MERCURY GLAZING SIGNS UP TO EXCELLENCE AS STANDARD PROGRAMME

Picture Above: Katie Leese Epwin Window Systems, Chris Reeks Mercury Glazing

Spectus trade fabricator Mercury Glazing Supplies Ltd. has become the latest fabricator to sign up to the Excellence as Standard programme. Launched at this year’s FIT Show the fabricator and installer programme advocates excellence at every stage of the project – from manufacturing through to installation in a consumer’s home. Fabricators and installers who are part of the programme will be demonstrating they are committed to raising standards across the industry and delivering an outstanding customer experience.

For Chris Reeks, Sales and Marketing Director of Mercury Glazing, the decision to join the scheme was an easy one. He explains: “The new Excellence as Standard programme offers major benefits to both Mercury and our customers and we did not hesitate to sign up.   As a business, our ethos has always been to manufacture quality products and offer an exceptional service throughout our customer base. In joining Excellence as Standard we can take that quality commitment to the next level as Mercury and our customers take advantage of what the scheme has to offer. This includes ongoing training and development opportunities through the Excellence as Standard Academy in addition to a comprehensive marketing support package, lead generation and business support from approved specialist partners including FENSA. We are very much looking forward to rolling out the programme to our installing partners.”

The interest around Excellence as Standard since its launch is a reflection of the strengths of a programme that is the most comprehensive ever devised. Designed with the fabricator at its heart, it offers a compelling package designed to gain a competitive edge and earn customer trust. And with specialist companies such as Mercury Glazing now joining the programme its importance and value throughout the industry is clearly evident.

www.spectus.co.uk

The ideal ‘forever home’ for the average British homeowner is a four-bedroom, detached house in the country, worth £458,000 – and just down the road from Mum, it has emerged. 

A detailed study of 2,000 UK homeowners, carried out by Origin, one of the leading British manufacturers of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors, residential doors and windows, also found that homeowners hanker after a property with a driveway, a play room – and somewhere to hang the washing.

Plenty of natural light was also a must-have for homeowners, with 99 per cent of people saying it was important.  Over half said they wanted big windows, while bi-folding or sliding doors that lead out to the garden were also high on the list of features. 

Other must-haves include a large kitchen and breakfast room, an ample lounge, utility room and dining room. 

A double garage and conservatory are also essential, as is a study and cloakroom. Ideally, we want to live in a location just 10.5 miles from the office.

Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, said: “We wanted to find out more about the concept of the forever home, whether it still exists and what homeowners want most from their properties. This provides our partners with market insights that will help them further understand homeowners, their customers, and what it is that they want from their homes. This will allow them to offer an even more rounded experience when in the showroom.

“We pride ourselves on the gold standard of service that we offer to our partners, providing them with the best possible opportunities to maximise profitability, and this extra knowledge will set them in good stead when dealing with customers every day.

“Interestingly, more than three quarters of people still believe in the concept of a forever home, which shows that the clear majority of homeowners are constantly climbing the property ladder, striving to find a home to live in for the rest of their lives.”

Two bathrooms, two en-suites and two reception rooms are also key components. 

Good transport links and a pub within a mile and a half are also vital elements.

While an ambitious one in three even went as far as to suggest their ‘forever home’ would include a swimming pool and sauna.  

Over half of people chose the sea as the perfect view from their windows, followed by a countryside view of either rolling hills or a field of cows. Britain’s least chosen view from the home was, perhaps unsurprisingly, a football stadium. 

It also emerged that homeowners dream of spending their years in a street where they are surrounded by friendly neighbours, four of whom they are on first name terms with.

A 1,000sq ft garden is the ideal size, according to most Brits.

With regard to amenities, the ideal forever home would have everything residents needed within a three-mile radius. The Post Office, corner shop, newsagents and off-licence are considered the most important to have close by.

While a third of people are actively putting savings aside for their forever home, a third already reside in theirs.

The age at which most believe they will own their forever home emerged as 53, and four out of ten were convinced they would, at some point, purchase their dream pad.

Eighty-four per cent of UK adults are happy with their current home and around eight in ten think it’s likely they will try to improve or renovate the house they own now.

Ben Brocklesby continued “With such a high proportion of homeowners planning to improve or renovate their current house, we have some great practical advice on our website from our experts, looking at everything from how to make the most of a conservatory to styling your front of house – getting homeowners one step closer to creating their forever home.”

THE IDEAL FOREVER HOME:

• Is worth £458,000.
• Is 10.5 miles from work and has transport links.
• Has four friendly neighbours – who we are on first name terms with.

Has the following rooms:

• Playroom  x1
• Reception rooms x 2
• En-suites x 2
• Bathrooms x 2
• Bedrooms x 4

And has the following features:

• Front AND back gardens

• Driveway
• Off street parking
• Patio
• Double garage
• Flowerbeds
• Summer house
• Somewhere to hang the washing out
• Gates at the front
• Veg patch
• Open fields
• Garden 1000sqft
• View of sea view, rolling hills or field of cows

Is this far away from local amenities:

• Post office – 1 mile away
• Doctors – 1 mile away
• Dentist  – 2 miles away
• Corner shop – 1 mile away
• Supermarket – 2 miles away
• Leisure centre – 3 miles away
• Newsagent off licence – 1 mile away
• Petrol station – 2 miles away
• Park – 2 miles away
• Playground – 2 miles away
• Farm shop – 2 miles away
• Pub – 1.5 miles away
• School – 2 miles away
• Clothes shop – 3 miles away
• Library – 2.5 miles away
• Cinema – 3 miles away
• Restaurant – 2 miles away
• Chemist 1.5
• Vet – 2.5 miles away

And these are the most desired views:

• Sea view – 54 per cent
• Garden – 38 per cent
• Mountains – 44 per cent
• Field of cows – 21 per cent

To find out more, visit www.origin-global.com/forever-home

Optima has taken the market by storm since its launch last year. It won New Product of the Year at the 2016 G Awards, record numbers of fabricators are choosing to switch to it and it’s fast becoming the commercial system of choice too. For Gerald Allen, Marketing Manager at Profile 22, the reason for its success is simple. “We knew we wanted Optima to offer the best of everything and to ensure it delivered we worked closely with our fabricators to develop the system they needed.”

Gerald said the overwhelming message from their customers was simple: “Fabricators wanted a product that looked better and performed better than their rivals’ and we were happy to oblige.”

Visually, all three Optima systems, chamfered, sculptured and flush sash, are a close relation to the classic Profile 22 system but they are updated for the 21st century, making them a truly beautiful choice. The colour range offers a huge choice of durable colour foil options, including subtle shades, bold tones and varnished wood effects and the Xpress range allows customers to order a single length of any colour they need.

The thermal performance really delivers too. Optima has a six-chambered outerframe and a five-chambered sash, which can also be used with RCM thermal inserts to increase the number of insulating chambers. Revolutionary additional centre seals to the outerframe and sash give outstanding insulation and weather protection, as does the 10mm cover on the window sashes. The system has the widest range of glazing options on the market, ranging from 24-44mm, plus triple glazing in three sizes. All-in-all, it means that an Optima double glazed unit can achieve an A+ rating and a U-value of 1.2 W/m²K. And with triple-glazing, U-values as low as 0.8 W/m²K can be achieved.

Security features include a central Eurogroove that gives the sashes greater rigidity and a secure bead system that passes security tests without glazing clips and is ready for proposed enhancements to PAS24.

The system offers flexibility through the extended range of ancillaries. It also fully integrates with other products from the Epwin Group stable to provide a complete project solution.

In looking at the pedigree of Optima, it’s clear to see that the development work undertaken by Profile 22 is a masterclass in product design and innovation. The result is a product that gives fabricators and installers access to more opportunities, more markets and more sales.

www.profile22.co.uk

Fast-growing Astraseal has extensively expanded its offering of high-performance composite doors made in-house with the Distinction Doors slab.

Boasting a stunning woodgrain finish based on real oak, and coming available in an extensive range of over 30 styles and 40 colours, the Distinction slab is one of the most authentic and aesthetically versatile on the market.

Thanks to its rigid polymer sub-frame and high-density, high-impact resistant GRP skin, warping is a thing of the past. What’s more, it offers exceptional security, and a track record of achieving PAS24:2016 and Secured by Design accreditation.

A Distinction slab is also more than 17% more thermally efficient than solid and timber panelled alternatives, and comes with a 25-year warranty.

“It’s no surprise that one in four doors installed in the UK now uses a Distinction slab,” comments Astraseal marketing manager Zac Nedimovic. “It’s a fantastic product, it excels on all fronts, and that makes it a perfect match for Astraseal – a business committed to offering trade customers the highest quality windows, doors and conservatories, and the sort of exceptional service that helps them grow.

“Trade customers can also benefit from our new online door designer application, which you can visit at www.tradedoordesigner.com. It’s unbranded, so you can send your prospects to it to design their own doors, and even upload a picture of their own house so they can see how the product would look after it had been installed.”

Astraseal also incorporates the Distinction slab in its extensive range of 30-minute and 60-minute fire doors, both of which are fully compliant with BS476 Parts 20 and 22.

The firm’s FD30 is made with the Winkhaus Ecoframe outerframe, while the FD60 is made with a bespoke timber outerframe. Both doors are available in a range of colours and styles, including sidelights.

For more information call Astraseal on 01933 227233 or visit www.astraseal.co.uk

Thermoforming specialist Belgrade Polymer Products is growing its presence in the fenestration sector as a result of increased business from one of its conservatory roof systems customers.

The Wellingborough-based company has delivered orders of two further square conservatory capping products in grey for its Gloucestershire client.

The two new Acrylic Capped ABS cappings make up a ‘suite’ of three separate products, which are variations of an existing design. These latest products comprise a Straight Connector and Stop End that is integrated into the conservatory roof and drainage system.

Belgrade Polymer Products General Manager, Patrick Burke explains: “We started off producing just one product – a Square External Boss End Capping – just over a year ago and now this has grown to three versions for this particular customer.

“Our customer liked what we’d supplied to other conservatory roof systems manufacturers in the past. Having seen our capping products on other roof systems, they liked the design, quality and finish. On that basis, we won their further business.”

Established in 1976, Belgrade offers a fast, friendly and flexible service manufacturing bespoke products to customers’ exact requirements in diverse industry sectors.

Conservatory roof trims and cappings can be produced in any RAL colour or foil finish, including a new carbon fibre-effect finish, subject to a minimum order quantity. The standard product range comprises of established and popular colours such as White, Golden Oak, Rosewood and Woodgrain.

Belgrade Polymer Products prides itself on working closely with clients to find solutions to their new concepts and can undertake the complete process of product development from design and prototype to manufacture.

Patrick adds: “In the fenestration sector, we are currently working with several customers on creating new products for conservatory roof systems, including end cappings.

“My previous experience of being employed in this industry for several market leading systems companies such as Rehau, Profile 22 Systems, Eurocell and Beaufort Secure Design is inevitably helping our business to gain an in-depth understanding of the requirements and demands of the sector.”

For more information, contact Belgrade Polymer Products on 01933 222205 or visit the website – www.belgrade-polymer.com.

Emplas has reported growth of 20% this year on the same time last year, despite tougher trading conditions.

The fabricator said that while conditions had become more challenging as the year progressed, it continued to perform as expected, against the Award Winning Window and Door Fabricator’s target growth forecasts.

This included recording significant growth in sales of foils, which it said now account for more than a quarter of all products it supplied.

Emplas also said that installers had responded positively to its switch to Optima, including the launch of its flush casement earlier this year. Emplas has also seen exponential growth in it’s Secured by Design / PAS24 Composite door offering and similar levels of growth in Inline Patio Door sales following the success of their Patiomaster Anglia operation.

Ryan Johnson, Managing Director, said: “Things are tougher. Continuing uncertainty over Brexit and the general election have created some challenges in retail but overall, we have continued to perform to expectation, something that’s been achieved on the strength of our customers’ individual growth.”

Emplas switched to Profile 22’s new Optima system in July last year, expanding its ex-stock colour range at the beginning of this year.

This cuts lead times and reduces costs, with foiled Cream, Anthracite Grey, Anthracite Grey on White, Black Brown, and Black Brown on White are now available as ex-stock standard colours.

“The impact that foils are having on the market is clear, so being able to offer highly popular colours on short-lead times has been a key driver of growth for us and our customers”, added Johnson.

This growth has also been underpinned by an ambitious investment programme. Emplas is currently close to the completion of a major extension of its operational hub which will expand its current 50,000 sq ft capacity to almost 70,000 sq ft by the autumn.

Adding around a third again to Emplas’ manufacturing facility, the new development will house new lines, loading bays and offices.

Johnson added: “We’re taking the long view. We see investment as critically important to our longer-term growth. It allows us to bring better products and deliver a higher quality of service to our customers but also to do it more efficiently.

“This is important in allowing us to offset increased costs and overheads in our own operational model without passing them onto our customers.

“We believe that this infrastructure plus our extensive product offer puts us and our customers in a position of strength as we move forward.”

For more information on Emplas visit www.emplas.co.uk , email info@emplas.co.uk or call 01933 674880.

The Managing Director of a UK finance provider for the home improvement industry says that many glass and glazing installers are still not fully taking advantage their service and using it to boost sales.

Austin Barcley, Managing Director of Improveasy, says there is an upward trend of consumers using finance options to upgrade their homes and by offering customers finance, installers can win more business in this market.

He comments: “Consumers are looking to transform their homes, whether it’s installing double glazing, refurbishing kitchens and bathrooms or converting a loft and they are looking to spread the cost of funding this.

“There is a misconception amongst consumers that finance must cover the entire cost of the project, when actually it can be used to fund all or part of it. That’s where installers can upsell to create the ideal solution for the homeowner.

“For example, say a homeowner has a budget of £8k to spend on a new conservatory. Rather than use the whole £8k for the conservatory which may not be the size and type they really wanted they can upgrade to a £12k conservatory, using £4k as a deposit and £8k on finance. This then leaves the customer £4k to spend on furniture and blinds etc, which means a bigger sale for you and a very happy customer.”

Improveasy provides installers with finance solutions that they can offer to homeowners.

Installers don’t need experience or a consumer credit license; companies that become Introducers (IARs) or full Appointed Representatives (ARs) will appear on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register and can then begin offering finance options under either the Improveasy brand or their own company brand.

Companies that partner with Improveasy also receive sales training and training on how best to use finance to win new business.

Austin comments: “We work across several sectors but glass and glazing is one of our fastest growing sectors. Our aim is to raise awareness of the opportunities in offering finance packages to installers and show that with Improveasy they have everything they need to win new business.

“Becoming a member is quick and easy. We will help guide your business through the process of becoming an accredited partner and you can start to benefit from offering finance to your customers within just a few weeks’ time.”

For more information please call 0800 024 8505 or visit www.improveasy.com

Picture Above: Ryan Green

Clayton Glass have just launched #theclaytondifference initiative with a view to communicating the key attributes of why the business has become one of the most respected and customer centric IGU manufacturers in the UK.

This new campaign across PR, e-mail and social media is designed to highlight many of the unique facts of the company which now boasts a capacity of 15,000 IGU’s per week. There has also been over £3million invested in the business over the last 18 months and there’s now an ability to laser etch customer logos and brand names on to IGU’s.

As one of the largest independent glass processors in the UK, Clayton have a unique position in the IGU market with an owner-managed structure that allows them to be far more adaptive and hands on than many other glass suppliers, with a distinct ‘can do’ attitude. As a glass specialist, the company also benefits from not being distracted from other business units.

The company now operates from a new £multi-million facility in County Durham serving the entire UK and has also been listed as one of the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain.

Ryan Green, managing director of Clayton Glass commented: ‘This new initiative fully reflects the way in which we do business and that’s starts with me at the very top. We can offer tailored solutions for all business sizes and our existing customer list boasts some of the biggest and most trusted names in the industry.

He continues: ‘We’d like to think we’re business partners rather than just a typical IGU supplier and there’s a tangible point of difference. #theclaytondifference is not just about what we do, but also how we do it.’

For further information visit www.morethanjustglass.co.uk, e-mail enquiries@morethanjustglass.co.uk or call the sales office on 01207 288200. You can also add to their growing Twitter following @ClaytonGlass.

Image Above: 1st Team Squad + SEH BAC Sponsors

One of the UK’s largest installers, SEH BAC has renewed its sponsorship with Ipswich Town Football Club.

Sponsoring the Tractor Boys for more than 20 years, SEH BAC – which is part of Ipswich-based One Group Construction, are sponsoring the trainer’s bench at Portman Road for the upcoming 2017/18 Championship season.

“We’re absolutely delighted to extend our partnership with Ipswich Town,” comments John Savage, Managing Director of SEH BAC. “Ipswich Town is an incredible football club steeped in history and is a real force for good within the local community, so of course we are really happy and proud to be associated with such a fantastic football club.”

Alan Lee (left) & John Savage Managing Director of SEH BAC (right)

Rosie Richardson, Sales Director at Ipswich Town F.C. commented: “We are really pleased to work with SEH BAC for another season as the sponsor of our trainer’s bench. It’s always great to partner with well-established, local businesses like SEH BAC and provide them with the exposure sponsoring a Championship football team offers. We look forward to building on our existing partnership over the coming season.”

2017 marks a major milestone for SEH BAC, as the firm celebrates 45-years of trading in East Anglia, the South-East and the Home Counties. As well as windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries, the firm specialises in all kinds of home improvement including replacement conservatory roofs, single storey extensions and driveways.

“We are really excited for the next stage in our partnership with Ipswich Town” adds John. “Not only to do we have a great sponsorship opportunity, we are working directly with the club to offer incentives and competitions as well as creating exciting activities to say thank you to our customers and our staff also.”

For more information, call 0808 159 6310 or visit www.sehbac.com.

Safestyle UK has signed a new three-year supply agreement with Mila extending to the end of 2019. This will bring the remarkable partnership between the two businesses to more than 25 years.

Richard Gyde, Mila’s Managing Director, said: “As always, this was a very competitive negotiation up against two of the hardware sectors other big names so I’m obviously delighted that Mila has come out on top again. After so many years, it’s a fantastic testament to our ability to keep on getting better and better.”

Safestyle UK’s Operations Director Mark Scaife added: “We expect a lot from our suppliers and Mila have consistently demonstrated that they can live up to that. They share our constant drive for excellence and deserve their position as one of our key partners.”

As well as being one of the largest fabricators in the UK, Safestyle is also one of the industry’s most progressive, setting the most rigorous standards for suppliers on everything from reducing packaging to demonstrating compliance with the Ethical Trading Initiative and Modern Day Slavery Act. Mila continues to meet all of these requirements, on top of achieving guaranteed On Time In Full performance metrics of more than 99%.

As part of the preferred hardware supplier negotiations, the team from Safestyle visited Mila’s China office in order to audit Mila’s manufacturing partners. They saw for themselves the scale of the quality control operation both at Mila and at the individual factories, and witnessed the company’s dual sourcing policy in action.

Mila will continue to supply Safestyle UK with the vast majority of its window and door hardware requirements, including the new Supa stainless steel contemporary pull bars for Safestyle’s composite door range. Also part of the package are ProSecure door handles, ProStyle letterboxes, and both ProLinea espag and TBT window handles. Some of these are bespoke versions of products, developed by Mila specifically to suit Safestyle’s fabrication processes.

In signing the supply agreement, Safestyle will benefit from a favourable transparent pricing structure, which includes pre-agreed bands linked directly to currency fluctuations and commodity prices. They will also continue to receive regular advanced briefings from Mila’s technical team on upcoming changes to hardware standards and regulations which affect their market.
Richard Gyde added: “The Safestyle agreement obviously benefits both parties. It gives Safestyle guaranteed continuity of supply and improved certainty on pricing and it pushes us towards incremental product and performance improvements which are good for the whole business and in turn, I believe, for other customers as well.”

www.mila.co.uk