Office move for ERA

The construction of ERA’s new premises has begun at Wolverhampton’s i54 business park. L to R: Stuart Jones, ERA technical services engineer, Wendy Eccleston, ERA marketing co-ordinator and Darren Waters, ERA CEO

ERA, the UK hardware and home security electronics business, will be relocating its offices in Willenhall, Wolverhampton and Coventry, to one, purpose-built 25,000ft2 manufacturing and distribution facility at the i54 business park in Wolverhampton.

The move to i54, which is set to happen by the end of 2017, will make ERA a neighbour to businesses including Jaguar Land Rover, Moog and Eurofins.

Commenting on the move, ERA CEO Darren Waters, said: “i54 is an outstanding business location with excellent transport links. It’s a great fit with our long term strategy and will help to differentiate our brand, both as a supplier and leading employer.”

www.eraeverywhere.com

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The closer we get to this year’s FIT Show, the more we might hear about triple glazing. Although consumer interest in the product as a wide spread may not be what we perhaps hoped it would be a few years ago, the industry in some quarters will always remain determined to make a go of it.

And why not. Plenty of infrastructure has been put in place to make it happen. Money has been poured into the development of the product and fabricators and glass makers want some return on that investment.

Triple glazing however faces three major barriers before it becomes a true hit with home owners. Until it gets around these, it will always face an uphill task.

Lack of suitable climate

Put aside the questionable science around triple glazing for just a second, and perhaps the most obvious reason for a subdued triple glazing market up to press is the simple fact that we’re just not cold enough!

Barring the northern reaches of Scotland, the rest of the UK is just not cold enough to warrant the use of triple glazing. Other places in the world, like Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and other far northern countries in that part of the hemisphere do use a fair bit of triple glazing because temperatures such as -20 degrees can be quite frequent. Highly energy efficient windows and doors, triple and sometimes quad-glazed are absolutely necessary to help reinforce the fabric of the buildings against the cold.

In comparison, the UK very rarely gets anything like the extremes mentioned in the above countries. We already have pretty good double glazed windows and doors, far better than even just a decade ago. They are more than capable of doing the job of keeping valuable heat on the right side of the windows.

Why would home owners pay more when good double glazed windows would tick the box with ease? They wouldn’t.

Questionable sound reduction

One of the biggest selling points of triple glazing has been it’s ability to reduce noise and outdoor sound. I imagine that sales of triple glazing so far might well be centred around busy main roads, rail tracks and next to airports. The typical noisy parts of our country.

Yet, I do still have to scratch my head and wonder how much triple glazing really is reducing noise. For noise to be reduced, noise waves have to be stopped from travelling through materials by making those materials different thicknesses. In the case of triple glazed windows, this would be where the two cavities are different to each other, and perhaps even the glazing itself. However, from what I have seen so far, most fabricators offer triple glazed units with standardised cavities and glass thickness. You can’t blame them. It makes it much easier from an ordering perspective.

However, given what we know, some doubt has to be cast as to how effective triple glazing actually is when it comes to noise reduction.

Instead, how about using a product specifically design for noise reduction? Optiphon noise reduction glass from Pilkington would be a good choice. With a 6.8mm / 4mm glass combo, this is a product designed solely to reduce noise by varying the glass thicknesses. This might be a more tried and trusted method for installers if they are asked by a home owner which is the better of the two routes.

Cost

I know that the cost of triple glazing has come down somewhat in the past few years. As with all new technologies, the older they get, the cheaper they eventually become.

That being said, with the above being taken into account, any uplift in cost, no matter how small it might be, will be a hard sell for a home owner. Right now, there isn’t a single good enough reason to start forking out extra cash for minimal benefits, if there are really any at all.

I have sold one or two contracts triple glazed in the past couple of years, but it has really only been that. We have seen very weak demand from home owners for triple glazing. And those who have bought it have done so as part of a belt and braces approach to their home improvements, not really specifically on noise or our local climate.

Right now we’re entering a period of price increases in our industry, across all products. The cost of double glazed windows are going up, which means triple glazing will go up as well. All this will mean is that triple glazing will be pushed further down the luxuries list and home owners may just spec up on double glazing and get the job done that way.

There are too many reasons not to buy triple glazing than there are reasons to buy it. Until our industry can either communicate the product better to the home owner, or the general public begins a more widespread attitude change, then triple glazing I’m afraid will remain in the shadows for quite a while.

As the UK economy continues to gain confidence, there seems to be some more encouraging news for the UK’s largest construction companies.

A new study from UK business analyst, Plimsoll, which has analysed the financial health of the largest 1,500 construction businesses operating in the UK, indicates that, on average, construction firms have increased in value by 9% in the last 12 months.

The 2017 study states while average company value within the industry has increased by 9%, 121 businesses have seen their value fall by a third.

Plimsoll’s lead author, David Pattison, said: “As a director, taking stock of your company value is a great barometer to measure your success and to analyse the overall state of the market. In all, we have identified 339 businesses that have increased in value by 10% or more and their financial performance adds to the belief that the overall market is continually improving.

“Having said that, we have seen 121 businesses that have seen their value fall by over a third and it is clear that, although the market is improving, it is still a challenging landscape.”

www.plimsoll.co.uk

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The construction industry has started 2017 strongly, with an increase in activity levels as the value of new building contracts awarded in January reached £6 billion, spearheaded by ‘strong figures’ from the housebuilding sector.

According to the latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analyst, Barbour ABI, housing figures increased sharply across January (see diagram), with construction contract value reaching £2.7 billion, a massive 83% increase compared with January 2016.

Of all the type of projects across housebuilding, it was private housing that dominated in January, with 91% of the total construction contract value, compared to just 66% a year ago. Market conditions for private housing were also favourable for housebuilders in 2016, with Crest Nicholson recently reporting a 27% increase in full year profits.

There are also currently £5.8 billion worth of housebuilding contracts that are nearing award status, suggesting this month’s growth is likely to continue over the next few months and beyond.
London unsurprisingly led all regions based on total construction contract value in January, accounting for 26%. This was helped greatly by the £900 million One Nine Elms Twin Towers development, the largest project recorded on the month.

Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “Whilst the housebuilding sector is performing admirably, we expect to see its growth continue to flourish across 2017. However, other sectors now need to start producing more auspicious figures, such as the commercial & retail sector, which saw a year-on-year decrease of 40% last month. Infrastructure, another traditionally big performing sector, is also in a slump with January figures being the lowest for 12 months.

“On the positive side, the number of projects awarded in January jumped by 50% compared with December and 25% when looking at January last year. These figures are encouraging and would suggest that work is most certainly on the way.”

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The last six months have flown by for Synseal Group with March marking half a year since the formal launch of their fully thermally broken lantern roof system, Stratus.

With the equivalent of a new customer signing up every week, Stratus has seen incredible growth in its first two quarters despite being launched at a traditionally quiet time of year. This is no surprise to the innovators behind the purpose-designed aluminium lantern roof. With a fully thermally broken system, Stratus provides up to 65% more thermal efficiency than conventional aluminium roof systems and has been designed with discreet cappings, a 66% smaller ridge and 20° pitch for an incredibly clean, modern look.

Stratus is available in traditional two-way and three-way compositions, but also boasts a contemporary range which supports the ridge solely on the hip rafters for a really minimal appearance. Available in sizes up to 3m x 6m, Stratus is a simple yet valuable way to add more light and space while keeping heating bills low, making it an easy sell to renovating homeowners.

Andy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director at Synseal Group, said:

“Following the success of our WarmCore aluminium system over the past couple of years, we noticed another gap in the market for a fully thermally broken lantern roof system which combines thermal performance with sleek, aluminium style.

“Stratus has filled that gap, offering our customers an innovative, cost-effective roof solution which adds lots of light, looks great and is really easy to fabricate and install.

“It’s come as no surprise to us that customer response has been so positive and we’ve already set up more than half of our roof fabricators to sell Stratus. We are confident they are going to see sales surge over the coming months as the days get longer and brighter and more consumers want to take advantage of natural light solutions to add value to their homes.”

If you’d like to find out more about Stratus, don’t hesitate to call our team on 01623 444345 or visit stratus.synseal.com.

Synseal Group is taking a new approach to the FIT Show this year with two product-focused stands showcasing popular brands WarmCore and Masterdor.

With a new product joining the WarmCore family, and with customers keen to see the latest Masterdor Craftsman styles up-close, Synseal Group has taken the decision to exhibit the best of both with not one but two stands at this year’s show.

The WarmCore stand will feature the popular warm aluminium folding sliding door and window ranges, the latter of which was launched at the FIT Show last year. The stand will also be showcasing Synseal’s fully thermally broken lantern roof system, Stratus, which complements the WarmCore range with its hardwearing aluminium exterior and unbeatable thermal performance.

At the Masterdor stand you’ll find Synseal Group’s quality, low-maintenance Benchmark composite door and the precision-engineered Craftsman timber door, the hallmark of the Masterdor brand which has recently had five new styles added to its 27-style range of traditional and contemporary doors.

Sales and Marketing Director Andy Jones explained:

“We have always had a lot of success launching new products and testing customer reactions to them at the FIT Show, which is why we will be once again revealing our latest product developments and innovations at the biggest trade show of the year.

“Last year for us was all about demonstrating the extensive product range we have on offer at Synseal Group and establishing ourselves as the leading supplier of window, door and roof systems to the industry.

“This year we want to consolidate that message by giving fabricators and installers the chance to see our two fastest-growing product ranges in much more detail, so they can see why WarmCore, Stratus and Masterdor can open up new markets and add real value to their current window, door and roof system offers.”

You can find Synseal Group at the FIT Show 2017 at WarmCore Stand R15 in Hall 8 and Masterdor Stand K40 in Hall 7.

In a recent contract window, door and conservatory fabricator frameXpress Ltd has supplied all the replacement products for a stunning refurbishment project in Jersey.  The installation by Jersey based frameXpress customer Competitive Windows Ltd, was part of a major investment for the homeowners who wanted to upgrade their existing property rather than move to a new one.

The prestigious private home situated in one of island’s most highly sought after areas required replacement windows throughout.  The homeowners had looked at the market carefully and specified improved thermal efficiency and security which would add value to their property.

As an investment project it was essential that only the highest standard products were installed and could be guaranteed to last.  Casement windows with Georgian bars were supplied by frameXpress in standard white Optima Sculptured.

Jason Derrien, a Director at the home improvement company, has been impressed with the overall customer service provided by frameXpress, highly praising the competence and friendliness of the entire team since choosing to use the company as a supplier.

Whilst product, price and quality are essential components to evaluate for any project, the business relationship between Competitive Windows Ltd and frameXpress’ New Business Manager Dave Stearman is equally important to Jason.

He comments, “It is a fiercely competitive market here, and there is a level of trust that  has built up with Dave, which is something I have always known I could rely upon.  Our professional relationship has been nurtured and we have built a great working partnership.  If ever I do have a problem, it is always sorted out”.

Regarding the recent transition to the Optima system Jason has felt confident in using it for new installation projects.

He continues, “I am normally quite sceptical about new product launches as they come with a lot of hype, but I have found this to be a really great system.  Many customers  also have been very complimentary about the range on offer.  This project in particular has led to referral business for my company which is always the best proof of any product’s quality.”

The luxury private home now has the benefit of improved soundproofing and excellent thermal performance and the homeowners are thoroughly delighted with the end results.

Dave Stearman, New Business Manager at frameXpress comments, “Our customers evidently want more than quality products at an affordable price.  One of the key advantages frameXpress offers is the ability to act upon the promises we make and deliver so much more than just the products themselves.  Our support team is determined to make a real difference which is instrumental in the success of this company.”

New and existing customers have increased orders month on month in and around the UK with the leading trade fabricator.  As a customer oriented business, over the last few years FrameXpress has reinforced customer care which has resulted in extremely positive results.  Evaluating the market from the consumer’s perspective and offering customers viable POS material in downloadable format has also demonstrated a clear message of strength and support.

Dave continues, “Renovations have become big business as homeowners grasp that they can get to live in their dream home much more easily than they thought.  With practical advice readily available from our team on everything from building regulations to energy efficiency is a clear advantage for our customers in a challenging market.”

For more information on the FrameXpress portfolio of pvc-u and aluminium systems then please visit the website www.frameXpress.co.uk

Picture above: Jason Donnelly (left) & Will Reader

Phoenix Doors, part of MASCO UK Window Group, has strengthened its customer services team with two key appointments reflecting changes that are needed in the way the fast-growing composite door and PVC-U door panel manufacturer looks after its customers.

Jason Donnelly has been appointed Customer Service Office Manager, while Will Reader has rejoined the company in a new proactive client-facing role as Customer Experience Manager.

In his new position, Jason brings extensive Network Rail management experience to leading a small team responsible for both internal and external customer relationships. He comments: “I’m enjoying a fresh challenge in a new industry and looking forward to helping deliver an excellent service throughout to all our customers.”

A major part of Will’s new role will involve discussing issues and meeting with customers, many of whom he knows already from his previous sales office experience at Phoenix.

Commenting on the appointments, Haydon Statham, Sales Director says: “As Phoenix Doors continues to grow, we are changing the way we care for our customers and respond to their needs in line with the Group’s philosophy. Both Jason and Will bring considerable knowledge, experience and skills to drive and implement change and improvements in customer service.”

For more information, please call Phoenix Doors on 01487 740469, email info@phoenixdoorpanels.co.uk or visit the website at www.phoenixdoorpanels.co.uk.