Renovation Spending Up 22 Percent in 2016; Increases Forecast for 2017

Fabricators and installers can now buy a huge selection of specialist fenestration tools direct from Mila, after the hardware specialist added the popular Xpert Tools range to its product line up.

The Xpert Tools range includes everything from air tools to glass lifters, with lots of products developed specifically for the needs of the window trade sector.

For the workbench, there are several air drills now available from Mila including a compact 2000rpm Dentist Drill or ‘3mm die grinder’, and a low noise, 3/8 keyless air drill with touch sensitive trigger ideal for prepping holes when fitting hardware.

Specifically for fabricators, the range includes things like the Xpert SIP air blow gun with a long, angled nozzle for blowing swarf and dust away from the application and workbench and the Xpert Moon knife for trimming welded joints and gaskets. And, for installers, there is the Xpert glazing shovel for perfect toeing and heeling, and the Xpert glass thickness gauge complete with protective carrycase.

The entire range also covers air screwdrivers, routers and sanders, applicator guns, cutting tools, and digital angle finders, as well as four different performance grades of Teflon sheet. PVC-U fabricators using Teflon as a release barrier during welding can now order the sheet by the square metre from Mila in grades from standard to best.

Mila says that it is responding to demand from customers who like the fact that they can buy the range from an experienced sales team, fully trained to give ‘expert’ advice in person and on the phone, and who know that, if they order by 5pm, they are guaranteed next day delivery.

Managing Director Richard Gyde said: “We’ve always stocked and supplied a long list of ancillaries, tools and adhesives which our customers really value because it makes their life easier having us as a One Stop Shop type supplier. By adding Xpert Tools to our range, we’re giving them an even broader choice and still guaranteeing the same legendary Mila attention to detail on picking, packing and despatch.”

The full Mila Xpert Tools line up will feature in the latest edition of the iconic Mila Key catalogue which is due to be published soon.

Further details are available at: www.mila.co.uk

Fast-growing fabricator The Window Outlet has collaborated with North West Bifolds to supply AluK’s premium BSC94 patio doors to CARGO, the exciting retail space constructed entirely from shipping containers, found in Wapping Wharf, Bristol’s vibrant new harbour side quarter.

CARGO 1 and 2 incorporate a diverse array of businesses, including a yoga studio, a jeweller, a juice bar and restaurants with cuisine from around the world.

“Wapping Wharf is a really exciting development that we’re delighted to be a part of – especially since it’s in our home city,” comments Ben Warren, MD at The Window Outlet. “The BSC94 sliding door system from AluK is the perfect solution for a project of this nature – it’s a versatile, reliable system that maximises natural light and provides uncompromised views with its large, high-performance glass panes and ultra slim sightlines.”

CARGO 1 and 2 are home to over 50 converted shipping containers across two levels. The addition of AluK’s inline patio doors allows many of the repurposed shipping containers to feature glass frontages, providing fantastic views out on to the harbour.

“For commercial projects and retail developments especially, choosing the right door products is vital given the amount of use they’ll see over their lifetime,” adds Ben. “The AluK system provides premium, heavy-duty performance while still perfectly complementing the contemporary aesthetics of Wapping Wharf.”

For more information visit www.the-window-outlet.co.uk or call 0117 405 8488

Morley Glass & Glazing has welcomed the first visitors to its newly-opened showroom, offering them the unique opportunity to get hands-on with the company’s integral blind products, and find out more about the benefits they offer.

The creation of the state-of-the-art showroom is part of the company’s £1.5 million move to 49,000sq ft premises in Leeds last July, to accommodate projected growth at the business.

When visiting, guests will be able to learn more about all five of Morley’s integral blind systems, including the battery-operated W Swipe System and the manually operated C System.

The showroom also benefits from a section demonstrating the effects of different glass options, thanks to a range of products kindly supplied by the UK’s largest processor, distributor, installer and repairer of glass and glass systems, Glassolutions.

Visitors to the new showroom will have the chance to see a number of Glassolutions’ innovative glazing products first-hand, including SGG PLANITHERM Total+, SGG PLANITHERM One and SGG PLANITHERM 4S, and not only see but actually feel the advantages of using glass that offers solar and/or thermal control properties.

Ian Short, managing director at Morley Glass, said: “We’ve always wanted to provide a space where our customers could have the chance to see first-hand all the innovative technology that goes into our product range.

“One of the motivations behind our move to a large site in 2016, as well as the opportunity to boost production capacity, was so we could have the space to make this showroom a reality. I’m very pleased with how everything has come together and look forward to welcoming many visitors in the future!”

For more information, and to arrange a visit, go to www.morleyglass.co.uk.

With an ever-expanding product range spread across uPVC and aluminium, designed to provide installers with more opportunities to sell, Astraseal has added a new perspective to their roof lantern range with the addition of Eurocell’s innovative Skypod Acute.

At a steeper, 35-degree pitch, the Skypod Acute allows installers to reach new customers with a more compact roof lantern. The Acute is a full 15-degrees taller than the standard Skypod range, creating a slimmer base and more opportunities to add natural light to unexplored spaces and properties.

“The Skypod range from Eurocell has transformed the roof lantern market providing a cost-effective uPVC alternative to aluminium, which achieves the same stylish aesthetics and ultra-high efficiency,” comments Zac Nedimovic, Sales and Marketing Manager at Astraseal. “The Skypod Acute continues this trend and allows installers to attract new business with a universal product thanks to its smaller aperture.”

Available in two-bar, three-bar and square configurations, the Acute combines a versatile design with slim sightlines and stylish glazing bars. The Skypod Acute also takes advantage of Eurocell’s full suite of frame and glass colours and balances contemporary style with outstanding performance, achieving U-Values as low as 1.0W/m2K.

“The 35-degree design is also very popular and commonly found in commercial spaces such as education buildings and offices, allowing installers to further branch into new markets,” adds Zac. “Installers offering the Acute can undercut aluminium suppliers with a high-performance uPVC solution.”

For more information call Astraseal on 01933 227233or visit www.astraseal.co.uk

FIT Show 2017 is excited to announce that tool manufacturing heavyweight Makita will be joining its long list of exhibitors set to descend on the NEC, Birmingham 23-25^th May.

With over 100 years of experience Makita’s products are lauded the world over both for their performance and quality. Manufacturing its tools in plants across the globe, from its headquarters in Japan to the UK, its Telford plant is the only full production facility for power tools in the UK and has been successfully running construction on many of its top line power cordless power tools since 1991.

“We are looking forward to exhibiting at FIT Show for the first time this year,” said Makita’s Marketing Manager, Kevin Brannigan. “We see both exhibitors and visitors as being integral Makita customers from an industry where our products already feature very strongly. It should be an ideal showcase for a host of our ranges of tools and accessories, where we will feature both existing tools and several new products introduced in 2017.”

Getting into the giving spirit at its first ever FIT Show, the tool giant will also be giving away Makita products over the course of the three days of FIT. Kevin added:

“We are pleased to be associated with FIT Show 2017 and we were keen to support the competition prize pot in contributing the latest Makita DMR104 DAB Site Radios where there will be 18 lucky winners who will walk away with Makita products over the three days.”

Excited to have Makita on board, FIT Show Event Director, Nickie West, said: “As one of the world’s most celebrated tool manufacturers we are delighted to have them exhibiting at our first show at the NEC. We look forward to welcoming them to the show.”

Taking place 23-25th May 2017, to book a stand at FIT Show 2017 please contact Freya Humphries on: 07572 623457, or email: freya@fitshow.co.uk. To register as a visitor for FIT Show 2017 visit: www.livebuzzreg.co.uk/2017/fit17

Issued on behalf of The FIT Show. For further information contact Will Lavin on 07903 184 662; email will@fitshow.co.uk. May 2017.

The forthcoming 2017 FIT Show at Birmingham’s NEC has been billed as the biggest and best yet, and thanks to the late opening hours on the first day of the exhibition, the show’s organisers have revealed that exhibitors have been busy making plans to ensure that the evening of ‘BIG Tuesday’ really will be one to remember.

The glass and glazing industry has always been known for its social scene, but with ‘BIG Tuesday’ allowing for an extension of opening hours to 8pm, visitors to this year’s show will be able to mix business with pleasure thanks to everything from champagne receptions to ‘80s themed discos, a host of anniversary celebrations and even a pub quiz and ballet dancing performance, once the exhibition begins to unwind after 5pm.

For those looking to relax after what is likely to be a very busy first day, companies such as Victorian Sliders, VEKA and The Camden Group will be offering visitors to their stands the chance to let their hair down with drinks and nibbles, with Swisspacer UK laying on a champagne reception; Iceni Windows serving pizza, Prosecco and beer; ECI offering an assortment of Irish whiskey and Yale Door and Window Solutions a selection of bespoke cocktails from a gin bar.

A number of companies will also be taking full advantage of the after hours atmosphere to celebrate a variety of important anniversaries. For example, Stevenswood will be hosting a party to mark its 20^th year in business, Selecta Systems will be welcoming all-comers to its 35^th birthday with an ‘80s and ‘90s disco and Advance70 Ice Bar, while both Roseview and the Glass & Glazing Federation will be celebrating 40^th anniversaries in style.

James Lee, Director of Marketing and Communications at the GGF, said: “Our stand for this year will include a special ‘Life Begins at 40’ members lounge. The FIT Show is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our 40th anniversary with the industry, and we are looking forward to welcoming both members and non-members for a few drinks and some fun entertainment!”

The likes of Ultraframe and the Synseal Group will also be inviting guests onto their stands on the evening of Big Tuesday, while others such as RegaLead, The Georgian Bar Company and KAT UK, will all be enjoying a blast from the past with 1980s themed parties.

There will also be a competitive element to the proceedings, with The Window Company Contracts (UK) announcing the winner of a Makita on-site battery powered radio and AluK challenging visitors and exhibitors alike to take on its team of ‘AluK Experts’ in the Big FIT Show Quiz. Sika will also be offering prizes for ‘gunning out’ the straightest line with one of its specialist adhesive dispensers, although visitors might be advised to attempt this before venturing onto the drinks parties elsewhere in the show!

Last but not least, OnLevel will literally be taking it to another level with performances from Dutch ballet dancer, Nathalie Hombergh, and close up magician, Robert Ellams.

Taking place 23-25th May 2017, to book a stand at FIT Show 2017 please contact Freya Humphries on: 07572 623457, or email: freya@fitshow.co.uk. To register as a visitor for FIT Show 2017 visit: www.livebuzzreg.co.uk/2017/fit17

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Andrew Scott, managing director of Insight Data, has been shortlisted for “Director of the Year” in the 2017 IoD Awards.

The Institute of Directors is the UK’s leading organisation for professional leaders and business best-practice, with 30,000 members. The IoD awards are among the most prestigious and sought-after business accolades in Great Britain, and the vetting process is rigorous.

Andrew commented: “I am delighted to be announced as a finalist in the Director of the Year category, competing with some of the most successful business leaders in the South West, and if successful moving forward to a national level.”

The Director of the Year category is hotly contested, with finalists having an enviable track record spanning business performance, leadership, customer service, innovation and corporate social responsibility.

Insight Data Ltd provides prospect data to help companies in the glazing and building industry target new customers using in-depth market intelligence, product and supplier information, and even size/volume.

Andrew developed Salestracker, an online database platform updated live in real-time, and today over 700 users regularly log-in to access prospect data.

“Sales and marketing people no longer need to waste time and money chasing potential customers who have moved, switched suppliers, gone bust or changed their contact details. Salestracker gives users the most up-to-date and accurate information, the key decision makers and their contact information, and even financial data.”

The Salestracker database has over 60,000 contacts including fabricators, installers, local builders, architects and larger construction/house-building firms.

For more information visit www.insightdata.co.uk or call 01934 808293

As part of an additional £1.5 million investment in increased Sales & Marketing initiatives, Victorian Sliders have introduced a dynamic way to demonstrate their product quality to installers and homeowners.

A new fleet of mobile showrooms is now out and about on UK roads, professionally kitted-out with stylish sample ECOSlide vertical sliding sash windows and informative display graphics.

Mark Schlotel, Marketing Director at Victorian Sliders, explains the rationale: “Why are we doing this? Because we want to offer the very best field sales support to help Professional Trade Installers win retail sales. The “ECOSlide Experience” enables our direct purchasing customers and new prospect customers to appraise the impressive quality of our ECOSlide PVC-U vertical sliding sash windows. Everyone who steps onto one of our demo vans will discover an unbeatable combination of appealing good looks, easy-to-use operating hardware, practical window cleaning and security features, excellent thermal performance and value for money.”

Designed for Trade Installers and their homeowner customers who want to see a sample before placing an order, these special sales demonstration vans provide the perfect way to closely inspect ECOSlide PVC-U vertical sliding sash windows and review foil colour and hardware finish options.

“Rather than the Sales person dragging a tatty sample from the back of their estate car and wasting time preparing the relevant parts,” continues Mark, “these demo vans have 10 windows ready to view including a bay window sample, prepared to give an excellent idea of what the product looks like and how it performs.”

“ECOSlide is our consumer-facing brand and these demo vans are part of a marketing package which includes an eye-catching retail sales brochure and dedicated website which are all branded ECOSlide, to assist installers when they are selling our products,” says Mark. “We are building brand awareness as the vans zoom up and down our British roads, but the action really starts when our demo vehicles arrive at a customer’s premises. Each van is driven by one of our Business Development Managers, who are all fully trained to present the features and benefits of our best-selling ECOSlide PVC-U vertical sliding sash windows. The quality of our products will speak for themselves, with details such as our signature extruded anti-jemmy bar cill design and exquisitely-shaped metal hardware, both of which are exclusive to Victorian Sliders. Our intention is to surprise and delight customers old and new with our unrivalled products and service. One of our ECOSlide sales demonstration vans can be driven to the mainland UK location of your choice, on the specific date (and at the precise time!) you want.”

Professional Trade Installers are encouraged to book an ECOSlide demo van appointment online by visiting www.victoriansliders.co.uk or by telephoning Tracey Ervine, Customer Care Manager, on 01269 846200.