Industry Groups to Publish Unified Green Building Model Code in 2018

Fenestration reinforcement specialist, Anglo European is asking the question: Are companies taking a risk by switching from steel reinforcement to thermal inserts?

“Most system companies and fabricators test windows to the size dictated by the regulations,” says James Lister, Director at Anglo European. “But those aren’t the sizes that get installed in UK homes. We’re concerned that the trend for bigger windows in the real-world means installers may be fitting windows that don’t have the right level of reinforcement in them.

“It could be a ticking time-bomb for fabricators and installers who may be caught out with failures. It’s easy to think that using a thermal insert is good enough but who has put the windows to the test? We are investing in getting the right answer so fabricators and installers don’t have to leave it to chance.

“We have real-world sized windows being tested right now and we’ll know very soon about exactly what level of reinforcement is needed. Plus, we’ll be able to give complete peace of mind to fabricators with a new warranty based on the results from the tests.

“We work very closely with fabricators to develop the best steel reinforcement solutions. Clever engineering from Anglo European means we can maximise strength of the steel inserts at the same time as keeping prices keen.”

Anglo European will publish the results as soon as they’re available. For more information go to www.angloeuropeangroup.co.uk.

With colour, style and a premium finish becoming increasingly important to discerning homeowners, Mighton Products says that its Exact® colour matching service gives joiners and paint sprayers the capacity to respond to that demand thanks to its ability to match any hue of paint both promptly, and for an affordable price.

Through partnering up with paint specialists Anker Stuy, Mighton technicians now have unlimited access to a library of thousands of colour recipes, enabling them to mix the product in-house and offer next day delivery on any order made before 4pm. In addition, the company make regular use use of Anker Stuy’s state of the art laboratory where previously unmatched colours can be identified from a sample or paint code quickly and accurately.

Mighton Product’s Managing Director, Mark Fortune, said: “Our Exact® colour mixing and matching service is proving popular with joiners. Coming from the Mighton Ultra range, all coatings consistently offer quality and high performance in colours that would normally only be available in other systems – like emulsions.”

“Significant investment in the latest computer controlled technology enables us to offer an accurate match to most existing paint systems, including ‘posh paints’. Customers can give us a colour reference to work to or alternatively send us a sample of the paint they are looking to match. In most cases we will have the colour recipe in our existing library, if not we can have it matched that same day at our partner’s sophisticated laboratory in the Netherlands,” he added.

The experienced laboratory uses high-tech equipment to create new recipes which are then uploaded to the Mighton library back in the UK via the Internet. Thanks to the speed and efficiency of the whole process, in most cases Mighton are able to offer next working day delivery for new colours too.

Mark concluded: “Not only is our Exact® matching service accurate and efficient, it’s also very affordable. We pride ourselves on pricing transparency – while some of our competitors charge for decanting products into smaller cans and have surcharges for colour-matching we have a price per can and that’s all you pay. This means our joiners and sprayers are able to give their customers a quick and accurate quote, straight out of the Mighton catalogue.”

For more information on the Mighton Products Exact® colour matching service, please visit: www.mightonproducts.com or call: 01223 902 455

Image Above: SWISSPACER’s new UK HQ, Bradbourne Drive, Milton Keynes

SWISSPACER announces the opening of its new UK HQ, demonstrating its commitment to building its markets in UK and Ireland.

The modern and spacious building is built for growth and includes offices, meeting facilities and a showroom in one of the best-located industrial estates in Milton Keynes. Agnieszka Wronska, Branch and Operations Manager and Geoff Davies, Sales Manager for the North, Midlands and Ireland have been appointed, in addition to staff who will process customer orders. Both Agnieszka and Geoff join with considerable experience in the fenestration and glass industry.

From mid-June, sealed unit manufacturers and fabricators can collect SWISSPACER’s warm edge spacer bars directly from the new centre. In addition, the new HQ will be a centre for events, such as Passivhaus conferences, CPD training sessions and customer meetings. SWISSPACER’s new Laser Marking Service will also be based in the building.

John Cooper, Head of Marketing and Sales UK & Ireland, says: “SWISSPACER has always led the way in product innovation, and with more and more direct customers joining us, we felt it was the right time to invest in our UK distribution. The new UK HQ means accessible and consistent stock for customers with improved lead times.”

Call SWISSPACER on 01908 335190 for further product information or to discuss the benefits of becoming a direct customer.

SWISSPACER’s new UK HQ is at:

Unit 4 Bradbourne Drive,

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire,

MK7 8BN

www.swisspacer.com

Buckinghamshire based installer – Hazlemere Window Company is making a considerable investment in its Hertfordshire showroom with a major refurbishment project.

Previously branded as Housemaster, the showroom, which is based at Mundells Industrial Centre in Welwyn Garden City, underwent it’s last refurbishment in 2014. However, due to major developments in its product offering in the past three years, the Hazlemere Board have made the decision to invest in a much larger, ultra-modern new showroom, converting most of the storage and office space, to be able to display even more products under one roof.

The new showroom will contain the very latest thermally efficient windows, doors and conservatories, in a choice of materials and finishes. Also on display will be aluminium doors, composite doors, engineered timber front doors and UPVC doors, in different styles and bespoke colours to suit each customers taste and budget. A range of different types of aluminium and UPVC conservatories, extensions and orangeries will also be showcased, with a choice a double glazed glass roofs or solid tiled roofs that come with the option of heat reflective double glazing or aluminium or plastic roof tiles.

Hazlemere Window Company Sales and Marketing Director Mark Austin said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by product changes and developments in recent years, being part of the Conservatory Outlet Network means we always have access to the most innovative and up to date product ranges on the market… we just have to find the space to show them all off! “.

“The new modern showroom has been designed to enable our customers to be able to open and close the different types of windows and doors for themselves, plus see glass extensions fully decorated and furnished in different lifestyle settings. We want to give a real ‘try before you buy’ feel to the showroom, and allow customers to make informed choices about their purchases.”

Business Development Director at Conservatory Outlet, Andy Miller added: “It’s really great news that Hazlemere are in a position to be able to refurbish their Hertfordshire showroom once again, an investment I am confident they will handsomely rewarded for. The new showroom design has the customer at the heart of the project, and will allow end users a real showcase of all of the product ranges on offer, allowing them to make better informed purchases.

Conservatory Outlet wishes the team at Hazlemere the best of luck with all the work, and of course will support the project wherever we can.”

For more information on either showroom please visit: www.hazlemere.co.uk

GGF staff and Members have welcomed Phil Pluck as the new Chief Executive of the industry’s trade body.

Phil started his new role on 2^nd May and is still settling into the role but has been pleased with his first few weeks commenting, “Not coming from the industry, it has been a whirlwind few weeks and I am still very much in the middle of a learning curve. One thing that is becoming quite clear is that we have a strong and experienced team in place, delivering a high level of service to our Members, but there is of course always room for improvement.”

With a background of successfully growing Membership organisations, Phil added, “My aim is to grow GGF Membership, but to ensure that we recruit quality companies into Membership. It is imperative we retain the high standards the GGF has built up for the last forty years.”

Phil is planning to attend The FIT Show in Birmingham next week where the GGF will be presenting technical seminars and holding a special 40th Anniversary Party on stand N35 in Hall 8 as part of The FIT Show’s BIG Tuesday evening.

Phil added, “Though I am new to the industry, I am looking forward to visiting the FIT Show and to meeting more GGF Members at what promises to be an interesting and exciting exhibition.”

www.MyGlazing.com

Mighton Products has increased its offering to now include a state of the art scribing machine. The Scribe-It™, developed in-house by Mighton, features a 240 volt semi-automatic design capable of providing joiners with high quality results whilst requiring minimal input. The company gave Tibby Singh, the former BBC Young Carpenter of the Year and now a professional tools and tech tester and reviewer, the opportunity to put the Scribe-It™ to the test.

“Scribing is a bit like diving in at the deep end,” said Tibby, “There is a lot more to it than meets the eye so I was intrigued to see how well this new machine would stand up to the challenge. My initial concern was that there would be lots of buttons and complex software to figure out before I could operate it. However, the machine was incredibly simple to set up and after being given a just a short demonstration I was happily scribing away by myself.”

“The main action is carried out using not one but two cutters,” Tibby continued, “This allows for the shaping of the bead to be done in two halves, one after the other. By using a method like this the machine safeguards against potential issues, such as the bead splitting or spelching at the end, leaving you with a precise clean cut every time. There’s a range of compatible tooling available to suit various types of profile and the components have been made quick and easy to interchange, which for me was a real plus. The speed can also be adjusted to anywhere between 12,000 and 18,000 RPM to suit the material being cut.”

On average the Mighton Scribe-It™ completes a full cutting cycle in just 15 seconds and is compatible with any profile up to 45mm wide and 35mm deep, making it both efficient and flexible.

Tibby added: “The machine is not only fast but clean too. With a 63mm extraction outlet it can be connected to a vacuum extractor of choice to continuously clear away waste materials as you work. It also came with a complementary air gun which is great for getting rid of the daily dust build up to keep everything looking and performing at its best. The Scribe-It™ may be small but packs a mighty blow!”

Demonstrations of this, or any other, Mighton machine are available through the new Mighton Mobile Demonstration Vehicles. Available at home or work, this popular service gives customers the opportunity to book a free appointment with a Mighton expert and receive a live demonstration to explore how to get the most out of a potential purchase. Flexible finance options are also available making the Scribe-It™ easily attainable for small to medium joinery companies.

To learn more about the range of Mighton machinery or to order a new catalogue visit www.mightonproducts.com or call 01223 497097.

Safety is not a ‘nice to have’ option, but a right for all employees and in particular those engaged in the glass and glazing industry. It is about education, power and leadership as well as policy and process.

The newly updated easy-to-use reference guide gives an overview to prepare you for working safely in the glass and glazing industry. It provides advice on what to do when you come across a common hazard associated with your work and gives basic direction as to what actions you must take. It also takes account of recent changes in Health and Safety legislation and emphasizes the need for all those involved in the industry to identify, assess and manage risks, working together as a team.

Phil Pinnington, GGF Director of Health and Safety commented, “The re-focus with an emphasis on the practical application of safety practices has been keenly sought, especially by small and medium sized enterprises. These companies have a willingness be proactive with Health and Safety and now have a working framework to help. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring such practical guidance to the industry. I’m confident that the handbook and assessment will be well received.”

For the first time the guide encompasses not only the flat glass manufacturing sector but the customer facing installers. It’s been compiled with the most up to date information and guidance available and aims to help employees understand both the legal aspects of safety but the practical applications.

Supporting the handbook, a simple online assessment has been developed where employers can satisfy themselves their workers have a good understanding of the basic safety concepts. This then helps make sharing their own safety systems so much more effective.

The new publication is available as a free download to GGF Members via the Members Area of the GGF website www.ggf.org.uk or is available to purchase from the GGF Shop (http://shop.ggfmembers.com/employee-safety-in-the-glass-and-glazing-industry-ref-30-8/)