Window News March 2019

Synseal Group Acquired

by Aperture Trading Ltd 4

REHAU Launches Rio Flush Fit Windows 7

New Website For Framexpress 63 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 1

THE MOMENT HAS ARRIVED...

Rio Flush Fit Windows

WINDOWS. REINVENTED FOR MODERN LIFE. Visit REHAU.uk/rio

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CONTENTS WINDOW NEWS

W INDOWNEWS THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

TRADE NEWS 4

NEWS W INDOW PEOPLE 28 INDUSTRY DIRECTORY DEAR GERALD 26

WINDOW

DOORS 34 PRODUCT NEWS 38

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SOFTWARE 50 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

ON-SITE 52

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W INDOWNEW W INDOWNEW W INDOWNEW

THE LATEST INDUSTRY N

THE LATEST INDUSTRY N

THE LATEST INDUSTRY N

MARKETING 60 FIT SHOW NEWS

64

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Cover picture. Aluminium doors and windows from Senior Architectural Systems, read more on page 52 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 3

TRADE NEWS across the many innovative products that will drive its growth.”

“We all know that the fenestration sector is fast changing and will continue to be under challenge in a number of ways: raw material costs, accelerated consolidation across extruders, fabricators and installers, stagnation in some product categories and a significant reduction in consumer confidence. And yet, there is still real opportunity to be found.

CEO, Matthew Mycock

Synseal Group Acquired by Aperture Trading Ltd Aperture Trading Ltd announces it has successfully completed an agreement to purchase the majority of Synseal Group’s trade and assets from administration for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will safeguard more than 1000 jobs, secure supply to 1200 customers and allow the business to focus time and investment on areas which can be grown and create new value.

Benefitting from significant levels of new investment into the venture, Aperture has been established by Synseal’s former majority shareholder together with the Chairman, and with the backing of the senior management team, including CEO Matthew Mycock and Group Sales & Marketing 4 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

Director Andy Jones.

The trade and assets acquired are Synseal Extrusions, Warmcore, PVC-U fabrications including vertical sliders, roof systems, residential doors – now known as Calibre doors – Global Glass and Norvik.

CEO Matthew Mycock comments on the acquisition: “I joined the business in April last year and have since been working hard with the Board to chart a new course through a rapidly changing industry landscape. The formation of Aperture Trading Ltd provides the platform from which to develop a business that is right-sized and fit for the future, and one in which investment can be made

“But to access it, businesses need to decide where their core is and honestly appraise current performance and where the opportunities for improvement lie. That’s why it has been critical to implement these changes and secure investment across the businesses in order to seize this opportunity.

The team is now clear on the way forward. We’re determined that we will create a simpler, more customer focused, and more sustainable business for our customers, colleagues and critical supply chain partners.”

Andy Jones, Group Sales and Marketing Director adds: “Following months of speculation, we trust this announcement will quell any conjecture about our future path.

Customers and the entire supply chain can rest assured that Aperture’s management team are all unswerving in our commitment to the venture, and between us, will bring to market a powerful blend of decades of industry experience, backed with a depth of strategic business acumen from other sectors. We will be sharing more detail about our planned investment into the different parts of the business over coming weeks and months.”

Mat concludes: “I’m really looking forward to spearheading a new organisation that’s fit for the future, and most importantly, fit for the next generation of customers. Our clear message to the market is that we’re here to stay, and we’re here to build a strong business with customers at its heart.”

TRADE NEWS

MyGlazing.com Hits One Million The GGF’s consumer advice website MyGlazing.com has hit a landmark one million page views in just over three years since was set up.

MyGlazing.com was set up in 2016 to help homeowners make a more informed choice when selecting windows, doors and conservatories.

Since then, the site has seen remarkable growth with over 600,000 users exploring products and advice from 24 sectors within the glass and glazing industry.

James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs, who started the site, commented, “MyGlazing.com has been an incredible journey. Its creation came from GGF members who asked for a consumer friendly website because they felt the GGF website was (and still is) a trade focused website. So we set it up and followed a smart search engine optimisation strategy and clear digital marketing plan that included social media, national competitions and adding consumer friendly features.

The site is now attracting almost quarter of a million homeowners each year, looking specifically for independent advice on glass and glazing products and installation.”

Since it started, MyGlazing.com has also added many features including the GGF Energy Savings Calculator that allows homeowners to calculate their fuel and money savings when replacing their windows and doors.

The site is also home to the national completion Window with a View which boasts winning views from windows from high profile venues such as the Liverpool Museum of

Epwin

Window Systems

Announces Investment

In New 300,000 Square

Foot Warehouse

James Lee Director of External Affairs

Art and Tower Bridge. This competition receives wide PR coverage, raising the brand awareness of MyGlazing.com to millions of homeowners each year.

The essence of the site though is its consumer advice with dozens of useful articles, hundreds of product images and over 300 company profiles. The content is packed with high quality advice for homeowners installing glazing. It covers areas such as insurance, deposit protection, the legal issues around certification of replacement windows and doors, resolving disputes with companies, planning guidance and a very useful section Top Ten Tips before you buy.

James Lee concluded, “The site has many features, but one of its most useful is our fully searchable directory of over 300 consumer facing companies. All are GGF Members and follow our approved Consumer Code of Practice, so consumers know that when they are using the MyGlazing.com directory, they will find the best installers in their area. Our plans for 2019 are three-fold, to increase the content on MyGlazing.com, get even more homeowners to the site and ultimately redirect them to GGF Member companies.” www.myglazing.com

Epwin Window Systems, has just announced investment in a new 300,000 square foot distribution centre in Telford, Shropshire. Clare O’Hara, Managing Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We are making a significant investment in a brand new, state-of-theart warehouse and distribution centre which will open in Telford by the end of the year.”

Clare continued: “We are committed to investing for the future and delivering exceptional products and service to the UK market as demand continues to grow. The new warehouse and distribution centre will help us to do that.”

The new facility is just one part of a wider programme of investment for Epwin Window Systems this year. The company is also about to expand its extrusion capacity by more than 40% and increase foiling capacity by a further 30%.

And alongside investment in its facilities, product development continues apace. The countdown to the launch of a new star performer has already begun and the announcement looks set to be the biggest at this year’s FIT Show.

Clare commented: “2019 will be a big year for Epwin Window Systems as we continue to set the standard for investment and innovation in the industry.” www.epwin.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 5

TRADE NEWS consumer confidence, there was a general level of optimism about growing demand for aluminium products, with bi-folding doors continuing to perform strongly in the last year.”

Sliders UK warned last month that call backs on bowed composite doors were costing installers up to thousands each year.

Poll Reveals Composite Door Bowing Call Backs Continue To

Erode Installer Margin A new poll by door specialist Sliders UK has found that composite door call backs are among the key challenges facing installers.

The study completed at the end of last year, asked retailers what they saw as the biggest challenges facing their businesses going into 2019.

It found that retention of skilled labour, cited by 86% of respondents and reliability of supply (81%), were listed as threats to their business in the coming year.

A further 67% said that they believed consumer confidence had been eroded by continuing confusion and the lack of clarity surrounding the UK’s exit from the EU. This aside, those polled said that they believed increased sales of aluminium products would continue, with all of those responding saying that they supplied at least one aluminium bi-folding door system.

6 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

A further 40% said that they had added an aluminium sliding door to their offer in the last year.

While composite door sales were seen universally as a growth area, 78% of respondents said that they had encountered issues in reliability of supply in the last year, with composite door bowing, cited as a problem by the same figure.

Steve Mines, Sales Director, Sliders UK said: “When we spoke to installers we found that everyone saw composite doors as a growth area but there was a real frustration with reliability of supply and bowing.

“We were told that this had been a particular problem with the higher temperatures seen last summer, which had generated a large number of call-backs on composite door installations.

“Going forward, while there remained a level of concern about the continuing impact of Brexit on

Its own offer, the Ultimate Composite Door, launched at the beginning of last year has been designed to address this problem.

Available in 23 classic and contemporary styles, including cottage doors, it uses ‘intelligent timber inserts’, which meet requirements under PAS24 cut-through testing without impacting on the core structural stability of the slab.

This means that the Ultimate Composite door has a maximum guaranteed bowing tolerance of just 3mm compared to the 8mm of some other composite systems.

Available in a choice of Eurocell or Duraflex framing options and a range of 36 premium finishes, with any RAL colour available through Sliders UK’s in house spray painting facility, the Ultimate Evolution also delivers u-values as low as 1.0Wm2.K. “The problems that the industry is now seeing can be traced back to the increased use of timber in composite door manufacture to get slabs through new PAS24 testing”, said Mines.

He continued: “The problem is that timber flexes and bows with changes in temperature and the slightest exposure to moisture.

“The Ultimate Composite door avoids this by using highly engineered LVL timber inserts intelligently in areas of the door vulnerable to cut-through, without compromising on the thermal efficiency or stability of the slab.” www.sliders-uk.com

TRADE NEWS

REHAU Launches Rio Flush Fit Windows

requires minimal extra hardware and stockholding investment by fabricators. .

REHAU says the range offers real competitive advantage for fabricators and installers as it features a wide array of colours, with 10 grained foil options in 20 different combinations to choose from. These include the addition of REHAU’s new and exclusive authentic wood effect foil, Turner Oak – Woodec, along with the addition of a new grey base profile for Slate Grey and Anthracite Grey grained finishes – introduced based on insight into the latest homeowner trends. The product also has the option of featuring the same finish inside the home for a custom look consistent with the interior design.

REHAU will also be promoting the range to homeowners later in 2019 to help generate more opportunity for the trade.

REHAU has unveiled its latest design of uPVC windows, the Rio Flush Fit Window – its most realistic alternative to traditional timber windows.

The REHAU Rio Flush Fit window is designed to create a sleek, flush finish, with windows that blend in with the exterior structure. It offers a realistic timber look and feel with all the benefits of uPVC, no matter what style of property, says the

According to REHAU, the new Rio Flush Fit design is simple to manufacture and fit as it utilises REHAU’s existing TOTAL70 system profiles. Equally, it also boasts severe weather performance credentials along with PAS24 security.

Clare Higgins, Product Manager at REHAU, said: “Flush windows and with mechanical joints are becoming increasingly popular, which is why the new Rio Flush Fit window will transform the market. Not only does it retain the traditional look of original timber windows but it also offers the durability, security, and energy efficiency of a uPVC window, which will benefit installers who are looking for unique flush fit windows for their customers”.

By using the same eurogroove positioning as existing TOTAL70 sashes, production

For more information about the Rio Flush Fit window by REHAU, visit www.rehau.uk/rio

company.

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 7

TRADE NEWS

inflation. Net profit increased to €15.6m (€13.8m in 2017). Strategic projects including the new recycling plant, new product developments, initiatives to further strengthen the brand and the roll out of SAP are on track.

In the report Francis Van Eeckhout, Deceuninck CEO says: “2018 was a good year for Deceuninck with Adjusted EBITDA increasing to €72.4m, the highest level in a decade. The year also confirmed the value of our balanced geographical spread.

Confronted with challenging market conditions in Turkey we managed to offset this with strong growth in North America and in the Emerging Markets. I am also pleased with our new recycling capability in Belgium, which confirms the ecological ambition of both Deceuninck and our customers.”

Rob McGlennon, Deceuninck UK Managing Director

Deceuninck Reports Strongest Financial Performance In A Decade Deceuninck, one of the world’s leading PVC-U window and door systems companies, has released its 2018 annual report, announcing the highest financial performance in a decade.

A difficult market in Turkey was balanced by strong growth in North America and emerging markets. Deceuninck is in the top three systems companies in most major world markets, and is a leader in innovation, sustainability, colour and design, claims the company.

Full year 2018 group sales fell 1.9% to €674.2 million (€687.2 million in 2017) as solid sales 8 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

growth in North America and the Emerging Markets has been offset by lower volumes in Turkey due to challenging market conditions in the second half. Sales in Europe remained stable however, with different dynamics in different markets.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to €72.4m (€68.1m in 2017).

Adjusted EBITDA Margin increased to 10.7% on sales (9.9% in 2017) driven by operational efficiencies resulting from process improvements and investments in equipment and infrastructure. Price increases compensated for higher raw material prices, devaluation and

Deceuninck UK Managing Director, Rob McGlennon, adds: “These are great results, and I’m pleased to say that continued strong growth from the UK not only contributed positively to sales and profits, but consistent year on year growth has moved us up the group rankings so that the UK is overtaking some core countries. January sales were up 12% year-on-year in the UK. This follows a record-breaking 2018 which finished 21% up on the previous year. February sales to date are 25% ahead of February 2018. We are going like a train!

“We’re expecting further strong growth in 2019 on the back of innovative product launches and the development of existing initiatives and strategy,” Rob confirms.

To find out how Deceuninck can help you grow your business call 01249 816 969. Follow @ DeceuninckUK. See the full annual report online at www.deceuninck.com/investors

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TRADE NEWS

The latest monthly figures dropped badly, with December’s all-work series falling 2.8% compared to November. That’s the biggest one-month drop since June 2012’s 4.3% plummet.

Looking back to 2017’s numbers, we’re seeing growth of 0.7% in construction over the last year. Again, that’s the lowest year-on-year growth rate since 2012, when output dropped by 6.9%.

Needless to say, these aren’t great numbers – and there are likely to be some knock-on effects for the industry to deal with. A general unease over awarding new projects would be pretty understandable, for one thing.

A nervous atmosphere in the industry is exactly the kind of breeding ground that leads to stalled or abandoned projects – particularly when there’s the fear of rising costs to factor in.

Bradley Post

GPD Decline Hitting UK Construction Overall But House

Building Holds Steady

According to recent figures, the UK economy’s been grinding its gears hard lately – and now it’s actually slipped into reverse. The Office for National Statistics is reporting that growth in Gross Domestic Product (the value of all the country’s goods and services produced) shrank 0.4% in a month. In fact the 2018 figures show that growth in the UK economy has now hit its lowest point since 2012. With an uncertain Brexit just weeks away and a skills shortfall crisis to contend with, these are uncomfortable numbers for the British construction industry.

Overall, ONS figures for the building trade show: Total construction output went town by 0.3% in the last 3 months of 2018, after having risen by 2.1% for the quarter before. The drop was mostly down to maintenance and repair output, which fell 2.8%.

The maintenance and repair drop came down to decreases of 4% in figures for private housing output and 2.9% in non-housing.

The blow was cushioned a bit by a 1.1% rise in overall new work. You can thank rises of 1.9% in infrastructure and 1.4% in private commercial work for that.

10 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

Work opportunities tend to dwindle down, and the looming threat of layoffs feeds into a broader perception of construction as a field weak on opportunity and prospects. With an ageing workforce and a skills shortfall, people are just leaving the industry and not coming back.

Construction thrives on innovation, and is learning fast how to pull in talent from other fields. The other side to that, obviously, is that people with transferable skills will simply transfer themselves back out when the going gets too uneven.

If it all sounds like bad news, there are at least a few glimmers of silver between the clouds. New housebuilding projects are still looking relatively sturdy, for one thing. In fact, the 3rd quarter of 2018 actually saw a leap of 14% in private housing starts.

Investment in new dwellings has been steadily on the rise for a while now, with a 0.8% boost coming in that same period. It helps that the government’s been pitching in a bit here, of course, extending its Help to Buy loan scheme until 2023. Total new work in housing had actually grown by 9.9% from January-November 2018, but the December drop brought it crashing back down to 5.1%. *Bradley Post is the Manager Director at RIFT Tax Refunds, the UK’s leading tax rebate and tax return experts. RIFT have been in the business of claiming back overpaid tax since 1999 and are the only company in the tax industry to be awarded ServiceMark by the Institute of Customer Service. RIFT specialise in claiming tax refunds for those who work in construction, the security and offshore industry as well as former and serving members of the Armed Forces. www.riftrefunds.co.uk By Bradley Post*

TRADE NEWS

UAP Signs Exclusive

Global Deal

It’s All There –

Panoramic Group Launches Biggest

Showroom Yet,

At Kettering Fast-growing Panoramic Group has launched its biggest and most product-packed showroom with the opening of the extended and fully refitted unit in Kettering, Northants.

(L-R) Dedlok developer, Tony Simpson; UAP chief financial officer, Bonnie Hodson; UAP CEO, David Jennings and Dedlok developer, John Creber

UAP Limited has signed an exclusive global licence deal for Dedlok, a revolutionary high-security multi-point locking system designed to combat break-ins. ‘Blowtorch burglars’ are those using a blowtorch to gain access through uPVC doors – would be defeated by Dedlok, claims the company.

The European Patent pending locking system was developed in the UK by Tony Simpson and John Creber. The duo were inspired by a spate of blowtorch burglaries local to Tony’s daughter. Tony wanted to create a more secure way to protect his daughter’s home and, ultimately, every household in the country.

John Creber, one of two developers of the Dedlok system, said: “Dedlok is a fantastic system to add security on the doorstep and

it is incredible to have it licensed to a company of UAP’s size and reputation.”

David Jennings, CEO of UAP, said: “Dedlok is an incredibly effective solution that could revolutionise the way the industry locks doors.

Our customers will benefit from a cost-effective locking solution; we can develop the system to offer a genuine retrofit for existing locks in the market. Dedlok can also be made into electronic solution and will be central to our electronic lock development strategy.”

The new facility not only showcases the most comprehensive collection of the ever-expanding Panoramic range but also many variants and style options to give both trade customers and homeowners the best experience of what the Group has to offer.

The new showroom is now one of nine run by Panoramic and its trading partners covering the whole of the UK but, as Group Managing Director Michael Connor explained, such a fast-growing product range needs ever more space to show them all fully at their best.

To find out more please contact the hardware specialist on 0161 796 7268.

“With recent acquisitions such as Welglaze PVC-U windows and doors and the former Alumen aluminium patio doors and windows, as well as our new IGU manufacturing division, we really have one of the widest ranges available,” he said. “Kettering is our expansion and renovation of the original Alumen unit, but customers will find products from all around the group showcased there”.

www.uapcorporate.com

www.panoramicdoors.co.uk

Dedlok, will complement UAP’s Fullex locking systems.

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 11

TRADE NEWS

Kevin Buckley

“Be Prepared” GGF Sends Message Over Potential No Deal Brexit Having represented the industry at a recent Government meeting on a potential no deal Brexit, Kevin Buckley, GGF Group Chief Executive has issued a reflective statement with advice to all companies in the industry, should the UK leave the EU on 31 March, with no withdrawal agreement.

Although a no deal Brexit is supposed to be a low probability (with the worst case being a backstop), there seems to be no end to the frantic coverage on that very scenario becoming a reality.

A few weeks ago at the Construction Leaders Council Forum regarding the possibility of a no deal Brexit, it is worth sharing some potential implications should a no deal Brexit be the eventual out12 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

come.

Key points: Industry standards These will continue “as-is” EU standards may be rebranded as UK standards. However, the reverse is not true. After a no-deal Brexit, anyone putting products on the market that have to comply with CPR ongoing testing and will have to undertake any retesting with an EU accredited body (not in the UK).

Importing and VAT If you import from the EU, you will have to pay VAT at the point of entry to get access to your goods. There is a HMRC guide-

lines document about this which you can find here: www.gov.uk/ government/publications/partnership-pack-preparing-for-a-nodeal-eu-exit Port processes will be more complicated – so prepare for delays to your imports and exports From day one of a potential no deal Brexit, imports and exports will be regulated by existing World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements – it is advisable to be ready for this in advance! In the case of a no-deal Brexit, it is highly unlikely there will be any alternative import deals that are more favourable to the UK If you export, be aware that each country in the EU generally has slightly different import regimes.

It is advisable to be prepared for different importing rules for different countries in the event of a no deal Brexit.

Immigration A recent white paper on immigraContinued on Page 13

Are You Ready?

smartready.com

TRADE NEWS Continued on Page 13

tion could affect your business should there be a no deal Brexit.

The criteria of this white paper appear to be; If an immigrant has been here 5yrs+ then he/she is eligible to stay, work, receive benefits and pension rights A skilled or semi-skilled immigrant employee will be allowed to continue working in the UK providing they have an employer who will act as a sponsor. (This could be subject to a salary threshold) There will be no limit to the number of workers in this category An unskilled immigrant employee, you can work here for a maximum of 12 months, with a 12 month cooling-off period between visits Immigrant would be unlikely to access the benefits system Please note all of the above may change as this is only a white paper at present.

Above all, the message from Government and from the GGF is; be prepared. There can be no doubt that things could become somewhat chaotic on day one and for some months afterwards in the event of a no-deal Brexit on 31 March 2019. Though many believe that eventually EU/UK business drivers will come into play. The GGF concern is that, for some of our Members who are in the SME category, those months of disruption could create some business specific issues around cash flow, supply of goods and completion of work.

The GGF will continue in discussions with Government on Brexit and will inform its Members first on any significant events. ggf.org.uk/ggf-members-first-brexit-news 14 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

Stoke-On-Trent Window

Company Secures Over £250K

In Commercial Contracts A Staffordshire window company has secured over £250k of commercial contracts in just two months.

Target Windows, based in Stokeon-Trent, said the work will include five new build sites for Birmingham City Council, totalling over £80k.

Director Guy Basnett said: “We are working closely with the main contractor to fit our windows and doors on several sites across Birmingham where the council is building affordable homes.

“Our Profile 22 Optima Range has been vigorously tested to ensure it meets Birmingham City Council’s high standards and is now fully accredited.”

The firm’s largest area of growth since 2008 has been in the commercial sector. Mr Basnett added: “This is because we sit down with contractors prior to the start of a project and advise on what products would fit best and where.

“We now have a large bank of commercial clients coming to us in the design stages of a project, such as a large care home, and asking us queries like which glass is best for an acoustic value they

have to reach, and we provide solutions to the problem.

“Large contractors now trust us, as they have seen the quality not only from the windows and doors we fit but also the back-up given to them to achieve their goals.”

Mr Basnett said the firm will be working on several new-build property types including bungalows, houses and apartments across sites all over Birmingham.

These orders have helped the company to secure employment for the current team, as well as us taking on an additional member of staff; Ian Foreman, who has joined as a surveyor to cope with the demand.

Mr Basnett said Target Windows is also continuing to grow its retail offering, with the introduction of a new composite door range called the Imperial Collection. He added: “All these doors are named after recipients of the Victoria Cross, with one being named the Burslem after Nathaniel Burslem whose family originated from Stoke-onTrent. Each story behind the name is very inspiring.” www.targetwindows.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Sentry Doors Partners

With Cairngorm Capital To Accelerate Growth Strategy

Sentry Doors Holdings Limited (Sentry Doors) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP (Cairngorm Capital), to accelerate its growth and consolidate its position as the industry leader in the timber fire and security door-set market.

Cairngorm Capital is a specialist private investment firm that provides capital, strategic advice and operational best practice to ambitious UK companies to help them transform the growth potential of their companies.

Established in 1989, Sentry Doors is a specialist manufacturer of timber fire and security door-sets for the social housing, public sector, commercial and residential markets. Operating nationally from a 32,000 square foot facility in Doncaster, Sentry Doors has established a strong reputation for manufacturing products that meet the most rigorous quality and fire certification standards. Its commitment to regulatory compliance and high manufacturing standards has resulted in independent third party accreditations from BWF Certifier re and BM Trada Q-Mark.

As an expert provider of fire and security door-sets to the social housing sector, Sentry Doors works to ensure that its prod-

ucts exceed the highest levels of compliance and as such, is at the forefront of the industry’s support for regulatory change. This partnership will enable Sentry Doors to respond to the surge in demand for its products, driven by the increased focus on regulatory compliance and the significant retro fitting programmes. It plans to support its customers by increasing its manufacturing capacity, scaling production and improving geographic distribution.

The partnership was prompted by the decision of Founder and Managing Director, Gordon Yates and his wife, Carolyn, to be less involved in the day-to-day running of the business. Gordon will remain in the business in an advisory capacity. Ty Aziz, Sentry Doors’ long standing General Manager and Gordon’s deputy, is promoted to Managing Director. He will be supported by a strengthened board led by Jon Gatfield, who joins as Executive Chairman. Jon has considerable experience in manufacturing and logistics, including senior interim roles at Customade Group and National Timber Group.

Gordon Yates, Founder and Managing Director said, “I’m delighted that Sentry Doors and Cairngorm Capital will be working together, as our sector is on the cusp of con-

siderable change. Although I am beginning to think about retirement, it was really important to find the right partner who had the vision and ambition to guide Sentry Doors to fulfil its potential. I wanted an investor who would be a good custodian of Sentry Doors in the future and who would provide opportunities for our exceptional employees. Cairngorm Capital has a really strong track record in accomplishing this so I am confident that Sentry Doors will go from strength to strength.”

Jon Gatfield, Executive Chairman said, “I’m delighted to be invited to Chair a strong business with significant opportunities for transformational growth. In particular, I am looking forward to working closely with Ty and the rest of the management team as we build on the great company that Gordon, Carolyn and the team have created.”

This transaction was led by Stuart Whiteford, Investment Director at Cairngorm Capital, who added, “Sentry Doors is one of the most knowledgeable and trusted names in the industry, with all of the attributes that are important to us when we partner with a business – a compelling product range, deep technical know-how and exceptional customer service. We are particularly interested in firms that are technically focused, experts in their field, add value to their customers and possess strong growth prospects. We are delighted to support Sentry Doors in its next stage of growth.”

Cairngorm Capital was advised on this transaction by PwC ( financial and tax), CiL (commercial), Addleshaw Goddard (legal) Vail Williams (property) and JLT Group (insurance). Sentry Doors’ shareholders were advised by BCMS ( financial), Smith Craven ( financial) and Mills & Reeve (legal). www.sentrydoors.co.uk www.cairngormcapital.com WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 15

TRADE NEWS

Profitable Business

Growth With Aluminium

Deliver Everything Aluminium with absolute certainty for profitable business growth – that’s what AluFoldDirect installers have been doing to take advantage of the buoyant domestic aluminium market.

Craig Miller, Managing Director at AluFoldDirect explains: “Over the last four years, we have watched as so many of our customers have

grown their installation businesses profitably by taking their piece of the aluminium market.

“Through talking with customers, we knew that some of them saw taking the step from fitting uPVC to aluminium glazing as a challenge.

But they knew that it would give them the chance to take full advantage of today’s domestic glazing market, benefit from better profit

Quickslide Bolsters Sales Team

margins and grow.

“By delivering a series of innovations to help these installers make that step, we have enabled them to become professional installers of aluminium, who fit the Everything Aluminium range right first time.”

AluFoldDirect’s innovations for installers include the Aluminium Glazing Installer Academy, which offers free hands-on training for customers and Aluminium Glazing Projects – the free project management support service that helps installers win and complete larger jobs, like commercial work or domestic developments. This is on top of the extensive Everything Aluminium range which is delivered in 1 week unglazed, 2 weeks glazed, right first time, every time.

Craig adds: “As the uPVC market has matured, more and more installers have been looking at other ways to achieve profitable growth and aluminium is the way forward. With our innovations, we can give them the confidence to deliver Everything Aluminium, with absolute certainty for profitable business growth.”

Wilson – who previously worked at Quickslide in the customer services department – returns to the fold as a Sales Account Manager. Sales Account Managers Stephen Kelsey and Joshua Boyes, both of whom also have previous industry experience, complete the new team line-up.

Tom Swallow, Sales and Marketing Director, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome the new members of our sales team, and I’m especially pleased to see Tracy again as she re-joins the Quickslide family. Tracy used to manage our customer services department, so she’s perfectly placed and understands things from the post-sale point of view as well, which helps massively.

Quickslide has announced the addition of four new sales team members, which the manufacturer says will further improve the service and support it offers to its trade partners.

Trevor Copley, who brings with him previous experience of working within the window fabrication industry, joins as an Order Processor, while Tracy 16 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

“All four have a really positive attitude, are committed to the customer experience and understand the importance of continuous improvement. Their combined industry experience is also a distinct advantage. Stephen, for instance, started manufacturing windows at the age of 16 and worked his way up from there, so he’s always lived and breathed this industry.” www.quickslide.co.uk

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Email: sales@madefortrade.co Call: 01642 610799 | Fax: 01642 671026 www.madefortrade.co

STAND K10 korniche.co.uk/fitshow

TRADE NEWS

Senior Increases Capacity As The Trade ‘Ask For Ali’ Senior Architectural Systems has plenty in store for its trade customers after making some big improvements across its UK manufacturing and distribution centres.

and short lead times. With an additional distribution centre in Scotland, Senior’s nationwide service has been further supported with the recent modernisation of its delivery fleet.

The aluminium fenestration systems manufacturer has added valuable space to its factories in both South Yorkshire and Wales to ensure that it can continue to satisfy the growing demand for its aluminium doors, windows and curtain walling systems.

Senior has also invested heavily in its product offering, developing new systems so that customers working in both the commercial and residential markets can benefit from Senior’s reliable ‘one stop shop’ service. New additions to the range include the new PURe® Commercial Door system, with the Ali FOLD aluminium door and Ali VU aluminium window systems also continuing to generate new business with customers working on domestic contacts. The popularity of Senior’s established products such as the low U-value PURe® aluminium windows systems and slim profile SF52 curtain walling system has also ensured that the

As part of the company’s continuous improvement of its in-house warehouse and manufacturing facilities, Senior has extended its existing storage space in Newport and installed additional racking at its Denaby HQ. By increasing capacity to hold even more products in stock, Senior is well placed to offer its trade customer base reliable deliveries 18 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

company remains the first choice for many working in the commercial sector, leading to both new and repeat business with trade installers, main contractors and architects alike.

Commenting, Senior Architectural Systems’ sales director James Keeling-Heane said: “Our motto has always been to give our customers what they want, when they want it, and it’s never been more important to follow through on this pledge and provide a service that our customers can rely on.

The political climate and current market conditions may be unsettled but for our part, we are keeping focused on what we do best and that is developing high quality aluminium fenestration systems that are a pleasure to work with. We understand the pressures that our trade customers face to get jobs completed on time and to a high standard and by investing in our in-house facilities, we can support them every step of the way.” seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Soaring Slide And Lift-Slide Patio Door Sales For CDW Systems

CDW Systems, the Gloucester-based trade and commercial fabricator, has seen sales of their popular aluminium slide and liftslide patio door grow by an astonishing 46 per-cent on the previous year.

The door set in question is the Reynaers CP130 slide and lift-slide system, a product renowned for its high-performance and great ver-

satility being compatible with the recently introduced CS77 entrance door series. With such tremendous demand, CDW’s Sales Director, Martin Rowe predicts the slide and lift-slide could be a real growth area for businesses over the coming 12 months: “The response we’ve seen so far for the Reynaers system has been nothing short of overwhelming,”

The Window Company

(Contracts) Expands Again The G-18 window and door Installer of the Year has extended its premises yet again to keep pace with its continuing expansion.

The Window Company (Contracts) has now more than trebled the size of its Chelmsford facility since it first won the Installer of the Year title back in November 2014.

The latest office extension will accommodate a growing contracts management team, who are responsible for commercial installation projects across London and

the South East.

Chairman David Thornton said: “We built our reputation in the social housing sector but increasingly we’re winning contracts in education, health and commercial new builds. In response to that,

Martin explains. “This truly remarkable growth just goes to show the incredible appetite out there for this fantastic product, and why we firmly believe it will be one of the big products for businesses in 2019 and beyond.

“It further demonstrates the valuable opportunities still out there for businesses, even in such uncertain and turbulent times. Of course, Brexit will lead many to stick their heads in the sand, but we would recommend they look closely at this incredible demand. We don’t see it slowing down any time soon, and it could mean businesses which choose to stand still are leaving an open goal for their competitors.”

The Reynaers CP130 is a robust and highly-insulated slide and lift-slide system, designed to accommodate a vent weight of up to 300kg. This allows installers to offer large, yet stable sliding doors to create wide apertures and real statement pieces. Available with a variety of thresholds and an aesthetic slimline interlock section, the CP130 presents a highly-desirable and incredibly versatile solution that suits any residential project. www.cdwsystems.co.uk we’re making all the investments we need in our people and our premises to make sure we have the capacity to maintain the same outstanding levels of efficiency and customer service.

The Window Company (Contracts) installs around 600 windows per week in PVC-U, aluminium and timber. Because it is entirely independent of any single supplier, it routinely advises clients on the most appropriate material or system for every project and its contracts team focuses on delivering an efficient, high quality installation every single time.

More details are on the website at: www.thewinco.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 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

FENSA First TV Ad Helps Homeowners Choose

Professional Window

And Door Installers

FENSA, the UK’s original and arguably most wellknown certification scheme for the installation of replacement windows and doors, is launching its first ever TV ad to make homeowners aware of the importance of choosing a FENSA Approved Installation company so they can get a FENSA certificate when the job’s done.

This is the first such campaign of its kind to hit the UK’s home improvement market. The TV ad launches on 5th March 2019 and will continue until the end of this year, broadcasting one simple and direct message: ‘Remember to ask for a FENSA certificate’ Supporting the TV ad there will be extensive social media presence, online programmatic advertising, and a TV sponsorship package.

The TV ad highlights to homeowners the importance of appointing a FENSA Approved Installer to ensure their replacement windows and doors comply with building regulations, are energy efficient, and registered with their Local Council. When the work’s complete, homeowners will receive a FENSA certificate as ‘all the proof they need of a job done right’.

The advertisement will be shown across the UK on a range of carefully targeted TV channels that will provide more than 190 million ‘impacts’, the number of unique viewings.

Anda Gregory, Managing Director of FENSA, says the campaign has the clear objective of increasing awareness of the FENSA brand. It will do this by reminding homeowners who need windows or doors replaced that only by appointing a FENSA Approved Installer will they receive a FENSA certificate when the work is complete. “As a result,” she explained, “this will drive homeowners to actively seek out FENSA Approved Installers to ensure the work is completed satisfactorily in addition to complying with building regulations.”

The campaign will also increase the number of compliant installations, says Chris Beedel, Director of Membership at FENSA: “FENSA Approved Installers carry out nearly 600,000 window and door installations annually, representing about 80% of all installations carried out under competent person schemes. But that still leaves a significant number of installations for which no certification, customer 22 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

assurance or consumer protection is provided. These homeowners must be protected and this campaign will ensure that many more will understand the risks of not appointing a FENSA Approved Installer to carry out the work.”

“Implicit within the campaign is that for the homeowner to obtain a FENSA certificate, their windows and doors must be fitted by FENSA Approved Installers.”

The messages delivered by the TV, digital and social media campaigns will also be reinforced to the industry through trade media, PR, events such as the FIT Show, regional roadshows and presentations. An improved website, homeowner marketing packs and point-of-sale material for installers will also be available to supplement the campaign and help FENSA Approved Installers prove their professionalism.

The ‘All the proof you need’ campaign using the familiar yellow sticky notes is the first major outcome of a Strategic Business Review undertaken by FENSA and led by Anda Gregory following her appointment early in 2018. A five year strategy will also see improvements to processes, systems and infrastructure at FENSA including a significant increase in staffing, a focus on providing excellent customer service both to consumers and Approved Installers aided by sophisticated IT and telephone systems, and the creation of new business partnerships, such as a consumer finance partner, aimed at supporting installers.

“We are committed to making FENSA work better for its Approved Installers and, through them, to improve industry standards and reputations,” said Anda.

“Extensive market research and attentive listening to homeowners and our installers is resulting in a FENSA that is now far more than a self-certification scheme.”

Further information about FENSA and the FENSA TV campaign, developed in partnership with brand strategy and communications agency CMDi, can be found at www.fensa.org.uk

TRADE NEWS

Deceuninck Quadruples PVC

Recycling Capacity To 45,000 Tonnes Per Year Deceuninck Group has announced it has put a new recycling facility into service at its recycling and compounding site in Diksmuide, Belgium.

The brand new high-tech recycling line will allow Deceuninck to recycle up to 45,000 tonnes of PVC-U a year. Input material will be sourced from post-industrial waste collection (own scrap and customers off-cuts), as well as from the huge amount of 30-40 year old first generation PVC-U windows which are gradually being replaced.

aluminium profiles. During the lifetime of the windows as well as during production and end-of-life recycling, the energy consumption and CO2 emission of PVC-U windows is less than half of its aluminium counterparts. Thanks to the high recyclability of PVC-U, it can be reused almost endlessly without loss of quality. On top of this, according to estimations by VinylPlus (https://vinylplus.eu/), for each kg of PVC-U recycled, 2 kg of CO2 is saved. Finally, the Deceuninck recycling facility will save more than 2 million windows per year from landfill or incineration.

This investment confirms Deceuninck’s belief in PVC-U as a sustainable and future-proof material for the building industry.

The company says thanks to its low thermal conductivity, PVC-U window profiles have three times the heat insulation efficiency of

The installation includes the latest technology which will enable Deceuninck to recycle PVC-U profiles of all colours and of all different compositions, including those containing glass-fibre. During the recycling process, all contaminations are removed, grinded and

sorted by colour. After granulation, the recycled material, which is a perfect alternative to virgin material, is used for the extrusion of new PVC-U window profiles.

Francis Van Eeckhout, Deceuninck CEO says: “This investment underlines the ecological ambition of both Deceuninck and our customers. The increasing use of recycled materials will further reduce the ecological footprint of our products and of our production processes. It will also reduce dependency on virgin material supply and mitigate to a certain extent the negative effect of fluctuating raw material prices.”

Rob McGlennon, Deceuninck UK Managing Director says: “It’s important for us to close the loop and make our processes as sustainable as possible. Deceuninck’s new recycling plant, close to our worldwide headquarters in Belgium demonstrates this commitment to sustainability.”

Call 01249 816969 or www.deceuninck.co.uk.

Follow @DeceuninckUK. https://vinylplus.eu WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 23

TRADE NEWS

Rapierstar Inside Rapierstar’s bonded warehouse in Cheshire

Looks Ahead To Sustained Growth In 2019 Window and door fastener specialist suppliers Rapierstar are looking ahead to another year of sustained growth in 2019 as they forge ahead with plans to extend the technical and development facilities at their Cheshire Headquarters.

In the past 12 months, the company has experienced strong growth with year-on-year sales up by 18%, driven by organic growth, new fastener supply deals with a number of leading industry manufacturers and a continued focus on supply chain reliability and high quality products.

24 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

Underpinning Rapierstar’s growth during 2018 was its largest ever investment in stockholding, with over £3m+ worth of window fasteners taking its total stockholding at its Cheshire bonded warehousing to more than one billion screws!

The company also invested in technology to reduce its carbon footprint and upgraded its systems to achieve the latest ISO 9001: 2015 certification.

David Furness, MD of Rapierstar, said: “Window and door manufacturing would quickly grind to a halt without a reliable supply of fasteners, which is why we work hard to be the

best in class on order delivery, providing the right fasteners to customers when they need them. Our performance in 2018 was a testament to the hard work of the whole team, a year in which we achieved our first £1m+ turnover month in September, and reached a market-leading on time in full delivery rate of 99.5%, reflecting the efficiency of our systems and processes.”

“This year won’t be without its challenges, of course, most notably the continued uncertainly around Brexit, global market conditions and China’s changing environmental policies. However, we will continue to work closely with our manufacturing and logistics partners to mitigate the effects of global issues and ensure we maintain our market-leading customer service.”

Find out more at www.rapierstar.com

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STAND K10 korniche.co.uk/fitshow

DEAR GERALD

Dear

Gerald Dear Gerald I write with increasing concern that despite The Department of Health, Estate and Facilities Alert EFA/2013/002 being more than five years old, we still see specifications for window restrictors coming through with nothing more than the BS Standard.

BS EN 13126-5:2011, the test for window restrictors, was singled out as inadequate by DoH for two issues. Firstly, testing to 500N is inadequate in preventing a determined effort to force a window open beyond the 100mm restriction. And secondly, that locked restrictors can be opened with commonly available flat bladed instruments as well as the ‘key’ provided.

The function of the Department of Health, Estate and Facilities Alert (EFA) is to communicate safety and potential risks in the healthcare environment.

We believe that the message hasn’t got through to the estate and facilities managers and that they are unwittingly not using the latest guidelines.

It is especially important where there are at risk patients, specifically in mental health facilities and where patients may be in a confused mental state.

To combat the first issue, while the EFA doesn’t define what is substantial or robust, it singled out that BS EN 13126-5:2011 which tests forced opening to a maximum of 500N, was inadequate.

26 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

The EFA recommends the potential use of a second window restrictor. To assist estate and facilities managers, we retested our products and confirm that when our keyed window restrictor is used in tandem with our non-keyed fixed version, a maximum holding force of 5250N is achieved, substantially more than what is required in the standard. We would also expect that the addition of our fixed restrictor would substantially boost the maximum holding force of our competitor’s product. We have further tested our keyed window restrictors, which showed a maximum holding force of 1907N and our non-keyed window restrictor 2641N. The second problem of keyed restrictors opening with common flat bladed instruments such as a knife or screwdriver, which break the locking mechanism; we have addressed in two ways. Our key is designed with three teeth, which means it cannot be opened using another instrument, and if for any reason the lock fails – it will fail in the locked position. Which means for new facilities, or where new windows are being installed, there is a single solution that has been tested to adhere to the higher demands.

It’s time to get the message out. Thousands of restrictors installed in health facilities may not be giving the level of security required and could be falling foul of their duty to keep patients safe.

Yours sincerely,

Toby Staff Managing Director of Newstar Door Controls

DEAR GERALD

Dear Gerald Burglars using blow torches to gain entry through people’s front doors has made national news over the last week, with articles in the Daily Mail, The Sun and The Mirror. We have received many enquiries from concerned homeowners through social media channels about their safety.

The latest crime statistics also make for grim reading with robberies up 17% and the chances of being involved in a crime are now 1 in 5. The number of serving police officers has also fallen by over 20,000 in the last 8 years and so this latest means of forced entry is particularly alarming, as there are fewer policemen on the beat.

Ultion is proven to withstand attacks from blowtorches. A blowtorch cannot come close to melting Ultion’s molybdenum core. In a recent test Ultion withstood the blowtorch attack and kept the door locked and fully secure, despite the door and handle being completely destroyed.

The cylinders fitted by door manufacturers are being replaced by locksmiths en masse with Ultion and in many cases they are offering the new security handle Lock Lock as the ultimate deterrent. Ultion and Lock Lock are the ‘must-sells’ for 2019.

With security the number one key factor in new entrance door sales, top security locks and handles need to be fitted as standard.

Yours sincerely, Nick Dutton CEO Brisant Secure

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.

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 27

PEOPLE Throughout her career, West has picked up a number of accolades including the 2018 Exhibition News Award for ‘Best Trade Show Marketing Campaign’ for FIT Show. Speaking about her new role as MD, Nickie West said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead Montgomery’s brand new Design and Build division. There is already a large amount of synergy between the current brands. It makes complete sense to maximise the benefits of a shared audience, creating one portfolio for events within the home improvements, built environment and materials sector.

Nickie West

Montgomery Appoints MD to New Design And Build Division

Global events company, Montgomery has announced the launch of a brand new Design and Build division, appointing FIT Show event director Nickie West to head it up.

West will spearhead a portfolio which includes FIT Show, W Exhibition and Montgomery’s 50% of Surface Design Show.

Part of her remit as Managing Director will be to grow the business through expansion and acquisition, increasing Montgomery’s offering within the home improvement, built environment and materials sectors.

Montgomery purchased 80% of FIT Show in January 2017, taking West as part of the deal to continue as event director. Reporting directly to Montgomery MD Damion Angus, West will keep the existing show teams in place to ensure consistency and retain knowledge.

West’s appointment as MD for Montgomery Design and Build 28 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

will allow the group to benefit from her extensive expertise within this sector, amassed over her 20-year career. The role also sees her return to the place her career started, having originally worked for Montgomery.

Speaking about the appointment, Montgomery Group Managing Director Damion Angus said: “We’re excited to announce not only the launch of our new Montgomery Design and Build division, but the appointment of Nickie West as Managing Director. We’ve worked closely with Nickie since acquiring FIT Show and it was very clear to us that she would be the perfect fit to not only lead our existing brands, but help us to grow our offering within the built environment space.

“It’s an exciting time for the group and we’re very much looking forward to adding to our portfolio”

“It’s very much business as usual when it comes to the existing shows. We’ve built up a great team around the FIT Show and this, combined with the additional resource and knowledge that the Montgomery Group presents, can only be positive for the long-term success of FIT Show”.

“There is no better vehicle than live events when it comes to showcasing what your brand is all about, engaging with customers and prospects in a live and interactive environment.

I’m excited to lead and grow this division in my new role as MD.” FIT Show is the UK’s only dedicated event for the glass and glazing industry and takes place at Birmingham NEC, May 21st – 23rd 2019. Surface Design Show, targeting architects and designers, is next held at Islington’s Business Design Centre from 11th – 13th February 2020. It showcases the very latest in internal and external surface materials and architectural lighting. W Exhibition is a joinery and furniture manufacturing show which is held biennially at the NEC, with the next event taking place from September 27th – 30th 2020.

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PEOPLE

Promoting From Within: DOORCO’s Ben Aspinall

Moves Up The Ranks

Alan Hartley Joins

Avantis Alan Hartley has joined Avantis as Business Development Director, bringing 30 years’ experience in the glazing industry. As well as strengthening existing customer relationships, linking fabricators to the impressive range of Avantis hardware, Alan has been tasked with growing the market share for Avantis.

Alan explains: “The decision to join Avantis was one of the easiest I have ever had to make. I am delighted to be part of the dynamic team at Avantis, working alongside world-class design engineers who have brought to market high quality window and door locks for many years and continue to develop in vogue products for the fenestration market. I am really excited to be here and play my part in our future success.

“I’ve joined at an incredible time.

There are plenty of exciting plans for Avantis in 2019, including the launch of the Kubu Smart Equipped™ door lock at the FIT Show in May.” www.avantis-hardware.com 30 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

DOORCO Ltd has grown to become the UK’s largest independently owned composite door manufacturer, thanks to its philosophy of attracting, retaining and developing its passionate team of people, claims the company. The latest example of this is Ben Aspinall’s promotion to IT and Marketing Manager.

With a degree in Business Management and Marketing coupled with industry experience that

spans more than a decade, Ben joined DOORCO a year ago as IT and Projects Lead. He comments: “After working alongside the team here on an IT project, I made the move to DOORCO because I recognised what a forward thinking and customer-centric business they are. It has been a busy year to say the least, from both the IT and marketing perspective. We’ve implemented a completely new IT management system which has enabled us to improve communication and customer service across the board. Customers of all sizes are now seeing the benefits of new ordering systems which help us keep the strong promises on stock and lead times that we make in our Customer Charter. It’s not stopping there though, with lots more initiatives about to hit.

I’m delighted to be part of the team that’s helping DOORCO and our customers to be even more successful.”

New Product Manager Joins The ARRONE Brand At HOPPE

HOPPE has appointed Jonathan Walker as ARRONE product manager.

Jon has over 25 years’ experience in the door and window hardware industry, specialising in new product development and market research. He has previously worked for Paddock Fabrications and Yale, and joins HOPPE (UK) from Avantis International where he was group sales and marketing director.

Jon says: “In the short time I’ve been with HOPPE, I’ve seen the wealth of experience and the volume of knowledge that the

technical teams have; they are a real authority on what they do. I’m looking forward to tapping into this, and talking to customers to find out exactly what they want and need from ironmongery products to ensure that we tick all right boxes. www.hoppe.co.uk

PEOPLE how this role has developed and been received by all the customers.

“From a marketing perspective it’s been a great time to start the conversation as well, thanks to the portal. The personalised content that REHAU provides has put them at the forefront of innovation, and it has been received very well. The customers are pleased with the extra information that they have obtained and are now aware of a wider range of REHAU products.”

Life On The Road With

REHAU’s Sam Tynan In 2017 REHAU welcomed Sam Tynan to the team in a specially created role that would see him take to the road and foster new relationships with many trade counter and domestic installation businesses across the country. As the trade sales support representative at REHAU, he handles both large and small trade counters and offers support to customers wherever necessary. Although holding a first-class degree in Product Design Engineering paired with previous experience in software sales, having no history in the windows industry made Sam’s first year at REHAU a learning curve, but one that has reaped rewards and he has thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

With much of his time spent travelling to visit trade counter businesses and REHAU installers, building meaningful connections with his customers

who previously had perhaps received little direct support has been key to Sam’s success. It’s also been a very rewarding part of the job as through meeting with customers face-to-face and building a rapport, Sam has been able to expose clients to new products and services that they may have been unaware of.

His position and familiarity with the brand also mean he can explain why certain products best suit each business’ customer base.

In addition to this product awareness, Sam has also been key in building the profile of the REHAU Partner Portal – an online tool where customers can access marketing collateral and personalised content.

Sam said: “There’s been a lot to learn since working with REHAU, but I’m really happy with

As well as supporting with marketing, Sam helps trade counter managers to source products if their usual fabricator cannot provide them. Sometimes the solution needed is too small for a fabricator or they may be too busy to provide it in a short space of time. In the past, the manager would have gone to a different systems house, but now they are able to contact Sam, who is able to give them the solution they need.

Providing this service has also allowed Sam to get to know the branch managers on a more personal level than REHAU has had with them before. This is a positive step forward and adds to the family element of REHAU. Since joining the team customers have been highly complimentary of Sam, with some saying the advice he gives is invaluable and others praising the great working relationship he has built with their staff.

Sam said: “It’s been great working with such a premium brand that holds great values and really look after their employees. At first, my presence was unusual to many of our customers, but now they truly appreciate and rely on the knowledge that I can share with them.”

For more information visit www.rehau.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 31

PEOPLE

SupaLite Appoints Wes Clarkson As New Commercial Manager More Investments In Efficiency At The Window

Company (Contracts)

Award winning commercial installer The Window Company (Contracts) attributes much of its success to being able to manage projects more efficiently than just about anybody else.

As part of its commitment to staying ahead of the competition, it has just appointed Patrick Holt as an additional Contracts Supervisor, to help ensure that both its refurbishment and new build projects continue to run on time and on budget.

Patrick has worked in the construction industry for his entire career – progressing from labourer to assistant site manager, and is bringing all of that real world knowhow to the new role. His particular focus is on identifying ways in which The Window Company (Contracts) can utilise new technologies to improve its performance still further and enhance the experience for clients and residents it works with.

In line with the company’s ongoing commitment to Health & Safety, Patrick is also planning to add to his existing health and safety qualifications, bringing a new emphasis into the business on mental as well as physical health.

More details at: www.thewinco.co.uk 32 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

With demand for their systems at an all-time high, SupaLite, the respected tiled roof manufacturer has strengthened their team with a high-profile, new appointment.

The Preston-based specialists are delighted to announce the appointment of Wes Clarkson as their new Commercial Manager.

In his new role, Wes will oversee the sales and marketing for the business, focusing primarily on SupaLite’s popular kit-based roof systems. Working alongside SupaLite’s bustling sales team, Wes will also be looking to support existing trade partners whilst establishing partnerships with new customers.

Wes will be no stranger to many with his 20+ years of experience across the industry. Starting out at Ultraframe in 1996, before working with a number of their fabricators, Wes was able to gain a thorough grasp of the conservatory roofing market and the challenges faced by each part of the chain. He would later go on to become Sales Manager at Shepley Windows, reuniting with a certain Steve Hacking.

After a decade cutting his teeth in

the industry, Wes joined the family business Padiham Glass as Sales Director. Following his father’s retirement, Wes headed up the now multi-million-pound business with brother Anthony, before purchasing the company in 2015. Following the acquisition of Padiham Glass by the Emplas Group, Wes seized the chance to take some valued time out, allowing him to explore new opportunities when the time was right.

“First impressions are everything and I’m incredibly excited to join the team given SupaLite’s fantastic innovative products, customer focus and dedicated staff,” Wes comments. “The business has gone from strength to strength and I am looking forward to supporting the business in achieving further growth and success.

“When Steve Hacking called, I didn’t hesitate to meet with him.

Not only because it was Steve – someone I have known and trusted for many years, but because it was SupaLite – an exciting business!

One which embodies that customer-first ethos, where I believe I could make a difference.”

Steve Hacking, Managing Director of SupaLite adds: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Wes to the SupaLite team. Not only is he a fantastic character with a great wealth of experience, he’s incredibly ambitious and fully shares our philosophy of delivering a fantastic product with unrivalled customer service. It is undoubtedly a real coup for us, and I look forward to working with him and our fantastic team to drive SupaLite forward.” www.supaliteroof.co.uk

It’s all systems go!

The concept. The research. The development.

The testing. The trials. Our star performer is ready.

It’s coming to FIT Show on Stand N5.

Discover the amazing.

www.itsallsystemsgo.co.uk #watchthisspace

Epwin Window Systems

STAND N5

DOORS

Dekko To Add New Stunning Door To ‘Home Of Flush’ Range Dekko Window Systems is set to add a stunning new Flush Door to its ever-growing ‘Home of Flush’ range.

The new Flush Door combines beautiful style with outstanding performance and has been designed to replicate traditional timber and aluminium.

The company claims it is also #BestInClass for weather performance and energy efficiency, with Class 4 600 Pa Air Permeability, Class E1050 Pa Water Tightness (full frame) and Class A3 1200 Pa Wind Resistance.

The doorset achieves an ‘A’ 34 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

energy rating with U-Values as low as 1.0 W/m2K with triple glazing and 1.3 W/m2K with double glazing. The Flush Door also comes with dedicated PAS24-approved hardware and is Part M compliant for easy access.

The Flush Door has the only dedicated open-out flush door sash on the market, making it a perfect addition to the fabricator’s ‘Home of Flush’ which also includes Infinity, R9, R7 and R².

“The new Flush Door is a stunning addition to our ‘Home of Flush’ family and complements the rest of the range perfect-

ly,” said Kurt Greatrex, Dekko’s Sales Director. “It looks fantastic and the door has been designed to look and perform the very best.

“The Flush Door suites features a seamless, high-end look that enhances both traditional and contemporary homes, and can be graf-welded for that highend Infinity finish. It will also be available as standard in 30 colourways.”

Dekko will be displaying the newly launched Flush Door at the upcoming FIT Show at their stand Q10, and Kurt added: “The Flush Door looks absolutely stunning and we’re anticipating it’s going to be a big seller in 2019. www.dekkowindows.com

DOORS

Installer Poised For More

Growth With Virtu-Al

pany. It incorporates realistic detailing to replicate the appearance of an aluminium door and achieve a crisp, contemporary look for a fraction of the cost. And now, homeowners can complete the aluminium look with the sleek aluminium outer frame – said to be the first of its kind to be developed especially for a composite door.

“We’ve installed a number of Virtu-AL doors now and every customer has chosen the aluminium frame and ultra-modern pull bar handles because they suit the door perfectly,” Leigh adds. “Grey is a popular choice but, because Virtu-AL can be sprayed in any RAL colour, we can offer many more shades.

We’ve just installed a bright red door at a home in Leicestershire and it looks incredible.”

A14 uses Virtuoso Doors’ online door designer software – Gateway – to design, build, quote and order doors. The user-friendly software can also be used by A14’s customers to design their new door online by choosing their door style, colour, glass and hardware.

Leigh Handley, senior manager at A14 Building Plastics

An installer has described Virtuoso Doors’ Virtu-AL aluminium effect entrance door as a ‘game-changing’ product that’s helped ramp up new business.

Leicestershire-based A14 Building Plastics has grown by 60% in the last five years and credits Virtu-AL with bringing in dozens of enquiries from customers who want the contemporary, high-end look of an aluminium door, but without the price tag.

Leigh Handley, senior manager at A14 Building Plastics, says: “We instantly took notice of

the Virtu-AL door from Virtuoso because it is the only composite door on the market that comes in an aluminium frame.

The door is absolutely stunning – it looks very high-end and we knew that it would appeal to customers who don’t want their door to be like everyone else’s,” he says.

With a stylish aluminium textured architectural appearance that’s virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, Virtu-AL looks and feels nothing like a traditional composite door, yet it benefits from all the characteristics of one, says the com-

The company has also taken advantage of Virtuoso Doors’ marketing package, which includes a collection of brochures and one that’s dedicated entirely to Virtu-AL. Tony Craggs, managing director of Virtuoso Doors, added: “Congratulations to Leigh and the team at A14 on their incredible success over the last five years, we are delighted that they are doing so well with our Virtu-AL door. Standing out from the herd is vital in this industry and it’s so rewarding to see a business differentiating themselves with Virtu-AL and winning new business at an exceptional rate.” www.virtuoso-doors.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 35

DOORS

Apeer Expands Popular Isolate

Fire Door Range Following the successful launch of its new FD30 Isolate composite fire door, Apeer has announced that it is adding two more options to the range, a solid T&G style and a glazed version, both independently tested on both sides to BS EN 1634-1:2014.

Apeer’s marketing manager, Linda Tomb, commented: “With the recent focus on fire door safety, we have worked extremely hard to ensure that all the doors in the new Isolate range exceed the latest, more rigorous industry standards.

At Apeer, we are committed to providing the highest quality products and service and as such we are also offering fire door installation

training, as well as manuals and training videos to accompany the Isolate range.”

In addition to options for spyholes and letterboxes in the new styles,

the doors also come with a 3-star cylinder for maximum security and a Pyroguard double glazed IGU for the glazed version. As with all its composite doors, Apeer is able to offer Isolate doors in a wide range of standard, premium and RAL colours, thanks to its impressive in-house, high-tech paint line, with customers able to specify and order the products quickly and easily via the company’s online Door Builder.

The latest doors to join the Isolate range are available to buy, and after high demand for its launch product, Apeer is already recommending new and existing customers to pre-order now. www.apeer.co.uk

ODL Europe Launches New 6 Panel

Combi Composite Door Slab

ODL Europe has just announced the launch of its new Capstone 6 Panel Combi Door slab. Its construction means fabricators can fabricate seven different door designs from a single door slab.

Nathan Barr, Managing Director of ODL Europe, said: “With the Capstone 6 Panel Combi Door fabricators can keep stock levels much lower, freeing up warehouse space and easing procurement.”

ODL Europe’s new Capstone 6 Panel Combi Door has a midrail with the woodgrain pattern running through it from top to bottom. It means the slab can be used to fabricate seven of the company’s most popular designs: the Six Panel Solid, the two Seftons (twin top glazed and twin top and mid glazed), the Traditional Top (top glazed), the Wavertree (half glazed), 36 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

the Aintree (twin half glazed) and the Traditional (top third glazed).

The 6 Panel Combi Door also has all the other benefits associated with the high-quality Capstone slabs. They offer superior strength thanks to the LVL cross-bonded plywood construction with a glue line every 3mm that means it is much less susceptible to twist-

ing, bowing and warping than competitor products, even when cut to maximum trim, says the company. There’s the pure PVC composite rail that makes it more stable in manufacture and means the finish is good enough – even after machining – to accept locks and hinges without needing to edge band or fit a secondary edge finish in PVC or aluminium, saving time and money. And the patented woodgrain finish achieves some of the UK’s best adhesion and UV stability ratings, claims ODL Europe.

Nathan concluded: “Here at ODL Europe we’re all about helping fabricators increase product variety, customer satisfaction and – most of all – margin. Our 6 Panel Combi Door is a perfect way to achieve all these things and more.”

DOORS

Apeer Releases New 30-Minute Fire Door To Composite Ranges Apeer has released its new bi-laterally tested Isolate3 fire door, combining independently tested FD30 certification with all the quality, versatility and specification that customers have come to expect from the manufacturer’s popular Traditional, Contemporary and Modo composite door ranges.

Isolate3 orders are already being taken for early 2019 delivery with the range now fully integrated into Apeer’s Door Builder online resource, enabling installer customers to include the FD30 standard product as part of their own door offering.

As well as providing the benefit of an FD30 spec range to its existing customers, Apeer is also promot-

ing Isolate3 within the new-build and retrofit commercial sectors where quality, certified products that meet the sectors’ rigorous fire safety requirements are called for.

The addition of Isolate3 is the second investment Apeer have recently made to further improve their door offering. Earlier this year, the company installed a second high-tech paint line at its County Antrim production unit to stay ahead of demand for its acclaimed composite door ranges. The line also increases efficiency by enabling different interior and exterior colours to be applied in half the time. facility. www.apeer.co.uk

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WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 37

PRODUCT NEWS play. Not only did Mila give us expert advice on what we needed to do to comply with the rules, they actually arranged all the necessary testing and approvals for us.

Mila Passes

The Test For Notaro Windows

When Bridgwater based Notaro Windows needed Approved Document Q (ADQ) accreditation for windows they were installing in a new housing development, they could relax knowing that all they had to do was ask Mila to help.

Mila has been Notaro Windows’ hardware supplier for more than a decade and they took care of the whole project for them, advising on the window and hardware specification and arranging the 38 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

“Mila have always worked hard to develop a strong partnership with Notaro, and this was a typical example of how they add value to that partnership with exceptional customer service. In our experience, we can trust them completely. They are always responsive and helpful – proactive in sorting out any issues or concerns that we have and providing us with lots of expert technical back up.”

Strafford Cooke, Mila’s Technical Director said that the impact of the ADQ changes across the industry is accelerating as housebuilders move on to sites where work started after the 1 October 2016 cut off point. He added: “Up until now, lots of fabricators supplying the new build market have been relatively unaffected by the PAS24 requirement within ADQ because they have been working on long term developments which they can argue started several years ago. That is all starting to change though, and we’re getting more and more requests from customers like Notaro working on new developments who want help on hardware specification, cascading of test data and the testing itself.

PAS24 security testing required for ADQ.

“That is all part of the Mila service of course, and is what helps to set us apart from the competition.”

For Sam Notaro, Director of the business, Mila took away all the hassle that he had associated with acquiring ADQ accreditation and left him to concentrate on fabricating and installing windows. He said: “The Notaro Group includes a housebuilding division and this was the first new development we had started since the ADQ rules came into

Notaro Windows fabricates PVC-U windows and doors in Synseal Legend 70, as well as composite doors and aluminium bi-folds and lift and glide patios. It supplies its own new build requirements on sites throughout Somerset and in its Lakeview holiday cottages. www.mila.co.uk www.notarowindows.com

PRODUCT NEWS

Yale Hardware Gets Secured

By Design Seal Of Approval

The high quality of Yale’s products has been underlined after several of them were granted prestigious Secured by Design status, says the company.

The full product listing has been collated in an updated members page on the Secured by Design website. Secured by Design, a police security initiative that promotes high standards in security design, has tested and approved all of the products listed to the very highest standards.

Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director for Yale, said: “We have a comprehensive range of Secured by Design approved products, multi-point door locks, window locks, friction stays, cylinders and door and window furniture which enable us to offer a complete package of PAS 24: 2016 approved door and window

hardware.

“Our ongoing commitment to the Secured by Design principle of ‘designing out crime’ through physical security and processes is ensuring that our products will continue to perform to the highest level.

According to Yale, in the retail environment the consumers immediate recognition of the Yale logo engenders a feeling of trust and an understanding that the hardware aspect of the door or window is of a high quality and suitable standard to carry the brand.

Hazel Goss MBE, Development Officer at Secured by Design, echoed this sentiment: “Our long-standing relationship with Yale has resulted in a range of security solutions of the highest

calibre and, ultimately, reassurance to homeowners.

“SBD is vitally important for all housebuilders, social housing landlords and OEMs aiming to show that they’re dedicated to security, as the SBD marque isn’t just recognised within the building industry but is becoming increasingly important by the general public.”

The Yale Door & Window Solutions member page acts a useful resource for both fabricators and installers alike, with product detail specifications and certification information available for each product listed.

The member page can be found at http://www.securedbydesign. com/members/yale-door-window-solutions/.

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 39

PRODUCT NEWS

Window Ware Offers Panic Exit Hardware For Every Emergency Door Permutation With aim of helping fabricators simplify ordering and streamline stock-holding, award-winning hardware distributor Window Ware has launched a brand-new panic bar system. OMEC panic exit devices are designed to fit most emergency doors, whatever the configuration or composition – straight out of the box.

Window Ware has put together two OMEC panic bar kits which contain everything needed to achieve up to three secure locking points on both left and right-handed single or double doors – including a selection of strikers to suit PVCu, timber or aluminium compositions. So, unless a project demands external access, a push pad instead of push bar or just a single centre latch point (there are hardware options available for those too) 40 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

there’s just a choice between the active or slave OMEC panic bar kits which pretty much do it all.

This makes for simpler ordering and reduced stock-holding, which is welcome news for fabricators who don’t have the time or storage facilities to deal with lots of separate components.

OMEC panic door hardware lets them accommodate for the most popular emergency door arrangements with the minimum of parts, and at the same time, they can easily customise their system if required with optional accessories. Furthermore, OMEC emergency exit devices are surface mounted, so they’re quick and easy to fit too.

Window Ware’s Business Development Manager for Aluminium, Rich Fraser comments: “These

new OMEC panic bar kits will probably work for around 99 percent of emergency door configurations and we’ve got optional accessories that will take care of the remaining 1 percent. With simple ordering, straight-forward fitting and competitive prices, OMEC panic exit devices have the potential to save fabricators time, hassle and money!

“Although I joined Window Ware just last year, I’ve been selling and supporting the OMEC range for over a decade. That means I know the products inside out and have developed a great relationship with the OMEC team. I’m looking forward to passing on the benefits of that experience and accrued knowledge to Window Ware customers now that we’re the only UK importer for the OMEC range.”

OMEC products are quality manufactured according to EN 1125:2008 in Italy – a country renowned for their superior locking hardware and independently certified by the Italian Certification Institute, ICIM. What’s more, each and every latch mechanism has been successfully tested to over a million cycles to give you every product assurance. www.windowware.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

VBH And Nordic Aluminium – A Winning

Partnership!

Nordic Aluminium, a trade manufacturer of bespoke aluminium windows and doors in Leeds, is the latest fabricator to become a ‘Q-secure approved’ manufacturer. This latest development means the company can now pass on the benefits of VBH’s multi-brand security guarantee to its customers.

Nordic has been a VBH customer for two years and is impressed with VBH’s products and the service. Graham Howatson, Nordic’s Operations Director, comments: “We’ve formed a great, mutually beneficial relationship with VBH, which I put down to quality products, backed up with excellent service and support.

We particularly like the greenteQ

VBH has assisted with PAS24 testing”, continues Graham.

“PAS24 is now mandatory on new build houses so it’s important we comply. Working together we turned this around in 3 – 4 days, and had our bi-fold door, complete with VBH’s greenteQ Clearspan hardware and the Yale door lock (also from VBH) tested at BSI. It passed first time!”

CentreFold locking shoot bolt handle with its folding integral key. With other handles, leaving the key in the lock risks damaging the door or losing the key, but with CentreFold there’s no risk of that happening. VBH also offers colour coded hardware so we can match the colour to the door, a nice feature which helps our sales.

“More recently, Rob Norman of

Nordic’s relationship with VBH continues to grow. The trade fabricator has now started using VBH’s greenteQ Aspire lift and slide handles too because of the improved choice in colour and better quality. Graham concludes: “VBH is an excellent company to work with and always responds quickly if we need help.” www.vbhgb.com www.nordic-aluminium.co.uk

/ There’s more to Mila.co.uk

Window News half page advert Feb 2019.indd 2

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 41 18/02/2019 15:43

PRODUCT NEWS

Tingdene Homes has chosen Mila’s new HERO window handle

Tingdene Homes

Chooses Mila’s New Hero Range

It was the competitive price of Mila’s HERO window and door handles which triggered the initial enquiry from park homes specialist Tingdene Homes, but it was the product quality and service back up which persuaded the team to make the eventual switch to HERO from their previous hardware supplier.

Tingdene is one of the leading park home and holiday lodge manufacturers in the UK, producing classic and contemporary homes for residential parks, holiday centres and marinas. It manufactures its own windows and doors for all these homes, fabricating around 100 PVC-U frames per week at a bespoke factory in Wellingborough.

Buyer Mick Taylor explained 42 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

what makes the HERO range so attractive: “The homes we manufacture are destined for parks across the length and breadth of the UK and often overseas, so we simply can’t risk expensive remedial visits resulting from hardware failures on any of our windows and doors. In a competitive market, we were looking to reduce the cost of our hard-

ware without compromising on the quality, and that is exactly what we have been able to achieve with Mila’s HERO range.

“With HERO we are getting reliable, high performance products which are cleverly designed and manufactured to achieve our cost point but without cutting corners.”

Mila began by supplying just its HERO window and door handles to Tingdene in September 2018, but the park home specialist has been so impressed with the delivery reliability and customer service provided that it is now buying almost all of its hardware from the Daventry based specialist.

Mick Taylor added: “Mila are proving themselves to be a valuable partner to Tingdene, living up to their promises and justifying their excellent reputation in the market.”

More details are at: www.mila.co.uk and www.tingdene.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Dekko Strengthens The Appeal Of Its Infinity Flush Sash With Regal

Hardware From Window Ware

Director at Window Ware adds: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to work with Dekko and supply them with quality products like the Regal Hardware range.

Since its launch last year, Regal Hardware has proven incredibly popular, providing fabricators with heritage-style hardware for flush sash systems but uniquely for standard 70mm systems too.

It’s fantastic to see a renowned fabricator like Dekko using Regal Hardware on their marquee Infinity Collection – a real testament to the quality and the accuracy of our range.”

Fabricator Dekko Window Systems has partnered with hardware distributors Window Ware to extend the heritage credentials of their Infinity Flush Sash with the help of the new Regal Hardware range.

Available exclusively through Window Ware, Regal Hardware incorporates a full range of window furniture which expertly replicates the period aesthetics of 19th century ironmongery. It’s the latest addition to Dekko’s portfolio, designed to enhance their popular uPVC flush sash – a product renowned for its seamless aesthetics thanks to ground-breaking Graf weld technology.

“We want the Infinity product to not only meet the demands of the market, but also provide customers with a high-end flush

sash that is capable of being both a contemporary solution for luxury new-build projects and an accurate timber replacement for period properties. To achieve this goal, it’s essential we offer authentic-looking furniture and Regal Hardware fits the bill perfectly,” comments Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director at Dekko.

“Adding Regal Hardware is the next logical step in our commitment to developing and improving Infinity. It’s a range which extends the quality and the heritage aesthetics of the Infinity Flush Sash and presents an even stronger opportunity for our customers to win new business.

Window Ware has been a great fit for us thanks to our shared passion for quality and customer service.”

Richard Bryant, Commercial

Comprising both monkey tail and pear drop style furniture, Regal Hardware is available in nine eye-catching colours including polished chrome, bronze-red and antique graphite. Fully tested and supported by a 10-year mechanical guarantee as standard, this versatile hardware range is available with next-day delivery when ordered before 3:30 pm and joins Window Ware’s 6,500+ unique products across hardware, factory tools and consumables.

The Infinity Collection is Dekko’s premium uPVC range, combining the popular flush sash as well as chamfered and sculptured profiles. Based on Deceuninck’s proven 2500 and 2800 systems, Infinity uses innovative Graf weld technology to achieve both seamlessly welded corners and now cills. The range is available in 26 colourways including authentic woodgrain foils. www.windowware.co.uk www.dekkowindows.com WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 43

PRODUCT NEWS

Profile 22’S Flush Tilt And Turn Windows Provide The Solution For The Strand

Profile 22’s Flush Tilt and Turn windows were chosen for new residential and retail blocks and a community facility hub in Kirkholt, Rochdale The Strand in Rochdale is a partnership between Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. The project involved the demolition of three existing residential and retail buildings and the construction of new retail blocks and a community facility hub plus sixteen new apartments for affordable rent, which were delivered in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency.

44 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

The main contractor on the project was Bardsley and the company invited Profile 22 Approved Window Contractor Framexpress to tender for the 120 windows required on the project. Sarah Price, Commercial Sales Manager at Framexpress, said: “We’ve worked with Bardsley on several previous occasions. Our ongoing relationship with them, combined with our strong track record and a competitive quote meant we clinched the contract.”

The project’s architects, Triangle Architects, had specified the Flush Tilt and Turn Windows in Anthracite Grey for the project

because of its ability to deliver aluminium aesthetics but with a better performance.

The Epwin Window Systems’ specification team worked closely with Framexpress throughout, providing vital technical information that gave Bardsley necessary documentation and making site visits during the construction phase to maintain close contact at all times. This ensured a close-knit team dedicated to a high quality end result.

The Strand is an impressive project that will help to regenerate the Kirkholt district of Rochdale.

Clare Tostevin, RBH Director of Communities, said: “This is a landmark development which will revitalise the heart of Kirkholt, providing a range of new facilities for the community together with high-quality new shops and homes.” www.profile22.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Blink From ODL Europe Offer A Robust Upselling Opportunity

Freefoam’s Product Range And

Service Underpin Relationship With If you’re looking for an interesting upselling opportunity, then Blink enclosed blinds from ODL Europe are a popular choice, with over five million units sold worldwide.

Nathan Barr, Managing Director of ODL Europe, said: “Blink is the perfect upselling product for businesses looking to extend their portfolio, increase customer satisfaction levels and grow their margins.”

world’s leader in the enclosed blinds market. As part of the product development, Blink enclosed blinds have undergone rigorous product testing, including 10,000 raise and lower cycles, UV stability tests and the slam test. Advanced internal mechanisms ensure robustness and reliability. They are thermally efficient and there is a 10-year glass seal warranty for complete peace of mind too.

Available in a wide range of colours Blink enclosed blinds provide a safe, modern alternative to traditional corded or cordless door and window blinds. The blinds are encapsulated in an insulated glass unit, so they are protected from dust, dirt and damage. The raise, lower and tilt facilities are operated using a single ergonomically placed operator switch so there are none of the safety risks associated with traditional corded blinds. Fullheight privacy channels eliminate light gaps, shadows and sunlight glare, providing another benefit over externally fitted blinds.

Blink enclosed blinds are ideal for a variety of window styles as well as sliding patio doors, French doors and other exterior glass doors.

There is also a standard 22 x 36 size for door cassettes for ODL Europe’s market-leading Capstone composite door slab.

As well as having compelling user benefits, they are also backed up with all the experience and commitment to excellence of the

Alongside the quality of the product is the quality of ODL Europe’s support. Nathan concludes: “We are a strong global presence with core principles of selling high quality, robust products and building valuable and strong relationships with manufacturers and retail partners of all sizes. In Blink, our partners have a superb upselling opportunity to add real value to their portfolio.”

Mac Home Improvements

Established in 1998 and installing PVC-UE roofline across South Wales, leading roofline specialist Mac Home Improvements, provides professional installation of fascias, soffits, guttering and cladding. The company has used Freefoam exclusively since 2007.

Catherine Bressington, Director of Mac Home Improvements, says: “We use Freefoam’s full range of fascias, soffits, guttering and cladding – there’s no-one else we’d rather use. When our previous supplier stopped selling Freefoam we moved to another supplier, as our relationship with Freefoam is so positive. They offer great service and products in a wide range of colours and understand the domestic market very well. They’re also interested in the end user, and are quick to pick up on consumer trends.”

To find out more about Freefoam visit www.freefoam.com. For more information about Mac Home Improvements, mac-homeimprovements.co.uk.

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 45

PRODUCT NEWS

The Home Of Flush

Kurt Greatrex, Dekko’s Sales Director, commented: “Our flush sash windows are extremely secure, energy efficient and will last for years, and they have helped our customers gain better margins and boost profits.

Installers really will be holding all the aces with Dekko Window System’s flush sash products, says the company. Billed by the fabricator as ‘The Home of Flush,’ the deck includes Infinity, R9, R7 and R², with more editions being added to the Flush range in the New Year.

Dekko have built their company ethos on helping installers grow their business and giving them the best chance of getting ahead of the competition in what is an increasingly tough market.

“Our aim has always been to help customers reach a position where they can thrive in the premium market. As an installer, introducing these products really will mean that you are holding all the cards.”

Dekko says the Infinity flush sash window features a stylish smooth corner weld, achieved by pushing the leftover plastic into the profile to create a perfectly smooth, timber effect corner joint. They are the perfect choice for period property renovations but are equally suited to adding charm and character to

contemporary properties.

R9 windows feature a flush sash that is stylish, attractive and provides excellent levels of thermal efficiency and weather resistance.

The windows are so aesthetically authentic that they are regularly accepted for use in conservation areas for timber window replacements.

R7 windows create a flush appearance both inside and out. Their seven-chamber design provides high levels of thermal and insulating performance while their smooth finish is low maintenance and weather resistant.

R² windows have a flush exterior finish with a square interior detail and are designed to create a perfectly symmetrical look with equal glass sightlines and an internal deep square edge. www.dekkowindows.com them more about the difference warm edge spacers like SWISSPACER make.

Flair Windows Chooses

SWISSPACER for ULTIMATE Thermal Efficiency Flair Windows is a manufacturer and installer of high-performance windows and doors from its 40,000 sq. ft factory in Sutton Coldfield.

The company fabricates a choice of systems including Kömmerling, Smart and Selecta. Regardless of the product, Flair insists on SWISSPACER ULTIMATE inside its sealed units for the best energy efficiency.

46 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

Ryan Lugg, Company Director at Flair Windows, explains: “Homeowners have become a lot more aware that the most energy efficient windows help cut heating bills and make homes more comfortable. But many homeowners don’t realise just how a window’s WER is calculated – or the importance of small components like spacer bars. We are happy to tell

“We demand the best quality products in our windows and we insist on SWISSPACER. SWISSPACER helps us sell with confidence because we know our windows will perform year after year.” Flair Windows usually opt for the 20mm bar in Light Grey but do use a range of colours & sizes.

SWISSPACER’s leading warm edge spacer bar is tried and tested for excellent thermal efficiency and long-lasting results. It comes in an unbeatable range of 17 colours, and 19 widths, making it ideal for a variety of applications from casement windows, bi-fold doors and lantern roofs. SWISSPACER recently introduced two new sizes of Georgian bar spacers specifically for the UK, making it suitable for heritage-style and conservation projects. www.flairwindows.com www.swisspacer.com

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PRODUCT NEWS

Sekura Window Centre Signs Up To Aluplast Lift-And-Slide North east trade specialist, Sekura Window Centre, has signed up to become the latest fabricator to manufacture aluplast’s innovative Lift-and-Slide patio door.

Ultra-thermally efficient, it’s been designed to deliver u-values as low as 0.65 W/m2K, meeting Passive Haus equivalent standards.

Available in aluskin, aluplast’s click-and-fix external aluminium cladding system, Sekura Managing Director, Alan Hall, said the system would support its customers in pitching a highly energy efficient and more affordable alternative to aluminium bi-folding doors into new build and retail markets.

“We supply aluminium bi-fold48 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

ing doors but they’re not right for every job or every location”, he said. “The new build sector wants more thermally efficient products and you just can’t get close to some of the specifications with aluminium bi-folds.

“And not everyone end user wants them either but they do often want something, which is pitched as slightly higher end product compared to a standard patio. We see the aluplast Liftand-Slide door as fulfilling that demand.”

Capable of spanning openings of 6.5m X 2.8m with just two sashes, the aluplast Lift-andSlide door delivers impressive design flexibility. This includes uninterrupted sightlines as standard and an ultra-low a new low-sightline option on the fixed

Alan Hall, Sekura Window Centre Managing Director

sash of just 32mm, maximising the glazed area of the door.

It exploits proven technology in its opening and closing system.

Sashes are mounted on an easylift mechanism that elevates when opened and lowers on to the track when closed. So, a fully closed door rests over lower weather seals improving the door’s weather tightness, thermal and acoustic insulation.

The aluplast Lift-and-Slide door also features a dual slide option.

This allows the panels to slide

PRODUCT NEWS across each other delivering even greater design flexibility.

It’s supplied by aluplast in three primary configurations. This includes a standard PVC-U door to a premium offering fabricated to ultra-energy efficient options, accommodating glazing units of up to 52mm. The performance of the standard door can be further enhanced with the addition of a thermally efficient upper guide rail and extruded insulated profiles.

Prefix Launch Super

Slim Flat Rooflight

In addition to standard white, the aluplast Lift-and-Slide is available in a choice of 27 ex-stock and special colours on lead times of 15 working days or less, plus Woodec, aluplast’s next generation foil.

Unveiled at the beginning of this year this replicates the natural appearance of timber while combining it with the through-life advantages of PVC-U. Ian Cocken, Director of Sales and Marketing, aluplast, said: “Energy efficiency is a key driver in new build while the lift-andslide mechanism itself and our aluskin aluminium fascia system also generates a high level of end user appeal.

Prefix Systems have launched their new super slim, flat performance rooflight, under the OPAL brand. It has been designed to offer maximum daylight, with minimal framework and is available from any one of their four regional branches.

“Fundamentally, however, the sightlines are important. The reality is that bi-folds remain closed for most of the year and often most of the summer, so you’re looking at uprights, our Lift-and-Slide door delivers a flexible year-round connection between home and garden.

OPAL is the new brand name from Prefix to promote their range of aluminium products and the flat rooflight has been designed and engineered to offer contemporary appeal and benefits from several fitter-friendly features. There are no exterior trims or flashings and no external fixings as its fixed internally for safer installation and outstanding long-term security.

“This combined with its modularity and simple manufacture, including with no requirement for investment in specialist aluminium machinery, where fabricated in its aluskin format, creates new opportunity for fabricators to move from PVC-U into new sales territory which they would otherwise have been excluded from.” www.aluplast.co.uk

The design of the OPAL flat rooflight includes the use of a thermally broken aluminium profile, which is configurable with any kerb. Glazing is fully pre-bonded using a 28mm double glazed unit, though there is an option for a triple glazed version for a

better U-value as low as 0.6 W/ (m2k) and greater sound reduction properties.

Supporting a big year in colour, the OPAL flat rooflight is available in RAL 7016 as standard, but can also be offered in any RAL colour, thanks to their in-house colouring facility. It is available both in a wide range of standard sizes, as well as bespoke dimensions for specific projects.

Chris Cooke of Prefix System commented: ‘The OPAL flat rooflight is the first product to come under the new brand and benefits from a true one-piece fixing method, making it we believe the fastest rooflight in the sector to install. With size and colour finish options aplenty, it’s a product suitable for any flat roof application, with the added support of an A5 product brochure and product samples.’ www.prefixsystems.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 49

SOFTWARE

Windowlink Look To Make Selling Windows

Easier With Kestrel

Glazing industry software developer, Windowlink has launched a new online business manager for everyone who sells windows.

Designed in collaboration with window companies, Kestrel has been created to make managing leads, workloads and customer relationships simple as well as giving companies a great business analysis tool, says the company.

“Every window company could do with an extra pair of hands to help out with admin and managing workloads, and that’s exactly what Kestrel does,” explains Mark Dudley, Managing Director at Windowlink.

“Perfect for both retail compa50 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

nies and those who sell to the trade, Kestrel is a flexible, virtual business manager. It is configured so that companies can see the information that’s most important to them, at a glance.

Each user can have a personalised dashboard too. That means all team members can use Kestrel to organise their workloads.

At the same time, managers and directors can use it to manage the business and identify growth opportunities and cost savings.”

Kestrel is unique, as it can be a standalone package or be fully integrated with Windowlink’s Focus and Vector window and conservatory sales software packages. Leads and jobs can be directly imported, so there’s

no doubling up on data entry.

Customer interactions can be recorded and Kestrel gives users full diary access, so it’s easy to book sales visits, surveys and installation dates with homeowners.

Mark adds: “Kestrel’s lead management facility ensures that every vital sales lead follows your company’s sales process so that every customer receives the same great service. Personalised ‘to-do’ lists and email reminders also make sure that important jobs are never missed.

“The analytics tools have helpful graphics to show sales values and trends, helping directors to identify any training requirements and product selection going forward.

“With so many tools to help keep customers happy and sales on track, Kestrel is the perfect support system for any window company.” www.windowlink.com

SOFTWARE

So You Think You Don’t Need Support?

BM Aluminium has revealed that just 25% of its customers called its support department over the past 12 months – and it is determined to increase that figure.

That’s because the Tewkesbury based LogiKal software specialist says that its support department isn’t just for solving problems and answering queries. One of its key aims is to help customers get more from the LogiKal software and make the most of new features as they are added.

Managing Director Dean Hodges said: “We want to get away from the misconception that you should only call support when something goes wrong. Instead, we want customers to call for help and advice when things are going right and help to make them even better “For us, support is just as much about helping customers expand

able to transform their LogiKal set up in just a couple of days.

how they use LogiKal, how they implement updates, and how they can learn shortcuts to routine tasks, as it is about resolving technical issues.”

BM Aluminium has five highly trained advisors in its support team who can give initial advice to customers on the phone, and even follow up with site visits if required to carry out full LogiKal reviews. They have had several success stories recently with customers who have benefited from these reviews, including Linn Tech in Scotland who were

Dean added: “Lots of customers understandably get into habits and routines with their LogiKal set up which probably start out as being efficient, but which gradually become less so as their business expands and new LogiKal updates are launched.

“We know that customers are still doing some tasks manually or on paper, for instance, which we could easily help them to automate in LogiKal if only they would ask us, and some don’t even implement the updates we issue because they are simply too busy.

“We’ve got a fantastic in-house resource here which is perfectly placed to help customers get even better value from their software and all they really need to do is ask.”

Insight Data Launches New Builders

Merchants Database

Insight Data, the industry’s respected data specialists have strengthened their extensive prospect database for the glazing and construction industries with the launch of their brandnew Builders Merchants database.

The result of the hard-work of Insight Data’s in-house research team, the new database combines accurate business information and contact details for over 6,000 builders merchants across the country. The database covers both national builders merchant networks as well as the regional, independent outlets and can be segment-

ed further into both ‘heavy’ and ‘light’ merchants, with categories for each building sector.

“After months of due diligence and hard-work from our specialist research team, we are delighted to announce the launch of our new Builders Merchants database,” comments Jade Greenhow, Operations Director at Insight Data. “Long gone are the days of fabricators dealing solely with installers. Today, a diverse range of tradespeople make up the market, ones who rely almost entirely on merchants for their building products, tools and consumables and heavy-side goods (bricks,

cement and concrete).

The new database is available through Salestracker, Insight Data’s powerful portal combining an online prospect database, CRM system and an integrated email marketing platform. From there, businesses can build data lists based on prospects in their local area, or alternatively can build national campaigns including prospects from one or many of Insight’s databases.

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 51

ON SITE

Senior

Picked For Berry Court Residential Scheme Aluminium doors and windows from Senior Architectural Systems have been used to frame the views enjoyed by the residents of the new Berry Court private rental scheme in Bournemouth.

Designed by Bright Space Architects, the new development of 113 high quality apartments boasts a central location, being close to both the town centre and the beach, and has helped breathe new life into the area following the redevelopment of what was the site of a public car park.

Collaboration has been an integral part of the creation of Berry Court; with the development itself delivered by Bournemouth Devel52 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

opment Company, a joint venture between Bournemouth Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd. The contract to supply the fenestration package for Berry Court is also the latest to be delivered by Senior in partnership with long-term supply chain partners Soundcraft and main contractor Morgan Sindall, with whom Senior has an established trading agreement.

Having worked with both Morgan Sindall and Soundcraft on a number of previous contracts, Senior was once again able to demonstrate the added value it could bring to the project in terms of technical information and value-engineered solutions

to assist with budgetary and time constraints. Such positive and early engagement with the main contractor was instrumental in the architect’s original specification of a competitor’s product range being changed to Senior’s high performance aluminium fenestration systems.

The attractive façade design of the scheme, which pays homage to the Art Deco style that is evident in much of Bournemouth’s architectural heritage, has been enhanced through the specification of Senior’s attractive SPW600e aluminium tilt and turn windows. Also offering high thermal and weathering performance, the SPW600e window system provides a robust and low maintenance solution to meet the demands of the private rental sector.

The individual apartments also benefit from Senior’s energy-efficient PURe® SLIDE aluminium doors which incorporate a patented PUR thermal break to help achieve exceptionally low U-values to reduce both the heating costs

ON SITE and the overall carbon calculations of the scheme. Ideally suited for residential schemes, the innovative PURe® SLIDE aluminium door also offers excellent acoustic performance.

The attractive and highly durable aluminium sliding doors have been installed to provide access, natural ventilation and to maximise the sense of natural light and space.

To ensure safety and as a bespoke design feature, Soundcraft also designed an attractive Juliet balcony system which was subject to stringent strength and load bearing tests by Senior prior to installation.

Showcasing the company’s comprehensive range of aluminium fenestration solutions, the Berry Court scheme also features Senior’s versatile and slim line SF52 aluminium curtain walling system and Senior’s high performance automatic SPW501 aluminium doors which have been installed to the main entrance of the building. Offering outstanding design flexibility, the SF52 curtain walling was installed to give an attractive ‘frameless’ design with a glass to glass corner detailing.

Commenting on the Berry Court contract, Soundcraft’s commercial manager Michael Bishop said: “We are extremely proud to have been able to continue our positive and collaborative relationship with both Morgan Sindall and Senior Architectural Systems with the successful completion of the Berry Court scheme.

“As Senior can provide the full range of products we need to be able to deliver large scale fenestration contracts such as this, the whole process becomes more efficient and there are greater opportunities to add value. A prime example of this was the development of the bespoke Juliet balconies which were designed

by Soundcraft and fully tested by Senior to ensure a high quality and reliable solution.” www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

Property Given New

Look With Black

REHAU Profiles

An eye-catching property located in Whitecraigs, near Glasgow, has been given a new look following an extensive renovation and installation of brand new REHAU profiles in the modern Black Brown colour finish.

The property, located in the heart of Scotland, was recently transformed from a single-storey bungalow to accommodate an extension and an additional two further floors.

As part of the renovation project modern REHAU TOTAL70 Window and Door profiles were installed

by Authorised Partner, Tradeline Scotland in Black Brown in keeping with the modern feel of the property, replacing old and dated windows.

REHAU has an exciting range of solid and woodgrain laminate finishes that boast high performance

in different weather conditions without colour deterioration or fade.

The Black Brown profile further allows a coherent overall look to be achieved for the whole project, whilst offering the residents all the thermal and cost efficiencies associated with PVC-U. With a durable, scratch resistant and easily maintained surface, the system was an ideal fit for the property owners requirements.

The REHAU TOTAL70 PVC-U profile is stylishly designed to meet the requirements of the new build, commercial and domestic refurbishment markets. The profile is also compatible with reversible windows, entrance doors, in-line tilt/slide patio doors and bi-fold doors and can be easily incorporated into conservatory designs.

For more information visit rehau.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 53

ON SITE

room where we could view some of the systems first hand.

After viewing Securefold we knew it was the perfect system for our project – it was secure, versatile, sleek in design and readily available in the matt black finish we were looking for”, continued Vincent.

Due to Securefold’s multiple configuration options and high levels of flexibility, Meca Welding was able to provide its customer with a system that met their exact requirements – 6 panels folding inwards to one side – providing a completely clear opening for those warm summer months.

P C Henderson’s Flagship Product Specified For Modern Home Renovation In Belgium Meca Welding, a small family run Blacksmith company based in Belgium, has recently specified P C Henderson’s Securefold folding door hardware for the renovation of a pool house at a residential property in Shilde, Belgium.

Specialising in the creation of wrought iron windows and doors – Meca Welding worked with the owners of the property to specify an exterior folding door solution for the property. The project brief required a system which could be fully opened during the warmer months and securely closed off during the winter – whilst also considering the architectural style and design aesthetics of the building.

54 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

Vincent Campforts, General Manager at Meca Welding, commented “We opted for glazed doors with a black wrought iron frame in order to match the homes modern interior. Due to the slim profile and minimalistic design of the doors, it was important that the hardware used to create the folding mechanism would complement the doors exactly.”

P C Henderson’s Securefold 100 exterior folding door hardware was identified as the best solution for the project.

“After carrying out some online research, we came across P C Henderson. We contacted the company’s Holland office and arranged a visit to their show-

Rene van den Biggellaar, Business Unit Manager at P C Henderson commented “Securefold is an all-encompassing system – its high levels of flexibility means that it can be used for almost any exterior folding door solution. We were delighted to be able to work with Meca Building on this project and see our hardware combined with the wrought iron doors they created – it created an impressive contemporary style and it was great to see our Securefold system used in this way”.

P C Henderson’s Securefold folding door hardware is available in four different hinge options (standard, mortice radius, mortice squared and non-mortice), four stunning finishes (black, gold, satin and chrome), top hung and bottom rolling variants and a range of door configurations to suit both inward and outward opening.

The system is manufactured using marine grade 316 stainless steel making it ideal for exterior and coastal use, says the company.

For more information visit www.pchenderson.com

ON SITE

Kawneer Glazing Systems Help Do The Maths For The University Of Warwick

viding a base for a number of notable academic researchers including some working as part of the high-profile national institute for data science, the Alan Turing Institute.

Located next to the existing Maths and Stats building (Zeeman Building) and the Computer Science building and primarily brick faced, it features superb lecture rooms and student work areas, well-equipped computer labs, state-of-the-art technology and a strong focus on sustainability.

Professor Colin Sparrow, Professor of Mathematics and head of Warwick’s Mathematics Institute, said: “The University of Warwick’s mathematical scientists have substantial world-renowned reputations for pure and applied research, developing new research programmes that make a difference globally.

The complete range of architectural glazing systems from leading UK manufacturer Kawneer feature on a flagship building for the University of Warwick.

Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain walling, AA®541 windows, AA®720 doors and AA®100 slope glazing have been used on the Mathematical Sciences Building on the university’s main central campus on the outskirts of Coventry.

The zone-drained curtain walling with 50mm sightlines, top and side-hung casement windows and thermally superior doors feature throughout the lecture rooms while the series 190 heavy-duty doors have been used at the entrances and the zone-drained slope glazing

in the atrium.

They were installed over five months by a team of six from approved dealer APiC UK for main contractor Morgan Sindall and included extended vertical caps to the curtain walling on the south-west elevation.

The 68,490ft2 building is a key strategic development for the university, part of the Russell Group of Universities, which will enable closer collaboration between its globally-recognised Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics departments.

The six-storey building is structured around the main central atrium and caters for both under-graduate and post-graduate students as well as pro-

“This new facility will enable our three departments to grow and to work even more closely together. In particular, it will allow us to exploit Warwick’s position as one of the five UK universities recently chosen as partners in the creation of the Turing Institute, including interdisciplinary space for both research and teaching in data science. It will also allow us to bring our graduate training programmes closer together in a new Mathematical Sciences Graduate School.”

The Mathematical Sciences Building was made possible thanks to a grant from The Wolfson Foundation and donations by alumni and friends of Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics at Warwick.

The University of Warwick has more development planned or underway at its campus in Coventry.

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 55

ON SITE

Modularisation – The Future of Facade Installation Time on site is costly, the provision of equipment, services and people all add up to a considerable cost. Add the non-productive time or loss of revenue for the client during the construction phase of his project, and we can see how important a tight programme is. So anything which helps speed up the process would have a direct implication on build costs.

Offsite construction technology continues to advance and, with modern techniques, both structure and finished envelope can be assembled in a matter of days rather than weeks. Exponents of this technology claim that build times can be reduced 56 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

by up to thirty percent.

This modular approach can include finished, fitted, weathertight windows and facades.

Modularisation on this level works particularly well when there is a repeat in the structure or envelope, such as offices or apartment design.

Royal Wharf – Plot 24 The recently completed, Plot 24 residential apartments at Royal Wharf, London, utilises a modular construction, consisting of a concrete, on-site assembled structure with brick faced facade panels which include fitted aluminium window

systems from Aluprof. The precast system was designed, manufactured and installed

by Byldis of the Netherlands.

Managing Director of Aluprof UK comments, “Great to see completed building with glazing system supplied by Aluprof and incorporated into precast elevation panels by Byldis. A truly revolutionary approach which we hope to work in close collaboration on future projects in the UK.” Plot 24 was designed by Glenn Howells and delivered on site

by TODD Architects Limited.

The completed build at Royal Wharf now releases almost two hundred apartments into the London city housing Market.

Contractors on site were the Ballymore Group and project management undertaken by Acumen. www.aluprof.co.uk

ON SITE

The Window Company (Contracts)

Shows Off Bespoke Skills

narrow scaffolding on the front of the building in Marshall Street and hired special lifting gear to manoeuvre the triple sash windows, which each weighed up to 250kg.

To reduce the installation time and minimise disruption for the building’s residents and surrounding businesses, The Window Company (Contracts) brought in additional highly trained manpower for the project and used all its skills in planning and resident liaison to ensure that it spent a minimum number of days on site.

A contract to replace timber box sash windows in the heart of London’s Soho conservation area gave award winning* commercial installer The Window Company (Contracts) the opportunity to show off the bespoke nature of its business.

Working on behalf of main contractors Osborne Property Services, The Window Company (Contracts) sourced 58 double glazed windows from specialist fabricator Dempsey Dyer to replicate the 19th century originals.

The team even arranged independent third party performance testing of the windows to demonstrate that they met the client City Dwelling’s specification for the conservation area in every detail. In total, 46 single sliding sash windows were installed on the project, along with 8 double sashes and 4 triple sashes.

The main challenges in terms of installation in the five storey mansion block were related to accessibility, so The Window Company (Contracts) erected bespoke

The Window Company (Contracts) won the contract on the strength of its outstanding reputation and previous work carried out for Osbornes on various contracts in including work in partnership with Dacorum Council.

Company Chairman David Thornton said: “We built our name replacing PVC-U windows in social housing projects, but the scope of the business extends way beyond that. We also routinely install timber, aluminium and even steel products and, because we are entirely independent, we can always recommend and source exactly the right windows and doors for every contract.” www.thewinco.co.uk

New VIP Premi-Air

Bennet’s are delighted to announce they have been appointed by Manchester and Cheshire Construction to install the Kawneer Curtain Walling at the new VIP departure area at Manchester Airport.

Steve Hutchinson, Sales and Marketing Director at Bennett’s commented. This new lounge marks a new

Departure Lounge, Manchester Airport

level passenger luxury, promising users the same experience as if using their own private jet, being whisked out to their flight In a private limousine.

Therefore, the demands from the client in terms of, quality, design and performance have been quite challenging but one we look forward to delivering. www.baasl.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 57

ON SITE

Edgetech Innovation

The Backbone Of ‘World’s Most Complex Building’ Dubai’s Museum of the Future is widely considered the most architecturally complex building in the world – and 36,000 metres of Edgetech’s Super Spacer® have played an integral role in taking it from blueprint stage to reality.

It’s set to be ‘an incubator for ideas, a driver for innovation, and a destination for inventors and entrepreneurs from all around the world’, says its creator, UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

When it’s finished, the spectacular eye-shaped structure will house a permanent exhibition of the world’s most cutting-edge technology. It was only fitting that it took some of the world’s most cutting-edge technology to construct it, too.

A collaboration between ar58 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

chitect Shaun Killa, engineers BuroHappold, BAM International and AFFAN Innovative Structures, the stunning building’s outer skin consists of 7,000 custom-made IGUs engineered into incredibly intricate calligraphy forms. This major design aspect features poetry from the prime minister about the future in Arabic.

And inside those units are more than 36,000 metres of Super Spacer® TriSeal™ Premium Plus.

“Even if you’ve planned curtain walling for decades, you always start from scratch on a project of this complexity,” comments Fernando Morante, AFFAN Technical Director.

“In the ten years since we first used Super Spacer to make free-form IGUs in Abu Dhabi’s

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, we’ve had no problems whatsoever.

That meant that, when it came to this even more ambitious project, Super Spacer was the go-to product.

“Its flexibility and outstanding all-round performance have let us go to the very limits of what’s technologically feasible.

With a rigid spacer, that would be virtually impossible.”

Designed to enhance the performance of IGUs, Super Spacer TriSeal’s triple-seal design includes desiccated silicone foam, acrylic adhesive and a multilayer vapour barrier to offer outstanding performance.

It’s been used in some of the world’s most striking and ambitious buildings, from Abu Dhabi’s stunning The Opus to the newly-renovated Eiffel Tower.

For more information on Super Spacer TriSeal or for further projects from around the world visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

ON SITE

Premier Glass

Matches Premiership Play Glass manufacturer TuffX demonstrated how they too are at the top of their game after smartening up the offices at Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club with brand new internal high-spec balustrades.

viously supplied to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, and Liverpool’s Anfield. Adding Exeter to their repertoire at the most prestigious time in the sport’s calendar – the Six Nations – is a welcome accolade.

The premiership club drafted in the Knowlsey based specialists due to their reputation for offering unrivalled lead-times and on-hand, quality technical knowhow. Consequently, more than 90m2 of 19mm toughened glass now stands proudly at the club’s Devonshire home, Sandy Park.

Managing Director Graham Price explained that the array of clients TuffX supports is varied:

TuffX is no stranger to elite sporting grounds having pre-

“Glass is a simple way of bringing light into a space, or providing safety without compromising a view. We have been able to install products of all types within some really interesting spaces, including Buckingham Palace, and are

continuously on show to the public via work we’ve undertaken in high street stores. Our products come with standard safety features such as dubbed corners and this is something we know appeals to those with high consumer footfall.

“Our glass balustrading can be supplied to small or large, commercial or domestic projects in a number of thicknesses. The versatility of glass means that we can also manufacture any design features or cut outs as required.”

Graham finished with a message of good luck to the club: “I’ve been told that Exeter Chiefs are really very pleased with the end result; we wish them a successful 2019 season.” www.tuffxglass.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 59

MARKETING

From Factory To The Home: The Freefoam Supply Chain Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of fascia, soffit, gutter and cladding products for the building industry in UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe are delighted to launch a new short video to showcase their supply chain and the support it gives to all within it.

Manufacturers, like Freefoam, who supply trade customers can seem distant and remote from their end users. Freefoam wanted to dispel this myth and shine a light on the whole supply chain that is dedicated to delivering choice from factory to homeowner.

From the Mixing Plant where raw materials are blended and stored, to the production plant featuring state of the art extrusion facilities, through to new warehouse provision where all products are stored 60 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

and despatched, the video illustrates the full extent of the Freefoam plant.

Customer service is at the heart of Freefoam. Supplying to a range of independent stockists and multi branch merchants throughout the UK from Aberdeen to St Austell, the film shows one of these deliveries taking place, to ensure customer’s shelves are kept fully stocked.

Customer focus is part of the whole chain, with many Freefoam suppliers offering a delivery service to builders, housing developers and home improvement companies out on site. Fitters can be confident that the products will be with them when and where they need them.

With Freefoam Registered Installers throughout the UK the final link in the chain is at a homeowner’s property. Once on site, with the distinctive green film and Freefoam branding visible on fascia and soffit products, homeowners can feel reassured in the knowledge that high quality, long lasting, low maintenance products are being fitted to their home. White products come with a market leading 50 year guarantee, so choosing Freefoam delivers good long term value for homeowners.

Louise Sanderson, Marketing Manager summarised “We’re very proud to be part of this story. Using video allows us to take you on a journey from where the products are made, through to supply and fit. Freefoam products are a core part of many successful local businesses around the UK, from stockist to installers, and we’re committed to supporting this supply chain and keeping the needs of the homeowner at the heart of our business.”

MARKETING

Showcasing Their Best

On A State Of The Art Site Glass specialist TuffX has launched a responsive new website designed to optimise the visitor experience, for both its residential and commercial customers, and better deliver the company’s diverse offering.

The motivation for the change was two-fold, as IT Manager, Paul Cairns explains: “Efficiency was one of the key drivers.

The old site served a purpose but was overly complicated to maintain in-house; keeping both products and news fully updated for our customers used to be a time consuming job. With the new site this has all been streamlined, as well as the aesthetics being overhauled to better show the quality and applications of our products.

“Accessibility was also a top priority,” Paul continued, “After tracking visitor journeys around the original site, it became clear that a number of existing conservatory roof glass customers were not accessing information on additional glass options, for example, so were typically unaware that this is something we

can provide.”

Better promotion of the full TuffX catalogue was one of the primary outcomes for Managing Director, Graham Price: “When we realised how few people knew that TuffX supplied glass for stairs, flooring and balustrades, we made sure this was one of the areas that was addressed.

The eye naturally follows an ‘F’ pattern when viewing a page, so the ‘Product’ tab is now placed in a more prominent position with the dropdown menu then detailing each of our range categories; Range, Application and Decorative, followed by a full product list.

“The new website is just part of a wider systems expansion strategy currently being implemented at TuffX, helping us to improve communication with our customers and maintain a high quality service.” www.tuffXglass.co.uk

Dekko Window Systems, one of the country’s leading and most trusted fabricators, has launched a brand-new, high-end website, www.dekkowindows. com.

It showcases their complete range of window and door products, including Räum, the high-end aluminium range; the Residence Collection, which includes the flush sash R9 and square profiled R2; and Infinity, the uPVC windows and doors range with seamless corner weld.

It also features an online portal for installers to access the firms renowned marketing support through Make It Yours, as well as the latest news and developments from Dekko.

Dekko’s Sales Director Kurt Greatrex said: “After another record year we thought the timing was

New High-End Dekko Website Goes LIVE right for us to launch our brandnew website to showcase our ever-expanding, market-leading product range.

our marketing partners Purplex to re-launch our website and we are delighted with our new online platform.

“We have a reputation for delivering premium products and professional service to our customers and we wanted a website that reflected those values.

“It’s easy to use, easy to navigate and provides a great resource for both existing and potential customers to see why we are one of the leading trade fabricators in the business.” www.dekkowindows.com

“We worked very closely with

WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 61

MARKETING

Liniar Launches Online Search Facility Over the last few years, the marketing team at Liniar has witnessed a marked increase in customer enquiries across all of its product ranges. Following increases of 150% on phone enquiries and an 80% increase in Live Chat and email enquiries within a just few months last year, the Liniar team knew that they needed a more efficient system for dealing with customer demands.

In order to deliver an immediate response on a 24/7 basis, Liniar has now launched its online ‘Find a Stockist’ function, where visitors can type in a postcode and the products they are seeking, and find the closest Liniar outlets to their location.

“When returning the results for anyone searching for Liniar products, we needed to ensure everyone included on the list would supply products manufactured to our specifications. Liniar Approved Fabricators have put themselves through an exhaustive technical Liniar audit, which gives us the confidence to display them on our website.

Liniar’s ‘Approved Fabricator’ programme has proved the ideal starting point for adding stockists to the website, as Digital Marketing Manager Simone Sangha explains:

“Not all of our Approved Fabricators have supplied their details yet, but we’ve had enough of a critical mass to set the feature live – and it’s already generating leads for

Liniar customers.

“The feature streamlines the enquiry process, making it faster and easier for the end user and delivering tangible leads for fabricators and stockists.

“It’s a simple function to use – visitors enter their postcode, the type of product or service they are looking for and whether they require an installation service and/ or a showroom to visit. The search function will return the three closest Liniar Approved stockists, and clicking on each will take them to that company’s profile page on the Liniar website.

“Here, they’ll find information about the company, their Google reviews, images of their recent Liniar installations, their location on Google maps and the products and services they provide – all so the visitor can make up their own mind about which to contact. If the visitor wants to proceed with an enquiry, they can simply click to send their contact details directly to the fabricator or stockist in a GDPR-friendly format.” liniar.co.uk/stockists

Hurst Rolls Out New Marketing Support Hurst Doors is helping its growing network of customers to increase sales with the launch of a comprehensive new marketing support package. The development swiftly follows the launch of Hurst’s major re-brand with bold new identity that captures the company’s unique pedigree and continuous dedication to manufacturing superior quality doors.

As part of the re-vamp, Hurst has unveiled its new ‘Composite Door Collection’ brochure, which is the most comprehensive brochure ever produced by the Kingston-upon-Hull based firm. Created to help 62 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

installers secure new business, the brochure has been designed to appeal to the needs of the modern homeowner whilst making the process of choosing the perfect composite door as simple as possible.

Featuring Hurst’s three composite door collections – Classic, Cottage and Contemporary Bohemia – the easy to navigate brochure introduces a string of exciting new developments from Hurst, which include brand new door styles, colours, glass designs, locking systems and hardware. www.hurstdoors.co.uk

Package

MARKETING

Certass Digital Support

Package Helps Installers Get Online Delivering on its promise for tangible member benefits, Certass has launched its Digital Support Package for members to help them go digital, get ratings from their customers and prove their professionalism.

Jason Clemmit, Managing Director at Certass explains: “Members have been asking us to help them promote their businesses and as we have pledged to support them with practical business tools, it made sense to create a package that could help make a real difference.

“More than 70 percent of local installers still don’t have a website, but Certass members can now create their free member profile on certass.co.uk. They can upload

images, create a company bio and link to their social media pages from here, so when homeowners search for a glazing installer, it’s easy for them to find out more about them.

“It also shows the status of their Certass membership, so homeowners can check that they are still registered with us. For extra peace of mind, we’ve added a ratings section too. Installers can

give their customers a link, so they can get genuine, helpful ratings.”

Through the new Certass member ratings system, installers are scored by their customers on service, reliability & timekeeping, tidiness, workmanship standards and product suitability. The ratings are then displayed on each member profile. Installers receive a notification when a review has been completed, along with any additional comments so they can be used on social media and marketing resources.

Jason adds: “As an extra, every Certass member now has a personalised, dynamic Certass and Certass Trade Association member logo featuring their member number, proving their membership to homeowners. They can display this on their website, social media pages or add it as a footer to their email quotes.” www.certass.co.uk

New Website For Framexpress

Framexpress, the 4-hour quotes, 48-hour windows fabricator, has launched a new website to help window installers make the best product choices for their domestic and commercial projects.

Mark Westbrook, Director at Framexpress says: “The new website has been created to make it really easy for installers to get the most up-to-date product information, easily download sales support and also get in touch for a 4-hour quote.

“The new site has been themed around the trade service promise of 4-hour quotes, 48-hour windows from Framexpress. The fabricator also offers windows and doors in a range of 10 colour foils in just five days and is Patiomaster Dealer for the West Midlands.

Mark adds: “In today’s world, where a whole business can be run through a Smartphone, it makes sense to invest in digital support so that installers can get the information they need, wherever and whenever they need it.

It’s a handy sales tool for installers

too, as each product page features impressive image galleries and loads of technical information on products including design, colour and hardware options.” www.framexpress.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 63

FIT SHOW NEWS

Building Our Skills Supports FIT Show’s Skills Thursday Initiative Building Our Skills, the industry-led campaign designed to attract young people and career changers to choose Fenestration as a career of choice has been chosen to support the FIT Show event with its new initiative – ‘Skills Thursday’ at this year’s show.

‘Skills Thursday’ will take place on 23th May, at the NEC, Birmingham and will be aimed at attracting non-industry visitors to attend and learn more about what Fenestration can offer career changers and young people.

To support the day’s activities, Building Our Skills and the show organisers will be running a series of seminars, talks and business clinics aimed at providing newcomers with an insight into the many roles, training and qualifications in Fenestration.

64 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

The visitors will also be able to follow the ‘skills trail’ and meet with Building Our Skills supporting companies to discuss the potential opportunities existing within their own businesses and Fenestration as a whole.

In addition, the Building Our Skills stand will act as a focal point for both organisations and individuals wishing to learn more about Fenestration qualifications, CPD learning, upskilling staff, mentoring, general guidance on staff retention, as well as helping to educate employers on how to become more effective attracting and engaging with career changes and youngsters.

Building Our Skills was formed in 2018 to help provide a platform for businesses from Fenestration to promote and engage with young people and career changers to choose the industry as a

career of choice.

Stephanie Tague, Head of Building Our Skills commented, “Previously, the industry has not been good at attracting young and new talent, but there are big changes within the education sector which could present Fenestration the opportunity to be right at the start of this movement and make a real difference to the future of our industry.

“FIT Show is an ideal opportunity for the employers and companies to showcase the type of industry we are. We are planning to use the 3-day event firstly, to instil employers with a better awareness of training, qualifications and upskilling existing staff and secondly to promote the industry to outsiders – those interested in choosing a career in Fenestration.”

FIT SHOW NEWS

Building Our Skills has recently drawn up partnerships with several key Government agencies both from the Education and Defence Sectors. The partnerships will work to help promote and create a wider awareness of Fenestration and directly target the individuals within these sectors who are potentially looking to choose a new career path.

Let’s Make Composites,

Says Entrance

Stephanie continues, “We are hoping to attract teachers, career advisors and maybe some students, along with ex-service personnel to the FIT Show, with the aim to grow their knowledge of the type of careers available.”

Nickie West, Managing Director of FIT Show said, “There is no better platform than FIT Show to bring key people in our industry together and help tackle key industry issues such as the skills gap. When the concept for ‘Skills Thursday’ came up, we were delighted to find out that Building Our Skills and some of our key exhibitors were already addressing this issue head-on.

“Skills Thursday will provide our exhibitors the opportunity to find out first-hand what they can do to support this drive – from unlocking funding to recruit apprentices through to attracting and retaining new talent,” Nickie continues, “for the first time we will be inviting young people, careers influencers, ex-service personnel and those looking for a new career path to the show to experience for themselves our industry up close and personal.”

If you are attending FIT Show as an exhibitor and wish to play a part in Thursday’s events or become a Building Our Skills supporter, then contact Stephanie Tague – stephanie@buildingourskills.co.uk. The Show is open for three full days, Tuesday 21 May: 10.00-20.00, Wednesday 22 May: 10.00-17.00 and Thursday 23 May: 10.00-16.00.

With the FIT Show just a matter of weeks away, Entrance Composite Door Solutions, which is part of AMK Hardware Ltd, is embarking on a campaign aimed at fabricators who want to enter the market for manufacturing composite doors, with a unique product and service proposition on stand P50.

Entrance have become widely respected for their range of door solutions for fabricators with a unique offering of a prepped slab, glazing option and hardware package or any combination of the three. For fabricators, they can benefit from a single source for products and the benefits from a branded support package.

With the experience and expertise of AMK, Entrance now offers a complete hardware range with their prepped door slabs that also includes the like of Sweet and Ultion from Brisant Secure, blu hardware and even finger print recognition. The company also

has the knowledge to develop bespoke door solutions for key partners and is already looking to make a major announcement in the coming weeks.

Greg Kelly, managing director of AMK and Entrance Composite Door Solutions commented: ‘We have a unique proposition that provides fabricators with a one stop shop for composite door manufacturing. With the market growing at around 9% according to the latest market research, it’s an opportunity for many to find revenue streams that will generate double digit margins.

He continued: ‘We’ll be at the FIT Show on stand P50 and will be delighted to present our unique offering to both existing customers with several new product launches and also those potential new ones looking to move into the market for composite door manufacturing.’ www.entranceway.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 65

FIT SHOW NEWS

#ComeAlong To KOMMERLING

At The FIT Show KÖMMERLING have just launched their #ComeAlong video and social media campaign for the FIT Show to encourage customers, fabricators, installers and business partners to visit them at the show in May this year at the NEC, Birmingham.

Underpinning the #ComeAlong campaign will be six main videos covering the key areas of the business including appearances from managing director Gareth Jones, sales director Brian McDonald, technical, customer support and Gareth Parton from the newly formed finished products division.

Within each video, key staff will also be encouraging people to visit the stand with the opportunity to 66 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

win two premium hospitality tickets to see KÖMMERLING main sponsored 1. FSV Mainz 05 play in the Bundesliga, Germany.

With the new outward opening System 76 including casement, flush and fully reversible variants, along with System 70 and a lift and slide PremiDoor 76, it’s a large stand packed with products, but also with other business initiatives.

There will be a KÖMMERLING Showroom concept on part of the stand, along with representation from Entrance Composite Door Solutions, GLASSOLUTIONS and ISO-Chemie, as part of the new Partnership Programme.

Gareth Jones, managing director

of profine UK and the KÖMMERLING brand commented: ‘This new video campaign has been designed to communicate the culture here at KÖMMERLING as an open, technologically advanced and forward-thinking company. Whether you are a fabricator, installer or specifier there’s never been a better time in which to come and talk to us and to also enjoy some Anglo-German hospitality.’

Look out for the videos which will be posted on Twitter @kommerling_uk and also on Window News TV Kommerling will be on stand N30 at the FIT Show which will be held at the NEC, Birmingham 21-23rd May, 2019. For all other information call 01543 444900, e-mail enquiries@profine-group.com or visit www.kommerling.co.uk

FIT SHOW NEWS

Soft Tech Group To Increase

Business Profile In The UK

Be Inspired With ‘Everything

Central’ At FIT With the announcement issued last year of changes to the senior management team at Soft Tech, Anne Coulter, Soft Tech European Business Director, will be making introductions into the UK market over the coming months.

Soft Tech’s software solutions have become a household name in the window and door industry, and Anne’s move over to the UK this year looks to emulate this and cement the importance of our UK and European customer base in our growth strategy.

An essential part of the strategy has been to join the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), which will prove to be an invaluable relationship.

CAB has now become the largest UK Aluminium in building trade association with over 120 members across the supply chain. Throughout its history CAB has continued to expand its services to Members. It provides high quality technical information and guidance on regulations, standards and best practice. Its ambitious events programme includes Regional Members Meetings, Conferences and Contractual Awareness Seminars around the UK. The Association is also highly proactive in a number of aluminium and sustainability

initiatives in the UK and internationally and is involved in developing and delivering a series of key training initiatives including the CAB Skills Card.

Through this relationship, Soft Tech has been invited to exhibit in the CAB Pavilion at the FIT Show 2019, taking place in Birmingham, 21-23 May 2019.

“We’re delighted to have been invited to exhibit in the CAB Pavilion at the FIT Show in May. We’re looking forward to attending the event, meeting potential prospects and forming solid relationships in the UK market.”

Anne Coulter, Soft Tech European Business Director.

Soft Tech provides premium software for the window and door industry, exclusively built to design, estimate and manufacture windows and doors.

Founded in 1988, Soft Tech now has offices in North America, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Turkey and India. With more than 30 years’ experience in the door and window software industry, Soft Tech have developed a reputation for excellence on delivering some of the largest, complex software solutions for some of the world’s best industry leaders. www.softtech.com

With the FIT Show fast approaching, it’s no surprise that The Boing Boing Group has its show plans all sewn up with ‘Everything Central’.

The fast-growing Midlands based fabricator is at the show with two companies from under the Boing Boing umbrella; CentralRPL and CentralASL – and both companies have a host of products and new initiatives set to inspire customers.

Amy Jansen, Projects and Marketing Manager for the Boing Boing Group explains: “Our first FIT show is providing us with the perfect platform from which to showcase the very latest offerings from both our PVC-U and Aluminium businesses. With all the new products and initiative we’re currently working on, we’re excited to see how they are received at the show.

“Our customer experience is top of mind in everything we do, which is why the launch of ‘Central Hub’ is so exciting for us. It’s an online marketing portal exclusively available to customers of CentralRPL and CentralASL, providing access to a wealth of brochures, POS materials, technical information, samples, IT solutions, as well as design, photography and videography services. We’re proud to have invested so significantly in this online solution and the FIT Show will be its official unveiling where we will be demonstrating the scope of what it offers. www.centralrpl.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019 67

CHARITY

About the challenge

Looking For A Challenge In 2019?

Can you cycle between 80-100 miles in a day, and then do it all again the next day? Dedicate 12 days in June to the event?

Can you raise a minimum sponsorship of £5,000 for children with life-limited illnesses?

Do you want to be part of an amazing team?

If so, GM Fundraising needs you! A space has become available on its next cycling challenge, From Russia With Hope, and the team has decided to offer the space out to the industry. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in the last ride of its kind.

Gary Morton founder of GM Fundraising comments: “Since 68 WINDOW NEWS MARCH 2019

2005, we’ve been setting ourselves these huge cycling challenges which every time, without fail, have delivered an unforgettable experience. It’s not just the achievement of completing the ride, or the thrill of exceeding our fundraising targets, it’s also the unique camaraderie we experience.

“We’ve all built relationships with fellow peers from the fenestration industry, and so many long-term friendships have been formed. It truly is an experience of a lifetime. Ask any member of the team, present and past, and they’ll tell you the same.”

“Taking place in June 2019, ‘From Russia With Hope’, will see a team of 18 riders, supported by three RVs and six supporter team members, cycle through 10 countries in 12 days. Starting at the Russian border, we will be collectively covering in excess of 280 miles each day as we cycle through Finland, into the Arctic Circle, through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, England and Wales, before returning into England and our final destination of Hope House in Oswestry, where we will meet the children and families in their care, the very people we are raising money to support.

The total mileage is 2,730 miles with 34,000 ft of climbing.

While the amount of climbing seems meek compared to some of our previous rides, the reality is that 70% of this will take place in the last two days as the team rides through England and Wales – anyone who has ridden the Shropshire hills will know this is a challenge in itself. As with all GM Fundraising events, every person taking part is expected to cover their own costs, so every penny raised will go directly Hope House to support their care of life-limited children and their families.”

Interested? The first training weekend will take place in the Midlands on the 23rd March and a training camp is scheduled for April, in Mallorca. So, if you want to be part of it get in touch. Call Gary on 07741 262612 or email gary@gmfundraising.co.uk Find out more about the challenge and meet the existing team by visiting: www.gmfundraising.co.uk/from-russia-withhope-saving-the-best-till-last

with your prospects are looking good.

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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.

And with the recent legislation changes, we can help you with GDPR compliancy too.

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@WindowbaseLtd

It’s all systems go!

The concept. The research. The development.

The testing. The trials. Our star performer is ready.

It’s coming to FIT Show on Stand N5.

Discover the amazing.

www.itsallsystemsgo.co.uk #watchthisspace

Epwin Window Systems

STAND N5