Hazlemere Commercial’s Mark Austin Named Chair Of GGF Windows And Doors Group

Image Above: Mark Austin, Marketing Director, Hazlemere Window Company Ltd.

Over decades of expert installation work, Hazlemere Commercial has established itself as one of the UK’s leading architectural glazing specialists – but now the thriving firm’s profile has been raised even further, as Marketing Director Mark Austin becomes Chairman of the GGF’s Windows and Doors Group.

Providing a voice for the fenestration industry at the highest levels, the GGF exists to advise policy makers, protect consumers, and represent the interests of the glass and glazing sector on a national scale.

Members of the body’s Window and Door Group have met regularly since 1977 – and today, representatives from 225 of the UK’s most respected manufacturers and installers gather four times a year to discuss mutual interests, concerns and the state of the industry more broadly.

Mark’s new role will see him chair two of these annual meets, while Phil Goult, Chair of the GGF’s Conservatories Association, will oversee the remaining two.

Mark comments: “I was absolutely delighted to be elected Chairman of the Windows and Doors Group. It’s a huge honour, and a fantastic platform to help further the interests of a sector I’m extremely passionate about.

There’s been a revolution in fenestration over the last ten years. It constantly amazes me how much technology goes into manufacturing modern windows, doors, conservatories and curtain walling, and how exceptionally the final products are. It’s a massively exciting time to be involved in glass and glazing – and I can’t wait to see how the sector will develop in the years ahead.”

Mark joined Hazlemere Commercial in 2008, following senior roles at an office design firm and Queens Park Rangers and Wycombe Wanderers Football Clubs. He was appointed to the firm’s Board of Directors in February 2015.

Mark continued: “We’ve completed hundreds of developments in the time I’ve been at Hazlemere, involving work on dozens of different types of properties – but its local authority premises, and schools, colleges and universities that we know the best.

We’ve built our business by taking on challenging, specialist projects that require a thorough understanding of the buildings and institutions we work with – their cultures, routines, and the unique challenges they present. It’s that level of commitment and the depth of that understanding that sets us apart from our competitors.”

For more information call 01494 897600 or visit www.hazlemerecommercial.co.uk

Coventry-based Aztec Windows has announced that it can offer the innovative autoLock AV3 from Winkhaus across its range of high-end designer composite doors.

The AV3 lock is now available as standard on all its Solidor Italia doors, while the AV3 Heritage version can be specified as an upgrade on the Traditional range.

Michael Hagan, Aztec Windows Director commented: “The AV3 fits perfectly with our range of top-quality designer composite doors and it’s already proving popular with our customers. As soon as they see it, they say ‘we’ll have that’. They think it’s fantastic!

“Homeowners are invariably looking for the best for their home and with the AV3 that is what they get; smooth operation, Daytime Mode and the ability to add home automation. It’s the perfect 21st century solution for a smart composite entrance door and helps us to differentiate our business, setting us apart from the rest,” he continued.

Launched last year, the AV3 multipoint autoLock features a ‘daytime latch’ function that delivers added practicality for the end-user by allowing the door to be opened from the outside without a key when activated. This facility is useful when instant access is needed over a short period of time, for example when carrying in shopping bags.

Michael added: “Homeowners have the additional reassurance of pulling the door behind them knowing their property is fully locked, safe and secure when they leave. Or at the flick of a small switch, the Daytime Mode offers extra convenience for tasks just outside of the home.”

Mike Rushen, Winkhaus National Sales Manager commented: “Since the launch of our state-of-the-art AV3 autoLock, our customers are discovering how it can increase the versatility of their door ranges, in turn further enhancing their product portfolios and their offer to homeowners.”

For more information, visit www.winkhaus.co.uk, contact Winkhaus on 01536 316091 or email marketing@winkhaus.co.uk.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has launched the Governments Digital Strategy, which includes a focus on skills and infrastructure to support the digital economy. Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“As the Government takes forward its digital plan announced today, it should now focus on the small business community, who will be key to driving digital transformation and productivity.

“The ‘digital gap’ for small businesses hinders productivity and growth. For the UK to be the best place in the world to do business, we need fit for purpose digital infrastructure and help for small businesses to develop their businesses online.70 per cent of small businesses report that their mobile phone is critical to their business, so while delivering 5G is important, too many FSB members tell us that basic mobile coverage is lacking. Action is needed to tackle these ‘not-spots’ and to achieve the Government’s promised broadband Universal Service Obligation for all businesses across the country. FSB will play its part, as part of a business-led ‘Do It Digital’ campaign to get more small businesses confident when operating online, and we will shortly roll out basic cyber insurance for all our members.

“The commitment within the Digital Strategy to boost digital skills and confidence to go online is vital, with two in five small businesses believing digital skills are crucial to their future growth. Tackling the skills gap across all of those in the workforce needs to begin early, and we welcome the pledge to teach new skills such as coding, to more young people.  This however cannot be a one-off; free basic digital skills training throughout everyone’s working lives will be just as important for UK business to remain competitive in the global economy.”

www.fsb.org.uk

Donations for a Gloucestershire-based special-needs charity have been flooding in after a fundraising auction at the recent Atlas Installation of the Year awards.

The awards, which were held on 20 January to honour the industry’s finest orangery, conservatory or rooflight installations, spurred guests to dig deep in to their pockets to raise £3,500 for the Spring Centre in Gloucester. The funds will be used to buy much-needed specialised toys which will boost the toy library at the Centre.

The Spring Centre needs to raise £10,000 a month to support the families of more than 100 youngsters with disabilities and special needs throughout Gloucestershire. This donation from Atlas rounds off two years of fundraising by Atlas’ parent company the Customade Group which has raised a total of £48,000.

Nick Gibbons, Customade Group Operations Director, explains: “This fantastic charity is very close to our hearts. My 13-year old daughter Niamh, who suffers from a genetic condition and needs 24 hour care, regularly visits The Spring Centre for essential respite care. We are delighted to have raised such a terrific amount of money for the Centre over the last two years and to give something back to show our appreciation of everything they do for local families.

“The Atlas Installation of the Year awards was a brilliant evening of celebration, topped off with a  mighty fundraising result from some big-hearted guests as well as people who couldn’t attend on the night. Thanks to everyone who donated.”

Jayne Fisher, Centre Manager at the Spring Centre, added: “We are thrilled to receive such a generous donation and to have the continued support of a local company. Niamh has been coming to the Centre for many years and donations like this are vital to provide essential care and equipment for her and her family and other families with children with complex needs.”

Find out more about the awards evening by visiting: www.atlasroofsolutions.co.uk/installation/installation-of-the-year-winners

To help its customers with the product selection process, Doorfit Products has launched a dedicated sliding and folding door hardware display area within its recently refurbished showroom in Birmingham.

The new space is a place where Doorfit customers and end users can experience full size working models of various systems in-situ. The showroom is designed to aid specifiers, joiners and installers to quickly and easily identify suitable products for their projects, helping streamline processes and improve efficiency.

The new display area utilises the most popular and ‘renowned’ products from manufacturer P C Henderson including: double top, pocket door, Rustic 80, Soltaire 120, straight sliding 290, Husky folding, Husky sliding and Securefold systems.

The range was specifically chosen to provide customers with an expansive selection of sliding and folding door hardware to suit various applications, from residential through to industrial. The selection caters for different styles and tastes – such as the ‘unique and traditional’ look of Rustic 80 – as well as accommodating a wide variety of door materials and weights.

David Close, general manager at Doorfit Products, commented: “Before the development of our new showroom we relied heavily on miniature display models of our most popular sliding door hardware from P C Henderson. This worked OK but it didn’t allow the customer to gain a true understanding of how an installed sliding door system can look in situ or how it operates and feels.

“Providing our customers with a dedicated sliding and folding door hardware showroom with full size working models allows them to physically manoeuvre the various systems and gain a better understanding of which will be most suitable for their project before specification.”

To assist customers further, high quality graphics have been added into to the alcoves of the doors to give customers an added visualisation of the look that can be achieved, as well as display panels providing specification and technical information.

Philip Jones, UK business development manager at P C Henderson, commented: “We’ve worked with Doorfit for over 60 years now and so it’s great to see our products showcased in their entirety in the newly refurbished showroom. The new space will allow joiners, installers and end users to see the high quality nature and expertly designed aesthetics of the hardware components up close. In addition, these customers can now assess the movement and feel of how a fully installed sliding or folding door would work in their space.”

Alongside the sliding and folding door hardware showroom, Doorfit has also upgraded its garage door section to include an array of new and existing systems. Its central England location makes it ideal for customers wishing to view products in action before purchasing.

Doorfit has been a supplier of sliding door hardware, garage doors and architectural ironmongery since 1953. Its supports a wide range of clients, ranging from private homeowners to architects and housing developers.

www.doorfit.co.uk

Tweet

The post Sliding and folding hardware on show at Doorfit appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Since the launch of its 70mm flush sash window, TruFrame says it has experienced strong sales growth, now in excess 200 frames per week, as more installers ‘embrace the traditional timber look and unique hardware options for this new window type’.

According to TruFrame, flush sash windows are the ‘in-vogue’ product of the moment, with increased demand for dummy sashes and equal sightlines.

TruFrame uses Liniar’s multi-chambered Energy Plus profile systems to make these ‘highly energy efficient’ windows, which can be further improved with the adoption of the glazing flipper and thermal dam sections.

The welded flush sash window is hand finished utilising TruFrame’s unique four step process, while the fully mechanical Refine option is hand assembled and is said to offer ‘incredible levels’ of finishing detail in the corners. There is also a dedicated marketing package for the product brand.

Hardware options include contemporary handles, whilst period inspiration comes from the optional key-locking monkey tail handles and peg-stays. There are 14 in-stock colour options from the contemporary look of anthracite grey to the period inspired Chartwell green, ensuring that the flush sash window can be installed ‘sympathetically’ on different types of brick/stone and on various types of property.

David Firmager, managing director of TruFrame, commented: “The flush sash window is more than just a passing fad and I fully expect to see sales grow to 10% of all frames made. With options of fully welded or fully mechanically jointed, we have different price points covered and the considerable benefit of hand finishing on all frames, backed by a single 10-year warranty underwritten by us.”

www.truframe.co.uk

Tweet

The post TruFrame’s flush sash in demand appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Six years after Ultraframe developed two ‘industry-changing’ components – Cornice and the LivinRoom insulated pelmet, Ultraframe has revealed its new Cornice range.

The new range includes the original ‘classic’ Cornice and the addition of a contemporary ‘flat’ Cornice available as one, two and three tiers.

Ultraframe design & development director, Andrew Thomson, commented: “The adoption of Cornice and LivinRoom has been incredible. For many of our network partners, the inclusion of both components has almost become standard across their builds, delivering a more refined look akin to a contemporary orangery.”

The addition of the three new Cornice options available in any colour further enhances the opportunity for retailers to ‘bespoke’ every design and builds in a further layer of profit opportunity versus a standard conservatory.

One of the key attributes of the LivinRoom insulated pelmet is its variable internal projection, which allows retailers to choose the optimum width (300mm – 1200mm) to achieve the desired look of the interior space.

Andrew explained: “We’re seeing growth in demand for solid roofs, but for homeowners who want to retain a large proportion of glass and achieve a real-room feel, the integration of a wide LivinRoom insulated pelmet delivers the best of both worlds.”

Coupled with the new range of Cornice, Ultraframe is convinced that this ‘mix and match’ approach will continue to give retailers vast opportunity to maximise the profit opportunity of every job.

Tweet

The post Ultraframe reveals new Cornice range appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

In the latest of its ‘Network Veka on tour’ trips, the installer support organisation, and part of The Veka UK Group is due to visit Veka’s French arm in an excursion organised for this October.

2015 saw representatives from Network Veka and its member companies visit Veka in Germany; the country in which the family-run organisation began before going on to dominate PVC-U systems manufacturing in the UK, Europe and worldwide.

Head of partner programmes for The Veka UK Group, Karen Lund, commented: “We’re excited to visit Veka France later in the year; both for the opportunity to share knowledge, experience and different perspectives, but also to enjoy spending time with colleagues throughout Network Veka, and make the most of the social side of our organisation.

“Each year, we celebrate the shared and individual achievements of the Network and our member companies with a members weekend, including AGM and business centre, gala evening and awards, but there’s something special about sampling a different country’s culture – both in terms of business and hospitality!”

The trip, planned for Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 October, is available to Network Veka members as either a two or three-day package, and includes a tour of Veka France’s factory facilities as well as trips within the local area; leisure activities including golf; and (of course) the best food and drink the area has to offer!

To register your intention to join the trip, or to enquire about membership, phone Network Veka on 01282 473170 or email rjohnson@networkveka.com

www.networkveka.co.uk

Tweet

The post Veka la France! appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

BSI, the British standards company, has revised PAS 2030:2017 Specification for the installation of energy efficiency measures in existing buildings. The updated PAS specifies requirements for the installation of energy efficiency measures (EEM) in an existing building, applicable whether the building is used for commercial or residential purposes.

In response to recommendations from existing users of PAS 2030, the specification has been expanded to include definitive requirements for design aspects to be validated by installers, as well as specific methods, processes and procedures to be employed in commissioning installation and handover of projects.

The development of this revised PAS was sponsored by BEIS Home Energy and supports the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the government’s energy efficiency scheme to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty currently being updated. The revisions in PAS 2030 were prompted by changes in UK legislation relating to energy efficiency and to meet the requirements of suppliers and users of energy efficiency measures.

PAS 2030 is also recognised in the recently published Each Home Counts Review, which includes a recommendation for development of a quality mark in the domestic retrofit sector.

The revised PAS includes requirements for installation processes, process management and service provision. It also includes criteria relating to installation methods, equipment, tools, product or system and material suitability. The commissioning of installed measures and the training, skills and competence of the people undertaking such installation, is also covered in PAS 2030.

Ant Burd, head of market development for built environment, said: “Older buildings are typically much less energy efficient than newly constructed buildings, increasing costs for home occupiers and business alike. PAS 2030 provides a dedicated specification for anyone who wants to install energy efficiency measures into an existing building, whether that building is a Victorian warehouse or a two bedroom apartment built in the 1990’s.”

As well as installers of energy efficient measures in existing buildings, PAS 2030 is particularly relevant to certification bodies. PAS 2030 – available online and in PDF format – was launched with a dedicated online resource, which includes expert commentary and regular industry updates to keep purchasers of PAS 2030 abreast with developments in their sector.

The revised PAS does not include requirements relating to the certification of PAS 2030 compliance by independent third parties, which is covered by PAS 2031. PAS 2031 was developed in conjunction with PAS 2030, and is scheduled to launch in March 2017.

www.bsigroup.com

Tweet

The post PAS 2030 updated appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Brian Berry

The latest hike to Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will undermine ‘good builders who play by the rules’ and encourage the rise of cowboy builders, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The doubling of IPT over the past two years has troubling implications for construction SMEs and home owners alike. This stealth tax, which is set to rise for the third time in 18 months, effectively provides an additional competitive advantage to unscrupulous and uninsured builders. By driving up the costs of insurance, it punishes those businesses that play by the rules and make sure that they are always covered. This is increasing the danger that homeowners could be tempted to opt for uninsured builders who are able to offer a more competitive quote. This stealth tax may also discourage clients taking out a warranty on building work, which is never advisable practice on a significant building project and could lead to plenty of heartache for consumers further down the line. It’s vital that we get a commitment from the government that this third rise of IPT will be the last for this Parliament.”

James Dalton, director of General Insurance Policy at the Association of British Insurers, said: “IPT is a tax on businesses, especially SMEs that often operate on very tight margins and that do the right thing by purchasing insurance to help manage their risks. At a time of continued economic uncertainty, with many firms facing increasing costs, the last thing they need is a further hike in IPT. Unlike VAT, no element of IPT can be reclaimed by businesses meaning they will have to absorb these extra costs – this could cost jobs, drive up prices or companies may decide to reduce their insurance cover, putting them at risk if something goes wrong. Enough is enough, give firms a break and freeze IPT.”

www.fmb.org.uk

Tweet

The post Hike in insurance tax will hit homeowners, says FMB and ABI appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).