Soft-Lite Windows Expands Measure & Install Division

David Richards and Ken McKenzie

Aluminium and PVC-U door and window manufacturer, KAT, has acquired 32 year old Ayrshire Shopfronts, as the company continues on ‘a sustained period of market and product development growth’.

With current manufacturing operations in Cheshire and Sussex, this third manufacturing base in Kilmarnock, Scotland is said to offer ‘geographical and distribution synergies’ for KAT’s existing Scottish and Irish customers; but also open up new products like commercial entrance doors, automatic doors and low level curtain walling for both commercial and domestic applications, for the entire KAT customer base.

Ayrshire will continue to run under Ken McKenzie but the trading name will change slightly to Ayrshire Aluminium to reflect the broader product offering now manufactured in Kilmarnock.

David Richards, chairman of the KAT Group, said: “KAT and Ayrshire Aluminium’s philosophies and ambitions have a natural synergy, with people, products and service as core values. This puts us in a great position to fulfil projects across the full spectrum of aluminium sectors across the UK and Ireland.”

David Richards, chairman of the KAT Group, said: “KAT and Ayrshire Aluminium’s philosophies and ambitions have a natural synergy, with people, products and service as core values. This puts us in a great position to fulfil projects across the full spectrum of aluminium sectors across the UK and Ireland.”

Ken McKenzie, managing director, Ayrshire Aluminium, added: “In KAT we have a leading manufacturer, with top quality aluminium door and window ranges to add to our commercial portfolio. We are hugely ambitious and confident, priding ourselves in providing our partners and customers with a reliable, on time manufacturing service.”

Source: www.katuk.co.uk

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UK curtain walling, window and door fabricator and installer GLASSOLUTIONS has completed an extensive project for Kier Construction as part of the latest transformational development on east London’s Greenwich Peninsula.

Called The Fulmar and Teal, the project is a residential-led mixed use development on the Lower Riverside district of Greenwich Peninsula, a major redevelopment area close to the iconic Millennium Dome – now the O2 Arena – and Canary Wharf. It includes 139 homes in a mix of private, intermediate and social rent tenures across the three buildings, plus 218m2 of retail/commercial space, a car park and bicycle storage area.

Working to a design by architects DSDHA, GLASSOLUTIONS was appointed by main contractor Kier Construction to deliver all curtain walling, windows and doors for the external envelope of The Fulmar’s three blocks, the tallest of which is ten storeys. The Fulmar is part of a collection of buildings within an extensive project by property developer Knight Dragon who are seeking to create a new and vibrant district on the peninsula.

GLASSOLUTIONS played an important role is developing the fenestration specification after a revised approach was sought by the architect. In proposing a combination of Wicona aluminium systems integrating with high performance insulating glass units (IGUs), spandrels and sandwich panels, GLASSOLUTIONS was able to meet the brief to provide superb aesthetics whilst meeting a number of key design factors. These included a maximum pressure in ‘general wind zone’ of 1,200 kN/m2 and air permeability of 3m3/hr/m2 at a test pressure of 600 Pa.

The ‘stick’ curtain walling was fabricated using the range of Wicona Wintec 50 systems, which provide a slim 50mm face width and ensure excellent thermal insulation through the incorporation of a uPVC thermal break. Integrated with the curtain wall structure are windows created using the Wicline 75 Evo concealed sash system. This slim profile helped to maximise natural light transmission into individual properties and outward views, without compromising thermal performance thanks to a polyurethane insulator and an innovative glazing bead design.

A variety of door types were required, with Wictec 50 and Wicstyle 75 evo systems applied to manufacture hinged doors and swing doors accordingly. Ground floor doors were designed to comply with the RC2 European security standard. Lifting sliding doors feature throughout the development which GLASSOLUTIONS manufactured using the Wicslide 160 system. All the doors are fully complementary in terms of aesthetics and performance.

GLASSOLUTIONS’ IGU specification accommodates the requirements for safety, security, thermal insulation and solar control. It also addresses sound reduction to help keep homes quieter, with enhanced acoustic insulation delivering a maximum Rw rating of 36dB (weighted noise reduction).

The outer pane is 6mm SGG Securit, a thermally toughened safety glass, with the inner pane being an 8.8mm combination of SGG Stadip Protect and Planitherm One. The units feature a 90% argon fill 16mm cavity with a black warm edge spacer bar and polysulphide seals. This delivers a U-value of 1.0 W/m2K and a g-value of 0.49 or 0.51 for those units featuring a satin finish.

Spandrels are configured in a 6-16-6 unit, with 6mm SGG Security glass again used on the outer pane and the same cavity, fill and spacer bar and the vision units. The inner pane is a 6mm SGG Emalit glass with 60mm foil backed insulation, a configuration that delivers a U-value 0.45 W/m2K. The building’s design also required sandwich panels with a bronze anodised finish and punched mesh in matching colour for specific elements – all of which were installed by GLASSOLUTIONS too.

GLASSOLUTIONS’ external envelope project took 11 months to complete with The Fulmar handed over on 21.10.16.

Find out more about GLASSOLUTIONS at www.glassolutions.co.uk.

A new Ultion webpage tells visitors the benefits of an Ultion secured door in just 90 seconds. The page is designed to tell the trade and homeowners why they should sell, or buy Ultion, the high security cylinder door lock from Brisant Secure.

The webpage (Ultion.co.uk) shows a video of Ultion keeping a home secure and another cylinder that lets the burglar in after just 9 seconds, Ultion’s security credentials, and its security add-ons in the form of Keycap and Keyring for Ultion keys. Ultion Padlock serves as the perfect add-on for homes with Ultion security. Now the bike and mower can be secure too!

A second powerful one minute video summarises why installers sell more doors with Ultion. Watch it here.

Brisant CEO Nick Dutton says: “There’s a lot of information to take in when you sell doors, and security is critical. They want it, and they want to know how to get it, but they don’t want to know the details. That’s why we’ve developed this webpage. In 90 seconds anyone visiting gets the key points about Ultion. They can see it working in real life, the accreditations it has, and the fun extras homeowners can get for their Ultion keys too.”

“Installers say they sell more doors with Ultion,” continues Nick. “Ultion is in a league of its own because of its complete security package. It makes security exciting because homeowners don’t just get a secure lock, they get a £1,000 guarantee, funky personalisation, glow-in-the-dark keys, and keys that ring using an app on their smartphone.”

To find out what selling Ultion magic can do for your business call 01924 410 200, visit www.ultion-lock.co.uk or follow @UltionLock on Twitter.

The latest survey from Plentific.com has revealed that 45% of respondents felt new windows would influence their decision to buy a property.

A new kitchen was found to be the most effective home improvement for influencing a potential buyer’s final decision as well as their offer.

When looking to buy a new property, 47% of potential homeowners said they would be influenced by it having a recently fitted kitchen and 28% said they would also be more likely to offer a higher price for this feature. Having a new bathroom also has a strong influence on home buyers; 46% said they would consider this when deciding whether to buy and 27% would potentially be willing to offer more money.

A new extension ranked third for influencing the offer, making 26% of home buyers more likely to offer a higher price.

Looking at home improvements affecting the final decision to buy, new windows (45%) ranks third, followed by a new boiler (43%), a new extension (34%) and new loft insulation (33%). At the other end of the table, 31% of home buyers claimed that a new conservatory would affect their decision to buy. New garden landscaping (29%) follows this and new lighting (23%) sits at the bottom of the table.

When this is compared to how home improvements affect the buyer’s decision to offer a higher price, new extensions climbs the rankings to take 3rd with 26%, whilst a new conservatory is also ranked highly with 23% of home buyers feeling this warrants a higher price. This demonstrates that extensions to the property clearly have a stronger influence on the offer than the decision to buy for potential buyers.

Spokesperson for Plentific, Stephen Jury, said: “Many property buyers keep an eye out for particular home renovations when searching for their next home. It goes without saying that costly renovations are high on the wish list for most buyers. These can add significant value to a property and incentivise buyers to offer a higher price. If a seller is looking to get a better offer, our insight could provide useful guidance on which home improvements to invest in.”

Summary:

A new kitchen has the greatest influence on both a home buyer’s decision to buy (47%) and their likelihood of offering a higher price (28%) for a property
A new bathroom ranked second on both lists as 46% admitted it would affect their decision to buy, whilst 27% agreed it could warrant a higher price
45% felt that new windows would influence their decision to buy a property
A new extension ranked third for influencing the offer, by making 26% of home buyers more likely to offer a higher price

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Polyframe Group, the UK manufacturer of trade windows and doors, has successfully ‘acquired and merged with’ Customade Group, supported by further investment from Cairngorm Capital Partners.

With revenues in excess of £100 million, the enlarged group will trade as Customade and now has a complete and comprehensive product range across aluminium windows, composite entry doors and PVC-U products.

Established in 1980, Customade is a specialist manufacturer of aluminium and PVC-U windows, doors and conservatory roof products. Best known for its REAL, Atlas and Fineline aluminium brands, the company operates from 100,000ft2, state-of-the-art facilities near Gloucester, employing 320 people. In 2016 it reported turnover in excess of £35 million.

During 2016, Polyframe acquired the WB Group composite entry door business in Birtley and a 50,000ft2 window manufacturing facility in Livingston from Stevenswood. Accordingly, this merger with Customade continues the firm’s strategy ‘to develop the UK’s leading trade fabricator of PVC-U, aluminium and composite windows and doors, addressing all trade customers’ fenestration needs’.

Customade’s proprietary products are said to ‘complement, expand and differentiate’ Polyframe’s product offering, particularly in the rapidly growing aluminium sector. The group now operates nationwide, with almost 900 employees across 10 manufacturing facilities extending from Scotland to the South West.

The combined industry expertise of the newly enlarged management team, together with support from specialist investment firm Cairngorm Capital, is said to ‘increase the scope for further innovation, growth and service improvements; optimise manufacturing capability and broaden Polyframe’s product range, to provide an unmatched customer offering’.

John Lightowlers, Customade’s managing director becomes group managing director of the enlarged firm and continues to hold a ‘significant’ ownership stake. With more than 20 years’ leadership experience in the windows and doors market and having led Customade for the past 12 years, John and his fellow Customade shareholders, Nick Gibbons, Gareth Thomas and John Adams, are said have been instrumental in Customade’s growth and success.

John will be supported initially by Jon Gatfield, Polyframe’s interim managing director, who will transition to other Cairngorm Capital operational roles in the near future, and Lance Gillett, Polyframe’s group finance director, who joined Polyframe from Masco UK Window Group in 2016. David Moore, non-executive director of Polyframe and former CEO of Ultraframe, will become chairman of the enlarged group.

Jon Gatfield said: “Both Polyframe and Customade pride themselves on offering customers’ extensive product ranges, along with extremely high levels of reliability, flexibility and customer service. Since July 2016, we at Polyframe have invested heavily to develop a best-in-class offering for our trade customers, strengthen our manufacturing operations and extend our geographic presence. The merger with Customade will accelerate these initiatives and secure our position as the largest trade fabricator of windows and doors to the UK installer market.”

John Lightowlers added: “This is the perfect partnership for two businesses with shared values, a market-leading suite of products and a commitment to the highest standards of customer service. There are great opportunities across the sector and as an enlarged group we look forward to meeting all trade customers’ product needs.”

Polyframe and Cairngorm Capital were advised on this transaction by PwC (financial and tax), Livingstone (debt advisory) and Bond Dickinson (legal). MidCap Financial, alongside Polyframe’s existing lender, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group, provided senior debt to support the transaction as well as the enlarged group’s continued investment in its manufacturing sites.

For further information, please contact Katherine Ritchie on 020 8347 6183 or 07941 040021

www.polyframetrade.co.uk
www.thecustomadegroup.co.uk
www.cairngormcapital.co.uk

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Image Above: Phil Pluck, the GGF’s new Chief Executive

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has announced that Phil Pluck has been appointed as its new Chief Executive.

Phil brings with him a wealth of experience in leading professional membership bodies and is currently the Managing Director and Commercial Director for the Royal Town Planning Institute which has a membership base of 23,000. He has also worked with and advised on operational and commercial strategy for a number of other membership bodies as well as holding commercial directorships in the charity, private and government sectors.

Bringing with him a reputation for focusing on membership value and influence, Phil has previously worked on putting membership and their services at the very heart of his organisations.

On accepting the GGF Chief Executive role Phil commented:

“It is a very real privilege to be joining the GGF as their next CEO. It is clear from my discussions with the Board that they wish to see the Federation grow its influence across the sector and with government. Being part of the GGF at this time to both support its current success and to take it to the next stage of its growth is very exciting.  It is clear that GGF has a great team and Board supporting its Members and I look forward to working with all to achieve the GGF’s ambitions.”

On the appointment, Alan Burgess, GGF President said:

“We are delighted that Phil has accepted the role of Chief Executive and the GGF will undoubtedly benefit from his broad senior management skills and leadership experience.”

Phil will officially start at the GGF on 2nd May 2017, taking over from Brian Baker who is currently interim Chief Executive. On the news of Phil’s appointment, Brian commented:

“I am pleased the GGF has found an outstanding Chief Executive to take the Federation into a new era. Being interim Chief Executive for the first few months of the GGF’s 40th Anniversary has been varied and exciting. I have enjoyed being part of the GGF team and would like to extend my thanks to all the GGF staff and Members who have helped me during this time. I wish all connected to the GGF, the very best for the future.”

On Brian Baker’s interim role, Alan Burgess commented:

“The GGF is celebrating a successful 40 years leading the industry and it has only been successful because of Members such as Brian. His contribution has been immense for almost ten years. His knowledge and input at technical meetings through to his successful Presidency and most recently taking on the role as interim Chief Executive, to ensure a seamless transition between Chief Executives, has been truly invaluable. On behalf of all the GGF staff and Members, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Brian for his outstanding service to the GGF.”

Following the President’s Reception on 2nd February, and Alan Burgess’ announcement of the GGF’s 40th anniversary celebrations, the Federation is now preparing for a memorable year ahead having fully settled into new offices, with a new President and now a new Chief Executive.