Specialist fabricator Mercury Glazing Supplies celebrates 15th anniversary

Specialist trade fabricator Mercury Glazing Supplies Ltd will be celebrating 15 years in business in July. Chris Reeks, Mercury’s Sales and Marketing Director says: “15 years is an impressive milestone in this industry and we’re proud to have reached it. We’d like to say a big thank you to our staff, suppliers and, of course, our customers, who have supported us over this time – we’re looking forward to the next 15 years!” Founded by good friends Martin Halford and Steve Cross in 2002, Mercury has built its name on providing specialist window and door products that add value to a portfolio and a commitment to customer service that goes above and beyond. Chris comments: “We believe our success is thanks to our aim to build long-term partnerships with all our customers. We know that the only way to do this is to offer a product range that exceeds customer expectations and is backed up by a service that is proactive and focused on what each business needs. We call it the Mercury difference!”

The company bought into the Spectus ethos from the start and today is proud to be one of the UK’s largest fabricators of Spectus Vertical Sliders. Its manufacturing portfolio has extended from its early days to now incorporate an impressive array of aluminium products including bifold and patio doors, windows, doors and commercial solutions as well as timber vertical sliders, and PVC FlushSash casements. It’s certainly a formula that has proved successful: the company has grown every year since it was founded and is currently in the middle of a three plan to achieve 35% growth in the next 36 months.

Mercury will be marking its anniversary with a factory family fun evening later this month as a way of not only celebrating its success to date but also to thank staff for their support and hard work over the years. Mercury Glazing is a specialist supplier celebrating a special anniversary. Based on the company’s track record to date, it will only be one of many such milestones to come.

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Mike Davis, managing director of CDW Systems

The number of installers offering aluminium products has grown by 41% over the past five years and this number is expected to continue to increase. This is according to a recent report by the Council for Aluminium Building (CAB).

Once seen as a strictly commercial material, aluminium has reportedly achieved great success in the residential market as more homeowners become aware of the benefits of aluminium windows and doors such as slim sightlines, high performance and a wide range of colour finishes.

According to aluminium specialist, CDW Systems, aluminium is now considered ‘superior or at least equal’ to PVC-U in terms of energy efficiency, which has seen the material appeal to energy conscious consumers.

Spurred on also in part by aspirational home improvement shows such as Grand Designs which showcase the aesthetic qualities of the material, CDW maintains that there has been a surge of premium aluminium products hitting the market.

Mike Davis, managing director of CDW Systems, commented: “There are plenty of opportunities for aluminium in the UK, both commercially and residentially. Our customers are taking on more high-end projects such as installations in restaurants and blocks of flats.

“We have identified aluminium bi-fold and patio doors as particularly hot products and earlier this year we introduced Reynaers Aluminium lift and slide patio doors to help installers capitalise on demand. The doors have proved a big hit with installers and homeowners alike.”

Mike says reduced lead times on aluminium and more flexibility on colours and configurations means more installers are turning to offering aluminium to help boost sales.

However, he warns that it’s important for installers to choose a supplier who can offer the expertise and support they need.

He comments: “Lots of companies were quick to jump on the aluminium manufacturing bandwagon but they won’t necessarily have the skills or knowledge to meet customer expectations.

“Installers need to ensure they are working with companies that have the expertise required to fabricate aluminium, otherwise this could lead to problems such as poor quality and slow lead times later.”

www.cdwsystems.co.uk

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Intelligent Glass says it can offer ‘a new level of convenience and style’ with ‘instant switchable privacy’ activated by a ‘simple voice command’.

With a multitude of ‘virtual assistants’ emerging in recent years, from Apple’s Siri, to Google’s Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa, Intelligent Glass says this growing trend has an ‘inevitable correlation’ with the demand for smart home and smart office voice activation and automation products.

Intelligent Glass is described as a ‘futuristic technology’ that, even without automation, is said to be ‘as simple as a light bulb to operate’. It is not only able to be integrated with voice controlled speaker devices, but, according to Intelligent Glass, it excels in such an application.

An uttered phrase commands your glass to switch state from clear to frosted, and vice versa and according to Intelligent Glass, the applications for this ‘cutting edge’ technology are endless, from switchable glass stairs, to partitions and projection screens, windows and even shower screens.

One of Intelligent Glass’s recent projects saw voice activated switchable film installed in a residential environment. Chris, the end user of this application, commented: “We were looking for a product to provide some extra privacy in our dining room, as we have large windows which face other properties. We had investigated other films (mirror and tinted) but none were suitable as they blocked too much light. I then found Switchable Smart Film from Intelligent Glass.”

He added: “The team at Intelligent Glass were very helpful, explaining the benefits of the product and also providing advice about DIY fitting of the films to existing windows. Now we have the films installed, they are a great success. Installation was quite straightforward with easy to follow instructions. Being able to switch between clear and frosted in an instant means that we can have the view when we want it but also the privacy when required, without reducing the light in the room.”

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www.intelligentglass.net

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Conservatory installer, SEH BAC, has been accepted into Ultraframe’s Which? endorsed Ultra Installer scheme.

The scheme aims to help end-users identify ‘reputable, trustworthy’ traders to install Ultraframe orangeries and conservatories. As a supplier of Ultraframe products, SEH BAC has reportedly been ‘rigorously vetted’ and found to meet the firm’s ‘stringent’ quality standards.

As an approved member of the scheme, SEH BAC has permission to display the Ultra Installer scheme logo, featuring the Which? Trusted Trader icon, and benefits from its own page on both Ultraframe’s website, and the Which? Trusted Trader website.

Like all other Ultra Installers, SEH BAC follows a strict code of conduct, requiring it to ensure staff are trained to a ‘high standard’, follow up customer enquiries within two days, and to act ‘responsibly and professionally’ at all times.

SEH BAC sales director, Norman Hornigold, said: “We’re delighted to have been accepted into the Ultra Installer scheme. It demonstrates our clear and long-standing commitment to offering exceptional quality products and customer service to homeowners throughout the South of England.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to have our hard work recognised by Ultraframe, and to be associated with Which?, the country’s most trusted and respected consumer rights organisation.”

www.sehbac.com

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The Window Outlet have launched a customer-friendly version of their new aluminium brochure.

Designed to help their trade customers sell by presenting a professional image, the glossy, 16-page brochure showcases the firm’s range of aluminium windows, doors, bifolds and patio doors available from the likes of Reynaers, Shueco and AluK.

“We’re delighted with the positive response we’ve received from customers using our trade brochure,” comments Ben Warren, the Window Outlet MD. “At The Window Outlet, we want to offer our customers valuable sales material that puts their business and our aluminium products in the best light possible. We also deliver training to help uPVC installers break into the buoyant aluminium market and offer clients our showroom to use with their customers.”

The new brochure focuses on The Window Outlet’s extensive offering from AluK which includes their BSF70 and BSF70HD luxury bifold doors and the 58BW aluminium window.

In addition, the brochure showcases products from Reynaers, specifically their CP130LS patio door and the CP155LS premium patio door solution. Both patio doors offer a highly-versatile solution with lift and slide functionality and can be configured with either two or three rails. The CP155LS maximises natural light through an innovative ultra-slim middle section.

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

A new bespoke display Pod for the radical Lumi window and door range is being trialled by approved dealer Crystal Clear Bristol with a view to rolling it out across the system’s retailer network.

The Pod, which is already proving the centre of attention in the retailer’s showroom, is styled directly after manufacturer Apeer’s striking exhibition stand with the specific aim of targeting leads generated by the company’s busy schedule of lifestyle exhibitions.

“So many homeowners are knocked out by Lumi at consumer shows wherever we go,” said Apeer Marketing Manager Linda Tomb, “Now, they can step into a showroom and pick up on it immediately, with not only the same products but the same look and style, so they know straight away what they are looking at.

“We are already passing out hundreds of leads generated from lifestyle shows like Grand Designs Live to our retail partners around the country. This pod will enable them to make the very most of those leads as well as providing a striking display for everyone else who walks into any showroom.

“From what we have learned from this first unit, we are confident they could be in a good few more showrooms by Christmas.

Crystal Clear Bristol is an established outlet for the Apeer door range and, as MD James Mizen explained, the Pod was integral to the move into Lumi:

“We knew about Lumi and we went to the HQ in Ireland to see for ourselves. We knew straight away this was something we wanted to sell and we signed up for the Pod while we were there.

“It was fitted by the Apeer guys in three days. We have the Lumi window, the door and the new glass entrance door in the unit and most people who come into the showroom comment on it and love the idea. Hopefully, this will allow us to grow the Lumi brand as South West agent for the system.”

www.apeer.co.uk

FMB’s Brian Berry is warning homeowners not to ‘take the risk’ with a ‘cowboy’ when it comes to building projects

A third of small building firms say that soaring material prices are squeezing their margins, with windows at number five on the list of increased prices and timber at number one, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Construction SMEs have reported a range of material price increases since the depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum in June 2016. Small building firms were asked which materials have increased the most and the results were as follows:

1) Timber
2) Insulation
3) Bricks
4) Blocks
5) Windows
6) Plasterboard / slate (joint sixth)
7) Boilers and radiators
8) Porcelain products

As a result, the FMB reports that:

• 85% of builders think material price rises could drive consumers to hire ‘rogue traders’ in an effort to save money on their building projects

• One third of construction SMEs (32%) have had their margins squeezed

• Almost one quarter (22%) have been forced to pass material price increases onto their clients, making projects more expensive for consumers

• More than one-in-ten builders report making losses on their building projects due to material price increases

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “Material price increases have left builders under severe pressure. This research shows that following the fall in the exchange rate, timber is the material that the majority of builders say has increased most in price but the problem doesn’t end there – everything from insulation to windows to bricks and blocks are soaring in price. A third of builders report that these price increases are eating into their already razor-thin margins – and this on top of increased wages and salaries stemming from long-term construction skills shortages. Furthermore, one-in-ten builders say that they’ve actually made losses on projects due to material price increases – this is most likely to happen when a particular product or material jumps up in price mid-project when the builder has already quoted for the work. Perhaps unwisely, some builders are absorbing these extra costs as opposed to re-quoting for the project.”

Berry concluded: “Material price spikes aren’t just a problem for builders – they’re also a problem for the homeowner, with almost one quarter of builders saying that they have had to pass on price increases to their clients. This means that building projects now cost significantly more than they did this time last year. What with stagnant wages and price inflation across the economy, consumers are feeling the pinch and it might be that they decide not to commission that loft conversion or extension after all. Or worse still, 85% of builders believe that homeowners will be tempted to hire rogue traders who are quoting a lower price than a professional building firm such as those that belong to the FMB. If that’s the case, material price rises could lead to a flurry of botched jobs and distressed consumers. We’re calling on homeowners to hold their nerve – they’re better off commissioning a more modest project from a professional builder than a high spec project from a cowboy. Don’t take the risk.”

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Conservatory Outlet retail partner Amber Home Improvements new showroom, Hellesdon Hall Industrial Estate, Norwich.

The first month of its new financial year has reportedly been another record breaker for Conservatory Outlet, with June 2017 sales figure up 5% on the previous record. The Yorkshire based fabricator is crediting its best ever month to the growth of its retail network members, with four new showroom openings over the past six months.

With more than 6,000 frames, 200 roofs and 350 composite doors processed in June, it has been a very busy period for the fabricator and its 24-strong retail network. The firm says its ‘sustained and uncompromising’ growth continues to defy wider UK concerns over the economic climate and the uncertainty of Brexit.

Conservatory Outlet managing director, Michael Giscombe, explained: “The Conservatory Outlet Network is truly alive with activity at the moment. We’ve never been so busy in terms of both orders and in supporting new and exciting growth initiatives from around the network.

“We’re looking forward to building on this strong start through the rest of the financial year and raising the company to new heights, including more new showrooms, product launches and additional marketing support.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone within the network for their continued support; and to our fabulous staff for their commitment and dedication in processing the overwhelming quantity of orders in June without compromising on quality. In true Yorkshire style, we celebrated with a fish and chip lunch for all our staff on Monday 24th July as a small token of our appreciation for all their hard work.”

The company says it remains firmly focused on achieving its £20m turnover goal by 2018, and on securing full UK coverage by ‘actively seeking’ new retail partners in areas of the UK untapped by its network, including Essex, Cornwall and South Wales.
www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk

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