Fensa launches ‘Installation of the Year’

Fensa, the government authorised self-certification scheme for windows and doors installers, has launched the ‘Installation of the Year’ award, a new competition to celebrate and promote best practice in the industry. The competition is free to enter and will run annually, with all entries for this year valid until 5pm on September 29 2017.

Once entries are in, 10 companies with the highest customer care scores will become longlisted nominees. This longlist will be scrutinised by a panel of judges who will identify five shortlisted finalists. From this shortlist, the ‘Installation of the Year’ winner will be selected in November 2017.

Whilst all entries must be Fensa registered and have passed a RISA inspection at the first time of asking, to be considered as a top entry, companies will need to score highly on quality standards whilst earning excellent customer feedback on the following measures:

Was the sales process positive for the customer?
Do the product(s) installed match customer expectations?
How did the installer treat the customer’s home?
Was the work completed to the customer’s satisfaction?
Would the customer recommend the company to friends & family?

The customer satisfaction survey, which will narrow down the final 10 nominees, will be undertaken by RISA inspectors as part of the post installation process.
The winner will receive the Fensa trophy and the first ever Fensa Installation of the Year title.

Commenting, Dave Mechem, inspection manager at Fensa, said: “I am regularly struck by the high standards and professionalism of the work our members produce. I’m glad that Fensa, as the largest self-certification body in the industry, is now providing a meaningful award for recognising top industry talent.

“I want to use the Installation of the Year Award to showcase and promote the talented installers who are busy defining what best practice looks like in our industry. Their examples will hopefully inspire others to strive for excellence and drive up standards across the board.”

Danelle Kaukau, product manager at Fensa, said:“Our Installation of the Year Award will give our members much-deserved recognition amongst their peers and colleagues for the high quality work they produce. The winner is also set to benefit from recognition by the most visible certification brand in the eyes of consumers.”

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UK manufacturer and supplier of insulated glass components, Thermoseal Group, has won The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2017.

According to Thermoseal the Queen’s Awards are designed to ‘celebrate and encourage business excellence in the UK’. Winners are permitted to fly The Queen’s Awards flag across their UK sites and are invited to ‘offer input into the development and delivery of policies across Whitehall’. They are also invited to a Palace Reception later in the year, where they will be presented with a trophy.

Gwain Paterson, managing director at Thermoseal Group, said: “I’m honoured to accept such a great compliment to the business and recognition for all of the efforts of my colleagues over the past few years.

“It is of course, with thanks to our customers for their continued support that we have achieved such an esteemed accolade. It has been an excellent year for us with awards coming in thick and fast. We are therefore looking to host a party for customers and staff who will be invited to join us in celebrating on the day that our award is presented when we will display our trophy and fly The Queen’s Awards flag with pride.”

www.thermosealgroup.com

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Polyframe Group (Polyframe) has announced that it has successfully acquired and merged with Customade Group (Customade), supported by further investment from Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP (Cairngorm Capital). With revenues in excess of £100 million, the enlarged group, will trade as Customade and now has a complete and comprehensive product range across aluminium windows, composite entry doors and PVC-U products. Established in 1980, Customade is a specialist manufacturer of high-quality aluminium and PVC-U windows, doors and conservatory roof products. Best known for its proprietary and market-leading REAL, Atlas and Fineline aluminium brands, the company operates from 100,000 ft2, state-of-the-art facilities near Gloucester, employing 320 people. In 2016 it achieved turnover in excess of £35 million.

During 2016, Polyframe acquired the WB Group composite entry door business in Birtley and a 50,000 ft2 window manufacturing facility in Livingston from Stevenswood. Accordingly, this merger with Customade continues the firm’s strategy to develop the UK’s leading trade fabricator of PVC-U, aluminium and composite windows and doors, addressing all trade customers’ fenestration needs. Customade’s market-leading and proprietary products complement, expand and differentiate Polyframe’s product offering, particularly in the rapidly growing aluminium sector. The group now operates nationwide, with almost 900 employees across 10 manufacturing facilities extending from Scotland to the South West.

The combined industry expertise of the newly enlarged management team, together with support from specialist investment firm Cairngorm Capital, increases the scope for further innovation, growth and service improvements; optimises manufacturing capability and broadens Polyframe’s industry-leading product range, to provide an unmatched customer offering. John Lightowlers, Customade’s MD becomes Group MD of the enlarged firm and continues to hold a significant ownership stake. With over twenty years’ leadership experience in the windows and doors market and having led Customade for the past 12 years, John and his fellow Customade shareholders, Nick Gibbons, Gareth Thomas and John Adams, have been instrumental in Customade’s growth and success. John will be supported initially by Jon Gatfield, Polyframe’s interim MD, who will transition to other Cairngorm Capital operational roles in the near future, and Lance Gillett, Polyframe’s Group Finance Director, who joined Polyframe from Masco UK Window Group in 2016. David Moore, Non-Executive Director of Polyframe and former CEO of Ultraframe, will become Chairman of the enlarged group.

Jon Gatfield, Polyframe’s interim MD, said: “Both Polyframe and Customade pride themselves on offering customers extensive product ranges, along with extremely high levels of reliability, flexibility and customer service. Since July 2016, we at Polyframe have invested heavily to develop a best-in-class offering for our trade customers, strengthen our manufacturing operations and extend our geographic presence. The merger with Customade will accelerate these initiatives and secure our position as the largest trade fabricator of windows and doors to the UK installer market.”

John Naylor-Leyland of Cairngorm Capital commented: “We are delighted to invest further in Polyframe to facilitate this proprietary, off-market merger between Polyframe and Customade and to support the combined group’s growth plans. Customade has an outstanding reputation in the industry for supplying high-quality branded aluminium products, which together with the excellence of its operational capabilities and the calibre of its staff, make it the natural partner to enhance Polyframe’s leading PVC-U window and composite door range.“ John Lightowlers, Group Managing Director of the enlarged group added: “This is the perfect partnership for two businesses with shared values, a market-leading suite of products and a commitment to the highest standards of customer service. There are great opportunities across the sector and as an enlarged group we look forward to meeting all trade customers’ product needs.”

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Sliders UK has reported record sales of its Ultimate Evolution adjustable jamb aluminium bi-fold, which can be fitted in as little as 45-minutes.

The Ultimate Evolution aluminium bi-fold door was launched by Sliders UK at the tail end of last year.

With ultra-slim sightlines plus smooth bottom running system and concealed shoot bolt lock with single point handle, the Ultimate Evolution has been developed to build in increased margin at the retail point of sale.

It also features a highly innovative fully adjustable jamb option, which fitted to both sides of the door, makes squaring and setting faster – cutting installation time to as little as 45 minutes.

Steve Mines, Sales and Marketing Director, Sliders UK, said: “The Ultimate Evolution bi-folding door delivers a great retail sales platform – the sightlines are just so good. It’s also highly competitive and brings aluminium bi-folds to a new strata of the market.

“But it’s the efficiency it delivers in installation with the adjustable jamb option that really sets it apart. This deals with imperfections in brick work, making it much easier to align the door correctly.

“We have customers fitting the Ultimate Evolution in as little as 45 minutes. The benefit is twofold: it saves time on site; but in making it easier to get the door square, it runs better, almost eliminating call backs.”

The Ultimate Evolution bi-fold, is available in multiple panel configurations including open-in or open-out, with a maximum sash height and width of 3000mm x 1200mm.

With colour-matched handles and magnetic door holders, a low threshold option and 30mm polyamide thermal break for increased thermal values, it is also fully tested to PAS 24 and BS6375 Part 1 Weather Testing.

Sliders UK has also done its bit to help installations go smoothly, launching its Technical Support Service last year. This includes an assisted fit service on first time installations.

“It’s not about hand holding but a little help on the first time fit goes a long way, because you learn to fit that particular door right, right form the very start, which allows you to avoid mistakes down the line”, says Mines.

Sliders UK reported 16% growth at the end of last year, product innovation and the expansion of its offering, coupled with lead times of two weeks or less, driving increased sales.

Alongside the Ultimate Evolution, this includes the launch of Duraflex’s new PVC-U bi-fold at the tail end of the year.

A second PVC-U bi-fold system – and launched in addition to the Eurocell Aspect bi-fold door – it’s Part Q approved and delivers u-values as low as 1.1Wm²/K.

Meanwhile, Sliders UK announced earlier this month that it’s launching its own lantern roof, the Ultimate Rooflite.

Capable of spanning openings of up to 5.8m long by 4m wide, offer is based on the tried and tested BBA approved Ultraframe Classic roofing system. Suitable for new build orangery or flat roof retro-fit installations, it’s been designed to offer installers a highly flexible but also competitive product.

Mines conncluded: “Our bi-fold offering, which also includes ALUK products, has like our wider product range and as evidenced by the launch of the Ultimate Evolution, come a really long way.

“We remain a specialist door manufacturer but where we have the opportunity to add value to our customer offer, through the addition of products that offer a logical fit, for example the Ultimate Rooflite, we also intend to pursue them.”

For more information contact sales@sliders-uk.com or visit the website at www.sliders-uk.com.

The LamiPress from Hegla has been designed to provide glass processors with greater output capacity in shorter timescales.

Tailored to the needs of individual glass manufacturers, the LamiPress can be specifically configured to provide the highest quality LSG units that conform to all industry standards.

The idea behind the concept is to enable customers to further develop their product lines. As different materials can be combined in a single batch, such as foil with different glass types of varying thicknesses, this gives customers greater business potential.

Float, toughened or patterned glass can easily be integrated with other materials such as stainless steel or fabric during the lamination process. Other technical advantages enable the use and combination of various film types such as printed PVB, SentryGlass, EVA or TPU during the production process.

With a short cycle time of just 45 minutes, the LamiPress provides a number of energy-saving benefits including an eco-friendly, heating and cooling system. The compact design requires no pre-lamination and saves valuable space on the production floor.

Equally, for processors with limited space, the LamiStore offers an ideal space-saving storage system where both prefabricated and cooled laminated safety glass can be used, all of which sits directly above the LamiPress. Depending on the specific material used, this storage system enables proper cooling of finished units.

The cooling process provided by the LamiStore really saves energy, as less heat is lost and the LamiPress requires less time to heat up for the next laminated glass production run, which helps to speed up the entire manufacturing process.

Steve Goble Managing Director Hegla UK said: “Apart from specialist laminated glass the use of laminated glass is increasing substantially in the UK and will continue to do so. Hegla has substantial experience within this field and a comprehensive range of equipment used extensively in markets such as Germany where technical developments have advanced more as laminated glass is by far the most dominant safety glass used. In order to gain a competitive edge in this industry it is imperative to accurately cut, break and separate glass as fast as possible during the production process.

“With additional options on the range of equipment such as twin soft coat edge deletion, automatic PVB overlap trimming and high speed separation reducing heat in the glass along with automatic off-cut storage and re-use, manufacturers will gain a competitive advantage.”

To learn more about improving production floor efficiency or to discuss lamination glass methods please call Steve Goble on: 01908 261933

Spectus Window Systems is the supplier of choice for so many of the industry’s fabricators. But it isn’t just the wide range of products that makes the company such a reliable choice. It’s also about the commitment to continuous improvement that mean the company – and therefore its customers – remain at the forefront of the industry.

Let’s take Spectus’ range of ancillaries components as an example. The range of over 80 products is designed to enhance the window and door systems and cover colour, specification, style, decorative finishing touches and double and triple glazing options. The range is designed to give the customer as much personalisation and individualisation as they need. Just as importantly, the range suites across all Spectus systems and means every window and door can be glazed and installed quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively, saving fabricators and installers time and money at every stage of the process.

The range is under constant review to ensure it continues to deliver what’s required. Martin Althorpe, Technical Director at Spectus comments: “After the system itself, nearly all of our trade partners say what they want is to be able to supply solutions for every installation challenge efficiently and economically. We’re constantly developing the range of ancillaries components to ensure it delivers what’s required – it’s about evolution not revolution.”

Examples of this approach are in the introduction of a fifth glazing bead option that caters for the growth in triple glazing and a two part cill option that reduces the risk of damage during installation. There’s also Spectus’ unique 100% recycled and 100% recyclable RCM thermal inserts that give around 25% better thermal performance than using steel reinforcements in outerframes in its Elite 70 profiles.

Aside from this impressive versatility in the ancillary products, let’s not forget you can make any style of windows or door with Spectus. The Elite 63 and the Elite 70 systems give you the ability to make casement and tilt and turn windows. The Spectus Vertical Slider provides the market-leading sliding sash window solution while the flush casement window opens up even more of the heritage market. The FRW system provides the reversible option and patio doors, formers and curtain walling complete the portfolio.

All these systems – and the accompanying ancillaries – will be on display at Spectus stand, B34, at the FIT Show. Spectus customers are well-advised to pay a visit to see the latest developments and new opportunities for themselves. And if you’re not already a Spectus customer, why not pay a visit to explore just what the company could offer your business.

www.spectus.co.uk

Anglo European Group and Joe Martoccia have led a consortium in forming Aluminium Developments Group and acquiring Corby-based aluminium extrusion and component manufacturing business, Aluminium Shapes. Employing over 60 people, Aluminium Shapes serves a wide range of industries and offers its customers a complete end-to-end service, from design and prototyping right through to component production.

Leading the acquisition, Joe Martoccia has been appointed Group CEO and will be based at Aluminium Shapes’ head office and production facility in Corby, Joe comments: “Investment from Anglo European Group, existing shareholders and the management team, together with funding from AIB (GB) delivers a well structured, robust platform for growth in what is an exciting and dynamic sector. Collaboration with Anglo European in the fenestration and road transport markets will provide additional opportunities for growth, building on what is an already diverse customer base.

“This is an amazing business with a successful history and strong pedigree. From the moment I set foot in the place, I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, support and expertise of the team. There is a genuine ‘can do’ attitude which underpins the company’s superb customer service and quality ethos. Aluminium Shapes is a solid company, with the additional investment and combined expertise of the management team we can significantly accelerate the growth of the business.”

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Leicestershire based Jackloc, creator of the original, award-winning universal window and door cable restrictor has been recognised with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.

Established over five decades ago, the awards have propelled UK businesses onto the world stage with an ‘internationally-renowned symbol of excellence’. Awards are presented by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister and an advisory committee, comprised of the head of the Civil Service and representatives from government, the private sector and trade unions.

“We are unbelievably honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category,” commented Emma Wells, founder and director at Jackloc. “To be recognised by the highest honour in UK business, renowned across the world is an incredibly proud moment for Jackloc and is the result of our continued commitment to innovation and safety.”

Jackloc was founded in 2003 by Emma and her late sister Deborah, with their other sister Judith Burrows joining as a Director in 2008. The business is built on the pioneering design created by their father Derek Horne, who after speaking with a hotelier who came perilously close to a falling child, created a simple, yet effective window restrictor to dramatically reduce the risk.

“Jackloc has come an awfully long way from working at the dining room table,” added Judith. “We are supplying Jacklocs across the world including seven-star hospitals in Abu Dhabi, five-star hotels in Iraq and we’re working in close partnership with local NHS trusts and leading hotel chains here in the UK. Whilst this award is truly amazing and something we never thought we would receive, our hard work doesn’t stop. We are dedicated to reducing the number of injuries and fatalities across the world caused by falling from windows.”

www.jackloc.com

The post Queen’s Award for Jackloc appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

It would be fair to say that since the beginning of the year, I have been inundated with conversations, complaints and general conversation about the dire state of fabrication from various installers. I have also been party conversations with fabricators about the problems they are having with their systems companies too.

The rate at which I am having these types of discussions is at a frequency I have never experienced up until now. In short, I have never seen the industry struggle with issues like customer service and product quality like this before.

The skills shortage is here and I fully believe that the industry at most, if not all levels is now in crisis.

Problems coming home to roost

Many moons ago, I felt like I was one of only few who was trying to raise what I thought to be a valid point about the extreme lack of young blood coming into the industry. As the older generation of talent left our industry or retired, I didn’t believe there was much talent waiting in the wings to replace those who had served our industry well.

Then the Great Recession struck. Business levels fell which meant staffing levels at installers, fabricators and systems companies fell too. For the time being, the skills shortage issue was put on the back burner.

And then we recovered. Perhaps quicker than our industry thought it might. Armed with an array of new and innovative products designed to tempt home owners into new home improvement purchases, our sector was on the road to recovery in no time. Problem was, as sales recovered and business grew, the rush to re-hire never came. Instead, businesses at all levels have been trying to do more business on lower staffing levels. Some re-hiring has been done, but the pace of growth has far outrun the pace of hiring.

Companies have been keen to “streamline” their operations, which basically means less people doing more things. Well, that’s all well and good but there is a limit and I think we’re at that limit now. Secondly, even if we all wanted to hire more people and reduce the workload, I don’t think there is a significant enough talent pool for us to go to. The whole of construction in general is so far behind the curve when it comes to recruitment that I don’t actually think we’ll ever recover to normal levels.

To add to the problems, I believe our industry is now over-diversified. During the recession we were all encouraged to branch out into new products to help find new revenue streams. There’s no doubting we’ve done that. But we haven’t taken the foot off the gas. Suppliers have been in a constant race to out-innovate each other, where I think we’re now at a point where installers are now overloaded with products, not enough information to go with those products and fabricators who are split across so many different product ranges that quality is now starting to suffer.

These are problems that have been years in the making and they’re now starting to hit home.

Has it ever been this bad?

I have only been in the industry for 12 years, which in the grand scheme of things isn’t all that long. But during my time in this industry I cannot remember a time where customer service and quality across all areas of the supply chain has been this bad. If it has been worse, please tell me when in the comments section below.

I believe that a combination of under-staffing, over supply of products and a strained workforce have all combined to leave us in the situation we now find ourselves. The sad fact of the matter is I don’t think it’s going to get better any time soon.

Consider this: the general tone of the conversation and the general perception of industry service right now is that it’s in the gutter. We’re only into April, not our busiest period. We’re going to get busier and busier as an industry over the coming months, which is only going to put further strain on our supply chain. It’s going to get worse.

There needs to be some radical changes in many parts of the industry right now. To begin with, those in the systems company and fabricator levels need to start hiring more and better quality people. If what comes out of their doors is poor, then it will be fitted poorly at installer level, leaving the installer with the problem and the home owner unhappy. Get hiring and get hiring now.

Next, scale back the product innovation. In comparison to ten years ago our industry’s product portfolio is massive. But we need to take a minute to consolidate where we’re at. Do we really need every single new product and innovation possible. Is it not time to assess which products are selling and which ones aren’t and cut them from the picture? It would save fabricators time and effort in prep for these products, and it will help installers become that little bit clearer as to what is and what isn’t available to sell to home owners.

Finally, pay some attention to the existing workforce. My bet is many of them are exhausted and stressed due to the increases workload over the past few years. A happy workforce is one that fabricates and installs well. An unhappy workforce, which I believe is what we have right now, is the exact opposite. The guys and girls on the shop floor, on deliveries, on the phones are the most important people in our businesses. They have to feel valued and be paid well if their efforts deserve it.

We really do need to start addressing these problems now. I foresee things only getting worse in our industry if we don’t, and we’re about to head into a busy summer period. I sense that the window industry isn’t that fun to be in right now.