Builder Confidence Rises Two Points in November

Following the news that the Nova Group joined National Glass Group (NGG) in September, the group has now announced a further two new members in the form of Crystal Units, based in the South East, and Ecoglass situated in East Anglia.

Collective member turnover for National Glass Group (NGG) is now reportedly in excess of £90 million – double that of 2016. According to NGG, this makes it the largest glass group in the UK, providing ‘unrivalled purchasing power, operational resilience and national reach’. Despite the scale of the group, all members are said to retain the agility and personal attention from being owner managed, independent businesses.

According to the NGG, it now represents the leading glass processors in the UK, including existing members Clayton Glass, Custom Glass and Northern Express Glass, Nova Group, Romag and Supaseal Glass and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK. Collectively, the members employ over 800 people across 12 sites, and with annual purchases exceeding £30million, it also claims to be the largest independent buyer of sheet glass in the UK.

The addition of Crystal Units and Ecoglass move the group significantly closer to its goal of representing 25% of flat glass purchases in the UK, achieved through organic growth of the members and through the introduction of new companies to the organisation.

Ryan Green, co-director of NGG, commented: “A key principle of the group is that we maintain the high quality and ethos as we grow, by ensuring the new members are independent, financially strong and excel through operational quality and service. The collective group now service the entire UK, operating in both commercial and domestic markets, along with niche products and markets.”

The post Two new members for NGG appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Windows Active talks to Synseal Group’s Andy Jones about how they continue to meet customer needs for PVC-U products

With the rise of aluminium products and a shift in advertising focus to value-added products like lantern roofs and entrance doors, PVC-U has taken a bit of a back seat in the glazing press recently – and yet it’s still the biggest seller for the majority of systems houses, including Synseal Group. PVC-U products are at the heart of our offer and we extruded more than 36 million metres of profile last year, making us one of Europe’s leading PVC-U systems houses. To put that into context, that’s enough PVC-U to cover the distance between our headquarters in Nottinghamshire to the other side of Australia and back again, with metreage for a quick trip to Jersey to spare. With more than 350 bar length customers and many more who buy our pre-fabricated Evolve range of PVC-U vertical sliders, patio doors and bi-folds, we need to constantly innovate to keep up with our customers’ growing need for colour variety, commercial solutions and product flexibility.

Offering customers a choice – One of our biggest assets at Synseal is having four distinct PVC-U systems: Shield, SynerJy, Legend and Sheerframe. Crucially, this not only gives our customers access to a choice of both ovolo and chamfered profiles, but also enables them to remain competitive regionally by opting for a system which their competitor down the road is not fabricating. We’ve remained loyal to the systems house-fabricator-installer supply chain model, so our customers don’t compete with their own supplier, and often retain exclusivity of one of our systems regionally. This helps them maintain a steady localised supply chain with their installers, many who choose to stay loyal to their one preferred system.

Commercial advantage – We also give customers the commercial advantage of a system like Sheerframe 8000 which has been the long-standing product of choice for specifiers looking for a thermally advanced, eight-chambered PVC-U system with integrated curtain walling solutions. Working with SE Controls and Vulcan Windows, we have recently tested and received accreditation for our very first chain actuator PVC-U smoke vent which will finally give fabricators aesthetic uniform, removing the need for an unseemly aluminium smoke vent.

Recycled PVC-U – Across our Shield, Legend and SynerJy multi-chambered profiles we have implemented our 30% recycled EnviroCore as standard and are in the process of phasing out older profiles which we believe no longer meet the needs of modern day installations in terms of thermal efficiency and performance. Recycled PVC-U products have conventionally caused problems with colour consistency and production capacity, so we developed EnviroCore to ensure neither of these factors becomes an issue for our customers.

EnviroCore is coloured in a solid, dark grey so there is no inconsistency during production. The recycled core is also completely hidden away within sash, frame and sill so there is no visible difference to the end consumer. Most importantly, incorporating EnviroCore into our profiles has no impact on product performance as all our recycled material comes from our production waste rather than inconsistent post-consumer waste streams traditionally used. Our customers get the same outstanding thermal efficiency, same look and finish across all our leading profiles while gaining from the dual benefits of reducing waste and minimising costs.

Wall of colour – It has now been a year since we implemented our ‘Wall of colour’ scheme, offering more than 80% of our foiled colours from stock. This has reduced lead times for our customers and given them a quicker, more reliable supply chain of popular foiled colours like golden oak, Chartwell green and anthracite grey to meet the growing demand for these among consumers. We will shortly also be concluding our ‘One White’ project which gives customers more flexibility through the consolidation of our various white shades into one single shade. This colour-match guarantee across our four PVC-U profiles gives customers the ability to mix and match ancillary products from different ranges in total confidence. It will also make us one of the few suppliers who can offer complete colour-matched conservatory solutions. As a multi-product supplier, we can’t rely solely on the consumer advantage we offer through a comprehensive product range – although this certainly is appealing to the majority of our customers who also purchase aluminium, composite door and conservatory roof products from us. As a long-standing systems house founded on PVC-U extrusion, we see it as our responsibility to lead the way in PVC-U innovation and continue to meet the needs of our core customer base, as well as providing them with the wider benefits of a complete package of fenestration products. Aluminium may be dominating the headlines, but there’s still a lot we can do in the industry to improve PVC-U product performance for our customers.

The post Looking after customers’ core PVC-U needs appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Pilkington Spectrum, one of the industry’s most popular glass specifying tools, is now available to use on-the-go following the launch of a new smartphone app.

The app is available for download on iPhones, iPads and Android devices and allows users to find Pilkington products that most closely match their project requirements.

The calculator was previously only available through the Pilkington website, but has now been optimised for use on mobile devices to make the process of specifying glass quicker and easier.

Users of the app can search parameters including U-value, g-value, light transmittance and sound insulation to help find products that meet their needs.

The app can be used to specify glass for a variety of configurations, including single glazing, insulating glass units (double, triple and quadruple glazing), secondary glazing and double window configurations. Customers and specifiers can build up their own library of favourite configurations and, for CE Marking, access the Declaration of Performance.  For convenience, results can be emailed direct to the mailbox.

The database includes a comprehensive range of Pilkington products, provided by benefit-led categories such as solar control, thermal insulation and self-cleaning.

Phil Brown, European regulatory marketing manager at Pilkington, said: “We’ve received great feedback for Pilkington Spectrum over the past few months, but we wanted to make sure it is accessible to everyone, no matter where they are. We’re pleased that the new Spectrum app now offers customers an advanced, online technical service that can be accessed via mobile device.

“The app will make it quicker and easier for users to find and select the products they need, regardless of their level of glass product knowledge.”

The new Spectrum app for iPhones and iPads is available to download from the Apple iTunes store here: https://goo.gl/px2hVi

It can also be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android devices here: https://goo.gl/Dc777i

The UK’s leading manufacturer and distributor of over 2,000 insulated glass components, Thermoseal Group, has introduced a brand new advertising campaign to showcase its highest performance warm edge spacers – Thermobar and Thermoflex.

The first of two advertisements, ‘From Inception to Perfection’ features a diagram of a triple glazing unit showing the two flagship spacer systems with their green and orange brand colours running through – Thermobar Warm Edge Spacer Tube (Green) and Thermoflex Warm Edge Spacer Silicone rubber system (Orange). The essence of the campaign is to highlight Thermoseal Group’s dedication to innovation, manufacturing and quality control of its spacers right from initial inception of the idea, through product development and then throughout the manufacturing process to packaging and delivery to the customer.

The second advertisement ‘British Brands Globally Recognised’ features a globe highlighting orange and green paths of delivery of Thermobar and Thermoflex products from the UK throughout the world. The delivery paths shown on the advertisement are a representation of the directions of travel of its world-class products.

Thermoseal Group’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Samantha Hill, tells us: “When it comes to advertising, we have always concentrated on pure facts of what our products offer with representative drawings of our spacers showcased in double and triple glazing units. Our statements about product performance are then backed up by industry-recognised independent performance figures. We will always continue to present pure fact, but feel that our new advertising goes one step further in highlighting who we are as a business.

“Following huge investment in our technical expertise and equipment, as well as manufacturing and the infrastructure of the business, we can completely control the quality of our products from initial inception of the idea. We design and develop our own products in-house; we test all of our products in our own laboratory and then in our EN1279 test centre to European and International standards before submitting them for independent testing; we source only the best raw materials; we compound all of our own materials in-house; we have strict quality control procedures in place; we ensure our products are packed, packaged and bar-coded straight from our production and then we deliver the goods to the UK market on our own fleet of vehicles.

“We also felt that our new advertising should showcase the multitude of awards we have won over the past 12 months, including our prided Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2017. These awards really are well deserved and the many awards for export are the reason for the second of our two advertisements. Our world-class products are now purchased in 27 countries across five continents, this is already more than the 22 countries stated in our advertising, and we have trials running further afield. We wanted to showcase how we are making an impact in export markets by offering two of the ‘best in class’ products.

“If you haven’t already trialled our products, you may not yet know that Thermobar and Thermoflex Warm Edge Spacers have achieved thermal ratings of 0.14W/mK and 0.135W/mK respectively and have available Bundesverband Flachglas data sheet Psi values for windows and façade profiles. Both products also are also listed on the Passive House Institute Component Database and achieve phA+ ratings. The feedback we have received on our products has been outstanding in terms of usability, aesthetics and performance, and as a result they are the products of preference for many UK sealed unit manufacturers.”

To view the Group’s new advertisements, see – From Inception to Perfection: www.thermosealgroup.com/relateddownload/category/brochure-leaflet?page=2&productCatID=0 & British Brands Globally Recognised: www.thermosealgroup.com/relateddownload/category/brochure-leaflet?productCatID=0

To find out about Thermoseal Group and its comprehensive range of insulated glass components and machinery for glazing manufacture, call +44(0)121 331 3950 or visit www.thermosealgroup.com.  For full multilingual information about its warm edge spacers see www.thermobarwarmedge.com and www.thermoflexwarmedge.com.

Endurance^® Doors have just launched a new 8-page taster brochure in response to customer demand for an inspirational brochure that can be distributed en masse, leaving their 92-page composite door bible more for the purposes of a reference guide.

Described as ‘The Perfect Door For Your Home’ this new taster brochure highlights some of the key USP’s, including details of the BBA certified solid LVL timber core, unique Moisture Barrier System and high security locking options and guarantees. The seventeen colours are prominently promoted, along with a section encouraging users to try the new HomeView Door Designer.

The Classic, Country and Urban Collections are carefully summarised in the taster brochure and it has also been designed to be used alongside the popular The Finishing Touches brochure, which details all hardware and glass options including the latest architectural and heritage options.

Rachel Dixon, marketing manager of Endurance^® Doors commented: ‘Our customers requested a shorter version of our 92-page composite door bible and so we’ve delivered this taster version in quick time. We’re also actively looking to expand our marketing department with a new marketing executive and assistant, so we’re able to fully support the needs of our business and rapidly growing brand.

For further information, including a brochure pack, on Endurance^® Doors, please visit www.endurancedoors.co.uk, e-mail sales@endurancedoors.co.uk or call the sales office on 01652 462042. You can also follow them on Twitter @EnduranceDoors.

In what has already been one of the firm’s most successful years in its history, trailblazing fabricator Dekko Window Systems is celebrating rocketing sales of its premium, Infinity PVC-U range. The firm which specialises in premium PVC-U and aluminium products, has seen sales of its Infinity range of seamlessly welded PVC-U windows grow by an impressive 80% compared to the same period last year. Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director at Dekko, believes Infinity’s success is attributed to creating a strong upselling opportunity for installers and a viable route to market to meet extensive consumer demand for premium products: “It comes as no great surprise for us to see Infinity continue to soar, because it provides installers with the optimal solution to break into the thriving premium market,” explains Kurt. “Infinity helps installers rise above their competitors by offering something that is truly unique and far beyond the standard white PVC-U windows their rivals are selling down the street.”

The Infinity range is Dekko’s unique stamp on Deceuninck’s 2500 and 2800 systems, combining three distinct styles; chamfered, sculptured and the star of the range, the flush sash. What separates Infinity from its rivals is a pioneering seamless weld, achieved by innovative graf welding technology – still new to the UK. This eliminates the ugly corner grooves which are synonymous with PVC-U and allows Infinity to succeed in the high-end, premium market.

The smooth, timber-like appearance, along with a stunning range of premium woodgrain foils including Irish oak, rosewood and nut tree, all come together to create one of the most authentic timber-alternative collections on the market. Traditional aesthetics can be taken even further with heritage ironmongery, optional Georgian bars and dummy peg stays.

“Our approach at Dekko has always been customer-first, because if they are thriving then so are we. That’s why we’ve developed three strong brands in Infinity, The Residence Collection and Räum, our aluminium range – offering installers everything they could possibly need to raise their profile, make more sales and ultimately take their business to the next level. I believe the success can be attributed to the combination of quality products and all-encompassing marketing support thanks to our ‘Make It Yours’ initiative. This isn’t just overprinting brochures like many fabricators offer, this is an expansive strategy including fully customisable material which matches the installer’s brand and helps to build a stronger identity. Installers instantly have more authority thanks to professional point-of-sale material, online content and powerful showroom support,” adds Kurt.

The post Sales skyrocket by 80% for Dekko’s premium Infinity PVC-U range appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Image Above: Charlotte Davies, Head of Marketing, Edgetech

Warm edge pioneers Edgetech have been shortlisted for Company of the Year at the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards.

The annual event, started by the long-running Coventry Telegraph newspaper, exists to celebrate success, recognise achievement and showcase Warwickshire’s most outstanding and innovative businesses.

They culminate in a glamorous presentation evening held at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, routinely attended by hundreds of members of the area’s business community.

When choosing finalists for the Company of the Year category, judges looked for businesses “universally acclaimed for their commercial practice and dedication”, who could demonstrate “strong market share, economic turnaround and innovative approach”.

The good news came just after Edgetech was nominated as G17 Component Supplier of the Year, and Spacer Bar Manufacturer 2017 in the National Fenestration Awards.

Head of Marketing, Charlotte Davies commented: “At Edgetech, we’re incredibly proud to be a thriving Midlands business, training and employing hundreds of local people over our decade of manufacturing in the area.

“Recently investing over a million pounds in expanding our headquarters, we’re demonstrating our continuing commitment to the people of Coventry and Warwickshire more broadly.

“We’re really looking forward to the awards night itself, and meeting other exceptional businesses from around the region. Good luck to all our fellow nominees.”

Edgetech’s Super Spacer is one of the leading foam warm edge spacer products on the market, offering easy application, 100% memory and exceptional thermal efficiency and condensation resistance. The firm also manufactures an extensive range of other flexible components, including its commercial-focused TriSeal and T-Spacer and a number of rigid products.

For more information call 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

Image Above:  Left to right – Rick Cole, Ruby Sidhu, Sam Tynan and Shaun Young

REHAU has appointed five new starters to its Windows Solutions team to improve support services for its installer and fabricator customers, and ensure that whatever their needs, it’s All in Hand.

In September, REHAU made four new appointments to its sales team.  Shaun Young takes over as the Area Sales Manager for the North East, leaving Hormoz Nouri – who was covering both the North East and Scotland – to dedicate his focus to account management and specifications for Scotland.

Sam Tynan joins as Junior Sales Manager, with a varied national role providing support to REHAU’s trade counter customers and Authorised Partner installers.

Rick Cole,  has been appointed Area Sales Manager and will oversee operations in the West and South Yorkshire, Humberside, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.  Rick’s outstanding performance in his previous role as Internal Sales Support made him an ideal candidate for promotion to this role.

New recruit Ruby Sidhu, Business Development Administrator, will be looking after REHAU’s databases and providing back-office support to the business’ Commercial Sales Managers. Ruby is based in Slough as part of the business development team alongside Steven Porte in Glasgow and Sue Sanderson in Manchester.

The four young, dynamic and enthusiastic recruits will work alongside more experienced members of the REHAU team, including Hormoz Nouri, who has 17 years’ service, and the Sales Director Barry Gilligan who has been in the business for 30 years.

Barry said: “At REHAU we know that our people are what sell our products. That’s why we are boosting our sales team, ensuring we have people on the ground to go out, meet our customers face-to-face, hear what challenges they face and see what support we can offer. It’s so important to show our customers that we have the time and the resources to be there when they need us, providing the products and expertise that can help their business succeed.”

As well as the new additions to the sales team, REHAU is also expanding its Technical Services Support team at its head office in Ross-on-Wye, with the appointment of Paul Evans who will provide an extra pair of hands to resolve any technical queries that customers may have.

Adele Taylor, HR Manager from REHAU said: “It’s been a busy time for HR as we’ve seen a flurry of recruitment in the Windows Division at REHAU, but it’s a worthwhile investment that is going to help us support our customers better. Going forward, REHAU will be making further appointments to our sales team to make sure we have a robust structure in place, particularly in terms of ensuring we the have resources to drive our Authorised Partner Program.”

To further support these teams, REHAU will shortly launch a handy tool known as the 360 performance portal, which provides REHAU customers with marketing support and downlaodable materials throughout the year.

www.rehau.com