MIGHTON EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH COATINGS PRODUCER ANKER STUY

Cambridgeshire based timber window and door hardware specialist, Mighton Products, has extended its partnership with Anker Stuy Verven BV to include a larger range of the Dutch paint and coatings manufacturer’s products. Mighton will now add the full range of specialist timber treatments, including interior finishes, to its established range of paints and coatings that are finding increasing favour with joinery manufacturers. Plans also include the addition of paints and coatings for other, non-timber, applications.

Mighton has been distributing Anker Stuy products to its specialist joinery customers with next day delivery and a simple pricing structure which, with the development of products specifically developed for the UK, has drawn excellent response from customers resulting in significant sales growth. Mighton Chairman Mike Derham has now committed the company to develop additional markets such as for timber architectural façades, for which Anker Stuy products have been specified with great success. These include protection of the extensive timber façade of Cheshire’s Lymm Fire Station, which has won praise for its avant-garde design and execution.

“We have very quickly developed an excellent working rapport with Anker Stuy which has enabled us to develop our coatings division with confidence,” said Mike Derham. “This has led to us extending the relationship earlier and further than we had anticipated. The company has an excellent research and development facility that is both technically brilliant and highly responsive to the specific needs of our UK customers.”

For Anker Stuy, Emile Stuy said that the partnership has matured very quickly and added: “Mighton has shown a very real understanding of the needs of its customers in terms of coatings and paints. The company is working with our technical departments to develop new and innovative products for the UK that extend high performance whilst also offering ease of application. We will introduce a number of new products with Mighton in coming months.”

 www.mightonproducts.com

Picture above: Hazlemere Installation Manager Alan Layton & Operations Director Jason Bradshaw with DIY SOS Team.

Hazlmere Window Company Ltd made its prime-time TV debut this month, appearing on Big Build DIY SOS to support a local project just around the corner from the company’s Welwyn Garden City showroom.

The BBC 1 DIY SOS show aired at 9pm on Thursday 15th June 2017, featuring the home transformation project for Sascha Koutrouza, a severely ill former midwife. The challenge was to create sufficient room to enable special medical equipment to be installed and permit proper treatment for Sascha’s illness in the comfort of her home.

The specialist window and door team from Hazlemere, which is part of the Conservatory Outlet Network of retailers, comprised of Senior Installer John Layton, Installation Manager Alan Layton, Operations Director Jason Bradshaw and Fitter Michal Kowalczyk. The team worked tremendously hard from 23rd August to 1st September 2016, offering their highly experienced craftsmanship and fitting knowledge to supply and fit all the new replacement windows and doors needed for the project.

Supported by the generosity of their uPVC manufacturing partner Conservatory Outlet (Wakefield) and double glazed sealed unit manufacturer Nicholls and Clarke (Fareham), the team at Hazlemere were able to donate both the products and their labour free of charge to help the local family.

Mark Austin, Sales and Marketing Director for Hazlemere Window Company said “With the Koutrouza family living just round the corner from our showroom, we knew that we wanted to offer our support as soon as we heard about their situation.

Our team have worked so hard to help finish the project, and although we have offered our services free of charge, the installation has been hugely rewarding. It means a lot to us to be able to help a local family in need.

On behalf of the Hazlemere team, we’d like to sincerely thank both Conservatory Outlet and Nicholls and Clarke for playing no small part in enabling us to complete the project, as well as wishing the Koutrouza family all the best in their new home.”

Conservatory Outlet Managing Director Michael Giscombe added “It’s no surprise to us that the team at Hazlemere have offered their help to this project. The Hazlemere ethos has always been to provide complete care to their customers, and support their local community. We were delighted to assist with their requirements and are really proud of their efforts. It’s truly great to see our Network members making a difference to the lives of people within their local community.”

For more information please visit: www.hazlemere.co.uk

Fast-moving Bristol fabricator The Window Outlet has launched a state-of-the-art patio door builder, an online application that allows installers to design patio door products then submit them for a quote: http://go-build.it/#/the-window-outlet/configure/patio-doors

The system is designed to significantly streamline the quote and product ordering process, making it quicker and easier than ever to buy from a business already renowned for its commitment to customer service.

“The builder is also a huge help at our end,” explains company MD Ben Warren. “Quotes submitted in pencil on the back of an envelope might feel like the simplest way to make enquiries, but often that’s not the case.

“In many of cases, installers leave out key bits of information, which can then cause a lot of time-consuming back-and-forth to get the order right. With the builder, we can make sure we get all the information we need first time, saving time for ourselves and the customer in the long run.”

The patio door builder joins The Window Outlet’s existing bifold builder, which provides the same quick, convenient user experience for installers looking to buy bifold doors.

Rapidly approaching £3M turnover after only two-and-a-half years of trading, The Window Outlet is one of the fastest growing fabricators in the UK. Based in Bristol and supplying to installers nationwide, The Window Outlet is known not only for its high-end range of aluminium windows and doors from AluK, Reynaers, Exlabesa and Schüco but its fast lead times and 24-hour turnarounds on quotes.

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

Picture above: Heather Cole of Windowbase with Mr and Mrs FIT.

Windowbase, the UK’s only prospect data supplier 100% dedicated to the window market, has once again had a successful and rewarding visit to the FIT Show. The Windowbase stand offered potential customers the chance to try the national window database for themselves, for free. That’s over 14,000 current, accurate-as-possible records of companies. Visitors were able to see for themselves just how simple it is to select just the prospects they need, whether they want to filter information by location, systems or company size.

The new location at the NEC was popular with visitors and Windowbase staff alike. Neil Parsonson, Windowbase Database Manager, comments: “We loved the new location – it was very well organised and everything went smoothly. Visitors loved our ‘Lovehearts’ giveaways too! The stand was constantly busy and we have increased the number of leads on the last FIT Show. We also made several deals at the show, which more than covered our costs. We’re now looking forward to the 2019 show – in fact we’ve already booked our place!”

For more information on how Windowbase can help you select relevant and up-to-date leads visit www.windowbase.info or call on 01453 845717

Picture above: Lock Lock at the FIT Show 2017

The 2017 FIT Show was another spectacularly successful event for Brisant Secure. Brisant’s stand was in a prime spot at the entrance to the VIP area, visible the length of the main aisle in Hall 7. It won the Most Creative Use of Shell Award too, for the design featuring a stunning mega-sized screen which formed the back wall of the stand.

But stunning though the stand was, it was Lock-Lock, Brisant Secure’s new security handle, which had everybody talking. The handle not only looks great, its patented design protects against cylinder picking, bumping, drilling and snapping. It breezed through the two star security test and it’s believed that new security standards will have to be developed to reflect its ‘real life’ security. Flick the switch on the inside handle and you activate Lock-Lock’s unique spindle block, so the door can’t be opened from the outside, even if the cylinder is breached. If the spindle can’t be turned the door won’t open. And it’s also available for doors that are only ever locked from the inside, so no key is required: just the internal switch – which makes it ideal for use on conservatory, patio, bi-fold and double doors.

Lock-Lock was also featured by Solidor, the official launch partner for the FIT Show, and it appeared on several other companies’ stands too. Lock-Lock is available from June in a range of finishes. It fits both PVC-U and composite doors, with reinforced M6 bolt fixing options in both 122mm and 211mm. A Lever Pad option will also be available.

To find out what selling real-life security can do for your business call 01924 410 200, visit www.ultion-lock.co.uk or follow @UltionLock on Twitter.

Guests at this year’s FIT Show Gala Dinner have reached into their pockets to raise a massive £15,233.57 following a heart-wrenching appeal for donations to Macmillan Nurses made during the event by Gary Morton, well known for his own charity work through GM Fundraising.

With a call for donations traditionally being made to raise funds for a cause close to the hearts of people connected with the window and door industry, this year Macmillan Nurses was chosen by Leon Day, former owner and managing director of Universal Arches, who sadly lost his partner Jo to cancer earlier this year.

Acknowledging the generosity of guests Leon said: “It’s difficult to put into words the magnitude of this incredible gesture and with other donations, we’re now over £19,000 raised for Macmillan who did so much to help Jo, particularly in the latter days. On behalf of Jo’s family and myself, I’d like to thank everyone, yet again this industry has shown how generous it can be.”

The JustGiving page (www.justgiving.com/fundraising/leon-day1) for Jo will remain open for a while yet should anyone else like to contribute to this emotive cause.

Devon’s Fenster Fabrications has contributed to a multiple award-winning architectural project in Plymouth.

The White Oaks development saw noted contemporary building specialist Barc Architects design a stylish, modern home for a couple with a passion for architecture and interior design.

Initially asked to renovate and extend an existing bungalow, Barc advised the couple it would be more cost-effective to rebuild from scratch – and called on Fenster Fabrications to provide sleek and stylish aluminium glazing products that would suit their desired aesthetic.

Fenster contributed one of its flagship Uni_Slide doors, alongside other glazing products. Uni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications.

Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Uni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

Tony Drake, Fenster Fabrications Managing Director, commented: “Uni_Slide makes a fantastic addition to any residential development. It can offer a sense of sleek luxury to any architectural development, and, for installers, it’s an excellent way of appealing to the lucrative high-end of the market.

“We’ve had a great response to our search for Uni_Slide installation partners so far – but we’re still looking for exceptional installers, dedicated to quality products and fantastic customer service, to join the network. If you think your business fits the bill, don’t hesitate to get in touch!”

For its role in the White Oaks project, Fenster was named the FIT Show’s Installation of the Month in April 2017, and shortlisted for Installation of the Year. The development as a whole also received the Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Award for Best New Dwelling.

  For more information, call 01626 334455 or visit www.uni-slide.com

A trio of experienced Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions’ installers have been inspired to create three incredible installations.

The remarkable projects showed the terrific design skills of Keymer Double Glazing, Thames Valley Windows and Vale Orangeries and earned them winning places in the Atlas Installation of the Month competition.

Gareth Thomas, sales and marketing director at Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, explains: “Our Installation of The Month competition is all about getting the industry talking about design and inspiring installers to be ambitious with their projects. We are overwhelmed by these three amazing installations which show just how much can be achieved with clever design and innovative products. The bold vision and imaginative use of space in each project makes them stand out and the teams behind them deserve to be very proud of these installations.”

Keymer Double Glazing from Burgess Hill, West Sussex created a one-off underground extension on a grand, multi-level property in Sussex. Keymer worked closely with the owner to come up with a design that would be very contemporary yet like nothing else they’d seen. An important element of the design was to consider the flow of light in the property and to frame the beautiful views over acres of private land. Keymer created a generously sized family room, which is sunken into the ground. The extension is illuminated from above by a large Atlas lantern and features a wall of slim-framed aluminium sliding doors which open out on to the newly landscaped garden. The focal point of the installation is the cleverly positioned lantern, which juts out of the patio on the level above.

Kieran Collins, sales director at Keymer, said: “We are really proud of this fabulous project which is a superb addition to this home and a real talking point among visitors. The client had a strong vision of what he wanted and he loves the new space which really makes the most of its glazing. We were very keen to show off this novel installation and it’s a great honour to win an award for it.

Thames Valley Windows showed off enviable design talent with an orangery installation on a detached dormer bungalow in Twyford, Berkshire. The owners of the property had originally wanted to install a modest sized conservatory on the rear of the property to create an open plan kitchen diner. They approached Thames Valley Windows for design ideas and, having reviewed the possibilities, they rejected a conservatory in favour of a much larger scale orangery. The imaginative scheme spans the entire width of the rear of the property and incorporates ample spaces for cooking, eating and relaxing. The large, contemporary multi-functional extension features three Atlas glazed roof lanterns to flood the 45 square metre space with light.

Carly Butler, marketing manager at Thames Valley Windows, said: “This is an absolutely beautiful orangery which has breathed new life into a traditional style property. The before and after photos really capture how much the orangery has transformed this home into a sociable, light-filled space, which is now the most used area of the house.”

The design flair of the team at Vale Orangeries is evident throughout a vast double-storey extension on a property in Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan. The ultra-modern ‘cube’ styled extension was carefully designed to contrast with the rest of the house and take advantage of its south facing orientation. Vale Orangeries’ design incorporated lots of crisp modern materials and acres of glass to create a light-filled contemporary family space. A large 1.2m x 2.3 metre Atlas Flat Rooflight and a mighty wall of glass adds to the dramatic visual impact of the extension.

Dean Edmonds, owner of Vale Orangeries, said: “The homeowner had a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve and the design and choice of materials was absolutely crucial.  Everything we specified needed to live up to the high expectations of this homeowner who wanted to draw as much light into the extension as possible. The end result speaks for itself and we are really proud to have won an award for this magnificent project.”

Each month, the winning installer will scoop a £200 Screwfix voucher and a £50 Majestic Wine voucher, plus trade industry PR and entry into the Atlas Installer of the Year award finals. All entries submitted with completed installation pictures will receive an Atlas thermal mug.

Entrants can submit their Atlas roof installations via Twitter to @Atlasroofjohn using the hashtag #AtlasShowOff or on email to marketing@atlasroofsolutions.co.uk.

For further information, please contact Atlas on 02838 327741 or visit www.atlasroofsolutions.co.uk.

As trade legislation regarding industry accreditations and product marking continue to reflect the high standards of the glazing sector, there is continual pressure on processors to ensure that their quality standards are accurate, particularly as end users are now keenly aware of their necessity.

As glass processors are answerable not just to their customers but to end users alike, Hegla developed new technologies that help manufacturers accommodate all legislative measures and which further improve output. Consequently laser marking technology was introduced as it helps to speed up production and eliminate confusion during the manufacturing process.

Increasingly, customers are stipulating laser technology when placing orders or are looking to incorporate this into existing production lines via retrofits due to the advantages it offers.

Helga’s innovative marking technology is already known to a number of large UK glass processors who have embraced the latest marking techniques, having grasped the lasting advantages it brings that will help to take their companies further forward.

The Hegla pedigree repeatedly proves itself through cutting line installations, with the build and quality of the engineering helping companies to become fully automated.

With many years industry experience in precision glass cutting and sorting systems, Helga has introduced the laser marking system as it will help to speed up production and eliminate confusion during the production process.

Meticulous attention to detail has gone into the laser capability design which enables glass to be marked automatically before it is cut. Laser marking on the cutting table ensures that the correct production data is put onto the correct piece of glass and in the right sequence.

During production the laser removes the need for marker pens on toughened glass with any potential ghosting completely eradicated on coated products. Additionally, if the glass has the correct address for its production route, sequencing should be simpler with coatings guaranteed to be the correct way round and cavities in the correct position in relation to the coatings.

Whether for double or triple glazed units, this system interfaces to the customer’s order entry and production software to offer many advantages such as reverse-etching a toughened logo/image or specific data, which is imperative when producing units with multiple pieces of glass.

Customers who have invested in this technology commented: “Whilst it is recognized that the laser system will help to further coordinate and increase output, it was evident that the technical merits and cost saving benefits of the Hegla equipment perfectly suited demands on the production line to improve efficiency.”

Many existing Bystronic and Helga customers are now looking to invest due to the positive effect that automation has brought to their production departments. Many investors see the long term benefits because the reliability of the equipment combined with precision engineering is helping them to increase output more efficiently than ever before.

In general Laser System retrofits take place outside normal production hours, because in most cases companies only have one cutting table, so when fitted to new tables it becomes part of the standard installation, commissioning and training.

Steve Goble, Managing Director Helga UK comments, “As glass design becomes more dynamic and triple glazing increases in popularity, laser technology is giving manufacturers more control, greater scope and helps to improve quality standards. It is an excellent, proven technology that will increase profit margins and give fast payback. All glass can now be marked with unique production addresses as part of the automated process, whether it be float glass going direct to the IG Line or Toughened which has multiple processes and accounts for at least 50% of production.”

For more information on the laser technologies available or for more information on allied glass manufacturing solutions please call: 01908 261 933 or 01952 677971.