New event for the flat glass industry launched by the FIT Show team

Following increasing demand indicated by visitors to the FIT Show, the organisers have announced the launch of Visit Glass, which will take place alongside the FIT Show in May 2019 at the NEC. Responding to a massive 40% of the 10,000 visitors to the 2017 FIT Show who declared their interest in seeing glass products and glass-related processing equipment and technology at the event, Visit Glass will become the first UK exhibition and forum dedicated to the manufacture, processing and application of flat glass for almost 15 years. The event is designed to appeal to glass industry professionals, together with specifiers and buyers of flat glass products and systems. These include insulated glass units, architectural glass, processed flat glass for all non-glazing applications including kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and the furniture industry; and glass for interiors including offices and decorative interior design schemes.

Prompted by the visitor feedback, the organisers of the FIT show carried out further research into the viability of such an event and were told that professionals operating in the sector would respond positively for something created specifically to address the unique needs of the UK flat glass industry, one that continues to undergo substantial technological and market changes. They also learned that, despite the success of the FIT Show, it did not serve the specific needs of flat glass manufacture, processing and technology. That will now be addressed by the launch of Visit Glass, says Nickie West, for the organisers: “Despite glass being an obvious and essential component of almost everything that is shown at the FIT Show, the glass industry has needs that are quite distinct in almost every respect,” she said. “After analysis of visitor research at the 2017 FIT Show we realised that glass-related topics were some of the highest categories they wanted to see at the show. However, this was not reflected in what they saw there. Visit Glass will address this imbalance through a distinct, separate event alongside the FIT Show.

Visit Glass will take place in its own clearly designated space at the NEC alongside the FIT Show. To ensure an appropriate format for Visit Glass was created, the event was ‘soft launched’, during which time a number of powerful, key brands were quick to reserve exhibition space. These include Pilkington, Saint-Gobain, Edgetech, Lisec, National Glass Group and Sapphire Glass Merchants, with others joining the floorplan as word of the event spreads.

The post New event for the flat glass industry launched by the FIT Show team appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

A company that provides installers with finance solutions that they can offer to homeowners has recorded its best-ever month of trading in the glass and glazing sector.

Improveasy Finance Solutions, which is based in Manchester, saw a record-breaking number of enquiries regarding its service in September.

Directors at the company say that they have seen a continued increase in demand from installers, as more consumers use finance options to fund home improvements such as double-glazed windows and conservatories.

Improveasy provides finance across several different markets including glass and glazing, which the company says is one of its fastest growing sectors.

Improveasy’s Managing Director Austin Barcley also credits the continuing ‘Improve Not Move’ trend – which is seeing more and more homeowners investing in their current properties – with boosting his company’s enquiry figures:

“September was our best month for both enquiries and for the number of new companies signing up with us. There is a definite trend of many homeowners investing in their properties and this is helping to drive a demand for finance options which can help to fund investments. Following this, it’s been our job to raise awareness of our name in the glass and glazing industry, and we have teamed up with a variety of installers, manufacturers and trade associations that are looking to offer finance options to their customers or networks.” 

Improveasy doesn’t just offer finance solutions. Companies that partner with them can also access sales training seminars, alongside a host of innovative finance options.

Furthermore, previous to signing up with Improveasy, companies or installers do not need to be FCA regulated. Once registered with Improveasy, installers become an Appointed Representative (AR) and can then begin offering finance options under either the Improveasy brand or their own company’s brand.

Austin concludes: “The appeal of our service lies not only in the financial support we can provide, but also in the training we offer our installers. This training demonstrates how to use Improveasy finance solutions to win more sales and we believe this offers our customers added value.

“Using our service allows SME installers to compete against the more established national brands: now they can offer an additional service to homeowners who might usually choose a local installer over them.”

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

Austin Barcley, managing director of Improveasy

Despite its popularity in mainland Europe, triple glazing is still not on the radar for many UK homeowners.

This is the view of Austin Barcley, the managing director of Improveasy – a company that offers customers financial solutions to fund home improvements through its approved installers.

The use of finance arrangements by homeowners has grown hugely in the last few years but Austin says that data from his customers shows that, regardless of its benefits, triple glazing is failing to gain traction.

He commented: “Recently, we’ve seen big improvements in the standard of double glazing and these enhancements have been well communicated to homeowners. In contrast, the potential advantages of installing triple glazing are often overshadowed by the initial expense of installing them and by customer’s concerns regarding payback periods.”

Triple glazed windows are hugely popular in Scandinavian countries where the climate is very cold they and are reported to offer good soundproofing against noisy neighbourhoods, enhanced security, and improved insulation.

Austin continued: “Payback periods for triple glazing depend very much on the rest of the house. If a home’s walls, floor, and roof are well-insulated then its biggest heat loss is likely through windows.

“In this case – or if a customer’s renovation involves improving insulation generally – the use of triple glazing could save a customer money in the long run.

“In terms of the initial expense of purchasing triple glazing, this is where financial solutions can help. Installers that work with Improveasy will be able to advise homeowners if triple-glazed windows would be a good fit for a home and how finance can be used to fund the investment.”

Now, triple glazing makes up 1% of the UK’s window market and, with the popularity of the ‘Improve-Not-Move’ trend, Austin predicts that this figure will increase in the future.

“For our installers, triple glazing is a good opportunity to up-sell, but we also want to help spread the message that homeowners can benefit from triple glazing with the help of Improveasy’s finance solutions.”

Improveasy doesn’t just offer finance solutions and companies that partner with them can also access sales training seminars, alongside a host of innovative finance options.

Companies that become Appointed Representatives (AR) will appear on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register; and can then begin offering finance options, under the Improveasy brand.

Installers can also offer the finance options under their own company brand and Austin says he is seeing an increase in the number of homeowners who are using finance to part fund larger investments such as conservatories.

www.improveasy.com

The post Benefits of triple glazing overlooked by most homeowners says director appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Andrew Scott

Having recently compared the financial performance of fabricators and installers as part of a new industry report, Insight Data has identified a ‘significant divide’ between supply-only fabricators, fabricators that install, and installers who don’t manufacture.

After researching more than 15,000 window, door and conservatory businesses, comprising limited companies and LLPs, Insight analysed the financial results. As small and medium companies don’t need to publish turnover or full accounts, Insight measured ‘net worth’ taken from their latest published accounts and calculated industry average benchmarks.

Insight reports that fabricators who ‘supply only’ performed the best over the last three years, with an average net worth up some 80% from £280,220 to £505,047. Fabricators who install improved from £219,093 to £265,228 – a rise of 21%, while installers who buy-in were found to have strengthened their financial position by 9%, from £49,651 to £54,280, although Insight describes many companies in this category as ‘lifestyle businesses’.

It must be noted, says Insight, that companies post their published accounts in arrears and the vast majority of accounts relate to a 2016 financial year end.

Andrew Scott, managing director of Insight Data, said: “The industry has enjoyed several years of steady growth and financial success, but an uncertain market over the last 12 months has created mixed results, with some companies reporting a slow down while others, especially premium or niche product manufacturers, have maintained growth. 2017 financial results may paint a different picture.”

The full Insight Report provides in-depth analysis of the industry, including business activity, market sectors and product information. It is available for free for a limited period, visit www.insightdata.co.uk/reports

The post Insight Data reveals ‘significant divide’ between fabricators and installers appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Image Above: Austin Barcley, Managing Director of Improveasy

Despite its popularity in mainland Europe, triple glazing is still not on the radar for many UK homeowners. 

This is the view of the Managing Director of Improveasy – a company that offers customers financial solutions to fund home improvements through its approved installers. 

The use of finance arrangements by homeowners has grown hugely in the last few years but Austin says that data from his customers shows that, regardless of its benefits, triple glazing is failing to gain traction. 

He comments: “Recently, we’ve seen big improvements in the standard of double glazing and these enhancements have been well communicated to homeowners. In contrast, the potential advantages of installing triple glazing are often overshadowed by the initial expense of installing them and by customer’s concerns regarding payback periods.”

Triple glazed windows are hugely popular in Scandinavian countries where the climate is very cold they and are reported to offer good soundproofing against noisy neighbourhoods, enhanced security, and improved insulation.

Austin continues: “Payback periods for triple glazing depend very much on the rest of the house. If a home’s walls, floor, and roof are well-insulated then its biggest heat loss is likely through windows. 

“In this case – or if a customer’s renovation involves improving insulation generally – the use of triple glazing could save a customer money in the long run.

“In terms of the initial expense of purchasing triple glazing, this is where financial solutions can help. Installers that work with Improveasy will be able to advise homeowners if triple-glazed windows would be a good fit for a home and how finance can be used to fund the investment.”

Now, triple glazing makes up 1% of the UK’s window market and, with the popularity of the ‘Improve-Not-Move’ trend, Austin predicts that this figure will increase in the future.

“For our installers, triple glazing is a good opportunity to up-sell, but we also want to help spread the message that homeowners can benefit from triple glazing with the help of Improveasy’s finance solutions.”

Improveasy doesn’t just offer finance solutions and companies that partner with them can also access sales training seminars, alongside a host of innovative finance options. 

Companies that become Appointed Representatives (AR) will appear on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register; and can then begin offering finance options, under the Improveasy brand. 

Installers can also offer the finance options under their own company brand and Austin says he is seeing an increase in the number of homeowners who are using finance to part fund larger investments such as conservatories. 

For more information about offering finance to your customers call 0800 024 8505 or visit www.improveasy.com

The UK government has announced a £5 billion boost for housebuilding across Britain, providing window manufacturers with more opportunities for the new build side of their businesses. 

Window manufacturers looking for high-quality products visited the AluWood Windows stand at Timber Expo in October, part of UK Construction Week, to find out more about its low cost, high quality, aluminium clad timber window & door system. 

AluWood featured its cleverly engineered aluclad timber window and door system on its stand where it demonstrated to manufacturers and specifiers its benefits. With the durability of aluminium on the outside and the insulating benefits of timber on the inside, AluWood is a high-quality system that requires little upfront investment. With dual colour the same price as single colour, it’s a very cost-effective system to make. 

“The increase in new homes being built, and the demand for additional commercial space, means more business for window manufacturers,” says Callum Grant Managing Director at AluWood. “It’s easy to go down the low-cost PVCu route, but choosing quality to make sure homes and commercial buildings are comfortable, secure and have the desired look is really important. The long-term cost per year is less, because of the lifespan of quality windows and doors. 

“That’s why window manufacturers and specifiers visited the AluWood stand at Timber Expo, to see our system up close and to find out why it’s such a popular choice for both new build and commercial projects. 

“The system is performance tested to PAS 24, comes in double or triple glazing and in a choice of window and door styles. With any RAL colour on the outside and a choice of hardwoods and laminated pine on the inside, it ticks all the boxes for discerning customers.” 

Visitors to the AluWood stand at the show had the chance to pick up their copy of the new AluWood retail brochure to help them sell. The brochure is packed with all the benefits that makes AluWood the best choice for homeowners’ next windows and doors, says the company. 

Visit www.aluwoodwindows.co.uk to get a copy of the AluWood retail brochure.