Europe’s First Full Range Of Sustainable Fibreglass Window Frames Launches In UK

‘The window revolution has arrived’, according to the company responsible for bringing Boavista, Europe’s first full range of fibreglass window frames that set new industry standards in sustainability, durability and performance, to the UK.

The new range includes a tilt and turn, sash, casement and sliding window and door product, all of which are 100 per cent recyclable and deliver longer lifecycles than uPVC and aluminium frames as a result of fibreglass’s inherent qualities.

Boavista’s rigidity also enables its sliding windows and doors to withstand single panes that weigh in excess of 250kg, which is approximately 150 per cent more than its aluminium and uPVC counterparts. This means that those wishing to incorporate glass as a major design feature no longer need to commission and fit specialist, structural glass.

Boavista is exclusively available to the UK through Boavista Windows UK Ltd, a company formed by the team behind Meronden Designs, a 20-year-old firm that has provided bespoke glazing solutions for the Lloyds Building, Tiffany & Co. Selfridges in Manchester and Ernst & Young’s iconic More London Place building.

Using the latest in pultrusion technology Boavista’s fibreglass frames are created by pulling resin-soaked glass fibres through heated dies – a process that only consumes 0.07 kilowatt to produce a linear metre of window frame weighing approximately 1kg.

The result is a frame with high thermal and acoustic properties that enables the window to retain heat whilst providing an effective barrier to sound.

The company expects Boavista’s UK arrival to be welcomed by architects and housebuilders as a result of the window’s minimalist design and stylish finish. Fibreglass also expands in line with window glass, removing the need for unsightly gaskets generally required to hold the pane in place and adding aesthetic value to a development.

On launching Boavista in the UK Neil Puttock, Managing Director of Boavista Windows UK Ltd, comments: “Boavista provides an alternative window product that offers those who use it the opportunity to contribute towards reducing the UK’s carbon footprint without compromising on design, function or form. From the perspective of an architect or homeowner fibreglass frames open up a world of possibilities by supporting adventurous designs that, up until now, have been prohibitive due to the cost associated with incorporating bespoke glazing solutions.”

The product’s hardwearing properties and rot and corrosion resistance is also expected to appeal to local authorities and facilities managers by reducing the cost associated with window maintenance, repair and repainting.

Neil concludes: “There really is no comparison between Boavista and other window products currently on the market. We now need to make the case for fibreglass and inform those who naturally turn to uPVC and aluminium just what fibreglass is capable of.”

For more information on Boavista visit www.boavistawindows.co.uk.

Document Q requires secure doorsets to be fitted with handles and cylinders that meet the requirements of TS007 by offering 3 star security as part of a PAS24:2012 accredited doorset. Three star cylinders attract a price premium, which makes them unattractive for many projects. However, the combination of Trojan’s stainless steel TS007 2 Star Handle plus a 1 star cylinder enables fabricators and installers to meet the requirements in a very competitive package. It’s a combination that is proving attractive, with very strong take up from Trojan’s customers.

Tony Chadwick, Trojan Group’s Managing Director, commented: “The take up of the TS007 2 Star handle has been superb, with fabricators indicating that the product’s 2 star cylinder guard gives a clear visual deterrent compared to the more expensive 3 star cylinder variants as would-be criminals cannot always see what is fitted to the door.”

One example of a fabricator that is using the combination of Trojan’s TS007 2 Star Handle and a 1 star cylinder is Consort Ltd. The company has recently switched to offering stainless steel hardware on its residential doors and it is using Trojan’s TS007 2 Star Handle and a 1 star cylinder on some products as part of this switch. Jeff Dunn, Head of Sales and Marketing at Consort, said: “Trojan’s stainless steel TS007 2 Star Handle helps us deliver a product that is reliable and secure. Our installers have a valuable USP which should significantly reduce costly remedial visits. The homeowners can have confidence they are investing in a high-quality product that meets all of the regulations and can keep their home and family safe.”

The TS007 2 Star Handle from Trojan is manufactured in 304 stainless steel, so as well as offering a competitively priced security solution it also offers the ultimate in corrosion resistance. It comes with a 25 year anti-corrosion guarantee and a ten year mechanical guarantee. It is available in a full choice of finishes including polished gold (PVD), brushed gold (PVD), polished stainless, brushed stainless, white and black powder coated over stainless

www.trojangroup.com

Brian Berry

The government has made the right decision to row back on its plan to hike up National Insurance Contributions for the self-employed, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said.

Brian Berry, FMB chief executive, said: “At a time when we need to do everything we can to ensure economic stability, this would have been a destabilising tax increase which would have hit large numbers of trades people on quite modest incomes. That would have felt very unfair and would have been in danger of undermining the entrepreneurial spirit Britain will need to rely on as we approach the economic uncertainty of Brexit. There is an important debate to be had about how we ensure an even playing field in the taxation of the self-employed and the directly employed. But we need to do that in a way that allows people to plan ahead and ensures the total package of tax and benefits is fair to the self-employed.”

www.fmb.org.uk

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TruFit like a Master Fitter thanks to GQA CPD programme

GQA assessors are invited to learn about the benefits of TruFit, expanding foam edge tape from Edgetech UK, at a special GQA CPD event on 19 April 2017.

Window installation tapes like TruFit are being used more and more for window and door installations and this year it will feature in the finals of the Master Fitter Challenge at FIT Show 2017.

“TruFit is leading the professionalisation of the industry by helping installers to maintain the Window Energy Ratings (WERs) of the windows they are fitting,” said Charlotte Davies, head of marketing at Edgetech UK.

“Our CPD session for GQA assessors will give them a thorough understanding of TruFit and how it can be used to achieve a more modern finish with a consistent perimeter seal. This will give them the knowledge to ask the right questions of candidates using window fitting tapes.

“TruFit offers benefits that outperform traditional ‘wet’ sealant methods, with up to 23 percent less heat loss in independent tests. It’s important that both installers and assessors understand these benefits.”

Charlotte continued: “Master Fitter competitors will be installing using TruFit during the finals. As part of our involvement with the competition, we’re inviting all Master Fitter Competition entrants to join us for the CPD event also. That way they can practice fitting windows with TruFit before the live final at FIT Show.”

Entry is open for the Master Fitter Challenge until the end of March. Installers looking to show off their skills, win a share of the £10,000 prize money and be crowned Master Fitter of the Year can enter at www.fitshow.co.uk/master-fitter-challenge.

The CPD event will be held at Edgetech UK’s headquarters in Coventry. You can book your place on the TruFit GQA CPD session by calling 0114 2720033 or emailing: info@gqaqualifications.com.

www.trufit-it.com

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Michael Connor, managing director (left) and Alex Cotos, quality manager

Quickslide is now offering a superior finish as well as faster turnaround on curved and arched frames, with a EUR 60,000 investment in a new state-of-the-art in-house bending facility.

The fabricator’s choice of the TIM-ING bending centre means the action is not only faster – as little as 10 minutes per curve – but also a cooler working temperature makes it far more energy efficient, and its ‘sophisticated’ automation and use of multiple 3D cameras is said to give ‘near perfect’, consistent results with ‘practically zero’ waste.

Operations director, Ben Weber, says the move is in keeping with Quickslide’s philosophy to take complete control of as many manufacturing processes as possible.

“We already have our own in-house foiling and painting facilities as well as PVC-U and aluminium fabrication,” he said. “This is a big step forward for us as VS’ are notoriously difficult to work with when it comes to bending profiles, so now to be able to offer consistent and reliable quality in a fraction of the manufacture time gives us another USP within our market place.

“As well as a single point of answerability for quality control and no buying-in costs, the TIM-ING is also a highly advanced system, using much less heat on the profile, so there is no surface damage to colours or woodgrains and an all-round better and more consistent product quality.”

Sales & marketing director, Tom Swallow, added: “Quick turnaround and consistent quality on arched products is what the industry has been in dire need of since I can remember. It is a fantastic opportunity for Quickslide to now be able to offer this service to our trade partners and give them the edge against their competition.”

 www.quickslide.co.uk

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Robert Palmer

Figures released by Palmer Market Research suggest that aluminium is on course to reach a ‘17-year high’ by 2020.

Speaking ahead of The FIT Show, Robert Palmer, said that the specialist research company was forecasting ‘sustained growth’ for aluminium topping 220,000 frames by the end of the three-year period.

He also highlighted growth in the second-time window replacement market, which he suggests accounted for 70% of all installations last year.

Palmer said: “Having initially dominated the window replacement market, accounting for 95% of all windows in 1979, and 1.8million frames in 1982, aluminium then spent a number of years in the wilderness behind a dominant PVC-U from the late 1990s and timber.

“While PVC-U remains by some way, the dominant frame material, there has been a significant resurgence in aluminium – something which we expect to continue through to 2020 and beyond.

“This includes notable areas of growth in the aluminium bi-fold door sector. We predict that this will continue through to 2020, achieving total growth of around 50% to 35,000 door sets.”

Palmer Market Research will provide a detailed analysis of the trends defining the window and door industry at this year’s FIT Show, NEC, 23-25 May. New report, The Market for Domestic Entrance Doors, argues that a ‘flattening’ of the market in 2015 saw total volume fall by 0.7%. This was, however, offset by a shift towards higher-end products and higher value installations, which delivered a 2% increase in installed value to £4.20 billion.

Palmer suggests that, going forward, prospects are highly variable depending on sector and product offering – aluminium as highlighted is a notable winner.

As in previous years, the home improvement sector continues to dominate, with a value of £3.24 billion last year. Going forward into this year, Palmer suggests an above forecast performance, with growth at 1.5% to £3.28 billion by the end of 2016.

But this is tempered by a downgrading of the new build forecasts. “Brexit remains an unknown quantity. Although the referendum vote hasn’t had the immediate economic impact that it was forecast to and the UK economy has so far proved more resilient than expected, we would still suggest some ‘slowing in the housing market is likely”, said Palmer.

He continued: “Any possible dip in (house) prices, tends to slow the supply of new homes. This may become more acute if first-time buyers opt to wait-out Brexit before getting on the property ladder.”

Robert Palmer will present analysis from 12.50pm to 1.40pm on the 23rd May as part of the FIT Talk Interview programme, the FIT Show, NEC 23 – 25 May.

As well as providing a forecast of the industry’s prospects through to 2020, he will also offer an analysis of influences on end-user purchasing decisions and trends.

Palmer said: “There’s been a definite shift in end-user preference to premium and higher end products including aluminium but also PVC-U foils, flush finish and mechanically jointed windows.

“This was instrumental in holding up installed values last year, despite the overall fall in volumes. With growth in the second-time replacement market, the very tangible and aesthetic differences in new windows, should be expected to accelerate, taking greater market share going forward, representing sizeable areas of opportunity.”

www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk

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Internationally renowned machinery experts elumatec have become the latest major firm to appoint Purplex, the specialist marketing agency for the fenestration and building products industry.

Already well established in the aluminium sector, elumatec recently launched a new collection of PVCu fabrication machines, including the highly-advanced Flex Centre 160, and has appointed Purplex to boost brand awareness among PVCu fabricators.

Managing Director Phil Heavey commented: “elumatec is the world’s largest window machinery company and we recently announced a strategic partnership with PVCu machine manufacturer Sturtz, with plans to showcase a new selection of machines at the FIT Show in May. We needed an agency to help us engage with a new audience and Purplex was the obvious choice. They have a strong track record in the glass and glazing industry and the skills and resources we need to take our business to the next level.”

Purplex Managing Director Andrew Scott, who has acquired, built and sold a number of companies in the fenestration industry, commented: “elumatec have an impressive new product range and we’re now working on a highly-targeted PR, direct mail and email marketing strategy to engage with PVCu fabricators. We’re delighted to be working with a big name like elumatec and we look forward to helping Phil and the team win more business, build the elumatec brand and achieve their goals in the year ahead.”

Founded in 1928, elumatec has a global reputation for quality, innovation and excellence in design, with a presence in dozens of countries around the world across all five continents.

Purplex is the full-service marketing agency for the construction and glazing industries. The company has grown 35% year-on-year since 2004, and today has 60 staff and an enviable 98% customer retention rate.

For more information call Purplex on 01934 808132 or visit www.purplexmarketing.com

It was announced earlier on this week that FENSA has launched a new ID card for FENSA registered installers, as part of a wider re-brand coming into effect during 2017. And it’s the latter part of that sentence which peaks my interest rather than the card itself. Before I go into my own thoughts on that, this was the official press release:

New FENSA Member ID card launched to kick-start 2017 rebrand

Today FENSA, the Government authorised self-certification scheme for windows and doors installers launches the new FENSA Member ID Card.

Following engagement with FENSA members and consumer groups alike, it was found that both were keen for there to be a more credible ID card. Installers wanted to demonstrate their trustworthiness and reliability, with customers wanting greater peace of mind.
Commenting, Jon Vanstone, Director of FENSA, said:

“It is a really exciting time for FENSA and the new card marks the first of a number of initiatives and changes in 2017 that will deliver more value to members and help them have better engagement with their customers.

The modern and fresh design of the new FENSA Card helps members to promote their businesses to customers up and down the country. Members are positioned more effectively, with both the FENSA and business logos on the card, increasing genuine credibility to their operation in the eyes of the customer. Added to this, the card protects members more effectively with new enhanced security features, such as a hologram, to prevent rogue traders developing counterfeit cards.

Members will be carrying the new FENSA Card which will enable customers to cross reference the details on the card on FENSA’s online database. Checking who is on your doorstep is vital particularly when dealing with vulnerable people.”

Commenting, Neil Coyle, Member of Parliament for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said:

“I’m delighted to see the launch of the new FENSA Card today, an initiative that will help installers build trust with their customers.
FENSA membership is synonymous with high quality work and the FENSA Card will soon be a visual representation of this. It is great to hear more about FENSA’s bold plans to support installers in the year ahead. FENSA plays an important role in the fenestration industry and its’ work will continue to protect the reputation of responsible installers.”

Further important details about the new FENSA Member ID Card include:

FENSA installers/surveyors need to have achieved for their Minimum Technical Competencies (MTC) via Helix Training www.trainwithhelix.co.uk. MTC are a mandatory requirement for Installers and Surveyors working in the Glass and Glazing sector in England and Wales

The FENSA Card is valid for two years from issue. Its expiry date is separate to the renewal date of MTC compliance

If you are a current FENSA installer or surveyor, you will soon be able to apply for your card at www.fensaonline.com through your account

Upon applying, you will be required to provide your FENSA registration number and personal details including, your head shot, company logo, occupation, route to MTC (if you have not already achieved it) and National Insurance number

The new FENSA Card costs £20 + VAT

Existing FENSA MTC Cards out in the marketplace are valid up to the expiry date on the card and then superseded by the new “FENSA Card”

My thoughts

The fact there is a new card isn’t really the news here for me. Yes it’s good from a FENSA perspective as it gives their installers something new a flashy to demonstrate to home owners that everything is as it should be. And the installers who really use their FENSA membership to help sell windows and doors will appreciate the new card too.

However, it’s the re-brand, of which the card form parts of, which is more important to me. In 2017, FENSA faces more competition from new names in the industry and existing ones who are starting to make more noise about themselves. A re-brand has been long needed in my opinion, and I would guess that one of the aims is to show to the industry that it continues to move with the trends and wants to stay as relevant and fresh for their installers as possible.

As the title of their press release shows, they’re embarking on a re-brand mission this year, and there are more measures to come from FENSA as we progress through the year. There is no doubting that FENSA remains the single most recognised industry trade body with home owners. But as I have already said, there are tough new challenges in the market place, with new names and existing ones making headway, which will require FENSA to up their game in brand to both installers and home owners.

I feel like the dynamic between industry bodies is about to go through major change, starting this year. This re-brand may well be FENSA’s way to fight off new challenges. How the other players in the market respond will be an interesting watch.

CORGI Fenestration Scheme Limited has been launched into the multi-billion pound fenestration sector. CORGI Fenestration is a fully licensed business working with CORGI Services, and will bring all the known and associated attributes of the CORGI brand to the industry. Chris Mayne will be Chief Executive Officer and Jacqueline Crawford will be Chief Operating Officer (full biographies below) Speaking about the launch, Chris commented: “This is a hugely exciting time for our new venture, and we hope for the industry. CORGI Fenestration is suited to all levels of the supply chain – systems houses, fabricators, and installers. Our aim is to support them to win more home improvement business for our industry based on a customer perception that as an industry we will deliver improvements reliably, safely, with the latest knowledge at our fingertips coupled to experience and expertise.”

Jacqueline added: “We are delighted that CORGI share our vision for a new approach to the fenestration industry. We are equally delighted as a part of bringing this opportunity to fruition to have formed a collaborative working relationship with GQA Qualifications the industry’s only qualification and awarding body to underpin our approach that qualification of operatives is the bedrock for long-term success. We have formed CORGI Fenestration as a fully licensed business with exclusive use of the CORGI brand in the fenestration industry.”

Caitriona Deakin CEO of CORGI Services welcomed CORGI Fenestration with the words: “CORGI has continued to look at other industries where delivering a service to the homeowner in a trusted and reliable way is a key element of the route to market. We have had many approaches over the years, and turned down many potential opportunities, but when we met with Chris Mayne and Jacqueline Crawford it became clear that through their knowledge of the fenestration industry and their approach to business that we had a meeting of minds about how service should be delivered.

“Their ethos is clearly the same as our own, wanting all tradespeople involved in the supply chain to be suitably and formally trained and qualified to do the jobs they are required to do in order to deliver a truly reliable service to the consumer. CORGI Fenestration is entirely complementary to other CORGI licences which are active in the building services sector such as heating and plumbing and we are delighted to be working with such experienced and well qualified people in a truly dynamic industry.”

E: chris.mayne@corgifenestration.co.uk

E: Jacqui.crawford@corgifenestration.co.uk

www.corgifenestration.co.uk

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