Global Bifold Doors Market to Grow by 2021

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has said a ‘fond farewell’ to Brian Baker, who retired on 12 May.

Brian had been the GGF’s interim chief executive since the start of this year but his connection to the GGF goes back to 1983 when, as an employee of GGF member Solaglas (now Glassolutions Saint-Gobain), he attended the GGF Laminators Group.

In the last 10 years, Brian’s involvement in the GGF and subsidiary companies has been instrumental and at one point Brian being a regular contributor to over 25 GGF specialist technical groups, committees, technical working parties and regions (as chairman and vice-chair) and as a board director. In 2014, Brian was elected GGF president and after his two-year tenure, he then returned as interim President in the latter half of 2016.

In recent times, Brian has overseen many changes at the federation including; the move in October 2016 to the GGF’s present offices in Southwark, the GGF Group’s restructure and the setting up of the Helix Group as the umbrella company for the GGF’s subsidiaries.

Brian’s intention was to retire in December 2016, but following the retirement of long standing CEO Nigel Rees, he was asked by the GGF board to step in as the GGF’s interim chief executive until the start of Phil Pluck’s tenure as the new GGF chief executive.

On his retirement from the industry Brian commented: “I am pleased that I leave the GGF in a very strong position with a new chief executive, impressive new offices and the new structure between the GGF and Helix Group now fully in place. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the GGF staff and Members for their incredible support throughout my time as president and chief executive. It is because of them that the GGF has become the main trade organisation in the industry. I wish all connected to the Federation, all the very best for the future.”

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UK Superfold Ltd proudly joins Affordable Windows Group, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of aluminium windows and doors.

Affordable Windows Group is delighted to announce that it has successfully acquired a major stake in UK Superfold Ltd. Located in Oldham, UK Superfold specializes in the supply and installation of aluminium bi-folding doors. Operating throughout the United Kingdom, the Oldham-based supplier is said to be extremely enthusiastic about their promising new relationship with Affordable Windows. Established in 2013, UK Superfold quickly became a renowned supplier in the North West, synonymous with unbeatable prices and quality installations. Built from the ground up by managing director Andrew Malinowski, Andrew has 22 year’s experience in the industry and will continue to manage the business whilst remaining a major shareholder in the company.

Eddie Gaughan, Managing Director of Affordable Windows commented, “We are excited to begin a long successful partnership with Andrew and the UK Superfold team. Their outstanding reputation in the industry for supplying high-quality aluminium bi-fold door make them a natural partner for Affordable windows. With shared values and a commitment to high standards, this new partnership will be instrumental in the growth of our manufacturing operations and geographical presence”. Looking to invest heavily in the UK Superfold’s new bi-fold brand, Affordable Windows have announced that it will be increasing manufacturing capacity with the acquisition of a new factory in Oldham. The new state-of-the-art factory will be dedicated to the manufacturing of the new Superfold bi-folding door and will begin operations by the end of the year. In the meantime, Affordable have promised to keep to UK Superfold’s unbeatable 7-day lead times by transferring production to their 80,000 ft.² aluminium factory in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Eddie Gaughan, added “We are in an industry that is constantly evolving. This acquisition will help UK Superfold and Affordable Windows push the boundaries and explore exciting new possibilities. As the bi-fold market continues to strengthen, we will do our utmost to help UK Superfold set the standard for high specification doors with innovative designs and highly competitive prices”. Possessing 25 years of experience in the industry, Affordable Windows are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of aluminium & PVC-u windows, doors and conservatory solutions. The company’s desire to continuously strengthen their manufacturing operations has helped the Lancashire-based manufacturer reap massive company growth over the last few years. This eagerness for further development has resulted in an astounding 50% increased turnover since 2014 and the company shows no signs of slowing down.

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Independent window and door distributor Sealco has booked again for 2019 after enjoying a fantastic FIT Show, with real interest from a record number of visitors looking for cost-effective, reliable hardware packages.

The hardware was the star on the Sealco stand.  With six doors and windows on display, Sealco showed the breadth of products available to suit timber, aluminium and PVCu applications.

“We brought together hardware from the biggest manufacturers, including Yale, UAP, GU, Trojan and Endurance, to show how we create the best packages for customers,” says Alan Malcolm, Sales Director at Sealco.

“Visitors responded brilliantly to the displays – and we started lots of exciting conversations that we’ll be following up over the coming weeks.

“The Endurance Sash & Case range was a hit with joiners looking to find everything they need for new and refurbishment timber windows.  Visitors told us that they came to see Sealco because of our expertise in the joinery market, as we’re offering something they can’t get elsewhere.

“For fabricators, there was particular interest in GU’s Uni-Jet C-Concealed, the new hardware system for aluminium tilt and turn windows that is available exclusively from Sealco.  There was a lot of buzz around aluminium at the show, and visitors really appreciated how the GU system’s clean appearance keeps the emphasis on the sleek aluminium frame.

“When we told visitors that this was only a fraction of the 4,000 product lines we have in stock for next day delivery, they started to ask us about products they’re looking for a better deal on, or to tell us about projects they’re quoting for.

“We heard again and again that window companies want the right products at competitive prices, backed by fast, reliable delivery and solid technical support.

Alan adds: “With Sealco celebrating 20 years in business in 2017, we’re well placed to meet their needs.”

www.sealco-scotland.co.uk

For the second year running the FIT Show Awards rewarded ‘the best of the best’ exhibitors at this year’s event in Birmingham, announcing the winners at Wednesday evening’s gala dinner.

Six awards were judged independently, by a team of ‘exhibition experts’, including NEC B2B marketing manager, Gemma Piggott, as well as NEC account manager, Liz Cawley. Other judges included Nicola Macdonald, Exhibition News reporter; Alison Jackson, exhibition consultant and returning for a second year, Jenni Jaques, marketing director for the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and FaceTime.

With some exceptional stands to choose from, judging this year wasn’t an easy task according to Jenni: “As soon as I walked in, I was blown away,” she said. “It was bigger and better than last year and I could tell everybody had made a fantastic effort to make it into a vibrant and dynamic industry event for visitors. This made judging the awards a challenging task and one that we took extremely seriously.”

After reportedly walking the halls for hours, the judges’ conclusions were delivered at the FIT Show gala dinner.

The winners were:

• Most Effective Use of Social & Digital Media: AluK; Runner-up: KAT UK
• Most Successful Visitor Campaign in Terms of Visitors Delivered: Ultraframe
• Most Creative FIT 2017 Marketing Campaign: Real Aluminium by Customade; Runner-up: Epwin Window Systems
• Most Creative Shell Scheme Stand: Brisant-Secure; Runner-up: UK Fasteners
• Best Stand Design Under 80m²: Yale Door and Window Solutions; Runner-up: Durabase
• Best Stand Design Over 80m²: Masco UK Fabrication; Runner-up: Liniar

To book a stand at FIT Show 2019 please contact Freya Humphries on: 07572 623457, or email: freya@fitshow.co.uk.

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Image Above:SWISSPACER’s busy stand at FIT Show 2017

SWISSPACER was ‘Ahead of The Game’ at the FIT Show, with many visitors to its stand over the 3-day exhibition.

A popular attraction was SWISSPACER’s new personalised laser marking demonstration in partnership with Domino. Visitors could request a personalised message on the bar and experience first-hand the discreet and permanent benefits of the laser marking, as well as the accuracy of the printing. The champagne reception at the end of the first day was also well received and perfect for networking with many customers, prospects and media over a glass of bubbly.

Andy Everett, National Account Manager UK & Ireland says: “The quality of the visitors was outstanding, as well as the quantity. We were able to demonstrate the benefits of warm edge spacer bars and SWISSPACER’s lead in choice, widths and colours to key target audiences.

“We also announced our new UK HQ at the Show. Customers can now buy SWISSPACER spacer bars directly from our new base in Milton Keynes. And last but not least, it was the perfect opportunity to introduce our new Branch and Operations Manager Agnieszka Wronska and Sales Manager Geoff Davies. Overall it was a busy and enjoyable three days.”

For more on SWISSPACER and its new UK HQ call 01908 335190.