Aluminium ‘on track for 17-year high’

Robert Palmer

Figures released by Palmer Market Research suggest that aluminium is on course to reach a ‘17-year high’ by 2020.

Speaking ahead of The FIT Show, Robert Palmer, said that the specialist research company was forecasting ‘sustained growth’ for aluminium topping 220,000 frames by the end of the three-year period.

He also highlighted growth in the second-time window replacement market, which he suggests accounted for 70% of all installations last year.

Palmer said: “Having initially dominated the window replacement market, accounting for 95% of all windows in 1979, and 1.8million frames in 1982, aluminium then spent a number of years in the wilderness behind a dominant PVC-U from the late 1990s and timber.

“While PVC-U remains by some way, the dominant frame material, there has been a significant resurgence in aluminium – something which we expect to continue through to 2020 and beyond.

“This includes notable areas of growth in the aluminium bi-fold door sector. We predict that this will continue through to 2020, achieving total growth of around 50% to 35,000 door sets.”

Palmer Market Research will provide a detailed analysis of the trends defining the window and door industry at this year’s FIT Show, NEC, 23-25 May. New report, The Market for Domestic Entrance Doors, argues that a ‘flattening’ of the market in 2015 saw total volume fall by 0.7%. This was, however, offset by a shift towards higher-end products and higher value installations, which delivered a 2% increase in installed value to £4.20 billion.

Palmer suggests that, going forward, prospects are highly variable depending on sector and product offering – aluminium as highlighted is a notable winner.

As in previous years, the home improvement sector continues to dominate, with a value of £3.24 billion last year. Going forward into this year, Palmer suggests an above forecast performance, with growth at 1.5% to £3.28 billion by the end of 2016.

But this is tempered by a downgrading of the new build forecasts. “Brexit remains an unknown quantity. Although the referendum vote hasn’t had the immediate economic impact that it was forecast to and the UK economy has so far proved more resilient than expected, we would still suggest some ‘slowing in the housing market is likely”, said Palmer.

He continued: “Any possible dip in (house) prices, tends to slow the supply of new homes. This may become more acute if first-time buyers opt to wait-out Brexit before getting on the property ladder.”

Robert Palmer will present analysis from 12.50pm to 1.40pm on the 23rd May as part of the FIT Talk Interview programme, the FIT Show, NEC 23 – 25 May.

As well as providing a forecast of the industry’s prospects through to 2020, he will also offer an analysis of influences on end-user purchasing decisions and trends.

Palmer said: “There’s been a definite shift in end-user preference to premium and higher end products including aluminium but also PVC-U foils, flush finish and mechanically jointed windows.

“This was instrumental in holding up installed values last year, despite the overall fall in volumes. With growth in the second-time replacement market, the very tangible and aesthetic differences in new windows, should be expected to accelerate, taking greater market share going forward, representing sizeable areas of opportunity.”

www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk

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Internationally renowned machinery experts elumatec have become the latest major firm to appoint Purplex, the specialist marketing agency for the fenestration and building products industry.

Already well established in the aluminium sector, elumatec recently launched a new collection of PVCu fabrication machines, including the highly-advanced Flex Centre 160, and has appointed Purplex to boost brand awareness among PVCu fabricators.

Managing Director Phil Heavey commented: “elumatec is the world’s largest window machinery company and we recently announced a strategic partnership with PVCu machine manufacturer Sturtz, with plans to showcase a new selection of machines at the FIT Show in May. We needed an agency to help us engage with a new audience and Purplex was the obvious choice. They have a strong track record in the glass and glazing industry and the skills and resources we need to take our business to the next level.”

Purplex Managing Director Andrew Scott, who has acquired, built and sold a number of companies in the fenestration industry, commented: “elumatec have an impressive new product range and we’re now working on a highly-targeted PR, direct mail and email marketing strategy to engage with PVCu fabricators. We’re delighted to be working with a big name like elumatec and we look forward to helping Phil and the team win more business, build the elumatec brand and achieve their goals in the year ahead.”

Founded in 1928, elumatec has a global reputation for quality, innovation and excellence in design, with a presence in dozens of countries around the world across all five continents.

Purplex is the full-service marketing agency for the construction and glazing industries. The company has grown 35% year-on-year since 2004, and today has 60 staff and an enviable 98% customer retention rate.

For more information call Purplex on 01934 808132 or visit www.purplexmarketing.com

It was announced earlier on this week that FENSA has launched a new ID card for FENSA registered installers, as part of a wider re-brand coming into effect during 2017. And it’s the latter part of that sentence which peaks my interest rather than the card itself. Before I go into my own thoughts on that, this was the official press release:

New FENSA Member ID card launched to kick-start 2017 rebrand

Today FENSA, the Government authorised self-certification scheme for windows and doors installers launches the new FENSA Member ID Card.

Following engagement with FENSA members and consumer groups alike, it was found that both were keen for there to be a more credible ID card. Installers wanted to demonstrate their trustworthiness and reliability, with customers wanting greater peace of mind.
Commenting, Jon Vanstone, Director of FENSA, said:

“It is a really exciting time for FENSA and the new card marks the first of a number of initiatives and changes in 2017 that will deliver more value to members and help them have better engagement with their customers.

The modern and fresh design of the new FENSA Card helps members to promote their businesses to customers up and down the country. Members are positioned more effectively, with both the FENSA and business logos on the card, increasing genuine credibility to their operation in the eyes of the customer. Added to this, the card protects members more effectively with new enhanced security features, such as a hologram, to prevent rogue traders developing counterfeit cards.

Members will be carrying the new FENSA Card which will enable customers to cross reference the details on the card on FENSA’s online database. Checking who is on your doorstep is vital particularly when dealing with vulnerable people.”

Commenting, Neil Coyle, Member of Parliament for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said:

“I’m delighted to see the launch of the new FENSA Card today, an initiative that will help installers build trust with their customers.
FENSA membership is synonymous with high quality work and the FENSA Card will soon be a visual representation of this. It is great to hear more about FENSA’s bold plans to support installers in the year ahead. FENSA plays an important role in the fenestration industry and its’ work will continue to protect the reputation of responsible installers.”

Further important details about the new FENSA Member ID Card include:

FENSA installers/surveyors need to have achieved for their Minimum Technical Competencies (MTC) via Helix Training www.trainwithhelix.co.uk. MTC are a mandatory requirement for Installers and Surveyors working in the Glass and Glazing sector in England and Wales

The FENSA Card is valid for two years from issue. Its expiry date is separate to the renewal date of MTC compliance

If you are a current FENSA installer or surveyor, you will soon be able to apply for your card at www.fensaonline.com through your account

Upon applying, you will be required to provide your FENSA registration number and personal details including, your head shot, company logo, occupation, route to MTC (if you have not already achieved it) and National Insurance number

The new FENSA Card costs £20 + VAT

Existing FENSA MTC Cards out in the marketplace are valid up to the expiry date on the card and then superseded by the new “FENSA Card”

My thoughts

The fact there is a new card isn’t really the news here for me. Yes it’s good from a FENSA perspective as it gives their installers something new a flashy to demonstrate to home owners that everything is as it should be. And the installers who really use their FENSA membership to help sell windows and doors will appreciate the new card too.

However, it’s the re-brand, of which the card form parts of, which is more important to me. In 2017, FENSA faces more competition from new names in the industry and existing ones who are starting to make more noise about themselves. A re-brand has been long needed in my opinion, and I would guess that one of the aims is to show to the industry that it continues to move with the trends and wants to stay as relevant and fresh for their installers as possible.

As the title of their press release shows, they’re embarking on a re-brand mission this year, and there are more measures to come from FENSA as we progress through the year. There is no doubting that FENSA remains the single most recognised industry trade body with home owners. But as I have already said, there are tough new challenges in the market place, with new names and existing ones making headway, which will require FENSA to up their game in brand to both installers and home owners.

I feel like the dynamic between industry bodies is about to go through major change, starting this year. This re-brand may well be FENSA’s way to fight off new challenges. How the other players in the market respond will be an interesting watch.

CORGI Fenestration Scheme Limited has been launched into the multi-billion pound fenestration sector. CORGI Fenestration is a fully licensed business working with CORGI Services, and will bring all the known and associated attributes of the CORGI brand to the industry. Chris Mayne will be Chief Executive Officer and Jacqueline Crawford will be Chief Operating Officer (full biographies below) Speaking about the launch, Chris commented: “This is a hugely exciting time for our new venture, and we hope for the industry. CORGI Fenestration is suited to all levels of the supply chain – systems houses, fabricators, and installers. Our aim is to support them to win more home improvement business for our industry based on a customer perception that as an industry we will deliver improvements reliably, safely, with the latest knowledge at our fingertips coupled to experience and expertise.”

Jacqueline added: “We are delighted that CORGI share our vision for a new approach to the fenestration industry. We are equally delighted as a part of bringing this opportunity to fruition to have formed a collaborative working relationship with GQA Qualifications the industry’s only qualification and awarding body to underpin our approach that qualification of operatives is the bedrock for long-term success. We have formed CORGI Fenestration as a fully licensed business with exclusive use of the CORGI brand in the fenestration industry.”

Caitriona Deakin CEO of CORGI Services welcomed CORGI Fenestration with the words: “CORGI has continued to look at other industries where delivering a service to the homeowner in a trusted and reliable way is a key element of the route to market. We have had many approaches over the years, and turned down many potential opportunities, but when we met with Chris Mayne and Jacqueline Crawford it became clear that through their knowledge of the fenestration industry and their approach to business that we had a meeting of minds about how service should be delivered.

“Their ethos is clearly the same as our own, wanting all tradespeople involved in the supply chain to be suitably and formally trained and qualified to do the jobs they are required to do in order to deliver a truly reliable service to the consumer. CORGI Fenestration is entirely complementary to other CORGI licences which are active in the building services sector such as heating and plumbing and we are delighted to be working with such experienced and well qualified people in a truly dynamic industry.”

E: chris.mayne@corgifenestration.co.uk

E: Jacqui.crawford@corgifenestration.co.uk

www.corgifenestration.co.uk

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More systems …more brands …more speciality products …The Glazerite UK Group Ltd is gearing up to match the biggest-ever FIT Show with the biggest-ever range of products and services from the best in the industry.

Always one to lead the way Glazerite are managing just that again this year with the launch of their new Flood door. The high-spec Flood Door, incorporating the Palladio slab will be on display as Glazerite look to sign up suitable companies to take on exclusive regional partnerships. Working with some of the industries best including VEKA, Halo, Solidor, Palladio, Residence, Warmcore and Ultion gives the company a compelling portfolio, making it a must-see for every installer visiting the show, at the NEC in May.

Director Jason Thompson says they can’t wait to show the industry everything the group now has to offer: “We’ve just opened our new specials factory enabling us to differentiate the manufacturing processes for the premium brands in our portfolio. Manufacturing 7 profile systems across our product range gives our installers all the flexibility they need when quoting for jobs. Coupled with the industry’s leading quality and guarantee organisations – like Network VEKA, Planitherm Installer Network, Maco Secure +, VEKA / Halo approved installer, ERA Five-Star Guarantee and the Ultion £1,000 Break-in Guarantee – Glazerite can provide the right support package for every company regardless of size.

“Glazerite installers are often the first to have access to new or enhanced products. The new Flood Door is a great opportunity for retailers to target the many high-risk areas and the regional exclusivity means they will be uniquely placed to market this great product.”

He added “Where else could they see so many of the biggest and best names in the industry all on one stand – and know that every one of them is backed by the quality manufacturing, guarantees and service that we stake our name on. A huge part of this offering is the marketing support we offer to our customers, from getting some of the basics in place right through to building them a bespoke website. It’s really about making sure their customers have a great first impression of them.”

At the core of the stand this year will be the marketing hub and Glazerite are inviting existing and potential partners to make an appointment for an individual marketing review. With an in-house marketing team, the fabricator are perfectly set up to offer their customers the advice and support they need to grow their business. Glazerite are the people to talk to on stand E15 if you’re looking to get a lot more out of your fabricator.

The Glazerite UK Group is VEKA’s largest trade fabricator in the UK and a long-standing Network VEKA member. It offers a fully nationwide service based on manufacturing units in Northants, Peterborough and Greater Manchester as well as its South West distribution hub in Bristol serving South Wales and The West of England.

www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

Prefix Systems have launched an impressive content rich new website, which details information about their products for the extended living space and outdoor living markets, alongside aluminium and hybrid window and door systems.

The new website at www.prefixsystems.co.uk offers site visitors with a wealth of information from their broad product range, which is now available from five manufacturing sites serving the entire UK, with the recent addition of Sussex-based Pavilion Systems. Navigation has been carefully organised with products split into six categories of glazed roofs, solid insulated roofs, Orangeries, skylights and rooflights, outdoor living and doors and windows.

Additional information is also covered on specialist glass, Velux rooflights, dedicated products for the replacement conservatory market and specific content on their impressive OPUS aluminium-timber composite system. Latest news is carried on the site, along with a live Twitter feed and a Live Chat facility, which has already proven particularly useful.

There is now a dedicated page for the impressive Verandah system, along with new OPUS and WARMroof product pages, while a dedicated FIT Show page will carry important information before, during and after the industry’s important and only trade show. A new download area is also being worked on, which will include the eagerly anticipated, new 2017 Prefix Product Directory, after its launch at the FIT Show.

As a people driven business, the website also details full contact details for each of their branches, with a number of e-mail contacts listed by branch including support, quotations, external sales and accounts. Proudly listed on the home page are a number of the most recent business awards that Prefix has picked up over the last three years, reflecting the culture built up at the company which is now in its 21st year of trading.

Hannah Gilrane, marketing co-ordinator of Prefix Systems commented: ‘The new Prefix website is a content rich platform for the trade, with easy to use navigation. Given our particularly broad product range, it’s an opportunity for us to support trade partners with important information, clearly laid out and all underpinned by the award-winning service that we offer.’

For further information, on Prefix Systems contact the head office on 01254 871800, visit the new website at www.prefixsystems.co.uk, e-mail enquiries@prefixsystems.co.uk or add to their considerable following on Twitter @prefixsystems. You can also visit them on stand R20 at the FIT Show in hall 8.

The seeds of the project were cast in 2012 by owner Allen Green and his wife Jan, who have lived in Hereford since 1984 and run a family owned business in a neighbouring town. Handing over the business to family members they are now looking forward to retirement in their stunning new home.  This is a ‘grand design’ of the true kind and has involved years of planning and preparation with Allen and Jan adopting a hands on approach, project managing the build themselves.

Originally looking for a home, ‘with a little bit of land’, to be enjoyed by their children and grandchildren their search has ended with an impressive, architecturally styled  oak frame, self build, red cedar and stone clad home set in 14 acres of glorious woodland. The Greens bought the land at auction not knowing at the time that it was in the centre of an area of geological interest and home to over 600 species of moths and butterflies.  Preserving the integrity of the area has been important to Allen and Jan as enjoying their natural surroundings is a big part of their retirement plan.

The project has included building a barn, putting in a new steel bridge for access and preserving two original stone cottages. “Our original plan was to rebuild and extend the original old stone cottage but this proved to be impractical, so we were then looking at taking on this much larger new build but retaining the heritage of the old cottage.  It has been very satisfying seeing the new building emerging while the old cottage sits quietly and gently in the background.  This blend of old and new has been important to us throughout this project. ” says Allen.

The 270 m2 overhanging wing-shaped roof is one of the features of the project and its dipping and rising aesthetic complements the surrounding, undulating woodland.  “We were originally looking at a zinc roof but the complexities of the structure would have made ventilation very difficult.  I liked the idea of using a single ply roofing membrane because we wanted a high performance, low maintenance, flexible, agile solution” said Allen.

His research led him to Sarnafil.  It was the company’s Swiss heritage and the fact that some of their earliest roofs are now over fifty years’ old that  proved an attractive proposition: “The Sarnafil credentials were very reassuring’ says Allen ‘I felt that I could relax and worry less because it’s Swiss and you associate that with high quality, high performance brands”.  Allen then contacted Kevin Hodge, Managing Director, County Flat Roofing (UK) Ltd, a Roof Assured, Sarnafil registered installer, based in Weston Super Mare, who has over 20 years’ experience installing the Sarnafil membrane on commercial and domestic projects.

“This has been an exciting project” says Kevin “it’s allowed us to use the versatility of the Sarnafil membrane to work closely with Allen to design and develop solutions throughout the membrane installation.  This is the first installation in the UK using the new lead grey self-adhesive Sarnafil membrane, developed and manufactured by Sika Sarnafil in Switzerland. The ease of application, flexibility and accessibility of the new membrane has allowed us scope to meet the complexities of this unusual roof design.”

The system was installed using Sarnafil G410-15ELF SA self-adhesive lead grey membrane with an integral self-adhesive 300g/m² polyester fleece as the main roof sheet with Sarnafil G410-15EL lead grey for all detail work flashings. The plywood deck was primed using Sarnafil 600 primer, with the build up covered by a 15-year Sarnafil, insurance backed product guarantee. The Sarnafil membrane is one of the only membranes on the market that comes in a 2.5 m roll making installation even more efficient and cost effective.

The breadth of the project has been wide, but the core reason for starting in the first place has never been lost to Allen and Jan: “This has always been about creating a family orientated home.  We never wanted it to be a show home and that has been the foundation for most of the decisions we have made about the design”.

If you are interested in becoming a Roof Assured by Sarnafil registered installer visit www.roofassured.co.uk/installer

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For anyone who missed ‘Shoe Gate’ on social media in the last few weeks, the recent news from RegaLead is that after almost 2 decades with the company, Ian Duckworth is sadly leaving to relocate abroad. Stepping into his (admittedly less flamboyant) shoes is seasoned industry glass man Roland Sarin, who has joined the company as Market Manager Insulated Glass.

Roland comments: “I first joined the industry back in 1995 and have been lucky enough to work with some leading brands over the years like Pilkington and Edgetech. I love our sector because of the huge diversity of individuals and products which keeps it challenging and interesting. RegaLead is a brand that I’ve kept an eye on over the years and have always respected their tangible innovation, teamwork and inclusivity. Visiting their stands at many trade exhibitions, I’ve been impressed by a sense of professionalism but what that’s always mixed with enjoyment, respect and fun. I’ll be working with Ian for the next couple of months before he leaves and look forward to meeting customers between now and the FIT show.”

Guy Hubble, Joint MD comments: “We’re obviously sad that Ian, or Ducky as he’s affectionately known to the team, is leaving and we wish him all the best for his new life. He has been a fantastic asset to the business and without him, RegaLead would not be the clear market leader it is today. He has consistently shown talent and dedication in both his dealing with customers, but also in terms of product development. I’d like to say a fantastic thank-you. And it’s not entirely a goodbye as Ian will continue to support us in our export markets when he emigrates.

“Insulated glass remains a core part of the RegaLead business and we service an extensive customer base of IGU manufacturers and distributors to trade. With his heritage and experience in glass and glass processing, Roland is the ideal person to build on this important part of our business and continue the relationships and product solutions Ian has made over the years.”

For more information on decorative products for glass, windows and doors from RegaLead visit www.regalead.co.uk or call 0161 946 1164.