Everglade’s Devoted to Progress

Devoted to Progress, Everglade’s 2017 customer conference is said to have proved a ‘massive success’ at its London HQ and showroom on Friday 7 July.

Everglade customers and prospects gathered for the annual event, to hear about the latest trends in glazing from architect, Emily Osler, of London based Granit Architects; what Brexit could mean for business from PwC’s Anna Wallace and the benefits of being a part of the GGF from James Lee.

Sales and marketing director, Jay Patel, also launched three brand new products: Ecotherm 70HI, high insulation aluminium windows; aïr MOD-Series, new generation entrance doors and aïr 20SL, minimal frame sliding doors.

Jay said: “The Everglade trade customer conference has become a real highlight of our year and we love inviting customers and prospects to get the first-look at new products, learn about what’s going on in the wider industry and join us for our legendary hospitality.

“This year, we’ve gone the extra mile with some fantastic guest speakers. Emily gave us a great insight into what architects and homeowners are looking for in glazing. Most trends she identified overlapped with an Everglade product so our customers know that they can go out there and win that business right now.

“Anna from PwC talked to guests about Brexit. It’s the word on everyone’s lips at the moment and I think her talk has provided some much-needed information and reassurance for all of us. We also heard from GGF’s James Lee, who talked to our customers about how they could make the most of a GGF membership and its consumer schemes.”

Jay added: “It’s our customers who join us year after year that make these events really special, so we always want to make sure that they get a lot out of joining us for the afternoon.”

As well as all of the information from the conference presentations, guests were treated to lunch, dinner and signature aïr cocktails from a professional mixologist at the event.

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The Vocational College (TVC) is the first assessment centre to become registered as a Corgi Fenestration audit centre.

TVC will be the first to issue Corgi Fenestration qualification cards and to place candidates on the Corgi Fenestration Skills Register.

Chris Mayne, CEO of Corgi Fenestration commented: “TVC is a perfect fit for us and shares our values of trust, reliability, expertise and quality. TVC is GQA approved and operates throughout the UK, employing qualified assessors with industry experience who we are glad to welcome to the Corgi Fenestration extended team.”

TVC will also be carrying out audits of fenestration sector companies on behalf of Corgi Fenestration against the stringent scheme requirements.

John McCollah, TVC’s operations director, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Corgi Fenestration and excited by the opportunity that it presents for both us and our clients.”

McCollah added: “The Vocational College is the largest national provider of glass related apprenticeships and qualifications in the UK. We enable businesses to develop and grow by using the principles of ‘Quality Through Qualifications’. With over 20 years of experience we are an established learning provider accredited with City & Guilds of London, Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations, with strong affiliations to the Glass industry through GQA Qualifications. Our success rates are consistently above the national average and amongst the best in the country. Graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted in June 2015, The Vocational College’s courses are designed to help meet the economic challenges of the 21st century and offer high quality vocational training, both on and off the job.”

www.corgifenestration.co.uk
http://www.vcoll.ac.uk

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Weeks on after the national tragedy that was the Grenfell Tower fire disaster, a number of inquiries have begun or are about to begin. With many hundreds of people still affected in so many horrific ways, as a country we should all continue to wish them all well, and help where we can to get these people back on their feet.

Matters must also turn to preventing these sorts of tragedies in the future. That means a massive review into Building Regulations. The very codes and laws we all have to stick to when doing any sorts of construction work.

For me, one of the biggest problems building regulations have is it’s language. I think we should start there.

Grey areas and loop holes

One of the biggest frustrations for me when it comes to Building Regulations, and other codes of practise from all other kinds of industry bodies and groups, is the terminology it uses.

It is terms such as “best practise” or “recommended” that create such confusion. What is worse is that bodies in the window industry use Building Regulations as a template for their own advice documents to the industry. I remember reading a 2010 (I think) iteration of my FENSA handbook of laws and regs, and it was littered with all sorts of terminology such as the above. It was about as clear as mud in some areas. So many grey areas created by shoddy language.

The problem is, if we can’t even get our terminology and language right in the first place, all we do is create loop holes in the system where less than honest window installers can slither by on certain rules. For example, lintels. This is an extract taken from an article on the FENSA posted Dec 29th 2015:

A vital part of the survey and installation of replacement windows is how any structure above them is supported. In the majority of cases a suitable lintel is present and plays no part in the installation. But this should never be taken for granted.

UK homes exhibit varied building techniques for load carrying – concrete, steel, timber and stone lintels, brick arches, boot lintels. The list is endless. If the installation property has one of these in place (with no signs of failure) there’s little to worry about. But if there are no obvious means of support then very close scrutiny must be made during survey.

If there is any potential for the structure to move, then as a competent person you must ensure that the load above the opening is secured. Many properties were built with the original timber window supporting the brickwork above. So replacing it with modern PVC or Aluminium window frames compromises the carrying the load.

A soldier or head course of bricks above a window is not acting as a support unless it has been formed into an arch. A soldier course is usually decorative. These should be carefully examined and a plan to support it drawn up before any window below is replaced.
Read the full article here

Now this is part of an article series called Tech Talk Tuesday, and wasn’t written to be any sort of official guide from FENSA. But it has been published to help inform, and for me, it’s about as vague as it can be, and it is all down to the wording.

For example, I would argue that there isn’t that big a majority of cases where lintels are present in homes. Nearly every job we are doing at our place at the moment is having to have lintels installed. Quite often we find houses built between the 50’s and 80’s have no lintels at all.

Second, where is says that if there is potential for the structure to move then the load must be secured. How? How must it be secured? There’s no mention of lintels in there. And seen as though this is coming from one of the industry’s biggest bodies you would expect total clarity on this matter. What it should have said, in the interest of the best possible job being done, is that if there is no presence of an existing lintel, one must be installed either prior to installation or during installation of new windows and doors to prevent the structure from moving. Job done. Structure secure properly. Windows and doors installed properly. Clear terminology, no grey areas.

Clean, simplified and strict

I am only using this extract as an example of my point, so I hope FENSA doesn’t take that too personally. But we absolutely have to start putting pressure on Government to clean up the whole of Building Regulations and quickly.

The whole point of red tape and regulation is to keep us all safe. Well I would argue that there are so many grey areas, things that are confused down to poor language, that loop holes can be exploited by those putting money before people.

I want to see a quick, wide ranging review into the whole of regulation, take out terms like “good practise” and other fluffy nonsense and start laying down proper laws in clear and concise language so that companies looking to cut corner can’t in the future.

I have never understood that when it comes to things like Building Regulations terms like “good practise” and “recommended” can be allowed in to the text. This is supposed to be the documentation that is set in law, by which we all must abide by when carrying out work. Yet, it’s been left open to interpretation due to poor choices of language. Surely terms such as “mandatory” and “must” and “obliged” should be used instead, to make sure companies follow the letter of the law as intended.

No one likes red tape and regulation really, unless you’re the inspectors looking to fine people and companies, then it’s the very thing keeping you in a job! But, we have to see past the frustration and make sure that as an industry we are abiding by them as best we can. At the end of the day, many of the regulations are there to keep us safe. All I am calling for is that when the review into regs is done, it is revamped with language that cannot be left to interpretation, abuse and bending. It would be better for all.

Endurance Doors reports an ‘impressive’ first half to 2017, with sales up nearly 45% and with a large number of new customers already in the pipeline, it expects ‘this trend to continue throughout the remainder of the year’.

In 2016, the solid core composite door manufacturer says it enjoyed growth of 40%, so the figures for 2017 show an increase in performance, as, according to Endurance, existing customers enjoy ‘considerable organic growth’, with new customers coming on board ‘nearly every week’.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Endurance Doors, commented: “This is yet again an impressive financial return from us, as we continue to invest in the ongoing growth of the business. We’ve got further product developments planned this year, along with further operational commitments, as we look to become the solid core composite door partner of choice.”

www.endurancedoors.co.uk

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Picture above: Ascot Summer Ball

Two of the biggest names in the glazing industry, Insight Data and Purplex Marketing, both part of the Ascot Group, recently joined forces to host the first Ascot Summer Ball.

The prestigious Ball brought together high flyers and VIPs from across the glazing and construction industry for a spectacular evening that included a gala dinner, a live show and talented musicians.

As an added twist, the event was held on the famous Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier, which has completed a £53 million refurbishment. Doors closed to the public to give Ascot Summer Ball guests exclusive access to the thrilling indoor theme park, which includes a full-size go-kart track.

The invitation-only event was hailed as a great success, with guests arriving from all over the UK, some even by helicopter.

The Summer Ball also connected guests into the wider business community, with a guest list that included directors of banks, venture capital and private equity firms, national business media, entrepreneurs who have sold or floated their companies as well as representatives from brands such as Aston Martin, BMW and Porsche.

Guests included directors of some of the industry’s largest companies such as the Epwin Group and Assa Abloy/Yale, as well as major double glazing firms such as SEH BAC.

Andrew Scott, Managing Director of the Ascot Group, commented: “This is a £4 billion industry and we wanted an event that brought together the real business leaders, those shaping the industry now and in the future. It was an opportunity to dine in style, enjoy a very special evening and network with like-minded entrepreneurs and an exclusive club of highly influential people.”

For more information, visit www.purplexmarketing.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 1934 808132

Epwin Window Systems is working with FENSA as its preferred partner to deliver self-certification for installers that are part of its ground-breaking Excellence as Standard programme.

Sharn Samra, Epwin Window Systems Marketing Director, said: “EAS is about delivering the best service from manufacturing to installation. EAS wanted to align with an accreditation body that also strives for excellence within the glazing industry. Working with FENSA will ensure that all EAS members will be able to instil consumer confidence.”

Jon Vanstone, FENSA Director of Registered Business, said: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with the Epwin Group. FENSA is continually looking for ways to enhance its service offering on the compliance front to make things simple for installers. This new partnership represents a fantastic strategic opportunity for our leading brands to leverage value for the benefit of our members and clients. FENSA will be keen to say that if a business is under the Excellence as Standard banner, they’re OK.”

To demonstrate the partnership, members of the Excellence as Standard programme will receive a card branded with both FENSA and Excellence as Standard as well as access to FENSA training and priority information on new FENSA products.

Excellence as Standard advocates excellence at every stage of a project – from manufacturing through to the physical installation in a consumer’s home. Homeowners will benefit from the reassurance that all aspects meet a high quality industry standard and in turn help the installer gain a competitive advantage while delivering the best possible service across the customer journey.

When an installer signs the Excellence as Standard charter, they are making a pledge to commit to striving for excellence in fenestration in a culture that permeates every level of a member’s business.

In return, they will have access to a wealth of support and tangible benefits designed to drive quality and sales. These can be divided into six areas: effective lead generation, quality products, the EAS Academy, marketing support, partner benefits and the support team.

www.epwin.co.uk

From left: Quanex’s George Wilson, Edgetech’s Chris Alderson and Quanex’s Bill Griffiths unveil Edgetech UK’s new facility with help from deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor John Blundell

Coombe Abbey Hotel was the venue for the evening celebrations, which took the form of a medieval banquet

Edgetech has marked 10 years of manufacturing Super Spacer in the UK with a memorable two-day celebration for customers and colleagues from around the world, which began with the official opening of a second Coventry facility.

Councillor John Blundell, deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, conducted the opening ceremony, with Quanex chairman and CEO, Bill Griffiths, cutting the ribbon to the brand new office and distribution warehouse.

Once opened, a networking lunch took place inside the new premises, followed by a seminar schedule looking back at Edgetech’s accomplishments over the past decade, and forward to the company’s aspirations for the 10 years ahead.

The programme began with a Quanex group update from Bill Griffiths, culminating in the presentation of the chairman’s safety award. Quanex IG Systems president, George Wilson, followed with a look at the future of IG production and afterwards, Insight Data’s Andrew Scott provided an analysis of the local market.

The programme was concluded by Chris Alderson, managing director of Edgetech UK, stating that ‘exciting times are ahead’, with plans for further investment in the UK, spearheaded by ‘innovation and product development. Chris also focused on a decade of partnership between Edgetech and its customers, publicly thanking them for their support and placing them firmly ‘at the centre’ of its success.

He also paid tribute to former MD, Andy Jones, now sales and marketing director at Synseal, and his pivotal role at Edgetech throughout the last 10 years.

With the formal proceedings over for the day, the evening gave guests the opportunity to let their hair down with ‘bawdy fun’ and a ‘feast fit for a king’ at a jovial medieval banquet at Coombe Abbey Hotel, followed by music and dancing.

And the celebrations didn’t stop there, with the annual Edgetech golf day getting under way the following morning.

The post ‘Exciting times ahead’ for Edgetech UK appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Image Above: Alan Burgess.

The GGF says it is with regret that they announce Alan Burgess of Masterframe Windows Ltd has resigned his position of President with the Glass and Glazing Federation with immediate effect.

Alan has been involved with the GGF for over 20 years and as well as having two terms on the GGF Board, he has also been Chair of the GGF Window and Door Group and Home Improvement Executive.

On leaving the position, Alan commented, “It is with real regret that I feel unable to continue in this role and to step down prematurely.”

GGF Vice President, John Agnew of Independent Glass has now been elected by the GGF Board as the new GGF President with immediate effect.

John has been on the GGF Board for many years and is the Chair of the GGF’s Glazing Executive. On taking on the role John commented, “I would like to thank Alan for his contribution to the Federation and I look forward to serving as President and working on behalf of all the GGF Members.”

www.ggf.org.uk

Image Above: L-R: Tom Bowland, John Cowley and Mary O’Sullivan from Classic pictured alongside their new Comet T6HP machining centre at the FIT Show with Jim O’Connell from Emmegi (UK).

The Comet T6HP four axis machining centre which was one of the star attractions on Emmegi (UK)’s stand at the FIT Show, has now taken centre stage at Classic Building Solutions in Cork.

The machine is up and running at the company’s 11,000sq ft Kilumney factory, helping them to increase capacity as they take on even larger projects.

Classic Building Solutions is one of Cork’s longest established façade specialists manufacturing in AMS, Reynaers, Sapa and Schüco. It has been responsible for the curtain walling in some of the most prestigious elements of the city’s recent regeneration, including the flagship Opera Lane shopping development.

The company has been using an Emmegi Phantomatic T4 machining centre for the past decade and has been so pleased with the performance and durability of the machine that there was almost no question that they would choose an Emmegi machine again for the next phase in their expansion.

The other significant factor, of course, was that Emmegi (UK) has its own dedicated team in Ireland led by Sales Manager Jim O’Connell, backed up by service engineers Lukasz Szulc and Paul Adams.

This team could guarantee Classic that they would get the very best help and advice and that experts would be on the ground for installation, training and servicing.

For instance, Jim O’Connell spent time with Classic’s Managing Director John Cowley and Production Manager Tom Boland early on to understand their precise requirements for the new machine and to recommend the ideal machine to meet their needs.

The Comet T6HP is a high performance, high volume option with a 7.7m work area, which is ideal for curtain walling projects. It delivers the precision and flexibility which Classic need for larger scale work but is easy to operate, meaning there is no requirement for them to take on more skilled operators.

As visitors to the FIT Show will have seen, it also comes with an acoustic hood so is fully soundproofed making it the ideal addition to an already busy factory.

The Comet T6 is one part of Classic’s current machinery investment which also includes a notching saw, dual skin taping machine and bead saw with electronic measuring system – all from Emmegi (UK).

John Cowley, Tom Boland and Classic’s Finance Director Mary O’Sullivan visited the FIT Show to see the Classic T6 before it was delivered and to meet the rest of the Emmegi team.

Further details are at: www.emmegi.com