NEW VIRTUOSO REALITY AT FIT

An extended collection of Virtuoso composite doors – including traditional and contemporary style doors and a completely unique new composite door – will be unveiled on stand H30 at the FIT Show.

Visitors to the Virtuoso stand will not be disappointed with the enviable choice of doors on offer, which now includes a unique ‘aluminium-look’ composite door. The product is still under wraps but Virtuoso can reveal that this ultra-modern new door style is the only one of its kind in the industry. It incorporates realistic detailing to replicate the appearance of an aluminium door and is sure to attract installers who want to widen their offering beyond standard composite doors.

Tony Craggs, managing director of Virtuoso, says: “The Virtuoso brand has been growing rapidly and we are really excited to showcase this terrific new door at FIT. I can’t share too much but I can say that it is totally unlike anything else out there. We’ve made a significant investment into new technology to create this new door style and bolster our bespoke offering. We now have a very desirable range of doors in every colour imaginable and I’m sure installers will be enthusiastic about the potential that brings.

But that’s not all. This advance is part of a much bigger investment of £500,000 into machinery and IT upgrades at our 70,000 square foot factory in the North East. The investment has enabled us to ramp up production of our composite doors as demand continues to grow and it will help us to put Virtuoso on the map nationally too. We now have the capability to extend the brand from our heartland in the North of England and Scotland and to serve the huge nationwide customer network of our new parent the Customade Group. We’ll tell everyone about it at FIT!”

The FIT stand will also display a traditional style composite door and a contemporary style composite door. The contemporary door is packed with stylish features and includes a slam-shut auto lock, architectural hardware and modern glazing. Every Virtuoso door is available on a five-day lead time and features a 3.8mm thick GRP skin which is twice as thick as most composite doors available on the market. This thicker skin comfortably meets the security requirements of Document Q.

The Virtuoso team will also launch a new generation of door designer software – Gateway 2 -at the show. Gateway 2 is a bespoke door designer package which has been enhanced to bring even greater functionality to customers and help them to design, order and price standard and bespoke composite doors. And now, through the bolt-on Gateway 2 package for trade customers, homeowners can even design their own Virtuoso door on-line. The package has been developed to create a professional image for the installer and generate high quality leads for them.

Since its acquisition by Polyframe in February, the enlarged, full-service Customade Group is now the biggest fabricator in the UK with revenues of more than £100 million. The group brings together some industry-leading brands and an enviable range of products, which spans PVC-u and aluminium windows and doors, composite doors, aluminium glazed roof products, sealed glass units and specialist glazing.

The Customade group now operates nationwide and employs 900 people in multiple manufacturing sites across the UK. The Group includes Polyframe (PVC-u), REAL Aluminium (aluminium), Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions (glazed roofs), Virtuoso (composite and paneled doors), Hourglass Seal (sealed glass units), and Fineline Aluminium (specialist glazing).

www.customade.co.uk

This year’s FIT Show sees Eurocell focus on four of its most popular ranges – including some great new range additions – namely Skypod, Modus, Dales Collection composite doors and its conservatory collection.

Fresh to the market is the Skypod Acute roof lantern. As the name suggests, the new addition features a steeper pitch at 35⁰– 15⁰ more than the current design. The new 35⁰ pitch is strikingly different to the standard, making it more suitable for commercial applications such as schools, hospitals and offices, where this pitch is better suited to larger, multi-storey buildings. This market tends to be dominated by aluminum, and the new Skypod provides an aesthetic and cost-effective sales alternative.

Skypod is available in the full colour range of Anthracite Grey, Moondust Grey, Golden Oak, Rosewood and White – with a white interior finish as standard to maximise the light and airy feel. A further 25 colour options can be made to order in three weeks.

The company has also recently extended its popular Dales Collection range of composite doors to increase and improve aesthetic choice, security and resilience. The three new panel designs – the Elton, Hartington and Newhaven – deliver ‘on trend’ farmhouse and contemporary styles and are complemented by six further glass patterns to further increase choice for the specifier, developer and end-user.

The additional door and glass introductions bring the total of front and back composite door combinations to 15 styles in 15 colours and 18 glazing options, from modern ‘chic’ to traditional Edwardian or cottage style. The collection also comes in a wide array of colourways from Contemporary – such as Anthracite Grey – through to Heritage, such as Chartwell Green.

Furthermore, high security is assured as Eurocell has improved both the structural stability of the panels and its locking hardware.An accredited five-point multi-locking system with adjustable keeps has been introduced, providing an improved weather rating that can now achieve up to 1200 Pascals – a 50% improvement on previous tests. The new design also includes an increase of the outer GRP skin thickness from 2mm to 4mm; and the Tri-Sis glazing cassette. This can be deglazed internally without damaging the door panel or affecting the security performance of the door overall.

The locking system, plus the thickness and glazing modifications, means that the new doors are all now compliant with the requirements of AD Q; achieving PAS 23/24:2016 accreditation, which includes the challenging PAS 24:2016 ‘Cut Through’ test.

Stand D20 is also host to Modus: the company’s high-performance, high aesthetic window system. Featuring a 75mm six-chamber profile system, the Modus range delivers optimum energy efficiency performance and can achieve a U-value as low as 0.7 W/m²K. The first PVC-U window and door system in the UK to offer a 12-year guarantee, Modus casement windows were among the first to be awarded the new A++ WER, claim the company.

The range also includes Modus S, a mechanically jointed flush sash casement window, which combines modern materials with a truly traditional appearance. The joint detail adds considerable authenticity to the window and enables delivery of a product with the true look of timber, while retaining all the performance benefits of PVC-U.

Modus and Modus S are available in 10 solid and woodgrain effect colours, all of which are available with white internal finishes, while more than 25 solid and woodgrain effect finishes can also be ordered. With sustainability in mind, the Modus range consists of 50% post-consumer recycled PVC-U as standard, and so has a smaller carbon footprint than products made or recycled outside of the UK.

Finally, the stand will also show for the first time the company’s brand new additional conservatory range – namely the Lusso internal pelmet and Highline Gutter System. With a striking depth of up to 413mm, the Lusso pelmet combines with the added height and depth of the Highline Gutter to create an on-trend orangery effect from standard components.

Eurocell has also confirmed that other yet-to-be-announced developments will debut on its FIT Show stand, taking the total number of new products and initiatives being showcased at the event to at least six.

www.eurocell.co.uk

Image Above: Tim Ferkin

Hardware specialist Caldwell UK has radically improved two of its products in a move that will see its customers benefit from better systems at no extra cost.

Caldwell are now at the end of the process of improving and re-engineering its Ultra Lift (UL2) and Torso spring balances so that they are even higher performing.

From August, UL2 will be replaced by the Ultra Lift 6 (UL6) and in June Torso will be replaced by the new Torso II version.

Darren Murphy, Director of Operations at Caldwell, comments: “We have spent months of design and engineering time to bring these new and improved products to market. There are no extra costs incurred from this process and the new products will not impact on our customer’s current manufacturing or fitting processes.

“Each product brings significant advantages to the manufacturer and end-user. For example, Torso II will be able to hold a higher weight within a 19-millimetre tube diameter as opposed to a 25-millimetre diameter.”

The standard Ultralift balances can be specified for use in both tilt-in and standard sash windows. A double sprung design means they can offer the end user up to 80% increased mechanical advantage compared with standard operation.

Like Ultralift balances, the Torso models are double sprung to give the end user significant levels of mechanical assistance when operating the window. Torso balances, however, can cater for much heavier sash weights, supporting sashes from 3kg – 60kg.

Tim Ferkin, Sales & Marketing Director, comments: “We greatly value the business relationship we have with each customer, which is why we are delighted to be launching our new and improved products. Not only do they offer significant performance benefits they can be delivered on faster lead times too – speeding up the manufacturing process.”

The updated products form part of a £1 million investment programme, that will see Caldwell roll out a number of UK first’s in the coming weeks.

For more information please call 024 7643 7900 or visit www.caldwell.co.uk

Image Above: Julie Warner, Carl F Groupco’s Product Manager for the PN by Roto range pictured with the company’s Technical Manager, John Mitchell.

Record sales are reported by Carl F Groupco in 2016 of UNI reversible window hardware manufactured by Roto/Peder Nielsen (PN), with growth predicted to continue through 2017. The main market for the gearing, supplied solely to the UK by Carl F Groupco, is Scotland but growth has also been seen in England, Ireland and Wales.

Julie Warner, Carl F Groupco’s Product Manager for the PN by Roto range, reports that growth is due to loyal customers who put value on the benefits of the hardware.  She adds that this extremely high quality gearing is ideal for multi-storey public and commercial buildings, including hotels. Equally suitable for high-rise domestic applications, the gearing is supplied with an integral child restrictor and reverse catch as standard, which ensures safe operation when cleaning the window from the inside.  Commenting on the aesthetic advantages of the gearing, Julie Warner explains:

“The UNI range, including the Top Swing, Top and Side Hung gearing, has been designed for full flexibility. Frame and sash groove details are the same across the UNI range, which means that any of the solutions can be fitted to ensure a uniform aesthetic appearance on all window styles across aluminium, PVCu and timber profiles.

“The full UNI range is also capable of achieving emergency escape – providing all relevant building regulations are met.”

A strong relationship with PN and Carl F Groupco dates back to 2001 and this has continued following the acquisition of PN by Roto in 2016, with exciting new product launches set to be revealed at the FIT Show 2017.

Tel: 01733 393330

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk 

Follow Carl F Groupco on Twitter using the handle @Carl_F_Groupco

Valued VEKA customer M&M Windows has gained two impressive commercial contracts thanks to the company’s commitment to PAS 24 testing.

The Wigan-based M&M team believe that their company is the first in the industry to achieve PAS 24 on the VEKA’s new M70 PVC-U profile system. The company partnered with hardware supplier ERA and glass suppliers Regency Glass to put their casement windows through rigorous testing to ensure they met the requirements of PAS 24 and Document Q.

MD Mike McCoy explains: “As a company, we are very committed to quality and that’s why we chose to fabricate VEKA’s PVC-U profile exclusively when we were established in 2004.

“We’ve now switched over to the new M70 profile and we are highly impressed with the product as well as how smoothly the transition was managed.

“Our customer base covers the full spectrum of sectors, from residential to trade, commercial and new build so we felt that it would stand us in good stead to clearly illustrate the quality of our products to all types of customer. We put our windows through testing with ERA and we were pleased to report that they easily achieved the PAS 24 certification and met the requirements of Document Q.

“This led to us winning two significant projects, almost immediately, with Rowlinson Construction and School contracts because our products met every requirement on the specification list, from safety and security, to product style and price.

“M&M Windows provided 80 VEKA M70 casement windows with Grey exterior and White interior, as well as 8 doors for new houses that would replace the old Royley Carr semi-detached plots in Stockport. We were successful in our tender for this project thanks to the quality and price of our products and the fact that we were able to meet the very short lead times required.

“We also provided 100 high spec casement windows with specialist acoustic glass for a Rowlinson Construction development on Bernage Lane in Stockport with help from Regency Glass. It was important, in this case, to reduce noise levels as the project is close to a busy road.”

The VEKA UK Group’s Sales Director Neil Evans was pleased to hear of M&M’s recent successes: “Here at The VEKA UK Group, we work hard to provide the perfect products for every project, and it’s always great to have our customers confirm that we are supplying exactly what they need to win prestigious contracts. We were very pleased to hear that M&M Windows found the PAS 24 and Document Q testing to be simple and straightforward on the new M70 system, and we’d like to congratulate them on their commitment to proving their high standards of fabrication. We look forward to hearing about even more commercial contracts they’ve carried out with this industry-leading product.”

www.vekauk.com

FIT Show 2017 is fast approaching which means the end of its popular monthly Installation of the Year competition is near. Highlighting some of the best commercial and domestic door, window, orangery and conservatory installation projects in the business, a new winner for March, CWG Choices Ltd has dethroned two-time winner QKS Home Improvement.

Coming out on top for its Little Harrowden installation – installed by Choices Glazing Solutions – all manufactured in AluK aluminium cream RAL 1015, the installation included windows, multi-folds, residential doors, French doors and gable frames with glass and internal blinds.

Looking for an array of products, the customer – whose day to day tasks include flying all over the world but not as a passenger instead as an airline pilot – was treated to a “versatile system to suit all,” according to Nick Rudd, Sales Executive at CWG.

CAB’s Adrian Toon, the competition’s judge, said of CWG’s entry: “A beautiful example of the right choice of colours. Well framed, the photograph was taken on a sunny day – which helps – and the verticals are well positioned as the picture has been taken far enough away and is nicely exposed.”

Earning themselves bragging rights for the month, CWG Choices Ltd have won themselves a FIT Show goodie bag and a pair of tickets to the show’s popular gala dinner taking place on 24^th May. Shortlisted as one of the monthly winners in with a chance at being crowned overall Installation of the Year winner, they will find out if they’ve won when the winner is announced at the FIT Show gala dinner.

Winning installations to date can be seen on the FIT Show website: www.fitshow.co.uk/installation-of-the-year.

With just one month left of FIT Show’s Installation of the Year competition, do you think you’ve got what it takes to enter and win? Photographic entries can be submitted via Twitter using the hashtag #FITInstallation including a short description of the installation and products used.

Taking place 23-25th May 2017, to book a stand at FIT Show 2017 please contact Freya Humphries on: 07572 623457, or email: freya@fitshow.co.uk. To register as a visitor for FIT Show 2017 visit: www.livebuzzreg.co.uk/2017/fit17

Romag’s Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels have been installed as part of the construction of the renovated head office of Alliander in Arnhem, which was opened early this year in the Netherlands.

This new concept in building integrated photovoltaics combines renewable energy generation with a glass laminate design to enable the PV cell to blend sympathetically into the fabric of the new glazing system.

The bespoke PV system was integrated into the glass atrium that runs centrally through the main building allowing valuable natural light to the centre of the building through thermally efficient low-emissivity glass.

Working with partners in the Benelux, Hermans Techniglaz, over 633 panels were manufactured for the project at a total coverage of 1500m², generating 160.000 kWh of electricity each year. The solar panels were installed in the building first, allowing for the almost CO² neutral building to be able to generate electricity from the beginning. This is also one the Netherlands’ first BREEAM-certified renovation projects.

Rik van Ogtrop, sales director at Hermans Techniglaz commented: “The Alliander Head Office is an iconic building that is an example of modern technology. By using Romag’s innovative BIPV and other renewables, the building is powered by energy that does not pollute the environment and actually generates more electricity than it consumes. The flexibility of design using BIPV allows it to be installed anywhere; an aesthetic solution to modern building design.”

Romag is a UK pioneer in BIPV, with over 15 years’ experience in this market as well as over 70 years of bespoke glass laminating experience and expertise. The company was established in 1943 and has built a strong reputation around the globe for manufacturing high quality bespoke photovoltaic laminates in a range of shapes and sizes to meet individual client aspirations. Projects for the installation of skylights, facades, windows, covered walkways, spandrel panels and roof lights are regularly undertaken by Romag.

Window Widgets ancillaries make installations much easier for Keyframe’s customers. The Bolton based Rehau and Spectus trade fabricator sells quality ancillaries with its windows, doors, and conservatories. Window Widgets is the UK’s most popular supplier of window ancillaries.

Window Widgets ancillaries are universal, reducing the amount of stock Keyframe needs to keep for its two systems. Keyframe buys baypole connectors, frame connectors, baypole jacks, and many other products that make installations work and keep them safe and secure.

Keyframe Sales & Marketing Manager Andy Bell says: “Window Widgets products are well designed and are very good quality. They’re really easy to use, and they work with different profiles too, which makes it much easier for us and our customers. It’s great to work with a supplier that is keen to invest in new products to keep up with trends. We’ve been buying Window Widgets products for eight years because it’s a forward-thinking business that’s really easy to deal with. You know you’re getting great products every time.”

Window Widgets MD Martin Dickie says: “We aim to design and make high quality, universal ancillaries that meet all the standards and make life easier for installers. If it’s not easy to use or not compliant, it’s not Window Widgets.

“Fabricators like Keyframe, who work with more than one system, love our products because they don’t need to stock system specific ancillaries,” continues Martin. “We develop products that installers need now, so when systems change, we immediately incorporate them into our range.

“It’s easy to forget about ancillaries, but they’re the crucial bits and pieces that make installations work. They’re the hidden architecture in your projects that lets you sleep easy at night because you know your windows perform. And they go on performing without complaint or crisis for years and years. We work hard to engineer the smart bits and pieces that enable companies to be the best in their markets.”

For more about Keyframe call 01204 705 718 or visit www.keyframeuk.co.uk.

To get quality ancillaries you can trust, call Window Widgets on 01452 300 912, visit www.windowwidgets.co.uk, or follow @WindowWidgets on Twitter.

DW3 Products Group customers are growing with the expanding market for beautiful, high performing products. DW3 is home to the premium quality brands Solidor, Residor, Residence Collection, and Window Widgets.

DW3 group is committed to creating stunning, high performing products with innovation, quality, and design (IQD) to make beautiful homes. DW3’s IQD Quality Mark is a hallmark that appears on marketing materials across the group so installers can sell a suite of brands that truly belong together.

DW3 CEO Gareth Mobley says: “DW3 products are designed to be beautiful and transform homes. That’s why we say: Beautiful brands make beautiful homes. We’re also taking service and product development to the next level. Solidor is the most secure composite door, Residor the most secure GRP composite door, while Residence Collection is transforming the PVC window market, and Window Widgets makes the ancillaries that most of the market relies on.”

Last year’s sales were a record for all brands in the group. In October DW3 achieved its first million pound sales week, and it has been surpassing that record repeatedly since.

“The market for premium brands is growing,” continues Gareth. “Homeowners over the age of 45 with small or no mortgages want to invest in their homes to make them comfortable and beautiful. They’re on the lookout for exceptional brands; products that perform highly and add value to their home. That’s why we design DW3 products for innovation, quality and design, outstanding performance and the best looks in the industry.”

For more about DW3 Products Group and its brands visit www.dw3group.co.uk, or follow @DW3Products on Twitter.

Epwin Group company, Indigo Products has recently celebrated with 55 of its employees achieving their NVQ level II certificates in either ‘Fabrication of Glass Supporting Structures’ or ‘Glass and Glass Related Distribution and Warehousing’.

The Walsall based business ran the scheme over a 12-month period using the SFA funded Apprenticeship route, in collaboration with a GQA Approved Centre – The Vocational College, who provides a range of industry glazing qualifications, written and awarded by leading awarding body GQA Qualification Limited.

The scheme ensures staff benefit from the fundamentals of Maths and English, as well as gaining a recognised glass and glazing industry qualification. The programme consists of online training, regular face-to-face group sessions and one-on-one mentoring for additional support.

Stephen Faulkner, general manager at Indigo Products explains: “We are totally committed to our team and we think it is important to not only provide jobs, but actually provide a career-based occupation.  By achieving the qualifications; the team now understand the need to provide a higher level of quality work, at the same time as enhancing their own careers in the future – with many fenestration companies now recognising the qualification through the promotional efforts of GQA and associated centres.”

He continued: “Our staff have been great and they have all shown a lot of hard work and determination to achieve the qualifications and enhance their skills on the way to becoming a highly skilled workforce. We also owe a lot to The Vocational College for their commitment, enthusiasm and adaptability throughout the process, helping our team to achieve what they have.”

Paul Gray, Business Development Manager at The Vocational College was in attendance to present the certificates.  He commented: “It is a huge achievement and every one of the employees should be very proud of what they have accomplished.  Any training programme has its challenges but this group has committed to learning from the start, and will inevitably benefit now and in the future.”

Indigo Products has seen a quantifiable improvement since commencing Apprenticeship programmes with The Vocational College in 2015.  Staff turnover has reduced, customer satisfaction levels have increased and almost a quarter of the latest learners have now committed to further training and will take on a level III NVQ qualification.

For further information on staff development opportunities available, contact Paul Gray, Business Development Manager at The Vocational College on 0151 944 1744, visit www.vcoll.ac.uk or GQA Qualifications Limited at www.gqaqualifications.co.uk