FIT Show to appear on talkSPORT

With the FIT Show 2017 taking place at the NEC, Birmingham next week (23-25 May), it’s not the only thing that is right around the corner. With the final fixtures of the Premier League football season taking place on Sunday, the FIT Show’s organisers have enlisted the help of talkSPORT to promote the trade event.

With 81 advert spots in total going out from yesterday (Monday 15 May) through to Monday 22 May, the eight day national campaign will reach 1.75 million listeners, who will each hear the advert on average 4.3 times. Of those 81 spots some will be slightly ‘up weighted’ at key times such as the breakfast show.

FIT Show chairman, Matthew Glover, explained the reason for the investment: “The talkSPORT audience shares a very similar demographic to our typical FIT Show visitor profile, with 95% of listeners being male and a high proportion are ‘in the trade’.

“We’re always keen at The FIT Show to explore new ways to target a relevant audience which traditional marketing methods don’t reach. And with it being the close of the Premier League season it only made sense we collaborate with talkSPORT as there will be a heightened audience for all the last minute excitement.”

The FIT Show adverts started yesterday (Monday 15 May). talkSPORT is widely available across the UK via DAB digital radio and 1089 or 1053 AM. You can also tune in at www.talksport.co.uk.

Register to visit The FIT Show at: www.livebuzzreg.co.uk/2017/fit17/

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As an installer, is there anything more annoying than when another company uses your image for their own use without permission? All that hard work and effort, just for someone else to use your work in their name for their gains. Irritating? Damn right.

The issue of image use is one of the most fiercely talked about when the problem raises it’s head from time to time. Of course everyone wants images to use as part of their marketing to help win business. But image use has to be done fairly, with the right permissions sought, and credit given to the companies willing to lend their images out to others. Not a lot to ask, but it appears that many are still happy to go on using other people’s work and sell it under their own name.

It’s happened to us

I was sent this the other day:

Recognise the image on the left? Yes, that is our showsite glazed extension. Recently completed following massive renovations of an old white Gable PVCu conservatory. It has featured on this website as part of a poll post asking people to vote on what they think it should cost a home owner. It has also featured on our own company website.

You might be wondering why I have blanked out the company details in the advert. I will be contacting the company in the coming days to find out exactly why our showsite glazed extension is being used in their advertising. If it turns out our suppliers were asked to provide sample pictures, then I shall bear that in mind in my response to them, although if it turns out to be that permission being asked would have been nice first.

However, if it turns out to be 100% dodgy and they just copied the image from either this or our company website then we’ll be taking further action. This is our work on our property and no permissions were sought from us to use it under any other company name or for any other purpose.

This isn’t the first time our work has been copied by other companies and used under different names. There have been a string of cases over the past few years were other companies have blatantly taken images of our work and used it under their name. I have confronted them all, all have backed down, some less willingly than others.

There needs to be clarity on this issue though. On the one hand there are installers out there clearly ripping other installers off and stealing their images. On the other hand there suppliers who are naturally trying to expand their own product image portfolios, but where other customers are asking to use them for their own marketing. Is this right? And should the guidelines on such a thing be a lot clearer?

There will always be installers who will steal photos from other installers for their own use and hope they don’t get caught. There is very little we can do other than to be vigilant and keep an eye out for anything that might look familiar.

What has been on the rise however is suppliers who have been tapping into their installer base for images of their products. And quite rightly too. Harvesting of images is a typically time consuming and difficult task for fabricators as the running of their business leaves them little room to do much else. Hence they rely on their installers to provide images for their own marketing purposes.

I think most installers don’t mind providing images for fabricators to flesh out their marketing campaigns. After all, a healthy fabricator makes them more reliable for the installer. What I do think irks some is when other installers ask for access to those images from the fabricator to then be used for their own marketing. Is this pushing the permissions of image use too far? I believe this is a grey area that needs clarification.

For example, when a fabricator asks an installer for images, do they specify what they will be used for? If not, then perhaps it should be, so that the installer can decide if they want other installers to be able to access them and be used for other purposes. Should fabricators create some form of formal agreement to ensure that both parties are protected?

This is a grey area. I know in the past that installers have sent in their images to their suppliers, only for them to be lent out to other installers for them to use, without giving the original installer any credit. It’s a difficult situation. Fabricators want all installers to promote their products, but installers don’t want other installers to be claiming their work as their own in the name of getting a sale.

For me, I think suppliers should create a clearer system for installers. A formal way for installers to supply images, perhaps a two-tiered system. Option A for installers who are happy to supply images to fabricators for use in their own marketing. Option B where installers are happy for other installers to use their images if requested. Maybe fabricators could even set up a rewards system to encourage installers to use Option B, perhaps offering a discount on their products.

Either way, these are muddy water becoming even muddier, and given how powerful social media is, instances of image theft are only going to increase. Clarity is needed.

from left to right: David Firmager with son, Patrick

TruFrame has announced an ‘unprecedented’ £3.2m capital expenditure programme at its Melton Mowbray PVC-U window and door manufacturing facility, that’s part of a longer-term, ‘building for the future’ strategy.

Already one of the top five largest manufacturers of PVC-U frames in the UK, it is claimed this new investment by TruFrame across all aspects of manufacturing, will help streamline processes, bring in new production methodologies and improve its ‘already renowned manufacturing quality’ even further. As a business based on family values, there’s also said to be an element of ‘succession planning’ underpinning this significant capital investment.

The first phase of the programme, which is already well underway, has seen the installation and commissioning of three new Urban AKS 1150 single-head butt welders, which offer an impressive weld restriction of just 0.2mm for an improved finish. In addition, a new Rotox EKA 574 CNC corner, transom and crucifix cleaner has been added, which will support the two Rotox SEK 503 crucifix welders due for delivery in the summer, alongside the first brand new cutting and machining centre.

David Firmager, managing director of TruFrame, commented: “This investment programme is a fundamental part of our vision for the future at TruFrame. This substantial outlay has a number of facets to it, including the improvement of manufacturing processes, staying ahead of our peers in terms of product quality and ultimately, putting the resources in place for the future of the business.”

He continued: “We’ve also spent some time putting into place a new board of experienced directors, with just one new appointment to conclude, as part of our ‘building for the future’ strategy.”

www.truframe.co.uk

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I have recently placed all of our current staff on apprenticeships so that they can gain the correct industry recognised qualifications. During this process I have contacted local colleges so that we might speak with their students to highlight the possibility of joining our workforce. I was surprised to discover that there is no specific trade qualification for fenestration, not even a small syllabus touching on the subject. Lately, I have read many articles detailing how the UK have an aging workforce, with fewer young people aspiring to achieve a career within the construction industry, let alone the fenestration sector. Recent research by a major home builder has concluded that career advisors are not relaying the information available in regards to entering the construction industry, and the potential to undertake an apprenticeship. There seems to be even less recognition for the fenestration industry. Largely, the other aspects of house building are covered by a college recognised qualification, which means these students will likely continue along these paths into their careers, rather than diverting into a field not included in their qualification. Businesses in our industry are relied upon and expected to recruit and train the next generation; if they fail to do so, we can expect the future workforce to only have basic knowledge at their disposal.

Recently, there has been a large campaign set up by the government called ‘Get In Go Far’ which features apprentices from 12 companies. Not one of these companies are from the construction building industry, the adverts focus on mainly corporate companies with no insight into skilled labour. This type of advertising is great for changing the persona of apprenticeships, however it enforces the same mentality as our current career advisors within schools. The construction industry should be encouraging this campaign to show a broader spectrum of apprenticeships, so that there will be an equal acceptance between corporate and trade companies.Moving forward, we should be pushing for a fenestration course to be available within colleges, and careers advisors should be providing information on the possibilities available. It would be a simple task to draw up a syllabus for the course, as it has already been written by the GGF in ‘The Good Practice Guide for the Installation of Replacement Windows and Doors’. By following this guide, we would have a new generation of installers with the correct skill sets that are required for our industry to develop and thrive.

I would like to get involved with people in our industry that also see this as a growing problem, and want to make a difference by finding the right avenue to push this forward. If you have any thoughts or would like to help please contact alex@nordicinstallations.com

The post Training the next generation for Nordic Installations Ltd appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Alex Gray and Colin Torley have a combined experience of more than 60 years in the window and glass sectors

Two well-known figures, with a combined experience of more than 60 years in the window and glass sectors, have joined forces to form The Saveheat Group.

Formed by Alex Gray who is currently chairman of the Glass and Glazing Federation in Scotland and Colin Torley, formerly of Veka, The Saveheat Group reportedly becomes the first company in Scotland to manufacture, timber, aluminium, PVC-U and glass products for trade installers, the commercial and construction industries.

This development follows the recent consolidation of Merlin Network (Scotland) into the group along with the formation of Blairs Aluminium Systems in 2016. The group also comprises Saveheat Glass and Blairs Timber Windows.

Merlin Network’s expertise is in the window and conservatory sectors, while Blairs Aluminium Systems offers aluminium glazing systems. Saveheat Glass is a manufacturer of insulating glass units, whereas Blairs Timber Windows has been providing timber windows and doors since 1913.

Managing director, Alex Gray, described the development as ‘significant’ for the businesses. He said: “The exciting new group set-up acknowledges that we can now provide a much wider set of options to our customers.

“By offering timber, aluminium, PVC-U and glass, we have become the first company in Scotland to manufacture the four fundamental materials in the window and glass industries to our customers.”

While currently the main market is Scotland, the new group is targeting increased sales across the whole of the United Kingdom and looking to build on the reputation it already has with past and current contracts, according to sales and operations director, Colin Torley. He said: “As we are unifying four incredibly strong brands in a clear, revitalised group, we believe it will enhance business opportunities in the whole of the United Kingdom, as well as boost the experience of our customers as they can now utilise our far-reaching group expertise. With our vast experience and years of combined trading, we feel that this will bring considerable benefits to our customers.”

The group employs 150 staff across four manufacturing locations in the central belt of Scotland. Its current turnover is reportedly more than £16 million.

A new website is currently being developed to support the formation of the group and to showcase the expanded range of products.

The post New window and glass group formed appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

The commercial department at frameXpress has shown consistent growth recently with the reliability of the products and flexibility of the team placed as key advantages by customers.  Most recently the company was contracted to supply white windows and doors with astragal bars in the Optima S system, for a major project in Birmingham.

Providing the best in security and thermal efficiency with all windows and doors achieving the highest industry standards, the leading trade manufacturer also supplied black Composite Doors for all 12 dormer bungalows at the Handsworth location in Birmingham.

The bungalows are built to “HAPPI” standards (Housing for the Ageing Population Panel for Innovation), which provide innovative features for the elderly.  The entire project is being delivered through BMHT’s construction framework which aims to deliver new homes across Birmingham using local labour and local suppliers.

As an initiative it provides work experience for apprentices and trainees through Birmingham’s Social Charter, with the completed scheme having been praised by Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT), which previously stated that the site was “unable to be developed”.

Birmingham City Council won ‘Social Housing Provider of the Year’ last year at the Insider Residential Property Awards 2016, being recognised as the largest provider of affordable homes per annum across the Midlands.

As a regular supplier for BMHT the frameXpress range provides excellent quality ensuring that the highest standards are achieved in terms of security and style for residents with Secured By Design accreditation offered on all products.

BMHT celebrated the completion of its 2,000 home milestone in March last year with a culmination of 1,125 homes built for rent, as well as almost 900 built for sale since the council launched the BMHT programme.  Last year BMHT also won the Public Sector Award at the Urban Design Awards for one of its redevelopment programmes.

Sarah Price, Commercial Sales Manager, frameXpress Ltd comments, “Providing the right solutions for commercial developments continues to be a priority for the frameXpress team.  We always work hard to ensure that through diverse options, which provide the highest security standards, that we can give customers complete peace of mind regarding each and every project.

In Birmingham, the council has a number of new rented properties currently under construction on various sites, and there are plans to build further new homes for rent in the region that will help to close the city’s housing gap.  As a company we are proud to be  part of that success story.”

FrameXpress is a leading trade fabricator supplying pvc-u and aluminium products to builders and installers across the UK.  For more information on the range of products available please call 01952 581100

HWL Trade Frames, the Leeds-based fabricator of windows and doors, is proud to be the first R9 manufacturer in the country to be able to offer butt-jointed Residence Collection of windows unglazed.

With butt-jointed R9 windows currently coming factory glazed as standard, which can make them heavy, cumbersome and difficult to fit, the unglazed window comes with a huge number of benefits to installers.

Firstly, companies will be able to buy their own glass, allowing increased margins. Secondly, the window is easier to handle as glass can be installed on site, making for safer manual handling. Thirdly, if a piece of glass were to fail, rather than having to replace the full sash as you do with traditional method R9 windows, installers are able to just replace the sealed unit.

Graham Howatson, director at HWL Trade Frames, said, “Some installers have stayed clear of the Residence Collection in the past due to the issues that can be faced with factory glass bonded windows. Our new unglazed offering though offers installers, and homeowners, the visual appearance and benefits of traditional R9 windows, with a number of additional advantages.”

The Residence Collection, which includes R9, R7 and R², has been a game changer since it was launched in 2012. Practically maintenance free, and with minimal U Values, the unique system replicates timber windows, with all the benefits of uPVC.

Graham Howatson added, “We pride ourselves on our technical expertise, knowledge and our ability to make R9 easier for installers. That is why we have created a handy Residence 9 product guide which cover all the options available for installers. Our track record really does make us the R9 experts.”

HWL Trade Frames is exhibiting on Stand A1 at the FIT Show, alongside machinery manufacturer TMS, between the 23^rd and 25^th May at the NEC in Birmingham.
www.hwlwindows.co.uk

Steve Williams and Steve Jones of Kenrick

Celebrations have been taking place at Kenrick as the West Bromwich based hardware supplier marks its 230-year anniversary.

Archibald Kenrick established the company in his hometown of West Bromwich more then two centuries ago, acquiring his first shop in 1787. This year, the company also honours 190 years since Archibald’s son, Archibald Junior, joined the rapidly growing business. The company became ‘Archibald Kenrick & Son’ – a name it is still known by today.

Steve Jones, managing director at Kenrick, said: “This is a really special year for our business as we celebrate a staggering 230 years since our founder went in to partnership with the buckle-maker, Thomas Bolton. Archibald was a brave 27-year old entrepreneur and he set the business up for an extremely long heritage in the UK. The Kenrick family was well-known in the area and the company employed hundreds of local people. We still have a strong presence within the community and there are several landmarks named after our business, including the local park, Kenrick Park and the main road, Kenrick Way.

“I’m really proud to be a part of this business and to see it trading successfully after many, many years. The company has produced all manner of products in its 230-year history and is now established as one of the leading suppliers of quality hardware to the window and door industry. This is a terrific milestone for our company and I feel privileged to build on this amazing pedigree. I’m genuinely excited about the next phase in the future of this business.”

Kenrick originally manufactured buckles and livery fittings from a 4,000 square yard site close to the Birmingham canal in West Bromwich. The company continually traded through both world wars and, during the Second World War, it even manufactured 7 million hand grenades and 1.5 million 2-inch mortar bombs, to aid the war effort.

The company still manufactures from the same site and, for more than 100 years, has been supplying components for windows and doors. Today, Kenrick is known for its extensive range of hardware for PVC-U, aluminium and timber window and door systems, which is one of the widest available in the industry. Over the last 25 years, the company has launched a number of hardware products and says it has more new developments in the pipeline.

www.kenricks.co.uk

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