‘GOOD SPORT’: SLIDERS UK SUPPORTS INDIAN SCHOOLS RUGBY PROGRAMME

Sliders UK has continued its support for a pioneering programme to promote educational achievement by bringing rugby to some of India’s most deprived cities and districts.

The Delhi Hurricanes School Rugby Development Programme is built on a model first pioneered in the UK by the Atlas Foundation.

This promotes discipline and team working through the sport and has been shown to increase academic achievement in areas of social and economic deprivation here in the UK by 12 per cent.

Sliders UK has continued its support for the programme this year through the sponsorship of the 2017 Tour and Festival of Rugby, which took place over the summer.

Alex Murphy, Sliders UK’s Managing Director and former London Irish loose-head prop, coaches as part of the scheme.

He explained: “The Delhi Hurricanes School Rugby Development Programme gives children from some of the most deprived neighbourhoods of Delhi, Chennai and Calcutta the opportunity to take part in organized team sport – often for the very first time.

“In leaving that poverty behind them, even for just a few days, and focusing on a team sport, you see these kids grow in confidence, understand that they can achieve and that through longer term mentoring, translates into a better performance in their school work.”

Murphy first formed links with the Delhi Hurricanes during his time as Business Head of Fenesta Building Systems. India’s largest PVC-U window manufacturer the company is part of the chemicals giant, DCM Shriram.

Sliders UK’s continuing sponsorship of the scheme helps to finance three full-time coaching posts in Delhi, funded by the Atlas Foundation.

The Atlas foundation was set up by 114 England Cap loose-head prop Jason Leonard, to provide a link between businesses looking to make a contribution as part of their CSR strategies and grassroots rugby worldwide as a funding organization.

It’s also developed a network of ‘Champions’ who work with projects around the world, providing leadership and support to development programmes.

The scheme in India involves more than 800 regular players, a 50/50 mix of boys and girls under the age of 16 including an all-girls school

“The programme makes a really big difference to a lot people’s lives for not a lot of money. It’s an absolute privilege and genuinely humbling to be able to support these children and I’d like to thank the industry for the continuing support its shown for them”, continued Murphy.

For more information on the Atlas Foundation please visit www.theatlasfoundation.org.uk.

For more information on Sliders UK please email sales@sliders-uk.com or visit www.sliders-uk.com

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and in support of this year’s Fire Door Safety Week (25 September – 1 October 2017), a new free online training tool has been launched to boost the basic understanding of fire doors needed by those with responsibilities for fire safety.

The course has been developed by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), Europe’s first competency framework for fire door inspectors. It is delivered virtually through an online interactive learning portal and is open to anyone who is responsible for specifying, selling, installing or maintaining fire doors and their components.

The service builds on the highly popular half-day ‘Bite size fire door training course’ launched earlier this year in response to the increasing demand for training to increase knowledge about the legal and practical issues relating to fire doors. It also provides an introduction to the FDIS Diploma in Fire Doors.

Kevin Hulin, FDIS manager, said:  “The lack of basic knowledge about fire doors is a real challenge to all parts of the industry, and we felt this was something simple that we could do to help.

“There are now 30 inspectors operating throughout the UK accredited through the FDIS process and we have had more than 1,100 people sign up to study the diploma.

“This new course is an introduction to the diploma, tailored for the generalist who needs to know the basics and also needs to be able to recognise when to bring in an expert. I hope it will also encourage them to continue their studies further, and support the challenge laid down by the Fire Door Safety Week team to make our building stock that bit safer.”

The free online training tool is available at trial.fdis.co.uk

FDIS is Europe’s first fire door inspection scheme. It was launched in 2012 as a joint venture between the BWF-Certifire Scheme and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers. It aims to transform people’s knowledge about how and why fire doors work and the potential dangers of getting it wrong.

FDIS provides an online learning centre leading to a Diploma in Fire Doors, and a route for diploma holders to become Certificated Fire Door Inspectors through independent assessment by Exova Warringtonfire.

www.fdis.co.uk

Sash window experts Roseview have topped off a phenomenal fortieth year with a nomination for Fabricator of the Year at the prestigious G17 Awards.

In the last year, Roseview has grown to turnover of £8.5m, while investing £300k in improvements to infrastructure and its Rose Collection range.

Now, all three Rose Collection windows can boast a strengthened astragal bar, while the G Award-winning Ultimate Rose has been further enhanced with a specially extruded mid-section and the slimmest meeting stile on the market.

It has also continued to provide hundreds of leads a month to installers around the country via its consumer-facing website.

“A G17 nomination – for one of the most competitive categories, no less – is a fantastic way to round off our fortieth birthday celebrations,” commented Roseview Sales Director Richard Burrells.

“It’s been an action-packed twelve months, but despite all the celebrations, our focus hasn’t wavered – we’re in business to give our customers the best, most authentic uPVC sash windows in the world, and we’ll continue to make whatever investments and innovations we deem necessary to achieve that.”

Roseview’s Rose Collection are one of the UK’s leading range of uPVC sash windows. Competitively priced and highly versatile, the Eurocell-based Charisma Rose is the perfect fit for everything from upgrading existing windows on older properties to installing on modern new-builds.

The superbly authentic Heritage Rose, based on the REHAU system, has been accepted for use in conservation areas as discerning as the London Boroughs of Chelsea and Kensington, Lincoln, Worcester, and Cambridge – while the G Award-winning Ultimate Rose is the pinnacle of timber-effect uPVC, boasting features as detailed as run-through horns, full mechanical joints and the new 35mm meeting rail.

For more information visit www.roseview.co.uk or call 01234 712657

The first PIGS North of the border proved to be a PIG success with our industry colleagues in Scotland. After a suggestion from Colin Torley that a PIGS event could prove popular in Glasgow, organiser Sarah Ball got to it.

“Last year, we took PIGS to Vegas as part of Glass Build America,” explains Sarah. “It was really successful, so when Colin suggested Glasgow, we thought, why not?”

Held at Bacchus Café Bar in Glasgow, almost 40 PIGS attended the first ever Scottish event and enjoyed the usual PIGS party of a free bar and some great networking.

“It was a great turnout,” says Sarah. “We’ve already had some fantastic feedback from people who attended and its success means that we will be running it again next year.”

The post Glasgow PIGS Done. Now for BirmingHAM appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Martin Dickie, Residence Collection MD

Some have described the market this year as ‘flat’, but systems company, Residence Collection, has announced that its first half sales are up 20% year-on-year. According to Residence, it has been estimated that in the first half of 2017, the overall market was 3-5% down on the same period last year.

Much of the growth for Residence fabricators and installers has reportedly been with R9, which is said to be the only system designed specifically to meet the demands of planners for conservation areas, listed buildings, heritage and period properties, and self-build. However, the company says it is also starting fabricators up on just R7, which has just had its marketing launch. Flush inside and out, R7 is said to be suitable for properties ranging from modern new builds and city apartments to country cottages and semi-detached houses.

Residence Collection MD Martin Dickie said: “Installer and fabricator demand for R9 and now R7 is outstanding. It’s supported by heavy investment in the most powerful consumer marketing lead generation in the market, and stunning marketing point of sale to help installers sell to homeowners. All this investment is focused on driving sales opportunities and improved margins for our fabricators and installers alike”

“Coupled with this investment is our continuous drive to provide a market leading service. Such as service levels, as measured by OTIF (on time, in full), which has now reached 100% for the last three months. That means, despite offering the widest colour range from stock, Residence fabricators and installers get what they order when they order it, so they’re able to grow at their own pace and are not held back in any way by their systems company.

“R7 is designed to set the benchmark for PVC-U systems with mechanical joints or welding,” Martin added, “while R9 is a mechanically jointed product that’s built to beat hardwood, aluminium, PVC-U or composite windows in looks and performance.”

www.residencecollection.co.uk

The post Strong growth from Residence Collection in ‘flat’ market appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Following what is described as a period of ‘strong revenue and customer growth’, achieved through the integration of seven ‘strategically beneficial’ acquisitions, Synseal has now completed its next stage of refinancing and investment. With this in place, David Leng will be standing down as chief executive officer of Synseal Group, after eight years in the role.

Deborah Kemp will assume the role of interim CEO, with Leigh Daveran remaining as CFO and Andy Jones as sales and marketing director. Andy Jones will take on David Leng’s customer relationship responsibilities.

Together with the existing experienced senior executive team, the group says it will continue to consolidate its market leading positions in PVC-U profile and conservatory roofs, whilst taking advantage of its strategic growth in glass, entrance doors and aluminium window and door products.

Leigh Daveran, CFO, said: “Through the support of Proventus and H.I.G. Capital, Synseal Group has grown from revenue of £70m prior to the MBO in 2010 to £160m today, enabling the management team to pursue its ambition to offer an unrivalled range of quality products, customer experience and investment in people.

“Deborah brings a wealth of operational and organisational experience gained across a variety of consumer and property led public limited companies, as well as many private equity businesses. She has been working with the executive team and David over the past four months, supporting and developing our future growth plans. Having previously been CEO of several growth businesses, Deborah’s experience will be invaluable in helping to support our next exciting chapter.”

The Board would like to thank David for his contribution and wish him well for the future.

The post Synseal’s David Leng steps down appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Swish says 7 out of 10 consumers recognise the Swish brand. And Gerald Allen, Swish’s Brand Manager, says: “Brand recognition like this is a fantastic advantage, as Swish fabricators and installers know. They also know that Swish is a brand that deserves its reputation.”

Swish is a British brand with a 40 year heritage. Swish windows have been approved by the Secured by Design scheme, the official UK Police flagship initiative that supports and promotes the principles of crime prevention through secure design and engineering. The system easily achieves the best A++ ratings and triple glazed frames can deliver a U-value of just 0.8. All products are said to be easy to maintain and keep looking pristine. The range of 28 colours includes woodgrain effects, accent colours and on-trend shades.

Swish maintains that aside from giving homeowners what they want and need, Swish also delivers for fabricators and installers. The system is easy to fabricate and simple to fit. An impressive range of ancillaries including baypoles, couplers, cills, add-ons and trims make it easy to complete perfectly fitting projects. The colour finishes have no minimum order, so they’re an option for every project.

Then there’s the level of support offered by a brand known for its warm and friendly customer service. High quality sales support and literature provide the tools to help secure sales. There’s also the Excellence as Standard member programme, which aims to drive and promote excellence at every level of member businesses. Benefits include access to qualified leads, branded marketing materials, benefits from partners including FENSA, and learning and development options via the Excellence as Standard Academy.

For more information visit www.swishwindows.co.uk

Image Above:  Tim Ferkin, Sales Director

Two recently evolved products at Caldwell are helping to drive sales says a Director at the company.

The fenestration hardware specialist launched the re-engineered products earlier in 2017 and they have boosted sales at the company.

Tim Ferkin, Sales Director at fenestration hardware giants Caldwell, explains in more detail about how the company’s long-standing spring balance products have been improved for 2017.

He comments: “At Caldwell, we are committed to producing the most high-quality, innovative products possible. Earlier this year we decided to look at improving two of our spring balances – the Ultra Lift 2 (UL 2) and the Torso – which are designed to give the end user mechanical assistance in opening and closing their sash window.

“The end result of our efforts was two newly-evolved products: the Ultra Lift 6 (UL 6) and Torso II.”

Both of Caldwell’s newly enhanced products have been carefully developed to provide some of the highest performing balances within the market. The Torso II is now the only class 6 balance and offers up to 85% mechanical assistance and can hold sashes that weigh up to 60kg.

Both new balances are available in a variety of colours including white, brown and grey, and the Torso II now boasts an incredibly sleek design, with tube diameters of 17mm and 19mm.

Tim continues: “It was a priority for us to ensure that the modifications we made to the Ultra Lift and Torso would not impact the manufacturing process by which they are incorporated into finished windows. Indeed, there will be no extra fitting requirements and no extra costs for manufacturers.”

For more information please call 024 7643 7900 or visit www.caldwell.co.uk