24 HOUR CHARITY ENDURANCE RACE FOR APEER’S DAMIAN

Apeer’s West of Ireland Sales Rep, Damian Rogers, completed a tough 24 hour endurance event recently, all in the name of charity. The event, called ‘The Race’ supports the Gorta Self Help Africa Challenge, and collectively raised an impressive £65k for the worthwhile cause.

The unsupported endurance event covers 250km of rugged landscape across North West Donegal, and has been described as Ireland’s toughest endurance challenge as well as being listed as one of the top ten endurance challenges worldwide. The Irish event is made up of a number of stages including 64km of road and trial running, 15km of kayaking, 166km of cycling and 5km of mountain running.

“It’s the ultimate test of endurance.” Damian explains. “Having run the race in 2016 and pulling out due to injury, I was determined to get back on the horse and complete the event this year. With training from anything between 8-20 hours each week in the winter months leading up to the event, and a 2am prep start on the day itself, it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted, especially when you add the unpredictable March weather!”

All proceeds from the event go to The Race’s charity partner, Gorta Self Help Africa. The vibrant and worthwhile organisation works with rural communities in South Africa, supporting them to grow more food, diversify their farm production, develop new off-farm enterprises and sell their surpluses.

Having completed The Race in an impressive 20 hours and 37 minutes, Damian hasn’t been put off doing the race again: “I may look to do it again in 2019, but for now, am taking a well-earned rest to spend time with my support team at home!”

Find out more about The Race by visiting www.therace.ie or visit www.selfhelpafrica.org for more information or to support the Self Help Africa charity.

Hot on the heels of the Halo FlushSash system, The VEKA UK Group has unveiled the VEKA FlushSash, meaning VEKA fabricators can now benefit from this versatile and stylish system.

Perfectly suited to a host of applications, the VEKA FlushSash is particularly well positioned to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient systems in the heritage sector. The clean, ‘uncluttered’ lines of the FlushSash are reminiscent of traditional Georgian timber windows, but these flush aesthetics also make the system ideal for contemporary commercial projects as an alternative to aluminium.

The VEKA UK Group’s Sales Director Neil Evans explains: “As ever, VEKA has designed this new system with customers in mind. The VEKA FlushSash is able to utilise existing outerframes, hardware and ancillaries, and will really extend sales opportunities for our fabricators and installers.

“For the authentic look of timber windows, there are currently 30 colour and woodgrain options in The VEKA UK Group’s ‘Variations’ collection.

“Transoms, sashes and mullions can be joined mechanically and VEKA’s FlushSash can achieve an ‘A’ rating with ease. It can also be offered in either 28mm double glazed units or 36mm triple glazed units, depending on the requirements of the environment.

“One of the major, practical benefits of the FlushSash is that it maximises the efficiency and flexibility of the VEKA Fully Sculptured system, allowing fabricators to extend their product range with minimal stockholding of additional sections.

“We’re very pleased with this system as it meets two distinct market demands – both heritage and contemporary commercial – as well as being highly secure, attractive and energy efficient.

“The design team have ensured that the VEKA FlushSash is easy to manufacture and simple to install… just as you would expect from any product bearing our industry-leading name!”

Find out more by visiting vekauk.com/products/veka-flushsash/ or calling 01282 716611

Brian Berry

The next government must ensure the construction sector has enough skilled workers post-Brexit or its housing and infrastructure manifesto pledges will be redundant, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The FMB has called on all major political parties to recognise the importance of migrant labour to the construction sector as part of its ‘Programme for Government’.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The UK construction sector’s demand for skilled migrant workers from the EU and beyond cannot be overstated. In London alone, there are more than 157,000 non-UK construction workers constituting almost half of the industry’s workforce in the capital. Pre-Brexit, 60% of small construction firms are already having trouble hiring bricklayers and that’s before the UK abandons the free movement of people. If the next government implements an inflexible immigration system that hinders the ability of talented foreign construction workers from making their way to the UK, any manifesto pledges relating to the delivery of housing and infrastructure will be rendered meaningless.”

Berry continued: “In the longer term, the most sustainable solution to the chronic skills deficit is for employers to recruit and train more home-grown talent. Undoubtedly, the best way of achieving this is to focus on increasing the quality, duration and thoroughness of construction apprenticeships. Giving technical and academic education ‘parity of esteem’, as the Chancellor stated in the last budget, must be picked up and driven forward by the next government and it’s vital that the progress we’ve made on increasing the quality of apprenticeships does not go to waste.”

Berry concluded: “Through a flexible immigration policy and more high quality apprenticeships, the next government will allow construction to act as a bulwark against any Brexit uncertainty. For every £1 invested in construction, 92p stays within the UK and £2.84 is generated in the wider economy. As the economy adapts to the reality of operating outside of the EU, it’s more important than ever that the government works closely with strategic industries that offer high levels of productivity and a good return on investment. That means backing construction and supporting the sector will only become more important as the country looks to make a success of Brexit. We urge all of the main political parties to include positive policies on immigration, skills and apprenticeships in their forthcoming manifestoes.”

The post Immigration and skills key to success of next government, says FMB appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

UK construction companies reported a solid start to the second quarter of 2017, helped by faster rises in civil engineering and residential building activity. April data also pointed to the strongest upturn in incoming new work so far this year, which survey respondents linked to the resilient economic backdrop and a sustained improvement in client demand. Greater workloads underpinned a further increase in employment numbers and the most marked rise in input buying since November 2016.

Meanwhile, robust demand for construction materials and upward pressure on costs from sterling depreciation resulted in another steep increase in input prices during April.

At 53.1, up from 52.2 in March, the seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) pointed to a solid rise in overall construction output. The latest reading was well below the post-crisis peak seen in January 2014 (64.6), but still signalled the sharpest rate of expansion so far this year.

Civil engineering was the best performing sub-category of construction activity in April, with the rate of expansion the fastest since March 2016. Growth of residential building also accelerated, reaching a four-month high. Commercial building work increased only slightly and at a weaker pace than in March.

Tim Moore, Senior Economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI said: “April’s survey reveals a positive start to the second quarter of 2017, with a robust upturn in civil engineering activity helping to boost the construction industry. There were also more encouraging signs from the house building sector, as growth recovered to its strongest so far this year. However, the performance of the commercial building sector remained subdued in the context of the past four years.

“UK construction companies noted that the resilient economic backdrop helped to drive up client spending in April. Greater workloads led to the fastest pace of job creation since May 2016 and a continued squeeze on sub-contractor availability.

“Supply chain pressures also intensified, as highlighted by the largest lengthening of delivery times for almost two years. A sharp rate of input cost inflation persisted in April, reflecting an ongoing pass through of higher commodity prices, imported goods and energy costs. However, the recent recovery in sterling may have started to help limit some cost pressures in April, as the overall rate of input price inflation moderated to a six-month low.”

The post Construction growth picks up in April appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Stockport-based window, door and conservatory manufacturer Alex Trade Frames recently partnered with the charity Open Arms International to support its latest build project in Africa.

Open Arms International, which is based is Eldoret, Kenya, provide family homes for children who have been orphaned or abandoned.

The charity also works within its local community and slums to provide education, healthcare and mentorship to those who need it most.

Open Arms International is currently fundraising for its ongoing build project, the construction of a Medical Resource Building on the site of the Open Arms Village, which sits on 52 rural acres outside of Eldoret.

The building will provide essential healthcare for the children in the charity’s care and for the local community.

The project has been supported by local businesses and Alex Trade Frames have manufactured Kommerling PVCu windows for the project.

Associate Director Lauren Tutton comments: “It’s not often that you see a manufacturer from the UK supplying projects in Africa, so this is a major coup for us and a feel-good story for the industry. We’re proud to have supported the project and played a part in helping to improve living standards in this part of the world.”

For more information please call 0161 4822 300 or visit www.alexanderwindows.co.uk

Mila is launching a fire rated version of its SupaStyle stainless steel letterbox making it an ideal choice for customers fabricating and installing fire doors. The new letterbox has a high performance intumescent liner around the sleeve which reacts to heat and expands to seal the opening in the event of a fire. It has been successfully fire tested at Exova Warringtonfire Ltd to FD30 rating when fitted in the door core and to FD60 rating when fitted in the timber top rail. The test was carried out to the methodology given in BS476 part 22 (1987).

From the outside, it looks exactly the same as a standard SupaStyle letterbox and has all the smart design features which customers already love, such as a patented concealed flap operating mechanism, an anti-leak weather channel in the frame, and full 180° internal and external opening. There are two size options in the fire rated version, with telescopic sleeves allowing it to be adjusted from 20/40mm or 40/80mm to fit into any thickness of fire door. Both these sizes are available in three finishes – polished stainless, polished PVD gold stainless and brushed stainless. These suite perfectly with the rest of Mila’s Supa stainless steel door furniture ranges, and come complete with the same reassuring 25 and 10 year no quibble guarantees on finishes and mechanical performance.

With some manufacturers of fire doors reporting sales up by as much as 25% in 2016, Mila says it is responding to real demand in the market from customers who want a proven and durable stainless steel letterbox solution which they can fit and forget.

The post Mila launches a fire rated version of its SupaStyle stainless steel letterbox appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

National Plastics has announced it is supplying Namgrass artificial grass throughout its nationwide trade counter network. Geoff Foster, the company’s Managing Director, commented: “We respond to market demand and artificial grass is one of the biggest growth areas at the moment – excuse the pun. Namgrass is one of the biggest names in the industry and we’re delighted to be offering their products.”

It’s not surprising that artificial grass has taken off. It gives a perfect-looking lawn every day of the year and needs no maintenance. It looks and feel just like real grass, but children can play on it without creating bald patches or areas of mud. It’s easy-to-keep clean too, so is even suitable for homeowners with pets. And it’s the perfect solution for hayfever sufferers too.

All Namgrass products are designed and manufactured in-house by the company for complete control of the whole process. The product itself is the result of over 30 years of innovation to ensure it offers the most natural look and feel of real grass.

Alongside the artificial grass range, National Plastics will also be stocking a complete range of grass underlay, tape and glue, meaning it provides everything you need for an artificial grass installation project.

National Plastics is renowned for being a one-stop shop when it comes to building plastics. The artificial grass will be part of a portfolio that also includes bathroom panels, guttering products, fascias and soffits, cladding, drainage products, roofing products, PVC-u windows, doors and conservatories, composite doors, garden products, accessories and wall panels.

All products are sold with the promise of National Plastics’ competitive pricing and by knowledgeable and experienced staff. It’s a winning combination that works for the go-to trade counter network!

www.nationalplastics.co.uk

Selecta Systems fabricator Ace Windows (NE) Ltd has been impressed with the quality and look of the new batch of marketing brochures and materials whilst also commending the excellent customer service that they regularly receive from the team. Abe Rabin of Ace Windows (NE) has disclosed his backing and praise to the new marketing materials which he quoted as “an amazing change to the marketing support package” and that “the efforts in the marketing material are definitely what is helping to drive their business forward.”

Feedback from Selecta Systems customer base has been exceptional following the launch of a series of new marketing brochures and literature. Selecta Systems Marketing Manager, Mark Walker, sheds light on why he feels the new marketing materials have been so fondly received and how they seem to have hit the mark with customers. Mark explains, “Around 18 months ago, one of the areas which I felt were in need of refreshed approach and re-design were the marketing brochures and materials which we provide to our fabricator base as sales material to the end consumer. They did a job but didn’t really stand out and portray the products respected and valued position in the market. Brochures and marketing materials are a reflection and representation of not only ourselves but most importantly our fabricators in front of the consumer and so it was important that we set out to give the end consumer a more distinctive and informative set of brochures to depict the products in their best light. Firstly, I felt it was important that they had continuity and consistency with a colour scheme and theme that performed across the whole range, thus instantaneously recognisable as part of the brochure range. Instead of a standard white, clinical looking approach, we looked at current colour trends with dark greys and black very popular within the home, giving a modern and prestigious look and feel – a message that sits well with the products on offer. Bold, bright imagery was also a main feature to draw attention to the products with not too much text, but enough to give the reader information about the products”, says Mark.

The range of new marketing materials and the growth of the marketing and customer support team is having a real positive effect with Selecta’s customer base as fabricators look to grow their business further.  Mark concludes, “When we set about designing and creating the brochures there were certain aspects, as mentioned, that we wanted to achieve and all-in-all these have been accomplished as recognised by recent customer feedback.”

The post Selecta Fabricator Ace Windows (NE) praises new marketing materials appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Home improvement work is increasing in 2016, as planning applications saw an upsurge in every region and country in Great Britain, except for Scotland.

The ‘Home Improvers of Great Britain 2017’ report, compiled by construction industry analyst, Barbour ABI, in collaboration with the Federation of Master Builders, shows that London led all regions with 3.8 home improvement applications for every one-hundred private homes last year, with the East of England seeing the biggest growth in applications with a 14% increase. At the other end of the spectrum, the North East and Scotland made up the bottom of the table, with only 1.1 applications for every one hundred households (see figure 1.1).

There was no change at the top from last year for the best performing district, as Kensington & Chelsea continued its dominance with 6.8 applications for every one-hundred private households in 2016, albeit a decrease of 8% on its figure from 2015. However, nowhere exemplified more in 2016 the ‘improve not move’ stance than Cambridge. After a rapid surge in prices, sales in the city have fallen back sharply while home improvement has rocketed. Outside of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, Cambridge has the highest ratio of home improvement planning applications to home sales of any borough, whilst only squeezing into the top 70 for home improvement figures just two years ago.

Overall, districts with the most home improvement applications was dominated by Southern England, with 18 of the top 25. Whereas 21 of the bottom 25 districts for home improvement were located north of the Midlands. A lack of home improvement outside of Southern England can be characterised by the first northern district, Harrogate, only placing 84th in the Barbour ABI league table.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), commented: “Demand for home improvement work is particularly vulnerable to dips in consumer confidence but at present, there’s no sign of a negative ‘Brexit effect’. Indeed, the results of this year’s Home Improvers Report show that there was a 6% rise in home improvement work that requires planning permission in 2016 compared to 2015 in Great Britain and these results chime with the FMB’s own research. Despite gloomy predictions from many economists in the run up to the EU referendum last summer, construction SME workloads have not only held up, they are in rude health. Even as we approached Article 50 being served at the end of last month, the results of the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 2017 show that construction workloads continued to grow and 50% of firms expect this trend to continue into the second quarter of this year.”

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “2016 saw continued growth of home improvement in areas expected, such as around the capital and other southern English regions. However it is encouraging to see considerable growth in the East of England with many of its boroughs making their way up the table.”

“Looking forward, much will depend on the growth in the economy, as the link between it and home improvement is very evident. In addition, the shortage of housing across Great Britain generally is set to continue, which will undoubtedly help fuel home improvement activity as home owners look to ‘improve not move’.”

www.fmb.org.uk

The post ‘Improve not move’ as home improvement figures continue to grow appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Image Above : The FUHR 881 multitronic lock, a central element of Carl F Groupco’s SmartSecure solutions, has gained Secured by Design accreditation.

The FUHR 881 multitronic lock, which is at the heart of Carl F Groupco’s SmartSecure electronic door locking and smart access control solutions, has achieved Secured by Design accreditation.

As the latest in a series of hardware products offered by Carl F Groupco to achieve Secured by Design, the company was confident of gaining the certification as the lock design, consistent with the established process for all FUHR locking systems, had already passed rigorous security testing.

Commenting on the importance of being able to display the Secured by Design logo for the FUHR 881, John Mitchell, Carl F Groupco’s Technical Manager said: “As an officially recognised accreditation body, Secured by Design reassures home owners that products are tested to the most stringent and current security standards. It also aids fabricators and installers in demonstrating the quality of their offer.   “This achievement affirms our commitment to the evolution of our range and underscores our objective of providing the very latest in technology without compromising security.”

The FUHR multitronic 881’s intelligent technology, combined with a modular construction, has made the versatile locking system ideally suited for SmartSecure’s range of solutions including the smart phone / tablet based SmartConnect easy; the transponder / sensor variant SmartTouch comfort and the brand’s radio-based access control systems.

For more information, contact sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.smartsecure.co.uk