Covering All Trade Professional Needs: Bosch 18 V Cordless Tool Range Expands Again

Six new products – 40+ in total

* Extra hammering, grinding, shearing, nibbling and extracting options
* Innovative safety, programming and energy efficiency features
* Highly efficient long-life batteries with full compatibility
* Convenient mobility system

Bosch has underlined its status as a key player in the growing 18 Volt cordless power tool market with the introduction of six new products. Adding extra options in terms of hammer drilling, angle grinding, shearing, nibbling and dust extraction, they expand the Bosch Professional 18 V Li-Ion range to more than 40 tools.

Covering every trade professional’s needs, the collection includes a wide variety of drills, drivers and hammers for different applications. There are other tools for sawing, cutting, grinding, planing and sanding, along with dust extractors, lights and even an onsite radio.

The new models are:
GAS 18 V-1 Professional Dust Extractor
GAS 18 V-10 L Professional Dust Extractor

Innovation
Bosch points out that its latest 18 Volt cordless tools continue the spirit of innovation which has drawn so many individual tradespeople and group buyers to Bosch in recent years. Often the innovations relate to safety, as with the GWS 18 V PC and PSC Professional Angle Grinder whose automatic safeguards include KickBack Control, Restart Protection, Soft Start and Vibration Control.

The angle grinder also benefits from this manufacturer’s pioneering developments in tool connectivity. Its uses here include customisation of adjustable parameters and monitoring of tool condition. An inbuilt user interface on the PSC model makes programming functions and access to information even easier.

To combat dust-related illness, which has been a focus of recent safety campaigning by Bosch, there are two new extractors. The GAS 18 V-1 Professional Dust Extractor is light and compact but features two rotational airflows which effectively remove most dust before it even reaches the filter. For sustained high suction over long periods, Bosch offers the GAS 18 V-10 L Professional Dust Extractor. Its specialised HEPA filter captures more than 99.99% of all dust.

A combination of high power and efficiency is promised by the GBH 18 V-20 Professional Rotary Hammer Drill, an SDS-plus model which delivers 1.7 J of impact energy along with impressive runtimes. When it comes to ergonomic design, the GSC 18 V-16 Professional Shear and GNA 18 V-16 Professional Nibbler score highly with their small grip circumference and perfect balance. Like the angle grinder, they can be fitted with batteries of up to 7.0 Ah capacity for long uninterrupted shifts.

Battery life
Bosch innovations in battery technology, as well as motor efficiency, continue to push the boundaries of runtime. Building on the inherent advantages of its Li-ion packs, Bosch has invented new systems to extend their lifetime even further. Bosch Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) prevents overloading, overheating and excessive discharge, while Bosch COOLPACK temperature control adds as much as 100% to a battery’s life compared to a pack without it.

Full compatibility
An important characteristic of all Bosch 18 Volt power tools is their full compatibility – forward and backward – with each other’s batteries and chargers. The tools and their accessories are also fully compatible with the Bosch Mobility System. Its space-saving L-BOXX storage units, which click and stack together for convenient transport, ensure that everything is held securely, protected from damage and well organised.

Available now
The latest Bosch 18 V Li-ion power tools, and all others in this comprehensive range, are available now from specialist retailers. Further information is available on www.bosch-professional.co.uk 

Epwin Window Systems has just announced that Natalie Tellis-James has joined their team in a Customer Marketing Support role.

Natalie, whose background is in marketing, project management and customer service, said: “I am delighted to be joining Epwin Window Systems. The company has an exceptional reputation for the quality of the support it gives to its customers and I’m thrilled to be part of such a proactive team.”

Gerald Allen, Epwin Window Systems’ Marketing Manager, said: “Natalie has lots of valuable experience and we’re delighted to have her on board.”

Natalie will be part of the marketing support team that works directly with Epwin Window Systems’ customer accounts, helping them take advantage of the bespoke marketing Epwin offers. The team is one of the largest in the industry and this is reflected in the reputation Epwin Window Systems has for its proactiveness when it comes to working with its customers and the level of marketing support it provides.

The latest example of the company’s commitment is Excellence as Standard, the membership programme that aims to drive and promote excellence at every level of member businesses. Its members enjoy a wide range of benefits to help them and their business, from continuous training and advice through to product discounts and marketing support.

www.epwin.co.uk

Leon Day

Former Universal Arches managing director, Leon Day, has joined Kaliber Group as head of its PVC division for KAT. He will also continue as a consultant to Kaliber’s recently acquired Universal Arches.

Based at the KAT headquarters in Cheshire, Leon will draw on his ‘niche’ market expertise and contacts, maximising the group’s current and potential growth opportunities.

As part of his role, Leon will drive product development as well as sales and marketing strategies for the Group’s PVC offering, focusing immediately on KAT’s comprehensive range of residential door and window products to meet ongoing large volume requirements in the UK and Ireland.

Upon joining Kaliber Group, Leon said: “I am delighted to follow Universal Arches to Kaliber, to expand the benefits of this partnership. In my new wider group role, we plan to hone our existing full range of products, to meet all spec and price requirements of our diverse customer audience.

“With Universal Arches’ niche service offering, the company marries perfectly with Kaliber to allow us to provide a one-stop-shop for all doors and windows PVC.”

David Richards, chairman, Kaliber Group, added: “Leon’s addition to the senior team gives us yet another advantage in meeting our product and service aspirations. We are confident in the vast range of products available through our companies, from entry level through to one-off bespoke glazed projects.

“We now aim to bring all our companies in line with the national service offering with our dedicated delivery fleet and pre and after-sales customer services to ensure our customers come back to us for every requirement, be that a single build project or a whole development. With Leon’s commitment, we are significantly strengthened and we are on target to exceed expectations.”

The post Universal Arches leader joins KAT appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Picture above: VEKA Group made the list for Training & Development Initiative of the Year category.

As the finalists for this year’s G17 Awards were announced, it was a double celebration for the VEKA Group with nominations in two categories.

Making the list for both ‘Training & Development Initiative of the Year’ and the ‘Unsung Hero Award’ categories – for Head of Human Resources Gabriela Hammond – VEKA will also be celebrating the success of its customers; Glazerite and Thistle Windows & Conservatories, and commercial installer The Window Company (Contracts) who have all been named as finalists across various categories.

When it comes to training, VEKA Group is at the forefront of helping its staff develop into their full potential. From apprenticeship level – such as the BIT qualification – to the Dale Carnegie leadership course; Leading The VEKA Way, the company nurtures its employees at every stage and by its own admission, VEKA sees its staff as its biggest asset. The theory that ‘proud people make better products and provide the best service to customers’ is clearly one that works in practice too.

As a company with a 30-year history, VEKA Group has been and forever will be totally invested in its employees and shows this through its commitment to their professional and personal welfare. In the past year, not only has an emergency defibrillator been installed at the site’s main reception, but also a mental health first aider and an EAP (employee assistance programme) free helpline have also been arranged for the use of VEKA staff.

Gabriela Hammond of VEKA Group said: “The vast amount of training, opportunities and employee benefits on offer at VEKA allows us to stand out from the crowd. We value our staff more than anything and want to ensure that not only is VEKA a fun place to be, but somewhere that employees can be proud to tell others they work at. With attractive pay packages, a work environment where you feel respected and appreciated, plus a variety of different training opportunities, we really feel that the training and development initiatives here are the best around.”

VEKA’s second nod at the awards, for the ‘Unsung Hero Award’, goes to Gabriela Hammond Head of Human Resources, who was completely surprised by her nomination. Having started her career at VEKA as a graduate trainee 16 years ago, Gabriela took the position of Head of Human Resources in 2012 and has shown herself to be one of VEKA Group’s most loyal employees.

As a champion of the Dale Carnegie training programme, Gabriela has been a major part in helping 70 members of staff complete the course and was also part of the team that created and launched VEKA SPIRIT, an initiative that encourages staff to be proud of their workplace, share ideas and support their colleagues.

Gabriela represents the company at many local network events, such as Burnley Bondholder meet-ups and was integral to VEKA being crowned ‘Employer of the Year’ at the Burnley Business Awards in May. However, it doesn’t end there; proud to be Burnley ‘born and bred’, Gabriela takes an active role in helping local students with site visits and represents VEKA at a number of higher learning and career events, plus she takes an even more active role in charity events such as participating in Tough Mudder, the Burnley and Manchester 10K runs plus football and golf fundraising tournaments.

As the Unsung Hero Award application was made in secret, Gabriela only heard of her nomination when the finalists were announced at the start of September, saying: “I was so surprised when I heard the news but also absolutely delighted. It sounds like a cliché but even just to be nominated is fantastic. There are 400 staff at VEKA and I try my best every day to make sure they are all happy at work and know how much VEKA values them. As I’ve been here for over 15 years, I’ve learnt so much. I’ve grown professionally and personally so all of the training programmes and employee initiatives that I help out with are there to hopefully do the same for both current and future employees at VEKA. As a local person, VEKA is part of the community too and I’m proud to represent it at events and fundraisers.”

The G17 awards will be held on 17^th November at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

www.vekauk.com

Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, is pleased to announce the launch of its new corporate video which allows potential and existing customers to gain an insight into the company, the people and the products.

The video, which is available to view on the P C Henderson website provides potential and existing customers the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes at the global manufacturer. It features interviews from key personnel across the company and how their departments work together to deliver the finished product direct to its customers.

P C Henderson currently exports its products to over 70 countries worldwide and has subsidiaries in Holland and Ireland.  Due to this P C Henderson needed a solution to communicate its core values, its people and its processes in a digital format.

Trevor Cossins Managing Director at P C Henderson comments:

‘We are a forward thinking company. In the past customers would have to travel, often from overseas to see our factory facilities and understand our business. Whist we welcome all visitors, we also understand that it is not always possible for people to visit us due to work and time commitments. This video enables potential and existing customers to step into P C Henderson from the comfort of their desks.

‘We pride ourselves on being a company that is flexible and easy to do business with, we are always working towards providing our customers with innovative solutions in customer service as well as our products ’

The video joins the company’s current installation videos hosted on the P C Henderson website. To date they have attracted over 160,000 views and are available for use by customers of P C Henderson on their own websites to help customers with the fitting process.

P C Henderson’s investment in digital resources highlights its dedication to customer service worldwide. Video marketing has proven to be one of the most engaging techniques for our customers. Research shows that 43% of people surveyed want to see more video content from marketers.  P C Henderson continuously monitors this valuable research to develop new and innovative marketing materials to benefit its customers.

To find out more about what P C Henderson has to offer, visit www.pchenderson.com or email hello@pchenderson.co.uk

Endurance^® Doors are again supporting National Home Security Month in October, for what is now the fifth year for the important consumer facing campaign, sponsored by Yale.

Home security remains the number one key driver in entrance door sales and with hardware partners Avocet, ERA and Yale part of the Endurance^® Doors product proposition, the company can boast one of the most secure composite doors in the sector. With a solid LVL timber core, it’s also a product that’s even passed a thorough sledgehammer test.

National Home Security Month was created to help raise the importance of home security and this year there are five mini campaigns across the month of October. There will also be plenty of social media activity, through Twitter @SecurityMonth and consumer campaigns that will reach regional and national press.

Week one sees the launch of the campaign with incentives and discounts on home security products, before moving on to window hardware in week two and smart security in week three. Week four looks at the implications of the clocks going back an hour and finally in week five, there’s some seasonal advice around Halloween and bonfire night.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Endurance^® Doors commented: ‘We’re again supporting National Home Security Month in October from our perspective as a diligent composite door manufacturer. Security is the number one key driver in sales and with a number of well-regarded hardware partners, we’re able to offer the trade and consumers with a very powerful product proposition.’

For further information on Endurance^® Doors, including complete door sets or slab only manufacturing, please visit www.endurancedoors.co.uk, e-mail sales@endurancedoors.co.uk or call the sales office on 01652 462042. You can also follow them on Twitter @EnduranceDoors.