Freefall Arm Device from Bromer

Liniar’s latest launch at the FIT Show has seen the innovative company join an elite band of window systems that are able to comply with the exacting Passive House standards – EnergyPlus 90.

The new 90mm system is unique in that its 9-chamber profile has been designed to meet the triple challenges of thermal efficiency, noise reduction and security, while still maintaining the appearance and operation of a 70mm system.

Liniar’s Design & Development Director, Adrian Redshaw, explains the thinking behind the new system:

“With more and more developments being built on recycled brownfield land, often near busy transport links, architects are tagging acoustic criteria in addition to thermal and security specification.

“Tests have resulted in EnergyPlus 90 being awarded Passive House certification, achieving U-values as low as 0.7 W/m²K, with Windows Energy Ratings up to A+40 for triple glazing and as low as 0.5 W/m²K with quadruple glazed windows.

“The results from weather testing have been particularly impressive, with a full-sized EnergyPlus 90 window surpassing 3000Pa (155mph) during recent safety tests.

“The strict conditions of PAS24:2016 have also been met, making the EnergyPlus 90 window fully compliant with Part Q building regulations and, as a result, achieving Secured by Design accreditation.

“EnergyPlus 90 provides an exceptional option for commercial developers with an Rw of 42 – more than double the audible sound reduction of a standard double glazed unit.

“Because the sight lines, frame cover and clearances are similar to the existing EnergyPlus system, the 90mm system looks and operates the same as a 70mm system, maintaining the attractive appearance and ease of use.”

Perfect for commercial developments in urban areas, EnergyPlus 90 is available to all of Liniar’s UK fabricators.

To find out more go to www.liniar.co.uk/windows/energyplus90 or call 01332 883900.

To mark the 10^th anniversary of the sale of the very first length of its profile, Liniar has launched its brand new Specification Guide at the FIT Show – providing architects and fabricators with comprehensive information on the entire range.

The stylish, 234-page full colour book contains all of the information that anyone could possibly need to know when it comes to specifying the innovative company’s windows, doors, conservatory roofs, building supplies and outdoor range.

“We think it’s a very fitting way to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of Liniar profiles hitting the market,” says Chris Armes, Liniar’s Design & Development manager.

“It’s been a huge task to collate all of this information in one attractive, easy to understand document, but the finished article looks outstanding and we can’t wait for people to see it.

“We launched our first Specification Guide in April 2015 which covered our window and door range in 96 pages.

“Since then we’ve launched the Alumina bi-fold as well as the EnergyPlus 90 system and building supplies, while also adding our roof range along with the outdoor products we produce – decking kits, fencing and plastic piling.

“The fact that the size of the guide has increased so dramatically just goes to show the scope of how big the Liniar range is now.

“We’ve used full isometric renders of our profile, created with 3D software, to lift the images right off the page and give architects a much better representation of how our products would fit into their projects.”

Packed from cover to cover, the Specification Guide contains full details of all Liniar’s products, including in-depth technical data and measurements on everything in the range, including ancillaries, case studies and follow up information.

Nikki Dunbar, Liniar’s Design & Marketing Co-ordinator, has been responsible for the compilation and styling of the guide.

“Putting together the Specification Guide has been a huge task. Not only has every detail and image been scrutinised over, but I’m very particular about the whole look of it and everything has had to be just right.

“Seeing it in print makes all the hard work worthwhile – we’re very pleased with the finished article.”

An online version of the Liniar Specification Guide can be viewed in book format at www.liniar.co.uk/specification-guide and specifiers can order their own free hard copy at www.liniarspecguide.co.uk/liniarweb.

As well as launching the new Specification Guide, Liniar has also updated its online resource centre for specifiers and developers, which contains a wide range of information and resources to assist with specifying Liniar profile.  Please visit www.liniar.co.uk/specifiers to check it out.

Image Above: Listers IT Team, Left to Right: Mike Davies, Charith Silva, Dayan Fernando.

The last twelve months have seen Trade Window and Door Manufacturer, Lister Trade Frames of Stoke on Trent, make some serious investments in their IT infrastructure across the business. Now, they have just launched a fully customised financial and business management system set to revolutionise their operations well into the future.

“Our business has become ever more complicated over the last few years as we manufacture many more window systems, variants, materials and options for our trade customers.” Says Mark Warren, Listers Managing Director. “Our IT systems have to be able to control all of this information across the whole business operation so that we can meet and exceed the needs of our clients.”

Listers have taken the ‘Business Intelligence’ challenge seriously in several ways. Some 30 months ago they identified potential cracks in their IT systems and partnered with Staffordshire University on a KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) to bring into the business an IT Graduate to assess their position and to plan how best to deliver the latest technology to meet their future needs. That plan focused on reducing some 13 software applications to just 2 by this May 2017.

“This was an ambitious plan,” says Mark, “and we knew it was going to cost us a lot in time, planning and cost around £200,000, but we were determined not just to improve our systems, but to future proof them in support of our business expansion.”

Staffordshire University and the IT Graduate have worked closely with Listers IT Team so that the final phase of the scheme was launched in May, integrating all their previous systems into just two customised packages, making their operations streamlined and simpler to use. Listers also now have greater visibility of information and a platform to control and accelerate their planned growth.

“We’re all really excited about the capabilities that our new IT platform will deliver” says Mark, “and we’ve also gained a new fully skilled employee to help run it all; Dayan Fernando B.Sc, M.Sc, MBCS, CISA, our Graduate Partner liked working with us so much he decided to stay!”

Listers’ news shows just how important investment in IT systems have now become for gathering and controlling business intelligence when manufacturing diverse products for the Trade Installer.

 www.listertf.co.uk 

For several months innovative uPVC frame manufacturer, TruFrame, have been carefully assembling an expanded Board of Directors that will help deliver the vision and corporate objectives for the family owned company.

Over recent years, the company has seen double-digit sales growth and is now arguably one of the top 5 largest manufacturers of uPVC frames by volume. The announcement of the enhanced leadership team at TruFrame comes at the same time as the implementation of an unprecedented £3.2million CAPEX programme.

David Firmager, remains firmly at the helm of TruFrame as Managing Director, supported by son Patrick, while the introduction of Human Resources Director, Eleanor Elliott, has added considerable corporate expertise based on her 16 years of experience in people management, continuous improvement and recruitment.

From an operational perspective, Tomasz Kosarewicz leads the manufacturing facility as Production Director, utilising his skills in lean manufacturing, Kaizen and continuous improvement. TruFrame are relatively unique as a frame manufacturer committed to achieving their own product certification, rather than relying on systems companies. Overseeing this role, along with training and product research and development, is Technical Director, Martin Burney.

The outward facing part of the business is headed up by new Marketing Director, Paul Roper, who brings with him significant experience from a number of B2B and B2C marketing sectors and will be looking to put into place a cohesive marketing plan for TruFrame and its important customer network. There will also be an imminent appointment of a new sales figurehead over the coming months.

The new additions join existing long-standing directors, Jonathan Hall, Financial Director and Nick Monger, Purchasing Director, who have over 15 years of experience with the business between them.

David Firmager commented: ‘Given our business objectives, it’s been imperative to build a structured board of directors to allow us to excel in all business disciplines. We have a vision for the future in place and the new additions will no doubt help us achieve this, while allowing us to further nurture our strong business relationships with customers.

He continued: ‘I don’t just want TruFrame to be an example of a well-run fabricator in the fenestration industry, but rather a class-leading manufacturing company that’s success is built on business excellence across all functions.’

For further information on becoming a TruFrame partner visit www.truframe.co.uk, e-mail sales@truframe.co.uk or call the office directly on 01664 410 140. You can also add to their growing following on Twitter @TruFrame.

Synseal Group is the latest customer to partner with Mila on security and performance testing and to benefit from the hardware specialist’s advice and expertise.

Mila has helped Synseal achieve PAS24: 2016 security and BS6375 weathertightness and performance accreditations on its new range of WarmCore casement windows, and PAS24: 2016 on the tilt and turn windows in its SynerJy, Shield and Legend systems.

Mila has been supplying the majority of Synseal’s hardware requirements for more than 10 years and during that time its technical team has advised on the optimum hardware choices to keep pace with the changing demands of the tests.

For the WarmCore casement windows, for example, Mila supplies its own brand ProLinea twin cam espag, NightSecure keep, ProLinea espag handle and Mila casement hinge protectors. For Synseal’s PVC-U tilt and turn windows, Mila supplies Siegenia AF security hardware in combination with its ProLinea TBT handle.

What is particularly significant for Synseal is that Mila conducts indicative testing for customers at its own Daventry test centre before any of the windows are sent for official testing to ensure that they stand a very good chance of passing the test first time and minimising the costs involved.

Over and above that, members of Mila’s experienced technical team check all of the test samples before official testing and even attend on the day to check that every detail is correct – from the packing of the sample to the positioning in the test rig.

Mark Frain, Synseal Group’s Hardware Category Manager, commented: “Mila’s input into our testing is really valuable because it means we get maximum return on our investment, with the right product choices and the right testing set ups every time. The team really does have expert knowledge on things like the more stringent requirements of PAS24: 2016 vs 2012 and has helped to ensure that all of these windows have now passed the test and satisfy the all important requirements of Approved Document Q.”

www.mila.co.uk

Customade Group has been formally celebrating its merger with Polyframe at the FIT Show. The Customade team has been welcoming visitors on to, not one, but two, stands at the show and telling them about what the enlarged, full-service group can deliver to the industry since its merger in February.

The group spread the message about its new capabilities and also impressed visitors with a stunning array of products and brands. REAL Aluminium and Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions dazzled show-goers with its ranges of aluminium fenestration products and glazed roofs and talked about how they can help installers to enter into the profitable aluminium market with complete confidence. Polyframe and Virtuoso unveiled some exciting products and plans for the future.

Customade Group is now one of the biggest fabricators in the UK with revenues of more than £100 million and a vast product range which extends across PVC-u and aluminium windows and doors, composite doors, aluminium glazed roof products, sealed glass units and specialist glazing.

The group has just embarked on a major repositioning programme to stimulate the market and spread the message among fabricators, installers and retailers about the advantages of collaborating with a large, established group with national reach.

John Lightowlers, Customade Group managing director, explains: “We’re tremendously excited about this year’s FIT Show because it’s the first industry event since Polyframe merged with the Customade Group. We are perhaps the biggest name that many people may not have heard of…yet, but that’s all about to change and we’ve been setting the scene at FIT. We have some terrific plans for the future and a team of 900 people to deliver a formidable five-year strategy. This is a step-change for the industry and we’re excited to tell everyone all about what our collective ability will bring.

“We’re currently repositioning ourselves within the market and rebranding the Customade Group. This enlarged group gives us a unique presence and strength within the market, delivering a complete solution for customers with strong, challenger brands behind us. The combined product portfolio of the group is unmatched by any other fabricator in the industry and we’ll be working very closely with customers to help them to achieve sustainable growth. The response from our customers since the merger has been extremely positive and they’re really enthusiastic about a promising future with us.

“The group is a family of specialised companies, each with decades of experience serving its own sector from windows and doors to conservatories and roofing. We have amazing potential as a group and over the next few months we will be rolling out an exciting campaign that will focus on our expertise and the fantastic opportunities that we can now bring to the industry. We are the biggest UK’s trade fabricator and our goal now is to be the best!”

Delivering industry-leading products and brands, the full-service Customade Group can comfortably cater for the entire fenestration industry and is able to satisfy virtually any requirement a customer may have. This market-leading range of products is backed by an unrivalled marketing package which the group is currently extending across all divisions. Since the merger, the group has maintained a high concentration of dedicated sales staff. This enables customers to continue working alongside their own regional sales manager, whilst being able to access all the products within the group.

Customade Group now includes Polyframe (PVC-u), REAL Aluminium (aluminium), Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions (glazed roofs), Virtuoso (composite and panelled doors), Hourglass Seal (sealed glass units), and Fineline Aluminium (specialist glazing). The group operates nationwide and employs 900 people in multiple manufacturing sites across the UK.

www.customade.co.uk

LEKA Systems unveiled its Orangery Roof at this year’s FIT and if the reaction was anything to go by, it looks set to become as big a hit as its sister product the Warm Roof. Rhys Hoddinott, Director of LEKA Systems said: “The new LEKA Orangery roof makes the most of the latest roof technology and will help fabricators and installers to capitalise on the trend for orangery style conservatories.”

Exclusive territories for the LEKA Orangery Roof are available for a limited time only, so installers wanting to make the most of the benefits the roof has to offer should act quickly. New installers will be supported with a comprehensive marketing package plus full product and sales training so they can get up and running with the new roof quickly.

The LEKA Orangery Roof uses the same technological innovation as Warm Roof. It is manufactured from a structurally tested, high grade GRP profile system, which means no cold bridging or condensation such as you see in roofs constructed using aluminium and timber. It all adds up to a genuinely lightweight orangery roof that has a U value of just 0.15 W/m²K, something that will be very appealing to homeowners looking to create year-round rooms to house kitchen, dining and living areas.

The roof is supplied in kit form and delivered in four simple lightweight pre-assembled ladder sections. All materials from the external board to the internal board are pre-cut/fabricated to exact specifications. It means installation is a two man one day job (excluding the lantern and roof membrane). It’s also jhai-approved, helping to cut down on paperwork.

Rhys concludes: “The LEKA Orangery Roof is where beauty and technology combine. It is the perfect value-added product.” And as the company famed for the Warm Roof, adding value is something LEKA knows all about.

www.lekasystems.co.uk