Universal Adds Staff

Having rapidly outgrown their current residence, Sternfenster has completed a move that allows them to better accommodate for their rapidly growing Approved Installer Network. This move promises a solid foothold for the national manufacturer, acting as the hub from which they will build upon their already strong influence throughout the double glazing market.

This move includes a cutting edge aluminium factory that has brought with it 25,000 sq. ft. of extra production space, allowing aluminium capacity to increase by over 100%. This not only brings increased strength to Sternfenster’s position in the aluminium market, it has also become the source of 47 new jobs in the Lincoln area.

This expansion has also seen Sternfenster’s staff move into a set of brand new offices, offering a better working environment for all. This will result in Sternfenster’s current staff count of 162 to grow by over a third in the next three years, allowing Approved Installers to enjoy a stronger foundation on which to grow their businesses.

With a happier team and greater production space at their disposal, Sternfenster promises to provide better prices, improved lead times and a better service for all of their customers. This means that becoming an Approved Installer has just become a better way to increase your profit margin with reduced hassle.

The addition of Sternfenster’s new aluminium factory has also allowed them to offer a brand new range of high quality, long lasting colours for their aluminium range. Becoming an Approved Installer today will allow you to meet customer demands and improve your installation flexibility, meaning there is no reason to send business away.

Mike Parczuk, Managing Director of Sternfenster, stated “Business growth is always exciting, so seeing one as substantial as this has been a fantastic result for us. It’s exciting to know we can meet the increasing demands of our customers, giving us the confidence to embark on important innovations for the Network”.

The reason to become a Sternfenster Approved Installer just got bigger. Offer your customers the best in class by giving us a call on 01522 512 525 or by visiting www.sternfenster.com for more information.

REHAU will be at the 2017 FIT Show in Birmingham this May (Stand J30) to launch the company’s new ‘It’s all in Hand’ vision, showcasing what makes the leading PVC-U window manufacturer stand out from the crowd. Visitors to the stand will discover everything from a giant profile tunnel, to a virtual reality experience, enjoy exciting new on-trend colours and style information, and discover more on REHAU’s industry-leading commitment to sustainability and to providing helpful new information, tools and support for customers.

The It’s all in Hand concept is part of REHAU’s new approach for 2017, focusing on the needs of the windows market and how the company’s strengths can support its customers in the sector.

As part of its approach is a new face to the marketing team – Emily Tippins, Head of Marketing UK. As a newcomer to the industry Emily is looking forward to her first FIT Show and launching a strategic approach marrying together the product strategy of the business with the marketing plan.

Emily said: “This year will be my first at the FIT Show and while I’m looking forward to experiencing the whole event, we have a really exciting stand this year highlighting REHAU’s innovative approach to the industry.

“Visitors to our stand will be able to enjoy a virtual reality experience and a giant profile tunnel. These particular elements echo our intent as a business to stay at the forefront of development in the windows industry. And they should provide something new and different for everyone at the show.“

Another of the highlights will be a showcase of colour trends for 2017. At this year’s FIT Show REHAU will be showcasing all 25 of its colour range including the new 100% black option. The brand new Midnight Black foil will be on show for the first time joining the other 24 solid and woodgrain laminate finishes currently offered. The introduction of this new black follows a surge in demand for shades of grey and black foils to replicate the look of aluminium windows.

Visitors to the REHAU exhibition space will also find new products on stand as REHAU introduces its co-extruded TOTAL70 profiles, which tick the boxes for customers looking to demonstrate their environmental credentials. REHAU has a long history of sustainable manufacturing and has recently purchased a PVCR post-consumer recycling company in the Manchester area. This means that REHAU is now able to produce co-extruded products like the new additions in the TOTAL70 range, which further reduce waste and maximise resources.

A perfect companion to the TOTAL70 system, is the AGILA Door range, which was launched at the FIT Show 2016. The star of the range and taking pride of place at the stand will be the AGILA Sliding Door. This year REHAU will be showcasing how it is suitable for large single sashes as it has an impressive 4m wide by 2.4m high 2 pane door. REHAU have an ever growing network of fabricators currently manufacturing the door and with the introduction of a new consumer brochure it is expected the demand will continue to increase.

To show it is always on hand to support its customers, REHAU will also be providing information to FIT Show visitors on Energy Efficiency and 360 Performance online platforms. The energy efficiency website – www.rehauanswers.co.uk – enables customers to calculate the U value or WERs rating for any REHAU system, while the 360 Performance platform provides customisable marketing materials and downloadable literature, to make installers‘ lives a little easier.

Gareth Jones, Marketing and Technical Director at REHAU said: “There is a lot for visitors to discover about REHAU at this year’s FIT Show. We have new products on stand, advice on the latest colour and finish trends alongside information on how we support both our customers and the environment. We have put a lot of work into listening to the needs of the market and our customers, and we wanted our approach at the show to mirror the new approach of the business. We look forward to sharing the ‘It’s all in Hand’ vision with existing and new customers alike at FIT Show and throughout 2017.”

Visit REHAU on Stand J36 at FIT Show at the NEC from 23-25 May 2017.

Over 100 business leaders and VIPs recently attended the official opening of a new HQ for Purplex, the PR and digital agency for the glazing industry. The new building is part of a £1m investment by parent company the Ascot Group, founded by Managing Director Andrew Scott in 2004.

The HQ was officially opened by high profile MP John Penrose, who was Minister for Heritage and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture and Media.

John commented; “The thing that always impresses me about Andrew since I first met him 10 years ago is the level of energy and ambition. There can’t be many people who are leading an organisation that has grown as fast as Purplex. That gives an indication of the man’s determination and drive, and frankly we need more people like that.”

The official opening also attracted leaders from business, education and government. Justin Smith, Corporate Director of RBS Bank, said; “We’ve worked with Andrew and his team for a number of years and the new HQ will act as a springboard for future growth.”

Other guests included media advisor and ex ITV Director Peaches Golding OBE, as well as Andrew Charter, Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at Grant Thornton. He said; “Purplex has been on our radar for some time, the clients they work with outperform the market.”

The new HQ gives the Group 10,000 ft2 office space across three sites in London and Bristol, with plans to expand the current team from 58 to 100 employees over the next year.

Purplex Managing Director Andrew Scott said; “We set out to create a world-class PR, marketing and digital agency and our new HQ reflects this commitment. Investment is a key part of our growth strategy; by having the best facilities, resources and people we can help our clients grow faster and more profitably.”

Purplex works closely with suppliers and installers in the fenestration and related sectors to create sustainable growth.

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

Image Above: CPA Consumos 

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the consumos.

Sumo Yuki, his wife Akiko and their new dog are on a mission to help raise standards across the industry and reinforce the message that as a member of the CPA, installers will win more new business due to consumers trusting the brand.

Jeremy Brett, director at the CPA comments: “As the family grows we needed a collective name for our mascots. We settled on the consumos and hope that installers will love them as much as we do.

“We are also asking installers to name the latest addition to the family, so get in touch with your suggestions.”

Yuki and Akiko were launched as part of the CPA’s popular Together Stronger campaign, which brought a 25% increase in CPA membership over nine months and a 400% increase in enquiries.

Now, with Akita joining too, the consumos are looking to recruit even more new members to the CPA family.

Jeremy comments: “There is a serious message behind the campaign that we are doing everything we can to raise standards in the industry and make it easier for both consumers and installers.

“By becoming a CPA member, you’ll be supported by an organisation that has been helping home improvement companies win new business and grow for more than twenty-three years.

“Call us today to find out why our members are winning more business in the home improvement market; and how you can too.”

The CPA is a provider of Insurance Backed Guarantees and Deposit Protection and is widely recognised by consumers as a trusted resource for finding accredited and vetted installers.

For more information, please call 01462 850064 or visit www.thecpa.co.uk

Building on their successful #SashShots picture campaign, sash window specialists Roseview are encouraging their installers to show their fun side by taking part in their #SashSelfies competition.

To enter the competition and to be in with a chance of winning a small prize, installers need to take a selfie in front of the Rose Collection sash window they have just installed. Each month Roseview will choose a winning selfie to receive a prize, with the twelve winners put to a public vote to decide the winner of Selfie of the Year.

“The competition stemmed from a conversation we were having with some customers on social media and we thought it was a great idea,” commented Mike Bygrave, Roseview’s Marketing Manager. “We were talking about our #SashShots competition, and someone came up with #SashSelfies. We loved the idea so we decided to go ahead and do it!”

The Rose Collection is comprised of three models that provide an authentic timber-effect sash window at any price point. The Eurocell-based Charisma Rose is an accessible and cost-effective vertical slider, the REHAU-based Heritage Rose offers convincing design cues that hark back to classic sash windows, and the marquee Ultimate Rose is, as the name suggests, the ultimate sash window, with every detail expertly crafted to ensure the finished product is incomparably authentic.

The #SashSelfies competition builds on Roseview’s earlier #SashShots Installation of the Month competition which asked installers to take shots of their finished Rose Collection projects. Each month one entrant received a bottle a bubbly, with a DSLR camera the prize for the SashShot of the Year.

“We manufacture thousands of beautiful sash windows and we don’t always get to see them in their full glory,” Mike adds. “Competitions like #SashSelfies and #SashShots gives us a chance to see them out in the wild, while rewarding the hard work of our installers.”

For more information visit www.roseview.co.uk or call 01234 712657

Insight Data, the award-winning supplier of marketing data and CRM software, has developed an all-new email marketing platform to compete head-on with global giants such as Mailchimp, DotMailer and Constant Contact.

The new system, STEM, was developed by Insight Data’s in-house software team and integrates fully with Salestracker, the company’s award winning prospect database and CRM system.

Salestracker provides users with direct access to market intelligence and prospect data in the fenestration and construction industry with over 60,000 senior decision makers with full contact details and verified email addresses.

STEM is the latest development for Salestracker. Unlike existing email systems, campaigns are built and sent within the system with email data continuously refreshed and updated to maximise delivery and open rates.

Commercial Director Helen Costeloe-Hughes explains more: “Until now, users had to export data from Salestracker and import it into an email marketing system. This was an arduous process, managing data lists, unsubscribes, and keeping track of responses. Now STEM can do all of this for you.”

Traditionally, an email campaign is linked to a landing page, which captures any enquiries or responses and sends them one-by-one to a nominated person. Managing all these sales leads and making sure they are followed up properly is always a big problem, but not anymore.

With STEM, anyone who responds to an email campaign has their details captured and saved back into Salestracker as a sales lead. All the leads are saved together and can easily be analysed and filtered, prioritised and distributed to marketing or sales people, with processes to follow-up and keep track of every enquiry.

STEM includes all the features of advanced email platforms such as inbox testing, dedicated landing pages and full mobile phone optimisation, without the time and hassle involved in using different technologies.

For a demo of Salestracker and STEM email marketing, contact Insight Data on 01934 808293 or email hello@insightdata.co.uk

As part of the branding strategy of the recently formed Helix Group, the organisation has re-branded GGF Training to Helix Training (www.trainwithhelix.co.uk). The newly named company will deliver the same level of excellent service as before, aiming to add more benefits and exciting new features for companies in the glass and glazing industry.

The Helix Group was formed in 2016 by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) to harness the resources and talents of all the GGF’s subsidiary companies. Along with FENSA, GGFi, Borough IT, RISA and BFRC – Helix Training will add to the collective services the Helix Group offers to the industry.

Jon Vanstone, Helix Group CEO commented on the introduction of Helix Training:  “We are incredibly proud of what GGF Training achieved since it was launched at the end of 2013. From the development of a successful MTC (Minimal Technical Competency) program to an ambitious and continually evolving syllabus of industry training, there is a lot of potential for future opportunity. We believe that with the support of Helix Group, Helix Training will be able to reach this potential, having a greater impact on the broader home improvement market.”

Helix Training will be based with the rest of Helix Group at the new GGF Offices in Rushworth Street, London.  Rebecca Healy, Development Manager of Helix Training was pleased to note:

“With the new company, the new brand name and the new building it feels like the beginning of a new chapter in training for all connected to the Group. Helix Training has a lot of plans for the continuation and refinement of what has gone before with GGF Training including Individual Compliance, previously known as MTC, and specialist industry training; as well as a new suite of courses designed to develop individuals and businesses to their highest potential.”

While there are exciting and innovative changes happening within the group, Helix Training is still run by the same trusted team behind GGF Training, and will continue to deliver their services with the same passion, drive and level of excellence as before.

For their training portfolio, the start of 2017 sees the addition of a number of business courses offered in conjunction with the Building Merchants Federation (BMF). These courses are in addition to the existing training offered by Helix Training; Fire Resistant Glazing and Manual Handling, delivered in partnership with the GGF and Pristine Condition respectively.

The Helix Group and the subsidiary companies under its umbrella remain wholly owned by the GGF, who will take a step sideways from subsidiary activity in order to focus fully on the needs of members.

Brian Baker, GGF Chief Executive (interim) commented: “We are delighted to see the formation of Helix Training. To ensure the training needs of GGF Members are still served, the GGF has set up a Training division within its technical department, headed up by Sarah Herbert who was part of the GGF Training team since its formation in 2013. Both the GGF Training department and Helix Training will work together to deliver the best training courses for the GGF Membership.”

For further information, please visit the Helix Training website www.trainwithhelix.co.uk. Otherwise you can contact a member of the team on info@trainwithhelix.co.uk or +44 (0)844 848 2855.