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N&C Glass, said to be the UK’s largest independent supplier of glass and glazing products, has reportedly invested more than £250,000 in new manufacturing equipment to meet increased demand for shaped Pilkington fire glass and enable the business to become a one-stop shop for fire-resistant glass, regardless of its complexity.

The company, based in Beckton in London’s Docklands, specialises in fire-resistant glass, safety & security glass, window glass and high-performance commercial units. Through its on-site manufacturing facilities and owned distribution network, it supplies sealed units and stock glass to a broad range of customers, from high value commercial projects to independent glaziers.

Over the past 12 months N&C Glass has reportedly experienced increased demand for fire-resistant glass in a variety of shapes, as customers request products that not only meet the necessary safety requirements, but are also aesthetically pleasing. The new investment will enable N&C to deliver a complex product that meets both challenging design and performance requirements.

N&C Glass’ recent investment has seen the company add a state-of-the-art waterjet cutting equipment and new vertical saw to its manufacturing facility. The new kit means N&C Glass can complement demand for straight edged panels with more complex, non-linear shapes. As a result, it has more than doubled its output of cut to size glass, while also reducing lead times for customers.

Graham Ingle, product manager, clear fire protection glass at Pilkington United Kingdom, said: “N&C’s significant investment in two new pieces of equipment reflects the growing demand for shaped fire-resistant glass across the industry. It is now a one-stop shop for the complete range of fire-resistant glass, regardless of its complexity.

“Fire-resistant glass plays a critically important role in protecting both buildings and their occupants, and because of this we only work with a handful of trusted firms across the UK to process and supply Pilkington fire-resistant glass products. N&C has fully met our expectations over the years and we look forward to seeing the business continue to go from strength to strength following its investment.”

Richard Howe, operations director at Nicholls & Clarke Glass, added: “Fire-resistant glass plays a major role in our business and the decision to invest £250,000 in new equipment to meet the increased demand for shaped fire-resistant glass was an obvious one.

“We’ve worked alongside Pilkington for more than two decades now, providing its products to our customers, and our two new machines will enable us to continue to meet customer demand more effectively and efficiently.”

www.pilkington.co.uk

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Warm edge experts Edgetech welcomed VIPs from throughout the industry to a celebration marking a decade of UK manufacturing.

The company’s Coventry factory became the first warm edge manufacturing facility in the country back in 2007. Exactly ten years on, dignitaries including Bill Griffiths and George Wilson from parent company Quanex and John Blundell, Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, marked the anniversary by officially opening a $1.3m extension to the same site.

Attendees heard presentations from Edgetech UK Managing Director Chris Alderson, President of Quanex IG Systems George Wilson, who has since been promoted to COO of the Quanex Group, Quanex Chairman and CEO Bill Griffiths, as well as industry expert Andrew Scott, Managing Director of Insight Data. Guests were also treated to a virtual tour of the new facilities.

“We were absolutely delighted to welcome so many colleagues, customers, members of the media and others to our HQ to celebrate such a major milestone and unveil our new facilities,” comments Chris Alderson, Edgetech UK Managing Director. “This event has given us a fantastic opportunity to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished over the last decade, and to say thank you to our customers, many of whom have been with us since day one.

“It also gave us the chance to share our vision for the next decade and beyond – and demonstrate both our strong relationship with Quanex, and our unwavering commitment to product research and development.”

The Quanex Chairman’s Safety Award was presented to Works Manager John Stark to recognize Edgetech UK’s impeccable safety record, while Head of Marketing Charlotte Davies received a £1,000 donation from the company towards her efforts for Paddle2Pedal, the all-female event from GM Fundraising that will see 12 fenestration professionals canoe, abseil and cycle hundreds of miles in August to raise money for the Hope House Children’s Hospice.

Attendees made generous charity donations also totaling £1,000 sterling and – reflecting the international guest-list – a further £500 in dollars and euros which brings Charlotte’s fundraising total so far to over £4,000.

The event culminated with a fun-filled medieval banquet, and Edgetech’s annual golf event the following day.

A video of the event is currently in production, and will be published on Edgetech’s website. If you would like a copy, please email Head of Marketing Charlotte Davies on charlotte.davies@edgetechig.com.

For more information on Edgetech’s range of spacers and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments from the company visit: www.edgetechig.co.uk.

For more information on Edgetech and its wide range of products call 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

Award-winning panel and composite door supplier Vista has seen incredible growth thanks to increasing demand for XtremeDoor, their best-in-class composite door.

The Merseyside firm has reported a remarkable surge with sales up a full 15% compared to last year. The continued success of XtremeDoor now means Vista produces an astonishing 150 composite doors a day.

“It’s great to see three-years on from its launch, XtremeDoor is continuing to soar,” comments Keith Sadler, Managing Director of Vista. “I firmly believe XtremeDoor’s recent success is down to our expanded range and our brand-new brochure. We added six new door styles at the turn of the year which really freshened up the range and gave our customers everything they were looking for. The latest brochure also has a larger selection of hardware and locking options as well additional colour options. These have all gone down really well with our existing customers and helped us to bring in new clients, who were looking for something different.”

Recent legislation also meant the XtremeDoor had to toughen up even more, Document Q testing lead Vista to double the thickness of the highly-durable GRP skin to 4mm to conform with the cut-through test. This gives composite doors three minutes to survive an attack using a Stanley Knife and two chisels (a 6mm and a 25mm). If in three minutes or less, the tester can cut a 50mm hole which is large enough to get an arm in and open it, the door fails. XtremeDoor passes this test with flying colours and has resulted Vista securing more newbuild work than ever before.

“We’ve worked closely with our marketing partners Purplex to re-launch our consumer facing website (www.xtremedoor.co.uk),” adds Keith. “One of the new features which is gaining a lot of interest is a new door designer. The designer can also be added to our customer’s websites which is a really valuable sales tool and helps to create even stronger relationships with our customers who are the lifeblood of our company.”

“With XtremeDoor, we’ve created something we are incredibly proud of and our trade customers love to sell. It’s great to see increasing demand for XtremeDoor and we will be repaying that with even more innovation, investment and new products later this year.”

For more information call 01516081423 or visit www.vistapanels.co.uk

Noble Francis

Growth prospects for the construction industry in 2018 have been downgraded as the UK prepares to leave the EU, according to the latest forecasts by the Construction Products Association (CPA). Output is expected to ‘soften’ as a slowing economy, falling real wages and rising costs adversely affect the industry, growth for 2018 is therefore only expected to rise by 0.7%, the slowest in six years, and a downward revision from 1.2% in previous forecasts.

For now, activity on site is high and output is expected to rise by 1.6% in 2017, a revision upwards from 1.3% in previous forecasts. This will be partly due to a sharp rise from new contracts and activity in the £6.9 billion public housing repair, maintenance and improvements to deal with short-term urgent measures that will need to be made in light of the Grenfell Tower fire.

An increase in infrastructure activity and private housebuilding are expected to be the primary drivers of growth over the next two years which will help offset a sharp fall in the commercial and industrial sectors. Growth in infrastructure will be due to major projects in rail and water & sewerage such as HS2 and the Thames Tideway Tunnel, with activity forecast to grow by 7.4% in 2017 and 6.4% in 2018. Growth will be reliant on delivery of these projects and the extent of the continued delays to main works at Hinkley Point C have resulted in it no longer included in the CPA forecasts.

Growth for the industry in 2018 will also be heavily reliant on private housebuilding, however the sector is still reliant on Help to Buy equity loans to drive housebuilding numbers. The policy is in place until 2021, which is expected to support demand for new build and drive growth in private housing starts of 3.0% in 2017 and 2.0% in 2018. However, this is slower than in previous years given uncertainties over the strength of consumer confidence and falls in real earnings.

Looking further ahead, growth for 2019 is projected to be 1.8%, but given the unprecedented economic and political uncertainties following the lack of a significant majority for the UK government as the UK leaves the EU, the risks around this forecast are considerable.

Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association said: “Construction firms are still reporting that activity remains high and there are still lots of cranes around. But there are clear signs that construction output is slowing and that next year, in particular, will be difficult for the industry. Prospects for construction have been adversely affected by slowing UK economic growth and falling real wages on one side and sharp rising costs on the other. A fall in new investment, especially where it is large international investment looking for a long-term rate of return, is forecast to lead to declines in the commercial and industrial sectors.”

“Despite the slowdown in the general housing market, particularly in London, house builders continue to increase supply, albeit more slowly than in recent years. Currently, more than a third of new house building is being sustained by the government’s Help to Buy and should continue to do so over the next 18 months if the wider economy and housing market don’t slow further. However, if economic conditions do deteriorate further, house builders can react quite quickly if necessary.

“Increases in infrastructure investment are also expected to offset these declines and be the key driver of any construction growth going forward. However, concerns regarding rising costs and delays to major projects continue to dog the sector so there remains a high degree of uncertainty around infrastructure growth in the next few years. And this infrastructure investment will be vital for the industry as a whole. Without it, total construction output would fall by 1.0% in 2018.”

The post CPA: UK construction industry growth forecast to slow ‘to lowest in six years’ appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

The spotlight is shining on three proud Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions installers who have been showing off their very best design and installation skills.

Sherborne Windows, Vision Conservatories and Panoramic Windows have created three spectacular installations and scooped the latest winning places in the Atlas Installation of the Month competition.

A fabulous Skyroom demonstration model at Sherborne Windows’ showroom impressed a family from Ascot in Berkshire. With teenage children to accommodate, the owners wanted to create extra space at the rear of their property and had settled on a traditional Edwardian-style conservatory to mirror their neighbours. They visited the showroom and were inspired by the super modern appearance of the Skyroom. The 5.6 x 4 metre installation, which was the Atlas Installation of the Month winner in June, opened up the back of the property and helped to blend the transition between the interior and exterior.

Chris Long, managing director at Sherborne Windows, said: “This installation was such a triumph, not just because it was a winner in this competition, but because it has roused other neighbours who now want a Skyroom! Many homeowners still feel that a conventional conservatory is the best thing for their home and this lovely installation shows that you can create something far more special by using clever design and innovative products. We’re very proud of it and it goes without saying that the customer is too. It’s the talk of the neighbourhood!”

Vision Conservatories created a real showpiece installation on a period property in Wiltshire which ultimately helped the owners to sell their home. The 4.8 x 4 metre extension was cleverly designed to fill an unsightly dead space in the garden and bring light into an otherwise dark zone. It combined an eclectic mix of building materials – reclaimed bricks, cedar cladding, glass and aluminium – and was crowned with a large pyramid lantern roof to bring a striking and unique flavour to the property.

Mike Keeling, managing director of Vision Conservatories, said: “This beautiful orangery gave this traditional property such a contemporary lift. The owners found their dream home not long after we finished the project and put this property on the market. Without a shadow of a doubt, the orangery was the selling point, and the owners were lucky enough to have four buyers bidding for their home. It proves that well-planned spaces don’t just transform homes, they do actually add value and increase saleability too.”

Bristol-based Panoramic Windows showcased their fine design skills when they created a sensational light-filled Skyroom on a detached village property in North Somerset. The retired owners wanted an elegant extension to connect with their garden and had originally set their minds on a conventional orangery. They had a complete change of heart however when they saw the Atlas Skyroom on display at Panoramic Windows’ showroom. The team at Panoramic went on to create a well-proportioned design which incorporated floor to ceiling glazing to provide uninterrupted views of the garden. Large bi-folding doors were key in helping to merge the new 6 x 3.5 metre extension seamlessly with the outside.

Angus McCubbin, sales and marketing manager at Panoramic Windows, said: “This project was all about maximising light and thermal performance and the owners were really inspired by what they could achieve by thinking outside the box. With its ultra-slim profile and striking good looks, the Skyroom was the perfect choice for them – it brought an abundance of light and space on the inside and contrasted beautifully with their traditionally-styled property on the outside. This project is a stunner and we’re delighted to win an award for it.”

Every month, an installer will win a £200 Screwfix voucher and a £50 Majestic Wine voucher. There’s also trade industry PR and promotion through the Atlas website, as well as entry into the Atlas Installer of the Year award finals which will be held in January 2018. All entries submitted with completed installation pictures will receive an Atlas thermal mug.

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

A leading commercial installer has toasted to its long-standing alliance with Polyframe and is seizing all the benefits of working alongside the UK’s largest PVC-u fabricator, which now offers the industry’s widest range of PVC-u systems.

The Window Company has been sourcing multiple PVC-u systems from Polyframe for more than five years and has driven growth within its business by taking advantage of the unique strengths and skills of Polyframe and its experienced team. The company is now looking forward to greater business opportunities from the recently-enhanced fabricator.

David Thornton, who set up Chelmsford-based The Window Company nearly 20 years ago, says: “We have always been a commercial installer and now have 24 fitting teams installing at least 300 frames a week. In the commercial sector, you have several trades relying on you and there is a huge amount of planning involved to ensure jobs run smoothly. The quality of products and reliability of supply is fundamental to the success of an installation and we only work with suppliers that can meet our exacting requirements and won’t let us down.

Polyframe has worked in partnership with us for many years and has been an enormous asset to our business. We began working with Polyframe because it is a large, well established fabricator with a superb choice of quality PVC-u systems and a solid reputation for delivering a flexible service and a tailored support package that works for customers. We know that we can depend on them to deliver on every job and, even if products are coming from different factories, we know they will arrive on time and in full.

People make Polyframe what it is. The whole team at Polyframe shares a passion for our business and we have a great working relationship with our dedicated account manager which helps ensure that every project runs as it should do. We’re delighted to celebrate our long relationship with them and we’re already making the most of the strengthened Polyframe offering.”

Since its merger with Customade earlier this year, Polyframe now offers five PVC-u systems from Veka, Halo, Eurocell, Rehau and Duraflex. The Window Company currently sources Rehau and Halo systems from Polyframe, depending on the requirements of the installation.

David adds: “For greater security, we have always had a dual-sourcing policy. Rehau and Halo are well-specified systems and our fitting teams like to install them because they are fitter-friendly. With the enhanced capabilities of Polyframe, we can easily source multiple systems if the need arises, which is an advantage for us. By sourcing these systems from a larger fabricator, we also benefit from better economies of scale and we all work to pre-determined delivery days so we can plan installation schedules accordingly.”

The Window Company supplies both PVC-u and aluminium frames to many of the South East’s largest contractors, social housing providers, local authorities, schools, private developers and homeowners. As well as buying PVC-u from Polyframe, the company also sources REAL Aluminium frames from Customade Group and it has welcomed the convenience of sharing the resources of these two well-established industry specialists.

“We were very pleased when Customade and Polyframe came together to form Customade Group because it enables us to tap into a vast product range with all the support of a large group behind it. For me, it is important to work with people who understand the industry and are committed to maintaining high levels of quality and service. The merger has enhanced our productivity because we have one dedicated account manager to look after everything for us. And on the rare occasion that issues arise, they are handled quickly and efficiently,” David says.

www.polyframetrade.co.uk

UK construction companies recorded another growth slowdown in July, reflecting lower volumes of commercial building and a softer expansion of housing activity. The latest survey also revealed a reduction in new business volumes for the first time since August 2016, which acted as a headwind to job creation and input buying across the construction sector. Intense supply chain pressures also continued in July and prices for construction materials increased at one of the sharpest rates since the first half of 2011.

Reportedly adjusted for ‘seasonal influences’, the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped from 54.8 in June to 51.9 in July, to signal the weakest construction performance since August 2016. The latest reading was below the long-run survey average (54.5) and pointed to only a moderate pace of business activity growth.

Tim Moore, associate director at IHS Markit and author of the IHS Markit/CIPS Construction PMI, said: “July data reveals a growth slowdown in the UK construction sector, mainly driven by lower volumes of commercial development and a loss of momentum for house building. Weaker contributions from the cyclically sensitive areas of construction activity more than offset resilience in the civil engineering sector.

“Worries about the economic outlook and heightened political uncertainty were key factors contributing to subdued demand. Construction firms reported that clients were more reluctant to spend and had opted to take longer in committing to new projects.

“There was a knock-on impact for job creation and input buying following the largest downturn in order books since August 2016. However, supply chain pressures remained intense, reflecting low stocks among vendors, and materials prices continued to rise at one of the fastest rates seen for six years.

“The combination of weaker order books and sharply rising construction costs gives concern that an extended soft patch for the construction sector may be on the horizon.”

Construction firms remained upbeat about their growth prospects, but the degree of optimism was the lowest since July 2016. This was attributed to heightened economic uncertainty and subdued confidence among clients.

Duncan Brock, director of customer relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The number of new orders dropped significantly this month and at the fastest rate since August 2016, as commitment-averse clients contributed to the sector’s weak trajectory.

“Commercial building activity slowed for the first time in five months and was the main drag on the Index. Housing, the shining light of the sector eased marginally, but produced the slowest growth since April, as parallels with the darker days of Brexit, worries about the UK economy and post-election uncertainty can be seen across the construction sector.

“Continuing price pressures from the weak pound lingered, driving cost inflation near to a six-year peak, stifling purchasing activity and jobs growth. All in all, a challenging start to Q3 and there are possible roadblocks ahead for the sector in the rest of 2017, with longer lead times and suppliers struggling with stock levels, which adds insult to injury.”

Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said: “These figures represent the weakest monthly performance in the UK construction industry for almost one year. Construction companies are suffering from ever-increasing costs and this is starting to act as a drag on growth. More specifically, the increase in construction material prices and higher wages and salaries due to the construction skills shortages will no doubt have contributed to these disappointing results. The commercial sector in particular fell at its fastest pace for 12 months but we also saw a loss of pace among house builders. However, although the construction sector is growing at a slower pace, it is still growing and therefore there is no reason to panic.”

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