Final FIT Show IOTY Accolade Goes To Üni_Slide

That’s all folks! Monthly entries for the FIT Show’s popular Installation of the Year competition have now closed. Highlighting some of the best commercial and domestic door, window, orangery and conservatory installation projects in the business, the final winner of the competition, taking home the title for April, is Üni_Slide Panoramic Sliding Doors.

Winning the IOTY accolade for its White Oaks contemporary family home installation in Plymouth, Üni_Slide partnered with Barc Architects who designed the crisp, light filled building featuring Üni_Slide’s sophisticated minimal sliding door with 20mm sight lines.

“So many glazing products are just functional – they do the job well enough, but rarely excel at what they do,” commented Tony Drake of fabricator Fenster Ltd, the man responsible for bringing Üni_Slide to the market. “With Üni_Slide, we want to bring great design back into focus. And just like with the White Oaks project, from the outside, it’s blissfully simple – incredibly slim sightlines, elegant, minimalistic design. But behind that, we’ve put a huge amount of effort into making the best looking, best performing product in its class.”

A professional couple with a passion for architecture and interior design, the owners of the White Oaks property wanted a simple and bold contemporary family home that would encourage outdoor living and maximise views of their spacious garden.

CAB’s Adrian Toon, the competition’s judge, said of Üni_Slide’s entry: “It’s one of the best composed shots I’ve seen for a long time. The ’S’ shape of the main part of the building is central within the image, plus it’s well balanced and perfectly exposed. Timing is often everything. This shot was taken on a great day at the right time for the sun to be in the right place.”

Earning themselves bragging rights for the month, Üni_Slide Panoramic Sliding Doors have won themselves a FIT Show goodie bag and a pair of tickets to the show’s popular gala dinner. Shortlisted as one of the monthly winners in with a chance at being crowned overall Installation of the Year winner, Üni_Slide will find out if they’ve won when the winner is announced at the FIT Show gala dinner on May 24th. This means entries for the competition are now closed but keep checking back to find out who will walk away victorious.

To see the shortlist of winning installations and vote on who should be crowned the overall Installation of the Year winner please visit: fitiotyvote.typeform.com/to/VrqZay and let your voice be heard.

Taking place 23-25th May 2017, to register as a visitor for FIT Show 2017 visit: www.livebuzzreg.co.uk/2017/fit17

XtremeDoor, the composite door by Merseyside fabricator Vista, has successfully thwarted two separate break-in attempts in the space of a few weeks.

XtremeDoors installed at a new-build property in Southampton and a Eurocell depot in Camberley, fought off burglars with crowbars, wheelie bins used as battering rams and even a car.

“It’s never good to hear about incidents like these, and our sympathies are with the property owners for any damage that the would-be burglars might have caused,” commented Vista Managing Director Keith Sadler, “but it’s fantastic to hear that in both cases the XtremeDoor stood up to everything the criminals could throw at it.

“We specifically designed the XtremeDoor to rank among the most secure doors on the market. It’s PAS 24 approved and fully compliant with Document Q, passing the stringent cut-through test. It’s also achieved the Secured By Design accreditation – and now, on top of these rigorous quality and security checks, we have two real-world examples of the XtremeDoor providing the most robust resistance to attempted break-in.”

Vista has recently enhanced the XtremeDoor’s security performance even further. The latest version of the product comes with a 100% thicker 4mm GRP skin. “The GRP constructed composite door has come in for some criticism in the past, and has been dismissed by some as a ‘foam filled’ door set,” Keith continued. “But there’s a huge amount more to it than that. GRP was designed to be able to resist heavy impacts. In World War 2, the Royal Navy even used it as a counter-measure against magnetic mines. Document Q told us it can withstand knives – now we know it can withstand wheelie bins, crowbars and cars, too. If the assailants weren’t aware of its security credentials before, they certainly are now.

“Along with an enhanced slab and thicker GRP skin, the XtremeDoor now also features an upgraded five-hook locking system which pulls tighter to the frame, and an anti-snap, bump, pick and drill cylinder. Every element of the XtremeDoor has been pain-stakingly developed to offer the best performance. When you add one of the most extensive choices of colours and designs in the industry and exceptional thermal efficiency, you’ve got a best-in-class composite door perfect for any property or purpose.”

For more information call 01516081423 or visit www.vistapanels.co.uk

Rugby Double Glazing recently marked the opening of its revamped showroom with an invite-only open day for friends and customers, and a notable star guest…

The Midlands-based company is a member of pioneering installer support organisation, Network VEKA; members of which are committed to using  PVC-U systems from The VEKA UK Group, and are continually assessed for the highest standards of work.

Visitors to the company’s fully updated showroom saw first-hand an extensive selection of doors and windows from The VEKA UK Group.

Invited guests visited one of Rugby Double Glazing’s most recent jobs in nearby West Haddon; a garden room, officially opened on the day by six-times World Snooker Champion and Network VEKA Brand Ambassador Steve Davis.

Rugby Double Glazing MD Simon Wade commented: “Steve’s presence has certainly helped to put the spotlight on our work, and we’re already receiving follow-up enquiries from local people interested in conservatories, orangeries and other outdoor living solutions for the summer.

“We’ve extended our selection of external doors to showcase VEKA’s latest Imagine suite of French, Patio and Bi-Fold Doors, alongside the Leka Warm Roof system from our trade fabricator and VEKA customer Modplan. There’s everything a homeowner could need to create an added sense of connection between their indoor and outdoor living spaces, and it’s been truly exciting to see the reactions of visitors to the open day.”

Besides entertaining guests with trick shots, Steve Davis also welcomed challenges from all-comers at the pool table, accepting donations towards Hope 4 – a local charity that supports homeless people in and around Rugby.

“Steve helped us raise funding towards Hope 4’s night shelter facilities,” Simon explained, “and we will also be installing three brand new VEKA windows that have kindly been donated by Modplan.

“We’re grateful to Steve, Modplan, and especially Network VEKA for their support with the open day. It was a great success, and – as ever with Network VEKA’s support – we have come away having generated a wealth of leads for the months to come.”

Contact Rugby Double Glazing on 01788 572685 or visit: www.rugby-doubleglazing.co.uk

To find out more about Network VEKA, call 01282 473170 or visit: www.networkveka.co.uk

Solidor is taking big steps to become the best UK factory under the guidance of internationally recognised ‘World Class’ lean manufacturing expert, Operations Director Mike Price. The maker of the most secure timber-core composite door has invested significantly over the last two years to transform its operations, and invested heavily in its people and philosophy of continuous improvement so it keeps on getting better.

Solidor has made fundamental changes to systems and procedures, invested in people, in additional machinery, factory and warehouse space, and streamlined workflow so the space in the factory is maximised for efficient, high quality production.

Operations Director Mike Price says: “In manufacturing and operations, Solidor is completely different to how it was a couple of years ago. We’ve improved the flow of the process to optimise space and time, and invested in more space so we can keep growing.”

Solidor measures its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at every stage of the manufacturing process, and puts them up in the factory so everyone can see how they’re doing at any time.

“The KPIs mean that everyone can see that they’re an important member of the team,” continues Mike. “Every person can see how their work affects the KPIs of their team, and of the factory as a whole. It’s a real motivator, and encourages a happy workforce.

“We’ve grown incredibly fast in the last few years, and we’re still growing fast, which is why we’ve invested in making our manufacturing facility world-class. That means eliminating waste and maximising productivity, which is as much about the people as it is about the equipment they use. We’re currently achieving 99.8% of orders delivered on time and in full. We’ll keep improving so we, and our customers, can keep growing. We want to make Solidor’s factory the best ever!”

To find out more about the most beautiful and most secure composite door in the market visit www.solidor.co.uk, call 01782 950 941, or follow @SolidorLtd on Twitter.

Fabricators and installers can now buy a huge selection of specialist fenestration tools direct from Mila, after the hardware specialist added the popular Xpert Tools range to its product line up.

The Xpert Tools range includes everything from air tools to glass lifters, with lots of products developed specifically for the needs of the window trade sector.

For the workbench, there are several air drills now available from Mila including a compact 2000rpm Dentist Drill or ‘3mm die grinder’, and a low noise, 3/8 keyless air drill with touch sensitive trigger ideal for prepping holes when fitting hardware.

Specifically for fabricators, the range includes things like the Xpert SIP air blow gun with a long, angled nozzle for blowing swarf and dust away from the application and workbench and the Xpert Moon knife for trimming welded joints and gaskets. And, for installers, there is the Xpert glazing shovel for perfect toeing and heeling, and the Xpert glass thickness gauge complete with protective carrycase.

The entire range also covers air screwdrivers, routers and sanders, applicator guns, cutting tools, and digital angle finders, as well as four different performance grades of Teflon sheet. PVC-U fabricators using Teflon as a release barrier during welding can now order the sheet by the square metre from Mila in grades from standard to best.

Mila says that it is responding to demand from customers who like the fact that they can buy the range from an experienced sales team, fully trained to give ‘expert’ advice in person and on the phone, and who know that, if they order by 5pm, they are guaranteed next day delivery.

Managing Director Richard Gyde said: “We’ve always stocked and supplied a long list of ancillaries, tools and adhesives which our customers really value because it makes their life easier having us as a One Stop Shop type supplier. By adding Xpert Tools to our range, we’re giving them an even broader choice and still guaranteeing the same legendary Mila attention to detail on picking, packing and despatch.”

The full Mila Xpert Tools line up will feature in the latest edition of the iconic Mila Key catalogue which is due to be published soon.

Further details are available at: www.mila.co.uk

Fast-growing fabricator The Window Outlet has collaborated with North West Bifolds to supply AluK’s premium BSC94 patio doors to CARGO, the exciting retail space constructed entirely from shipping containers, found in Wapping Wharf, Bristol’s vibrant new harbour side quarter.

CARGO 1 and 2 incorporate a diverse array of businesses, including a yoga studio, a jeweller, a juice bar and restaurants with cuisine from around the world.

“Wapping Wharf is a really exciting development that we’re delighted to be a part of – especially since it’s in our home city,” comments Ben Warren, MD at The Window Outlet. “The BSC94 sliding door system from AluK is the perfect solution for a project of this nature – it’s a versatile, reliable system that maximises natural light and provides uncompromised views with its large, high-performance glass panes and ultra slim sightlines.”

CARGO 1 and 2 are home to over 50 converted shipping containers across two levels. The addition of AluK’s inline patio doors allows many of the repurposed shipping containers to feature glass frontages, providing fantastic views out on to the harbour.

“For commercial projects and retail developments especially, choosing the right door products is vital given the amount of use they’ll see over their lifetime,” adds Ben. “The AluK system provides premium, heavy-duty performance while still perfectly complementing the contemporary aesthetics of Wapping Wharf.”

For more information visit www.the-window-outlet.co.uk or call 0117 405 8488

Morley Glass & Glazing has welcomed the first visitors to its newly-opened showroom, offering them the unique opportunity to get hands-on with the company’s integral blind products, and find out more about the benefits they offer.

The creation of the state-of-the-art showroom is part of the company’s £1.5 million move to 49,000sq ft premises in Leeds last July, to accommodate projected growth at the business.

When visiting, guests will be able to learn more about all five of Morley’s integral blind systems, including the battery-operated W Swipe System and the manually operated C System.

The showroom also benefits from a section demonstrating the effects of different glass options, thanks to a range of products kindly supplied by the UK’s largest processor, distributor, installer and repairer of glass and glass systems, Glassolutions.

Visitors to the new showroom will have the chance to see a number of Glassolutions’ innovative glazing products first-hand, including SGG PLANITHERM Total+, SGG PLANITHERM One and SGG PLANITHERM 4S, and not only see but actually feel the advantages of using glass that offers solar and/or thermal control properties.

Ian Short, managing director at Morley Glass, said: “We’ve always wanted to provide a space where our customers could have the chance to see first-hand all the innovative technology that goes into our product range.

“One of the motivations behind our move to a large site in 2016, as well as the opportunity to boost production capacity, was so we could have the space to make this showroom a reality. I’m very pleased with how everything has come together and look forward to welcoming many visitors in the future!”

For more information, and to arrange a visit, go to www.morleyglass.co.uk.