Premium Manufactured Products Give Customers A Competitive Edge

After a recent takeover, the new management team at UK Window Systems is keen to show existing and new customers just what makes them different from other manufacturers.

The Stoke-on-Trent based fabricator operates out of a 30’000 square foot manufacturing site on the outskirts of the city; accommodating a spectacular showroom facility with a range of full size conservatories and orangeries, a trade counter – supporting local trade and manufacturing capabilities of producing up to 1000 frames per week.

Nick Holloway, Sales Director comments: “A new management team was introduced to the business last November after investors took over the company. The business already had a great portfolio of products, including windows and doors manufactured from profile system Rehau and roofing systems from Ultraframe.”

The business also supplies three of The Residence Collection profile systems; R9, R7 and R2. The systems have become one of the UK’s more popular choices, particularly in areas of conservation and homes looking for traditional sash window styles.

“The Residence Collection is a great product range for the business. It enables us to offer a broad choice of windows and doors in a range of styles and colours. In addition, we are one of a small number of fabricators in the UK to be able to offer seamless corner joints on all our Residence windows and doors.” Nick adds.

UK Window Systems recently invested over £300k to purchase a seamless Graf Synergy welder. The welder enables the fabricator to offer customers a range of seamless window and door frames at no additional cost to the installer.

“In today’s competitive market, being able to offer a seamless jointed window or door can really add financial value. This unique selling point for our customers gives them the opportunity to sell the homeowner a premium finished product with a fantastic, contemporary appearance and feel, at no additional cost to them.

“The new team at UK Window Systems has high hopes for the business and we have already made several strategic improvements, including the appointment of additional resource to our customer service support, a redesign of our trade counter to offer more product lines and the inevitable introduction of a range of new products set to be launched in Spring.

“The changes are being geared at supporting our customers better, so it’s a great time for them to get involved and take advantage of all our new plans.” Nick concluded.

For more information contact Nick Holloway on 01782 213270 or visit www.ukwindowsltd.co.uk

TuffX Processed Glass says it has ‘supplied the finest glass the property-owners could have desired’ for renovations at a family home in Cornwall.

A Cornwall based installer contacted TuffX requesting glass for a staircase and a balcony at the house. TuffX recommended that 19mm curved toughened-laminated glass should be used for the balcony, and 19mm flat toughened-laminated glass was used for the staircase. The client agreed and put an order in for a total of 40m² of toughened-laminated glass.

A spokesperson for the installer said: “TuffX was so helpful in the purchasing process, they talked me through what would be best for the job and it was delivered on the requested date and time. The glass looks exquisite and gives this home the perfect modern look it desired.”

TuffX Processed Glass manufactures high performance toughened safety glass in a variety of thicknesses and styles including balustrading, stairs, and glass canopies.

www.tuffxglass.co.uk

The post Homeowners grateful for TuffX Processed Glass appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

A derelict building in Hampshire has been transformed by 14 stunning anthracite grey Solidor composite doors. The building, which used to be an orphanage, has been developed into fourteen separate homes and given a new lease of life with beautifully secure front doors.

In this development, a contemporary design and colour were chosen to enhance traditional features and the beauty of the bricks, giving the whole building a high-end feel.

Dave Gaunt, Director of Truglaze, the company that installed the doors says: “Solidor works perfectly in a high end development like this. The doors complete the look, and add to the quality feel of the properties. We find homeowners can feel the quality and security when they open a Solidor, and with their stunning looks, they add a lot to new developments. That’s why we don’t sell anything else.”

Solidor CEO Gareth Mobley says: “We make doors that homeowners fall in love with. Homeowners demand the best security but they won’t fall in love with security; they will fall in love with the way Solidor transforms the look of their home.

“This development is absolutely stunning,” Gareth adds. “It shows how important the right style and colour is. In this case, the anthracite grey and bold design add incredible kerb appeal, giving the property real wow-factor.”

For more about Truglaze visit www.truglaze.co.uk, call 01252 835559, or follow @TruglazeWindows on Twitter.

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.

The national campaign ‘Spotlight on…illegal workers’ has been launched by the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

The Scheme – which makes around 18,000 monitoring visits to construction sites, companies and suppliers every year –- surveyed the industry in December 2016 to gauge the issue of illegal working in construction. The survey revealed:

• 93% agreed illegal working could be better tackled in the construction industry
• 81% would say illegal working has been on the rise over the past 15 years
• 61% admitted they have not received – or rarely receive – information on illegal working
• 33% suspected a chance that illegal working had been present at a previous or current employer
• 30% agreed that health and safety was placed at greatest risk as a result of illegal working.

‘Spotlight on…illegal workers’ aims to provide the construction industry with a resource to increase understanding of the risks posed by illegal construction workers, and what can be done to tackle the problem.

The issue of illegal working in construction is a major priority for the Home Office – which recognises the harm illegitimate labour does to the industry. As such, the Home Office has made an important contribution to the ‘Spotlight on…illegal workers’ campaign; providing detailed, practical information about how to conduct the necessary and correct right to work checks.

Earlier this year, the Scheme introduced new questions in the 2017 Monitors’ Checklist to encourage sites, companies and supply chains to examine how they are ensuring the legitimacy of their workforce:

• Are there processes in place to ensure subcontractors (and subsequent subcontractors) are conducting right to work checks?
• Are physical spot checks conducted to ensure minimum standards of right to work checks are taking place within the supply chain?

Considerate Constructors Scheme chief executive, Edward Hardy, said: “Ensuring the legitimacy of the workforce is one of the key challenges facing the construction industry today. The industry must work together to ensure that checks for workers’ legitimacy becomes firmly entrenched within all construction activity across the UK.

“By challenging sites to explore how they currently assess and monitor the legitimacy of their workforce, the Scheme believes that in the not-so-distant future, all registered sites, companies and suppliers will have robust procedures in place.

“The Scheme’s ‘Spotlight on…illegal workers’ campaign provides the industry with the ‘go to’ resource to fully understand how it can effectively tackle illegal working, and ultimately help to improve construction’s image and reputation.”

Click here to read Spotlight on…illegal workers.

The post National campaign launched to help tackle illegal working in construction appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

For many the FIT Show 2017 will present the chance to discover new products and services, meet with clients and forge new business partnerships, as well as mix business with pleasure thanks to a host of social and networking events on the evening of BIG Tuesday. However, for all the good reasons to get along to the NEC on 23-25 May, the opportunity to learn more about the industry, and maximise the potential of your business as a result, has to be among the most important.

As the old saying goes, knowledge is power, and at this year’s FIT Show there are going to be a wide ranging number of seminar sessions and discussions, hosted by a broad spectrum of industry experts all designed to empower visitors with the insight and information required to stay ahead of the competition.

For 2017 the FIT Show organisers have put together the most comprehensive seminar programme yet, with a host of distinguished speakers covering a full spectrum of key topics for the window, door and conservatory industry. A total of 19 seminar sessions have been scheduled for the exhibition, all of which have been planned in order to provide show-goers with up to date advice on everything from market conditions, regulations and finance, to the latest sales, business and installation advice.

And, with a significant aluminium presence at the 2017 FIT Show, there will also be a separate and dedicated programme from systems house AluK, which will be hosting a series of seminars focusing on the aluminium industry. Visitors to the Expert Zone on AluK’s stand (Q10) will have the opportunity to gain invaluable insight into the state of the aluminium market from the likes of CAB Chairman, Justin Ratcliffe, as well as get up to speed with the latest products, regulations and trends. All of which will prove to be vital information for any fabricators thinking about adding aluminium to their product offering.

In addition to that, hardware specialist MACO will be hosting a ‘Tweet and Meet’ (#TNMP4), on stand E20 between 5-8pm on Tuesday 23^rd May, that will invite guests to address a number of topics such as poor customer service and price increases, to more technical subjects such as PAS24 and DocQ. Presented in an informal and relaxed environment, MACO’s ‘Tweet and Meet’ will not only be a forum to discuss subjects that impact on the daily working lives of those in the glazing industry, but also a chance to catch up with old friends and maybe meet new ones as well.

All seminars, which take place on stand B70, are free to attend to FIT Show visitors. For more details on the full programme, visit: www.fitshow.co.uk/seminars. For more information on the AluK seminars please visit: www.fitshow.co.uk/aluk-seminar

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

Solidor, manufacturer of timber-core composite doors, has launched its #SolidorStyleWall campaign. Fabricators and installers already share their stunning project photos on their own and Solidor’s Twitter stream. Now installers posting their photos with the hashtag #SolidorStyleWall will enter a competition to showcase their work in Solidor’s advertising and marketing material. Any installer featured will be credited so the industry can see their excellent work.

If installers are not sure their photography skills are up to the job, there’s a blog on the Solidor website with tips on how to take the best installation photo, which can be found here: . The winning projects then get photographed professionally before appearing.

Solidor CEO Gareth Mobley says: “We love seeing our beautiful doors in beautiful homes, and our followers love to share them with us.

“Solidor installers are passionate about selling Solidor because it’s truly world-class, so they sell more doors. Not only is Solidor the most secure composite door, it’s beautiful, and we make sure the service is world-class too. We’re working to 99.8% of all orders delivered on time and in full.

“We want to credit our customers for their great work,” adds Gareth. “#SolidorStyleWall will showcase the best installers in the market.”

To find out how you can start selling more doors visit www.solidor.co.uk, call 01782 950 941, or follow @SolidorLtd on Twitter.

Nano 470 the leading innovator in glass bonding are proud to announce a new addition to the companies ever increasing product range.

IC40 incorporates all the benefits of the exisiting range but with increased viscosity , this added benefit allows for the adhesive to be beaded onto vertical areas as well as more traditional horizontal work. Allowing time for positioning of the glass with less run off and slumping.

John Jackson Managing Director, added “ This new product has been developed over the past 2 years, and further stenghtens the product range for use in Industrial manufacturing applications, DIY uses and glass artists alike.

We developed IC40 in conjunction with a major USA refrigeration manufacturer,who make 4 million units per annum and who were unhappy with the household name brand they had been using. After exhaustive testing by them including humidity, freezing, impact, shear and drop tests. IC40 passed with flying colours”

IC40 is a very high strength glass-glass and glass-metal adhesive which carries forward the brands trade mark benefit of dual cure either using UV light sources or visible light sources which are low cost so much more suitable for the DIY user or occasional user.

2017 and beyond will see the addition of more products into the NANO 470 range.

Tel :  S W Products Ltd, 01526 344100

email :  info@swproductsltd.com

Anyone going along to the REAL Aluminium stand at the FIT Show (N20) is sure to pay more than just a flying visit.

The team at REAL Aluminium is encouraging everyone to join them for the challenge of all challenges – to find out who can fly their paper plane the furthest in the REAL Paper Plane Challenge contest!

In the run up to the show, Customade has been talking all about REAL Aluminium and how it can make the move into aluminium ‘as easy as child’s play’ for installers. And now, Customade is encouraging all those paper enthusiasts out there to fold and construct a paper plane and enter a competition to see how far they can fly it. The competition has been developed to stress to installers that their businesses can really fly when they make the leap in to aluminium.

Over the next few weeks, Customade is inviting everyone to capture the distance that their paper plane can fly on a video. The attempts can be uploaded on to Twitter using #FLYWITHREAL and the longest distances will be recorded on Customade’s leader board.

Visitors to the FIT Show can also get in on the action by flying their very own REAL plane down a specially designed runway on the REAL Aluminium stand. The overall winner of the contest will be announced on day three of the show.

The competition will be the finalé of an imaginative FIT Show campaign by Customade – ‘Fly with REAL’. The campaign underlines the core message of REAL – aluminium can be as easy as child’s play and installers can fly ahead with aluminium.

Claire Miller, Customade Group marketing manager, explains more: “This competition is terrific fun and we’re hoping that there will be a lot of big kids out there sharing in the excitement before and during the show. Tension is building and I know that there’s already plenty of rivalry between contestants as they try to craft the winning plane.

“REAL Aluminium has strived to make aluminium as easy as possible to help installers to make the most of this lucrative opportunity. We want to get the industry talking about this campaign, which has a really nostalgic theme, and we want to make a lot of noise about our REAL Aluminium brand. REAL Aluminium can help installer’s businesses to fly and it just doesn’t need to be complicated.”

As well as testing their flying skills, visitors to the Customade stand will discover more about REAL Aluminium which has made the process of promoting, quoting, selling and ordering aluminium easier than ever before. REAL Aluminium has already helped hundreds of installers to fly ahead with everything they need to promote and sell the most extensive range of aluminium windows, doors and lantern roofs on board.

REAL Aluminium is an industry-leading solution to overcome all the hurdles that installers face with aluminium and to make sourcing aluminium as easy as buying PVC-u. With REAL Aluminium, installers can benefit from lead times on standard profile of just two weeks.

To enter the REAL Paper Plane Challenge, simply download a free plane template from www.real-aluminium.co.uk or email marketing@customade.co.uk to request a plane pack.

To find out more about REAL Aluminium, please call 01453 826884 or visit www.real-aluminium.co.uk.

Polyframe will be announcing to visitors how it will be evolving on its stand (H30) at the FIT Show. The team will be talking about the recently enhanced offering from Polyframe, which is the UK’s largest PVC-u fabricator and the only one to offer five PVC-u systems.

Following its acquisition of Customade, Polyframe now brings five PVC-u systems from Veka, Halo, Eurocell, Rehau and Duraflex within easy reach of the installer. The move provides customers with a far greater choice of profiles than ever before and, for the first time, gives them the flexibility to buy multiple PVC-u systems to suit different end user requirements.

Gareth Thomas, Customade Group sales and marketing director, explains: “We’re tremendously excited about this year’s FIT Show because it’s the first major industry event since Polyframe announced the acquisition of the Customade Group and we want to share with everyone what Polyframe can now deliver. As the UK’s only five system fabricator, we can now bring the widest choice of PVC-u systems from one source. This allows installers to choose the best system to suit their individual needs and gives them the flexibility to pick one system for the higher end of the market and another more competitively priced system for the trade market.

“The Polyframe formula extends further though and we’ll be talking about how installers can benefit from a wider variety of colour options available across the systems and new marketing and showroom support to help their businesses to grow. The industry-leading marketing package that we developed for other Customade Group brands has achieved fantastic results and we’ll be doing the same with Polyframe to equip customers with all the tools and support they need to actively promote themselves and sell more windows.”

As part of its enhanced support package, Polyframe will demonstrating its improved window design and pricing software, which helps customers to easily design and price windows fabricated from any of the five systems from just one package. The team will also be talking about its comprehensive security guarantees from some of the industry’s leading hardware brands.

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

Eurocell, manufacturer, distributor and recycler of window, door, conservatory and roofline products – has reconfigured its popular Dales Collection range of composite doors to increase and improve aesthetic choice, security and resilience.

First, the company has introduced three new panel designs – the Elton, Hartington and Newhaven – which deliver ‘on trend’ farmhouse and contemporary styles. The three designs 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 Dales Collection 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 colours are in three groups: Contemporary, e.g. Anthracite Grey, Slate Grey and Moondust Grey; Standard, e.g. Rosewood, Golden Oak, Frost White and Berry Red; and Heritage,e.g. Eurocell Cream, Chartwell Green and Duck Egg Blue (all made to order). Dales Collection doors are also available with colour-matched weather bars.

Security assured

Second, with security and peace of mind very much on the agenda, not least following the introduction of Approved Document Q (AD Q) of the Building Regulations in October 2015, Eurocell has improved both the structural stability of its door panels and its locking hardware.

AD Q sets out what it says are “reasonable standards for doors and windows to resist physical attack by a casual or opportunist burglar by being both sufficiently robust and fitted with appropriate hardware” and effectively excludes non-PAS 24 products from the new build sector.

A new accredited five-point multi-locking system with adjustable keeps has been introduced, providing an improved weather rating that can now achieve up to a massive 1200 Pascals – a 50% improvement on previous tests. The new improved design also includes an increase of the outer GRP skin thickness from 2mm to 4mm.

The collection is now fitted with the Tri-Sis glazing cassette which 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 23/24:2016accreditation, which includes the challenging PAS 24:2016 ‘Cut Through’ test.

Low maintenance design

GRP door leaves obviate splits or cracks and are less prone to scratching and denting than steel-faced doors. A high-quality triple-seal frame system ensures Dales Collection doors can give outstanding performance for many years and two brush seals and a gasket seal prevent drafts and rain causing problems.

In terms of energy efficiency and sustainability, The Dales Collection composite doors range is ‘B’ rated as standard but ‘A’ rated is also available.

eurocell.co.uk