UltraRoof380 – “Effortless” according to the experts

When UltraRoof380 was launched the reaction from retail installers was tremendous.  Not only in response to the look of the UltraTile used on UltraRoof380 but to the ease of installation.  In this case study we hear from Tom Tonks of TT installations who describes his first UltraRoof380 installation as “effortless”. 

Tom Tonks explains the backdrop to this installation: “the couple had an existing conservatory with polycarbonate roof and were keen to find a solution that would deliver fantastic thermal performance but still keep the room light and airy,  so when they realised they could change the roof and retain the existing windows, they considered the UltraRoof380. Initially the couple were concerned about a solid roof and losing light into the conservatory.  Planning to use the extension as a meeting room for work, the couple were keen to find a solution that would deliver fantastic thermal performance but still keep the room light and airy.  Tom picks up the story: “to be honest before this installation we’d fitted an alternative non-Ultraframe system, but that’s not to say that system was easy to use.  The fitting of the other roof system could be challenging, the joints could be tricky to align correctly on site causing condensation further down the line, so we were keen to work with UltraRoof380 to deliver a ‘right first time’ build.”

UltraRoof380 is designed, like all Ultraframe roof systems, to not only be visually appealing both inside and out, but also to give the fitting team an efficient and fast build-up time, limiting the exposure time of the existing structure to the elements.  Tom picks up: “considering this was our first job it couldn’t have been any easier.  Unlike other systems, UltraRoof380 will only go together one-way, so there is absolutely no room for error.  We were so impressed by the quality, the speed and the finished result. For the couple that own the home, they were initially concerned about losing light into the extension, but the flexibility of UltraRoof380, allowing for the integration of large glass panels afforded the couple the luxury of both light and thermal performance.  The glass panels look absolutely stunning, really in keeping with the family’s beautiful home.  The couple plan to use the space as a meeting and function room for their business, there’s no question it’s a stark contrast to the conservatory that stood there before,” explains Tom.

Using UltraRoof380 grey UltraTile the roof blends seamlessly into the adjoining property and six months on from the build Tom is still keen to push UltraRoof380 over and above other solid roof systems as Tom concludes: “absolutely brilliant roof system.  It has all the hallmarks of an Ultraframe roof system – easy and fast to fit, guaranteed result and of course fantastic thermal performance.  Who needs to fit any other roof system?” Commenting on this installation Andrew Thomson, design and development director at UItraframe adds: “Tom’s installation illustrates the efficiency of UltraRoof380 perfectly.  As with all the roof systems from Ultraframe, our focus is on designing roofs that not only look and perform superbly well but meet the needs of the installer head-on in terms of speed and ease of installation. 

The post UltraRoof380 – “Effortless” according to the experts appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

The identity of Jackloc’s very special FIT Show guest was finally revealed to be none other than Her Majesty The Queen. Her Royal Highness joined the window and door restrictor specialists on their stand for Big Tuesday to celebrate the firm winning the most prestigious award in UK business, The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation 2017.

The real Queen impersonator helped the Leicestershire firm create quite a buzz in the halls of the NEC and on social media, leading to Jackloc’s most successful FIT Show appearance, securing a record number of leads.

“The FIT Show proved to be a great success for The Jackloc Company,” comments Emma Wells, Founder and Director at Jackloc®. “We were looking at ways to make us stand out from the crowd and to recognise our huge achievement of winning The Queen’s Award and inviting ‘Her Majesty’ along certainly proved popular with visitors.”

“We wanted to go to The FIT Show and show why our product has won this highly-prestigious award and become the leading window and door restrictor, used by a wide range of organisations across the world,” adds Judith Burrows, Emma’s sister and fellow Jackloc Director. “Leaving Birmingham with an abundance of enquiries and high-value leads shows we have achieved what we set out to do.”

Designed, engineered and manufactured in the Midlands, Jackloc safeguards thousands of lives every day worldwide. Adopted by homeowners as well as health authorities, leading hotel and leisure chains and commercial and residential developments, Jackloc provides a highly-versatile range of universal cable restrictors which have revolutionised window safety.

Completely universal and designed for any window or door material, the Jackloc range now includes swivel/stud and push-and-turn cable restrictors, alongside the original, Queen’s Award winning, key-lockable Jackloc. Most recently, the firm added their innovative folding, key-lockable restrictor designed for a variety of window styles. Extensively tested to BS EN Standards, the Jackloc range is designed to dramatically reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities caused by falling from windows.

Established in Leicestershire in 2003, Jackloc are the Queen’s Award-winning window and door restrictor brand. A family owned, family run business, Jackloc supplies their British-made cable restrictors to a diverse range of organisations across the world. Jackloc were also recipients of the Thomas Telford Award for Innovation and were named Leicestershire Small Business of the Year 2015.

For more information visit www.jackloc.com or call + 44 (0) 1455 220616.

Mike Bygrave

Brouha Marketing has welcomed Mike Bygrave, previously marketing manager at Roseview Windows, to its team.

Brouha says the move follows a growth in demand for its B2B and B2C marketing programmes and will also bring ‘strength and depth’ to its strategic marketing, while adding skills in web, graphics and social media.

Mike Bygrave commented on his appointment: “I’m very excited to have joined Brouha. I’ve long admired their attitude and approach to marketing and communications in our industry. In particular, their honesty and integrity stands out, so when the chance to join the team arose, how could I say no?”

Brouha’s MD, Fiona Lund, added: “Over the years, I’ve been keeping an eye on the excellent work Mike has delivered for Roseview, and am delighted that he is now joining the Brouha team. In addition to bringing a technical and market intelligent led skill set, Mike will also strengthen our new media delivery to give us even stronger foundations for the next decade.”

www.brouhamarketing.com

The post Mike Bygrave joins Brouha Marketing appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

The Government’s Immigration Bill must ensure that British business has access to sufficient levels of EU workers or major construction projects will grind to a halt, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the Queen’s Speech.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “In terms of today’s Queen’s Speech and the focus of British business, all eyes are on the Immigration Bill. As suspected, we now know that the Bill will end the free movement of people but that begs the question: what will replace it? The Government has not set out what our post-Brexit immigration system will look like but it is crucial that key strategic industries, such as construction, are able to draw upon sufficient numbers of EU workers. EU tradespeople have come to play a crucial part in plugging the industry’s chronic skills shortages and if the ability to employ non-UK workers is curtailed, the Government’s housing and infrastructure plans will be no more than a pipe dream.”

Berry continued: “Already, we’re starting to see a dramatic drop off in immigration from the kinds of countries that have typically supplied the construction sector with skilled talent. Statistics released today by the Oxford University’s Migration Observatory show a 35% fall in the number of national insurance numbers being issued to nationals from the ‘EU8’ countries that joined the EU in 2003. A lack of certainty over what rights EU citizens will have in the country post-Brexit will undoubtedly be a factor behind this decline. Given the ongoing need to recruit from abroad, we need a clear message from the Government that non-UK skilled workers are welcome now, and will be welcome come what May.”

Berry concluded: “The sector stands ready to work with MPs to shape the Immigration Bill into something that serves the economy and provides vital human resource to British business. The construction industry is also ready to significantly upscale the training and recruitment of UK construction workers so we welcome the recommitment to a proper industrial strategy and high skilled learning. In the longer term, being able to train more of our own workforce is without question part of the solution to our enduring skills deficit. Nevertheless, the Government must be pragmatic and introduce an immigration flexible system that allows skilled EU nationals to work in the UK with relative ease.”

www.fmb.org.uk/about-the-fmb/newsroom/immigration-bill-is-priority-for-construction

Darlington based National Window Systems, part of the HWL Windows Group, has installed an Opus hybrid lantern roof, exclusively manufactured by Prefix Systems, on its newly extended conservatory village and renovated showroom.

Opus is described as a ‘new genre’ of hybrid glazing, combining the ‘proven performance and adaptability’ of aluminium with the ‘sheer richness and luxury’ of hardwood. The installation at National Window Systems forms part of a traditional brick orangery in a showroom environment that includes two other orangeries, a Prefix solid, insulated and tiled Warmroof and other ‘modern living environments’.

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, this investment by National Window Systems in ‘premium, extended living space solutions’ is said to show a ‘shift in emphasis, from the basic cost effective conservatories, to the more premium environments that discerning consumers are now demanding’. The Opus lantern roof is described as a perfect example of this offering, with a PVC-U or aluminium exterior and the ‘trademark’ Opus timber internal finish, which is emphasised on the showsite orangery with an oak trim around the lantern opening.

John McComb, sales manager of National Window Systems, commented: “Opus is the epitome of premium glazing solutions and it’s generated considerable interest already, following our opening day event. There’s a new type of consumer emerging that seeks premium brands and products that provide luxury appeal, something our newly expanded showsite is perfectly designed to cater for.”

www.nationalwindowsystems.co.uk
www.prefixsystems.co.uk

The post National Window Systems reaches for the sky with Prefix’s Opus appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has held a celebration for its founder members at its new building in Southwark, London.

Approximately 40 guests made up of GGF members, senior managers and the trade media attended to see founder members receive a special presentation award from GGF president, Alan Burgess, of Masterframe Windows.

The event also allowed guests to view the new GGF building which includes a historic timeline, founder’s wall, president’s glass plaque and the GGF display cabinet which houses awards won by the federation and its members.

Alan Burgess covered the progress and growth made during the last 40 years and thanked all members for helping the GGF achieve so much for the industry since 1977.

Alan said: “I am pleased that so many companies who have been part of the GGF since its beginnings are still members today. It’s been a memorable event and my thanks to all the founder members who have helped make the GGF the industry’s leading trade body over the last 40 years.”

Phil Pluck, GGF chief executive, added: “Today has been the GGF’s way of saying a special thanks to our founder members who have remained in membership since the very start. They represent the best of their sectors and the industry overall. It has been a pleasure to have been part of such a unique event in this landmark year for the federation.”

After three successful anniversary events, the GGF’s 40 years celebrations will continue at GGF members’ day on 29th September in London, to which all GGF members are invited. More details of this even will be published later in June.

To find out more about the GGF’s history you can visit the digital historic timeline: www.ggf.org.uk/40-years-of-the-ggf

A full list of GGF’s founder members can be found here: www.ggf.org.uk/founder-members

The post GGF celebrates anniversary with founder members appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

The Queen’s Speech has set out a programme of reform for the next two years which is needed to prepare the UK to leave the European Union and shore up small business confidence. 

FSB’s latest Small Business Index shows a slide in small business confidence for the first time in the wake of the EU referendum. Small firms want to see measures which prove this Parliament backs them to drive growth and create jobs for the UK economy. 

Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:

“We are pleased with the ambition to provide certainty for businesses as we head towards Brexit and the commitment to low taxation. This is vital for small firms who are facing both uncertainty and rising costs of doing business. A thriving small business community, helped to grow by a supportive government, will be crucial to a strong post-Brexit economy. But it is disappointing that this Queen’s Speech was light on other domestic measures for small business. The government must knuckle down to tackle issues such as reform of the Business Rates system and changes to Corporate Governance, to stop big companies badly treating their small business suppliers and contractors.”

On Brexit

“The raft of Brexit Bills announced today must prioritise free and easy trade, and ensure small firms can access the skills and labour they need after the UK leaves the EU. It’s good to see the commitment to special support to help British businesses export to new markets around the world, which we look forward to engaging with the government on. Small firms will be looking to the Immigration Bill to provide the UK with an immigration system that is responsive to the needs of employers, and there should be a transition period to any new system of at least three years after Brexit.

“The Bill to repeal the European Communities Act gives certainty to small businesses in the short-term that Brexit will not mean sudden big changes in regulation. On this, it is vital that there is no cliff-edge moment, even though in the long term Brexit provides an opportunity to simplify complicated Brussels processes to make rules much easier to comply with.”

On the Industrial Strategy

“The modern Industrial Strategy must deliver on major infrastructure projects, such as the second phase of HS2. This is important to the UK remaining competitive globally. Large-scale infrastructure projects must be matched with investment in local roads to boost UK connectivity and growth. We welcome the commitment to make good on radical reform to technical education and training to deliver the skills that small businesses need. 

Energy and Motor Insurance Bills

“We will be closely watching to see that legislation to reduce motor insurance premiums and energy prices also applies to microbusinesses, who struggle just as much as consumers with their bills.”

www.fsb.org.uk

Retail and trade counter businesses Homestyle, Micron Windows and Trade Supply Windows, have agreed a new supply deal with Emplas, as part of plans for continued growth. Operating throughout the Anglian region, the group set up by Graham Shemmings in 1999 operates across sites in Ipswich as Homestyle and Trade Supply Windows and in Newmarket, as Micron Windows. Signing a new supply agreement earlier in this year, Shemmings said that it had chosen Emplas as its supply partner going forward because it could support its own ambitions for long-term growth. He said: “We had a good supplier previously and a good relationship with that supplier but we have plans for growth going forward and we needed the right product offering and the flexibility to support that. The team at Emplas understand retail, how important continuing product development is to continuing growth and offered us a product range which delivers everything that we were looking for but underpinned it with an exceptional support offer.”

Emplas’ core offer is built around Profile 22’s Optima. With fully sculptured, chamfered and flush options available, the system has been developed to tap into increasingly discerning end user demand for enhanced aesthetics. A six chamber outer-frame and five chamber sash, mean the 70mm system achieves U-values as low as 0.8W/m²K and an A⁺⁺ WER. With 24-44mm beading. Improved sealing with a 10mm cover, a 35 per-cent increase in hardware retention through local thickening, plus a wider colour and foil offer, make it a highly competitive retail proposition.

Emplas has also recently its ex-stock colour range. It means that foiled Cream, Anthracite Grey, Anthracite Grey on White, Black Brown, and Black Brown on White are now available as ex-stock standard colours in lead times of 10 days or less. “Grey is incredibly popular – it seems to be almost all homeowners want”, continued Shemmings. “The flush casement from Emplas is going to have appeal with owners of period properties while Optima delivers some good sightlines all round. But for is it’s still very much about the long term. Trends come and go, it’s been about finding a supplier who is investing, who can offer us the right products now and into the future and Emplas is geared to do that.”  Ryan Johnson, Managing Director, Emplas said: “We’re delighted to be working with Graham and the wider team. They have interests in retail and trade and are looking to grow. They’re also very much looking to long-term growth. That’s where people now recognise that as a business we can add value. We have the product range but also offer sales and lead generation support to go with it and are committed to a genuinely partnership approach. Our customer’s growth is key to our own and we’re committed to working with them to maximise it.” 

The post HomeStyle, Micron Windows and Trade Supply sign with Emplas appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.