People Submission Form

FIT 2017 promises to be bigger than ever, so time will be tight when you visit the show. That’s why RegaLead wants to give visitors a heads-up that if it’s coatings for glass, GRP or PVC you’re interested in, head straight to Stand E33.

Joint MD Guy Hubble says: “We are one of the world’s largest specialist glass and fenestration coatings provider and this section of our business will be showcased at FIT. We will be sharing new paint formulations to our already 7000+ recipes thanks to the fact we’re adding 50 new formulations every week. For those interested in painting their own products in house, we will be showing new dispensing and mixing solutions suitable for smaller producers to the largest who want automated dispensing of base materials as well as colourants.

“Drying is traditionally the bottle neck in the painting process, so we will be working in partnership with Schuberts Technical Services on the stand and giving visitors a preview of the Schuhbox infra-red catalytic drying solution. Already being installed in manufacturers across the UK, the system cuts curing time on water based paints by over 90%. And if that’s not enough, we’ll be sharing our stunning new marketing support items that bring colour to life, including sample packs, colour swatches, folders, personalised brochures and new product sample displays.

“Just as our markets have evolved, the RegaLead brand of 25 years ago is a totally different animal with a host of new products and services to create and satisfy emerging home improvement trends. One thing that hasn’t and will never change though is our philosophy of adding value through decoration, the latest demonstration of which we look forward to sharing with visitors our Stand E33 during FIT 2017.”

For more information, call RegaLead on 0161 946 1164 or visit www.regalead.co.uk

Picture above: Michael Giscombe, MD at Conservatory Outlet Limited

Conservatory Outlet Limited is defying the stagnation felt widely across the home improvement market, by kick-starting the first quarter of 2017 with record order levels from its retail network.

The period January to April of this year has seen the Wakefield-based fabricator achieve an average 15% increase in orders from its network members against the same period last year, with this positive trend set to continue throughout the remainder of the year.

Michael Giscombe, MD at Conservatory Outlet Limited, explains: “We’re really pleased at the strong performance we’ve achieved in the early part of this year, and despite market trends this doesn’t show any sign of slowing down.

“Our success is down to a combination of attributes exclusive to our network: our ability to share best practice amongst our close-nit family of retailers, combined with top quality products, and of course the hard work and dedication of each network member. With three new showrooms set to have opened by Summer 2017, featuring some of the most innovative products on the market, our unique business model is definitely bucking the trend.”

Recent reports from AMA Research estimate that the conservatory and glazed extensions market increased by just 3% in 2016. Although value growth has been relatively strong, volume growth is less buoyant with only a 1-2% increase in the past two years, and only modest volume increases currently forecast to 2020.

The market is said to be defined by modern product features, including superior thermal efficiency, high specification self-cleaning glass, coloured frames and bi-folding doors. Companies that have kept pace to offer innovative, higher specification products and conservatory ranges are typically faring better than the rest of the market.

This is a concept that Conservatory Outlet stands by, constantly striving to offer its network of retail partners and ever-expanding and market-leading product portfolio.

Michael concludes: “We’re now gearing up for the next phase of our sustained growth strategy – including the introduction of more innovative products, cutting edge technology, and of course new network partners in untapped areas. Watch this space!”

www.amaresearch.co.uk/products/conservatories-2016

The latest research from Plentific.com, which describes itself as ‘an online home service marketplace’, has found that financial help from the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ isn’t just limited to purchasing a property; it also extends to improving the home. A fifth of homeowners (18%) say they rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad to help finance home improvements, while 19% admit that their parents physically help them to carry out DIY.

In the past, owning your own home as a young adult wasn’t the struggle it appears to be nowadays. Many older parents will remember a time when they could buy a family home for a realistic sum that was relative to local salaries, at least in comparison to today’s standards. Plentific’s findings show that 26% of homebuyers across the UK now receive financial aid from the Bank of Mum and Dad when purchasing a property. This number increases dramatically amongst younger homeowners, with 58% of respondents under 34 admitting to receiving financial help from their parents.

Unsurprisingly, London ranked top of the table (59%) when it comes to receiving financial help from the Bank of Mum and Dad when buying a property. With prices increasing in the capital, it may seem sensible to buy a more affordable property that needs fixing up. However, 48% of London homeowners admit they have also received financial aid from their parents to pay for a renovation project or home improvements.

Belfast came in second highest for homeowners receiving financial help from parents when buying a property at 30%, with Brighton and Glasgow occupying the bottom spot with just 12%. Homebuyers in Birmingham (16%), Southampton (18%) and Nottingham (19%) were the next lowest in the rankings, while those in Manchester (22%), Leeds (23%) and Bristol (25%) sat at the higher end of the table.

When looking at parents that provide financial support for home improvements, London (48%), Liverpool (31%) and Brighton (17%) topped the table. The top locations for homeowners who received physical help with DIY from their parents were London (29%), Bristol (26%) and Sheffield (22%).

Stephen Jury, Spokesperson for Plentific, said “Our statistics really highlight the struggles young people face when buying or renovating a property. Whilst buying a cheaper property that needs work may seem like a good option, the number of young people receiving financial and physical help from their parents with renovations projects is quite alarming.”

The post One fifth of homeowners rely on ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ for home improvements appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

When outstanding Oxfordshire double-glazing specialists Andy Glass wanted to expand into aluminium, they were afraid it could be a headache. Over twenty-five years of hard work and commitment to quality, they’d established themselves as the region’s leading provider of uPVC windows, doors and conservatories – but aluminium was a new challenge, and one they feared would prove stressful, expensive and time-consuming to master. Fortunately for them, they contacted the Window Outlet – the dynamic aluminium fabricator that’s grown from Bristol start-up to one of the industry’s biggest and most respected suppliers off the back of its signature short lead times, quick quote turnarounds.

The firm has extensive experience helping installers expand into aluminium – and an in-depth understanding of the common issues uPVC companies face as they make the change, as Managing Director Ben Warren explains: “For the first ten years of my career, I worked in uPVC fabrication and would spend hours talking to uPVC installers every week. I know how daunting switching materials or expanding your range to include another one can be – and that’s why we offer comprehensive support to customers in that position, including a training day that covers both the products we provide, and how to properly order them. A pen and paper sketch might feel like the quickest and easiest way of submitting an order, but in the long run that’s often not the case. They can be vague and unclear, and, in the worst cases, require a lot of back and forth between us and the customer to get it right – and the longer that process takes, the longer it is before the customer gets the product. By taking the time to sit down with our clients and show them the most efficient way to order at the very start, we make everyone’s lives easier.”

The firm also familiarises customers with its online bifold builder – an intuitive application that allows users to quickly and easily enter their size and hardware requirements, then send them through to the Window Outlet for a quote. “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Andy Glass,” Ben continued. “They’re an incredibly experienced, respected installer, and it’s been a pleasure helping them establish themselves in the aluminium market. We’d encourage any other uPVC installers looking to enhance their offering with stylish, high-quality aluminium products to get in touch, and we’ll do our utmost to help them make the transition.”   

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aïr has added the Ultion cylinder lock as standard to its range of bi-fold and lift & slide doors.

aïr Brand Ambassador, Jay Patel says: “aïr has been engineered for extreme performance, so Ultion is the perfect match. It’s one of the best cylinders on the market, in keeping with our values of offering superior engineering with captivating design.”

The Ultion cylinder has 11 pins and a special lock-down mode that it triggers if it detects threats such as lock drilling, picking or bumping. Paired with aïr’s Secured by Design upgrade, it creates the ultimate security system for any home.

“Today’s consumers are research-savvy and brand-driven,” continues Jay, “and they know exactly what they want. When it comes to doors, that means a product that’s secure and energy efficient with timeless beauty that can help them to create modern, dynamic living spaces.

“Adding Ultion as our standard cylinder adds an extra boost to security levels and gives homeowners total confidence in aïr’s performance.”

Ultion has Sold Secure Diamond testing and is SBD accredited. Ultion is backed by an impressive £1,000 guarantee for homeowners.

aïr is exclusively manufactured in the UK by Everglade Windows.

www.discoverair.co.uk

Ian Longbottom, chairman, Sliders UK

Sliders UK has formed a new senior management team as part of a management buy-out.

The new structure sees Alex Murphy, previously operations director, step up to a new role as chief executive officer. Ian Longbottom and Steve Mines remain in their respective roles, as chairman and sales director, joined by finance director, Jonathan Foxcroft. Richard Harris and Russell Pryor also join the business as retained consultants.

Ian Longbottom, chairman, Sliders UK, said: “We have ambitions for significant long term growth and are already 18-months along the road towards it. This includes not only the creation of our new management structure as announced today but also the major investment which has already been delivered in our manufacturing capability.

“With increased capacity, even better quality and service and with some very exciting product developments on the horizon, we believe that the market offers considerable opportunity for sustained growth– our own but most importantly, that of our customers.”

The restructure, completed in April, sees Mike Spain, who co-founded Sliders UK, leave the business.

Sliders UK reported that year-on-year, sales were up 16% on the same time last year at the end of 2016. It said this had been underpinned by new products, including the Ultimate Evolution and Sliders UK’s new Duraflex bi-folding doors, plus growth in composite door sales.

Sales of composite doors were also boosted by the specialist manufacturer’s investment in its new line. This means that Sliders UK can offer composite doors in five-days or less.

Product development has also formed a key part of Sliders UK’s growth strategy. This includes the launch of the Ultimate Evolution aluminium bi-fold door in late summer last year.

Longbottom concluded: “The product innovation that we have delivered so far delivers incredible opportunity to our customers.

“We believe that the range, the service levels and the quality that we’re able to offer from a single specialist supplier, delivers a real advantage and that that and the team and strategy which we now have in place, represent a strong foundation for our future growth and that of our customers.”

www.sliders-uk.com

The post Sliders UK undertakes MBO appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Picture above: Steve Davis and Karen Lund presented the awards.

Industry-leading installer support organisation, Network VEKA, has hosted another fantastic Members’ Weekend and glittering awards ceremony.

The ever-popular event, this year held in Warwick, attracted more than 240 attendees in the organisation’s 21st year.

The day kicked off with a specially built Business Centre, where members could chat to various supporting companies and affiliate partners about how they could work together for even greater success. As a national organisation, Network VEKA’s partnerships with affiliate companies mean that small, independent member companies can access a host of benefits, such as favourable rates and unique services that they might otherwise be unable to secure.

The afternoon’s speeches began with MD of The VEKA UK Group Dave Jones, who discussed the many ways the Network has grown in recent years, and continues to grow. Finance Director Graham Fitton took the audience through Network VEKA’s accounts over the past year, before Marketing Director Dawn Stockell unveiled some major changes being launched for Network VEKA’s branding going forward.*More to be announced*

Dave Jones rounded off proceedings, describing Network VEKA as the pinnacle of VEKA’s support offering and praising the membership for all their hard work: “Network VEKA is the jewel in the crown of the VEKA brand portfolio – the brand that stands for trust, not only to us all but also to our consumers… The futures of VEKA and Network VEKA are more entwined than ever before, neither will succeed as fully as we expect without the other. For all the work and investment we have coming through, what remains unchanged is that the most important assets Network VEKA has, are sat in this room.

“Our membership remains the platform for everything we have and can achieve and, once again, I thank you for your support and your efforts in growing this genuinely unique organisation.”

Dave also took this opportunity to congratulate founder member Goliath Homeworld on celebrating 30 years in business and to thank MD Steve Hancox as he retires from the Network VEKA Advisory Panel, after 20 years of sharing his knowledge and expertise.

A b-oompah evening celebration

This year’s Gala Dinner and Awards was a black-tie event, with a twist. The celebrations kicked off with a Champagne reception, and a Bavarian theme ensured that the atmosphere was fun and the beer was flowing.

This year’s Awards were recategorised for the first time, now being judged on company size rather than region. This meant that members were competing against comparable companies up and down the country, not only those in their own area.

Trophies were presented by VEKA’s Head of Partner Programmes Karen Lund and Six-Times World Snooker Champion Steve Davis, who steps down as Brand Ambassador this year, after 11 years proudly representing Network VEKA.

Category winners based on customer satisfaction scores:

£1.5M +: Thistle Windows & Conservatories

£1 – 1.5M : Goliath HomeWorld

£750K – 1M : Shane Howells Ltd

£500K – 750K : MG Windows

£250K – 500K : Ffenestri Kevin Thomas

< £250K : Gordon Euman Double Glazing & Joinery Ltd

Overall National Winner was Thistle Windows and Conservatories

Aberdeen-based Thistle is no stranger to these prestigious awards, having won ‘Best in Scotland’ an amazing 14 times over the years! This year’s achievement represents the team’s 15th and 16th Awards win, having scooped the prize for their business category and claimed overall ‘Member of the Year’.

Presenting the award on behalf of Network VEKA, Karen Lund VEKA’s Head of Partner Programmes said: “Congratulations to Thistle; a worthy champion. The ‘new look’ categories this year mean that not only has Thistle bagged its 15^th trophy, it is also the first to ever win the award for this particular division. This is a fantastic accolade as judging has been made on like-for-like businesses rather than on a regional basis. As all Network VEKA companies undergo constant auditing and review as part of their membership, the overall standard of customer service is exceptionally high, and that has always been at the very core of the Network.”

In with the new

In a year of big changes for the Network, two new members in particular stood out from the competition.

This year’s ‘Best New Member’ Award was jointly won by D&I Window Solutions and North Lakes (NLG) Window Systems; two companies that have each proven their absolute commitment to quality through the many customer satisfaction questionnaires submitted by their customers.

The gift of giving

After the Awards, members enjoyed a delicious dinner and had chance to take part in the Charity Raffle and Auction, as well as donating via envelopes on the tables. The funds raised from these proceedings will be sent to Pendleside Hospice; The VEKA UK Group’s chosen charity for the first half of 2017. A fantastic £3850 was raised on the night.

Lace up your lederhosen and dust off your dancing shoes!
Alternative oompah band ‘The Jäger Maestros’ played live before a disco took revellers through to the early hours.

Karen Lund had this to say about the weekend: “The Members’ Weekend was a roaring success once again, and this year’s event gave us the opportunity to say a fond farewell to Steve Davis, and thank him for his many years professionally representing the brand.

“This annual celebration is an important one on the Network’s calendar; it’s a great chance for companies to learn from each other and share ideas and experiences, as well as speak directly to the team and make any suggestions that can help with the continuous evolution of the organisation.

“The new branding unveiled by our Marketing Director was very well received and I, for one, am very much looking forward to seeing it roll out in the coming weeks.”

www.networkveka.co.uk

Apeer has invested heavily in its production facility to support growth in its composite doors and Lumi range of windows and doors

Apeer has always been a company committed to investment and innovation. In the early days as PVC door panel producer the company was always ahead of the game which saw it become one of the leading producers in the UK. Apeer soon realised the door market was changing and further invested in innovation which saw the launch of its own composite door in the early 2000s. Still a market leader today in composite doors, Apeer has constantly redefined its product offering and added new styles and designs which result today in it additionally offering composite fire doors, the contemporary ‘Modo’ range and the cost-effective ‘Diamond’ door range. Composite doors are very much at the heart of Apeer’s business, but the management team are all too aware that constant evolution of the products offered is paramount to the company’s continued success. Apeer Managing Director Asa McGillian says innovative thinking has always been central to the company’s strategy and plays an important role in supporting customers.

The recently launched Lumi range of customisable, edge-to-edge glazing, matching frameless windows and doors are another fine example of a product developed to create further opportunities for installers and retailers. With their completely flat, uninterrupted profile, these radically styled windows and doors have caught the imagination of the market. With more product variants being launched at the FIT Show in May, it is clear the Lumi range is gaining in popularity. To support the success of the Lumi range and the composite door range, Apeer has announced the completion of a major expansion programme at the company’s 6-acre Ballymena, Northern Ireland site that includes showroom, training and production facilities in response to significant expansion across each of the company’s product ranges. The work has been completed after 12 months and an investment of almost half a million pounds.

An extension to the main factory of almost 10,000 ft2 has expanded the Lumi production area to deal with the expanding sales of this award-winning window and door system. Since the trade launch of Lumi at the 2016 FIT Show, sales are forecast in the current year of £2.6 million with ambitious growth predicted ahead. A showroom and dedicated training facility have also been completed for the purpose of inducting new customers and their staff. This impressive area includes a Lumi ‘house’ that allows the installation of Lumi windows and doors at ground and first floor levels, with a showroom set with typical interior scenes installed with Lumi windows and doors. Apeer Doors sales, in the meantime, have been growing exponentially and consistently over a number of years, with a forecast 35% increase in the current year alone being the key factor behind an expansion of the production facilties for the company’s composite doors. A number of new products will be launched at the FIT Show in May, to further stimulate sales.

The existing production area has been expanded by 9,000 ft2 with an increase in both equipment and jobs, with Apeer continuing as one of the leading employers in the area. It is believed that this expansion now qualifies Apeer as the largest producer of British manufactured composite residential doors, including the production of its own slabs. The extension brings the Apeer factory to 140,000 ft2, with plans to build a further 80,000 ft2 factory and world-class showroom within the next two years, in line with further anticipated growth of the Lumi line.

Apeer Managing Director Asa McGillian says that the development has become necessary based upon both achieved and predicted growth: “Sales of Apeer composite doors have been growing steadily over a number of years now with sales in the current period actually ahead of the 35% predicted growth that we budgeted for 2017. And then we have Lumi, our window and door system…sales for Lumi are now growing rapidly since our launch to the trade last April. This year with a total of fourteen trade but mostly consumer shows we will be driving sales even harder and we need to be prepared for that.” It’s exciting times for Apeer and its growing numbers of installer and retailer customers. The production facility is very impressive and perfectly supports the expanding product range. Large numbers of composite doors and Lumi windows and doors are rolling off the production line, and with more new products soon to be launched this year, the investment in the factory expansion is essential in order for Apeer to fulfil its strategy for long-term success and growth.

Tel: 084 56 729 333

E: sales@apeer.co.uk

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