flow of people started to donate money to We Mind & Kelly Matters during the auction. Donations are still pouring in now. We’re truly grateful for the support of our customers and suppliers.” www.glazerite.co.uk

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