Training day

Stevenswood Trade Centres held a two-day training event at its Branch Support Centre in Livingston recently, with branch managers and area managers from across the UK attending the event.

Stevenswood are said to be the UK’s fastest growing trade counter network, currently with 35 branches, and a further 13 due to open in the next 12 months.

Key suppliers including Synseal, Rehau, Customade Group, Door-Stop, Solidor, Soudal and Rapierstar attended the event. Each supplier was reportedly given one hour with each of the eight branch manager groups, and provided eight hours of training to the Stevenswood team over the two days.

Following the training event, Stevenswood says it is now running five promotions until the end of November, to showcase to its customers just how many industry leading brands are available from its trade counters.

Rehau’s window division sales manager, Declan Coulter, said: “It was a great event, and a rewarding couple of days. It was good to meet everybody and have the chance to present Rehau to the branch managers.”

Rehau’s north west sales manager, Matt Janicki, added: “It was the best run corporate event, from start to finish, we have ever attended. This comes at a time when Rehau has been introduced to some of Stevenswood’s Scottish branches. It’s a hugely exciting time for the team at Rehau and Scotland!”

Stevenswood’s commercial director, Joe Trueman, said: “We wanted to use the event as an occasion for our suppliers to train our staff, as well as cement stronger relationships between suppliers and branches. They received training on the products we currently sell, as well as the products we’ll be selling soon when we introduce more in the coming months. We can’t thank our suppliers enough for the effort that was put in over the two days – it was great to see everyone’s stands, and all the stunning products on display. We’re really encouraged by the initial feedback, and are looking forward to running the event next year”.

To find out more about the event visit: www.stevenswood.co.uk/news.

The post Training day appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

The 150,000 ft2 manufacturing facility in Stoke-on-Trent, of leading trade fabricator, Lister Trade Frames, has been acquired by well-known industry figure Roy Frost and his group GJB Holdings. Backed by North West-based entrepreneur Alan Rothwell, the deal will secure around 70 jobs in Stoke-on-Trent. VEKA/HALO will continue to be the main strategic partner, together with the premium Residence Collection, Solidor, and the full range of ALUK Aluminium.

The £12m turnover company made a number of investment decisions that failed to deliver expected results and it was placed into administration on the 29th August. The administrators received over 25 enquiries from interested parties. GJB Holdings, with the assistance Kevin Philbin of Beyond Corporate, are delighted to be the successful new owners. The new structure sees two existing directors, Phil Warren and Darren Pusey, continuing in the new management team.

Roy commented: “Listers have been a great business for 40 years. Their reputation was built on supplying innovative products with great levels of service backed up by superb marketing support, and we will develop and improve on this. We will keep it simple and get back to basics, focusing on our core products and remove any distractions. We will be concentrating on delivering excellent levels of customer service to our 900+ customers, giving them the competitive edge they need. I’m really looking forward to working with Phil and Darren to bring some fresh new ideas and new energy into the business. This acquisition fits perfectly with our long-term strategy for GJB Holdings. Onwards & Upwards!”

The post After falling into administration Listers is purchased by GJB Holdings appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Spectus has just launched a fully mechanically jointed option of its vertical slider. Carmen Velilla, Brand Manager at Spectus, said: “The tried and tested authentic period looks of the Spectus Vertical Slider means it is renowned as the window that changes planning officers’ minds about PVC-U. The mechanically jointed version takes authenticity to another level because the 45 degree PVC-U welds on the frame and sash are replaced with 90 degree mechanical joints, creating a wealth of new opportunities to work on heritage and conservation properties.”

The mechanically jointed version of Spectus Vertical Slider was introduced at the FIT Show and Carmen says the reaction was extremely positive. “Feedback from both existing and prospective customers was exceptional and everyone appreciated the quality and attention to detail.”

The fully mechanically jointed version of the Spectus Vertical Slider has all the features that have proved so enduringly popular on the standard version. The mechanical joints are complemented with two sash widths that give equal vertical sightlines, plus run through horns and a deep bottom rail. Dedicated ancillaries and end caps make it easy to personalise a window, as does the ability to use off-the-shelf or high end hardware. The choice of 28 colours from Spectus’ Spectrum range, including five from stock, increases the design versatility even further.

Despite the authentic looks, the window has everything homeowners would expect from a modern window and more. Reliable spiral balance mechanisms mean the window is easy to open and close, while the tilt inwards facility on both sashes makes them easy to clean. And a U-value as low as 1.3W/m²K and a WER in Band A+ means exceptional thermal efficiency too.

It’s a practical option for installers – the 128mm outer frame matches box sash dimensions and there’s the option of a 150mm or 210mm cill. It’s Kitemarked to BS EN 12608 and PAS 24 accredited, BBA approved and is designed to achieve Secured by Design status so is Document Q compliant.

www.spectus.co.uk

Bowater Projects’ technical advice has reportedly proved to be critical to the success of Linc Cymru Housing Association’s recent project to upgrade the Llys Yr Efail residential scheme in Blaenau Gwent.

Llys Yr Efail is said to be a housing scheme for older people and contains 35 self-contained one and two bedroom flats over three floors, as well as a lower ground floor comprising communal facilities with a lift to all floors.

Over 200 casement windows, from The Veka UK Group, in the Halo System10 profile were specified for this project, as well as nine doors ¬– all of which are said to deliver a number of benefits to the end users.

Richard Hallett, development manager at Linc, said: “During our pre-contract discussions with Bowater Projects, the company informed us of a number of technical matters that needed to be addressed. This included the use of heavy-duty hinges on the wide opening windows, which exceeded the maximum specification width, and the inclusion of anti-glare tinted glass on the south facing communal areas, which was a recommendation from the RNIB after a compliance survey was completed.

“In addition, on the housing complex there were projecting bays and eaves combination windows, so the design of the replacement windows was critical to the success of the scheme. Therefore, Bowater Projects proposed to pilot an installation of a Halo System10 casement window and roof lights, prior to the commencement of the main project. This was to enable detailed design queries to be thoroughly established and resolved before the actual production and installation commenced. In fact, these particular windows could have easily caused extensive delays and additional costs, but the pilot arrangement eliminated these potential problems and benefited all parties concerned.”

www.bowaterprojects.com

The post A helping hand appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Seven out of ten homeowners recognise the Swish brand name, which is why installers will be pleased to hear that recent changes to the system’s back edge detail mean it is now compatible with more products than ever before. Gerald Allen, Epwin Window Systems’ Marketing Manager, said: “Swish is renowned for its casement windows, tilt and turn windows and doors. And now developments on the Swish back edge detail mean the Swish system is now compatible with vertical sliders, patio doors, fully reversible windows and flush casement windows from the Epwin stable. It opens up a world of new opportunities for Swish fabricators and installers and means more homeowners than ever before can enjoy the benefits that a Swish installation brings.”

Swish is a British brand with a 40 year heritage and is a firm favourite with UK homeowners. But aside from giving homeowners what they want and need, Swish also delivers for fabricators and installers. The brand’s commitment to continuous product development and opening up opportunities is perfectly reflected in the introduction of the new back edge detail. The system is easy to fabricate and simple to fit. An impressive range of ancillaries including baypoles, couplers, cills, add-ons and trims make it easy to complete perfectly fitting projects. The colour finishes have no minimum order, so they’re an option for every project. And high quality marketing support, including the Excellence as Standard membership programme, is designed to add value to fabricators’ and installers’ businesses.

Swish prides itself on continuously supplying customers with exceptional products, relentlessly high installation standards and the very finest customer service. It’s why 97% of Swish customers would recommend Swish to family and friends. So if you’re hungry to achieve, take a look at what Swish could do for you.

www.swishwindows.co.uk

Spectus has just launched a fully mechanically jointed option of its market leading vertical slider. Carmen Velilla, Brand Manager at Spectus, said: “The tried and tested authentic period looks of the Spectus Vertical Slider means it is renowned as the window that changes planning officers’ minds about PVC-U. The mechanically jointed version takes authenticity to another level because the 45 degree PVC-U welds on the frame and sash are replaced with 90 degree mechanical joints, creating a wealth of new opportunities to work on heritage and conservation properties.”

The mechanically jointed version of Spectus Vertical Slider was introduced at the FIT Show and Carmen says the reaction was extremely positive. “Feedback from both existing and prospective customers was exceptional and everyone appreciated the quality and attention to detail.”

The fully mechanically jointed version of the Spectus Vertical Slider has all the features that have proved so enduringly popular on the standard version. The mechanical joints are complemented with two sash widths that give equal vertical sightlines, plus run through horns and a deep bottom rail. Dedicated ancillaries and end caps make it easy to personalise a window, as does the ability to use off-the-shelf or high end hardware. The choice of 28 colours from Spectus’ Spectrum range, including five from stock, increases the design versatility even further.

Despite the authentic looks, the window has everything homeowners would expect from a modern window and more. Reliable spiral balance mechanisms mean the window is easy to open and close, while the tilt inwards facility on both sashes makes them easy to clean. And a U-value as low as 1.3W/m²K and a WER in Band A+ means exceptional thermal efficiency too.

It’s a practical option for installers – the 128mm outer frame matches box sash dimensions and there’s the option of a 150mm or 210mm cill. It’s Kitemarked to BS EN 12608 and PAS 24 accredited, BBA approved and is designed to achieve Secured by Design status so is Document Q compliant.

In short, the fully mechanically jointed option on the Spectus Vertical Slider means the best just got even better.

www.spectus.co.uk

Rocal Group, the company behind the impressive solid core Endurance^® Doors brand, has just launched a new 40-page Impressions brochure for their range of panelled doors, in light of other manufacturing companies pulling out of the sector.

While panelled door sales across the industry are in decline, Rocal Group still retains a strong market share for the product and the investment in the new 40-page brochure will support demand from existing and new customers. Since 1993 the company has been manufacturing door panels, an impressive 24-year statistic.

There are 10 different door designs featured, along with conservatory and half panels, with standard colours of white, golden oak, irish oak, mahogany and rosewood. Premium colours include foiled white, cream, chartwell green, french navy, racing green, rich red, walnut, anthracite grey and schwarzbraun. The company is also boasting a 3-5 day turnaround on all orders for 20, 24 and 28mm deep panels.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Rocal Group commented: ‘With several door panel companies ceasing production, it seems pertinent that we launch our new and impressive Impressions brochure. The sector may be in a slow long-term decline, but with an underlying need to satisfy demand we’re actively looking for new door panel sales.

He continued: ‘We’re continuing to invest across the Group as a whole at present, with sales for our starring Endurance Doors brand remaining over 30% up on 2016, whilst still retaining outstanding levels of customer service.’

For your free copy of the 40-page Impressions brochure please contact Rocal Group on 01652 659259, e-mail sales@rocal.co.uk or visit www.rocal.co.uk. You can also find out more about Endurance^® Doors at www.endurancedoors.co.uk.