The Lives Of Two Brians

As the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) celebrated its 40th Anniversary at the annual GGF Members Day and the occasion proved extra special for two long-serving GGF Members

Brian Baker (former GGF President and interim Chief Executive) and Brian Waldron (Chairman of the GGF Standards Committee) have been recognised for Outstanding Service to the Glass and Glazing Federation.

Brian Baker started in the industry in 1979 with Solaglas and first engaged with the Federation in 1981. He has been intensively at the forefront of the GGF for the last 7 years and was arguably the most active GGF Member as Chairman on many specialist groups and committees. In one single year, Brian attended over 120 GGF meetings.

In 2009, Brian became a Member of the GGF Board and in 2014-15 was elected GGF President. In the second half of 2016, he was also acting President and Chairman of the GGF Board in preparation for the new President’s inauguration in 2017. Brian planned to retire at the end of 2016, but the GGF asked him to step in as interim Chief Executive until May 2017, when Phil Pluck was appointed the role. From major decisions as a Board Director to a having significant input into GGF technical publications such as the Safety and Security Glazing Good Practice Guide, Brian’s contribution across many facets of the GGF has been immense over the decades.

Brian Waldron’s commitment and service to the industry goes back almost 50 years to 1969 when he started with Pilkington Brothers Ltd in the Technical Sales Laboratory mainly on ‘glass strength’ testing and development of impact test methods. He was also involved in the ‘Mathews v Kember’ case. This started with testing safety products from all areas of the UK market. The objective being to ensure that the ANZI Z79.1 test methodology could be taken on for the classification of ‘flat safety glass and safety plastics’ in the UK market which became a British Standard in 1981.

Since then he has served on many GGF, British, European and International technical committees and is widely regarded as the global glass and glazing industry’s technical guru in particular on the safety glazing and standardisation.

Brian is the only individual in the GGF Membership who has been part of a GGF committee or specialist group since the Federation was formed 40 years ago. He has had an input into every GGF technical document that has ever been published and contributed to the very first GGF Glazing Manual in 1978. He is considered the foremost expert witness in the industry and is still going strong representing the GGF on international technical panels and chairing the GGF’s Standards Committee. Suffice to say that when he does decide to retire, he will be irreplaceable.

On receiving their awards both commented:   Brian Baker: “I had planned to retire a few years ago but when I am asked to help out, it seems I just can’t refuse. I would like to thank everyone for all their help over the years. I’m pleased to have played my part in the GGF and truly honoured to receive this award from the Federation.”

Brian Waldron: “I remember the GGF when it started in 1977, in small rented offices at Mount Row in Mayfair and I am pleased to have been part of its incredible success over the last 40 years. I will continue to be involved with the GGF as maintaining the highest technical standards is of paramount importance in our industry. I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all those who have contributed to the GGF technical groups and committees.”

www.ggf.org.uk

The Glazerite UK Group have been named G-Awards finalists with nominations in both the Fabricator of the Year and Unsung Hero categories.

Director, Jason Thompson said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this year’s awards and it is an honour to have got to this stage. We are especially pleased to be up for Fabricator of the Year as it gives all of our staff some well-deserved recognition for their hard work which has helped put us in the running.

“Melanie Jacobs was nominated as our unsung hero, as she has been the driving force behind the success of our customer services department at our head office in Wellingborough since becoming sales office manager in 2010. Her passion, drive and propensity to go above and beyond allow Melanie to effectively lead her team year on year. All of which she does whilst managing the symptoms of rare auto-immune condition Myasthenia Gravismake. She sets a fantastic example to all of us.”

Jason concluded: “It will be interesting to see what happens on awards night as there is some strong competition. The Glazerite table has been booked and until then we’re all keeping our fingers crossed that between ourselves, suppliers and customers we win a few of them on the night.”

www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

The post Glazerite announced as G17 finalists appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Six-months on from its MBO, Sliders UK has reported record growth, driven by product development and rapidly growing share in the aluminium market.

According, to the door specialist, year-on-year sales were up 36% at the end of September on the same time last year, driven by increased sales in its Ultimate Evolution and ALUK aluminium bi-folding door ranges.

It comes following this April’s MBO and a significant restructure of the business, including six-figure investment in its manufacturing capability and the expansion of its product and service offer.

Ian Longbottom, Chairman, Sliders UK said: “The MBO in April allowed the new senior management team to take the brakes off the business and to set our ambitious growth strategy running.

“That’s included major investment in our aluminum offer, including the Ultimate Evolution adjustable jamb bi-fold and continuing investment in our established offer from ALUK.

“We have now been able to move this further forward with the launch of two new aluminium window systems, in addition to our PVC-U and composite door ranges, which have given our customers new reach into the higher margin aluminium sector.”

Completed at the end of April, the management buy-out, saw Longbottom continue in the role he assumed in 2016, as Sliders UK Chairman. Steve Mines also remaining in his existing post as Sales Director.

They were joined in a newly created senior management team by Sliders UK’s new Managing Director, Alex Murphy, previously Operations Director and Finance Director, Jonathan Foxcroft.

This followed a 10,000 sq ft expansion of Sliders UK’s manufacturing hub, housing a new purpose-built distribution facility, new lines and the expansion of its product offer.

This included the new Duraflex bi-folding door, which achieves a DER ‘A’ rating and u-values as low as 1.1Wm²/K, in addition to testablished PVC-U offers from Eurocell.

But it is its aluminium offer which has been the major foundation of the door specialist’s growth, including the Ultimate Evolution Aluminium Bi-folding door, launched late last year.

It’s USP is a highly innovative fully adjustable jamb option, which fitted to both sides of the door, makes squaring and setting faster – cutting installation time to as little as 45 minutes.

This was followed by the launch of the Ultimate Rooflite – an aluminium lantern roof – and the Evolution XT ultra-energy efficient aluminium window last month [Sept].  This delivers a Passive Haus equivalent standard of performance with u-values as low as 0.85 W/m²K.

“The market is in general challenging, which makes what we and our customers are achieving even more impressive”, continued Longbottom. “The investment that we have made in our infrastructure and our product ranges is now paying off for us – but most importantly, our customers.

“The growth we’re now seeing in our aluminium window and door ranges is a real testimony to that and we believe it puts them and us in a very strong position going forward”, he concluded.

According to the The Window, Door and Conservatory Markets in Housing in Great Britain, by Palmer, aluminium saw 24% growth in the last year, including 26% growth in volume terms and installed value by 28% in sales of aluminium windows.

For more information contact sales@sliders-uk.com  or visit the website at www.sliders-uk.com.

The DW3 Products Group is excited to have three of its brands, Solidor, Residence Collection and Window Widgets, reach the finals of this year’s G-Awards in no less than five categories.

Solidor, the timber core composite door manufacturer, is a finalist for Fabricator of the Year, Promotional Campaign of the Year – Retail, and the G17 Unsung Hero Award with logistics manager, Danny Barnett.

‘Pioneer’ of the timber-alternative flush sash window system, Residence Collection, is shortlisted for New Product of the Year with its ‘innovative’ Residence 7 (R7) window. Described as beautifully flush inside and out, R7 is experiencing fast and strong growth as its installers embrace the benefits of selling a premium collection.

Ancillary manufacturer, Window Widgets, is nominated for Component Supplier of the Year. Window Widgets produces high quality, universal ancillaries that are said to meet all the standards and make life easier for fabricators and installers.

DW3 says it puts ‘innovation, quality and design at the heart of everything it does’. Over the past two years, it has worked hard to turn manufacturing and operations into a service that more than meets customer expectations and future product requirements.

Building on reportedly ‘high service levels’, the Solidor Group, Residence Collection and Widgets are said to be achieving 100% OTIF (orders delivered on time, in full), meaning that customers get ‘service and satisfaction all the way along the supply chain’.

DW3 Products Group CEO, Gareth Mobley, said: “We’re thrilled to be shortlisted in five categories of the prestigious G17 awards. There has been a lot of effort across the Group to improve our range, manufacturing and service so we can be the best for our customers and help them do well too. Being a finalist across so many categories is recognition of our efforts”.

The black-tie ceremony takes place on 17th November at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, London.

www.dw3.co.uk

The post Fab five for DW3 appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions is celebrating its best month ever for sales of its industry-leading lantern roofs, rooflights and Skyroom mock orangery system.

Still the fastest growing glazed roof manufacturer in the industry, Atlas has just announced that its greatest month on record pulled in 40% more sales compared to the same period last year.

Demand for the Atlas range of clean, minimalistic products has been rising rapidly as the market becomes increasingly aware of its superior features and the high profit margins it delivers. And after this record-breaking month, Atlas is now well on course to smash more sales records before the end of the year.

Gareth Thomas, Sales and Marketing Director at Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, explains: “It’s been a fantastic period for the business and we are absolutely delighted with this record performance which shows that we know a thing or two about glazed roofing!

“There are lots of glazed roofing products on the market but the Atlas roof system still remains the best out there. It’s gained an envied reputation for being the strongest, best looking and most thermally efficient roof available and a growing number of homeowners are asking for an Atlas roof by name, which is a fantastic affirmation of our brand.

“Escalating consumer demand has led to our record-breaking month and affirms our position as a major player in the industry. We are focused on the needs of our customers and we’re incredibly proud to have created a very elite, and rapidly growing, network of Atlas installers who’ve seen their sales rocket with Atlas. This exciting brand gives them everything they need to stand out in the market and win lucrative business.

“We talk installer language and we know that a huge advantage for installers, is what these products can do for their profitability. Combining all the looks and performance that homeowner’s desire with the ease of installation that installers demand, means that our range delivers a far greater profit margin than its rivals. In such a competitive industry, we bring an exciting new source of revenue for installers, helping them to win longer term, lucrative business.

“As soon as a customer sees an Atlas product, they’re impressed with its unique modern appearance and very slim sightlines which really set it apart from its rivals. With a 70% slimmer profile than other systems, no chunky boss or hood and no low rod bar, it’s easy to see why our glazed roofing products are a dream to sell.”

Atlas has created a comprehensive marketing support package, which helps installers to promote and sell to customers. It includes brochures, which can be personalised with the installer’s logo and company details, digital marketing support, direct mail and advertising templates, retail leaflets and showroom display graphics.

The experienced marketing team at Atlas is also on hand to guide installers through their marketing and to develop a tailored programme to help them sell the range of Atlas products.

The Customade group now operates nationwide and employs 900 people in multiple manufacturing sites across the UK. The Group includes Polyframe (PVC-u), REAL Aluminium (aluminium), Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions (glazed roofs), Virtuoso (composite and paneled doors), Hourglass Seal (sealed glass units), and Fineline Aluminium (specialist glazing).

Customade Group is a Main Event Sponsor at the G17 awards, which will be held at the London Hilton on 17 November.

www.atlasroofsolutions.co.uk

It’s ‘all about the customers’ for UK composite door manufacturer, Doorco, which has been announced as a finalist in this year’s G17 Customer Care Initiative of the Year.

“We are absolutely delighted to able to make this announcement,” said Jayne Sullivan, Doorco’s operations director. “Even being shortlisted is testament to our commitment to our customers and the excellent products and service we provide. As one of the fastest growing and most invested-in door companies in the UK, it has been imperative to ensure that our high services levels are maintained both now and in the future. Project Diamond made this happen. Encompassing our strategic programme of investment and growth, Project Diamond focussed on management systems, IT, staff, premises, tooling and engineering, automation and marketing.

“Although Doorco has grown dramatically in the last 12 months, our strategy of customer care has always remained our focus. Project Diamond was about ensuring we managed our growth to maintain, streamline and future-proof high service levels without sacrifice. A large part of the project was the implementation of a completely bespoke software system that allows our customers to process their orders directly. Handling an unlimited number of prep options and configurations, early results show the new system is already saving customers time and giving them greater flexibility, whilst simultaneously real-time tracking Doorco’s performance.

“Just making it to the finals of these prestigious industry awards, let alone winning, gives third-party recognition to our approach and adds further credibility to the way we run our business. It also reflects the excellent team we have at Doorco. Our fingers are very tightly crossed as we look forward to the awards ceremony in London.”

www.door-co.com

The post Diamond result for Doorco appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Profile 22 – home of the award-winning Optima system – has just launched a new website. Gerald Allen, Marketing Manager at Profile 22, commented: “Our website is incredibly important to our marketing strategy: it receives over 2,000 visits a month and over 70% of people are first time visitors. Our new site puts Optima front and centre and is designed to increase engagement across all our chosen market sectors.” Profile 22’s new website is easy to navigate so visitors can find the information they need quickly. The content of the website has also been updated and expanded. There are clearly defined sections for trade visitors, commercial visitors and homeowners, with each section containing sector-specific information on Profile 22’s products plus relevant, focused information to add further value.

The Homeowner section of the website includes background on Profile 22 and a help and support section that contains everything from product brochures to maintenance guides.  The Trade section of the website includes background on Profile 22, product performance figures, service and support information as well as the Trade Hub where product information can be downloaded. And businesses wanting to enquire about working with Profile 22 can submit a simple form to start the conversation. The Commercial section of the website includes background on Profile 22, specification support information, environmental awareness information, case studies and a gallery as well as the Commercial Hub where product brochures can be downloaded. There is also a simple form to enable architects and specifiers to request specification support for a specific project, speeding up the process of getting the information they need.

Finally, the new website is consistent with the new Profile 22 branding to create a visually seamless visual experience both online and offline.  Overall, www.profile22.co.uk is a reflection of the commitment to being transparent, proactive and innovative for which the company is known.

The post Profile 22 launches new website appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

CENSolutions Ltd has won recognition for its commitment to trust, reliability, expertise and quality by attaining CORGI Fenestration Audit Centre status. CORGI Fenestration has been established to acknowledge the best in glazing company management, customer service, qualifications, the best qualified staff and their continuing professional development.

CENSolutions, the leading certification and compliance consultancy for the glass and fenestration industry, was established in 2003 with the aim of remedying the serious shortfall in the quality and level of advice being offered at the time. In the 14 years since, the company has worked hard to become one of the leading consultancy partners in the sector. This latest achievement and association with the much-trusted CORGI brand is a further endorsement of CENSolutions’ continued commitment to the industry.

CENSolutions Joint Managing Director Wayne Rogerson comments: “We immediately recognised the benefits of the much-trusted CORGI brand coming into the fenestration sector. We see its potential in allowing our industry to put itself on an equal footing with other home improvement industries which win consumer business based on delivering goods and services recognised as being formally qualified to do so. Becoming a CORGI Fenestration Audit Centre will prove invaluable to CENSolutions and our customers, and we look forward to carrying out audits on behalf of CORGI Fenestration against the stringent scheme requirements.”

“We are delighted to welcome CENSolutions into the CORGI Fenestration family,” commented Chris Mayne, CEO of CORGI Fenestration. “Wayne and his audit team are recognised for their industry experience and professionalism and as such are a perfect fit for us.”

www.censolutions.com  

www.corgifenestration.co.uk

On the back of recent news that the company’s sales are up 25%, thanks in part to existing customers growing, Deceuninck is delighted to announce that it and two of its aforementioned growing customers, have made it through to the finals of the coveted G-Awards.

Rob McGlennon of Deceuninck said: “We encouraged and supported those customers that wanted to enter the G17 awards because we recognise the importance of such third party endorsements. We’re thrilled to have got through ourselves for New Product of the Year with our Heritage Flush Sash, but we’re especially pleased for customers Dempsey Dyer and Building Product Solutions for their finalist positions in the Commercial Project of the Year and Fabricator of the Year categories respectively.

“Dempsey Dyer has been shortlisted for its part in the prestigious Hinckley Point project, while Building Product Solutions has been shortlisted for their unique business proposition as a successful new build fabricator that is genuinely built on relationships. The Deceuninck entry for New Product of the Year meanwhile was of course for our Heritage Flush Sash – an innovation that delivers a real solution to a growing market and is available in 26 colourways from stock. A product perfectly suited to the ever-growing Heritage sector and looking equally at home in either a country cottage or modern townhouse. We thought at the time of launch it would end up being one of the most talked about products in 2017 and our position in the G17 finals is further evidence that we were right.

“Getting through to the finals of such prestigious industry awards alone adds credibility to the work that we collectively do but of course we’ve got our fingers firmly crossed for the awards night in November, for ourselves but genuinely most of all, for our deserving customers.”

www.deceuninck.co.uk

The post G17 nominations for Deceuninck and its customers appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).