GlassBuild America Offers Learning Resources, Extended Hours on Day Two

The first PIGS North of the border proved to be a PIG success with our industry colleagues in Scotland. After a suggestion from Colin Torley that a PIGS event could prove popular in Glasgow, organiser Sarah Ball got to it.

“Last year, we took PIGS to Vegas as part of Glass Build America,” explains Sarah. “It was really successful, so when Colin suggested Glasgow, we thought, why not?”

Held at Bacchus Café Bar in Glasgow, almost 40 PIGS attended the first ever Scottish event and enjoyed the usual PIGS party of a free bar and some great networking.

“It was a great turnout,” says Sarah. “We’ve already had some fantastic feedback from people who attended and its success means that we will be running it again next year.”

The post Glasgow PIGS Done. Now for BirmingHAM appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Martin Dickie, Residence Collection MD

Some have described the market this year as ‘flat’, but systems company, Residence Collection, has announced that its first half sales are up 20% year-on-year. According to Residence, it has been estimated that in the first half of 2017, the overall market was 3-5% down on the same period last year.

Much of the growth for Residence fabricators and installers has reportedly been with R9, which is said to be the only system designed specifically to meet the demands of planners for conservation areas, listed buildings, heritage and period properties, and self-build. However, the company says it is also starting fabricators up on just R7, which has just had its marketing launch. Flush inside and out, R7 is said to be suitable for properties ranging from modern new builds and city apartments to country cottages and semi-detached houses.

Residence Collection MD Martin Dickie said: “Installer and fabricator demand for R9 and now R7 is outstanding. It’s supported by heavy investment in the most powerful consumer marketing lead generation in the market, and stunning marketing point of sale to help installers sell to homeowners. All this investment is focused on driving sales opportunities and improved margins for our fabricators and installers alike”

“Coupled with this investment is our continuous drive to provide a market leading service. Such as service levels, as measured by OTIF (on time, in full), which has now reached 100% for the last three months. That means, despite offering the widest colour range from stock, Residence fabricators and installers get what they order when they order it, so they’re able to grow at their own pace and are not held back in any way by their systems company.

“R7 is designed to set the benchmark for PVC-U systems with mechanical joints or welding,” Martin added, “while R9 is a mechanically jointed product that’s built to beat hardwood, aluminium, PVC-U or composite windows in looks and performance.”

www.residencecollection.co.uk

The post Strong growth from Residence Collection in ‘flat’ market appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Following what is described as a period of ‘strong revenue and customer growth’, achieved through the integration of seven ‘strategically beneficial’ acquisitions, Synseal has now completed its next stage of refinancing and investment. With this in place, David Leng will be standing down as chief executive officer of Synseal Group, after eight years in the role.

Deborah Kemp will assume the role of interim CEO, with Leigh Daveran remaining as CFO and Andy Jones as sales and marketing director. Andy Jones will take on David Leng’s customer relationship responsibilities.

Together with the existing experienced senior executive team, the group says it will continue to consolidate its market leading positions in PVC-U profile and conservatory roofs, whilst taking advantage of its strategic growth in glass, entrance doors and aluminium window and door products.

Leigh Daveran, CFO, said: “Through the support of Proventus and H.I.G. Capital, Synseal Group has grown from revenue of £70m prior to the MBO in 2010 to £160m today, enabling the management team to pursue its ambition to offer an unrivalled range of quality products, customer experience and investment in people.

“Deborah brings a wealth of operational and organisational experience gained across a variety of consumer and property led public limited companies, as well as many private equity businesses. She has been working with the executive team and David over the past four months, supporting and developing our future growth plans. Having previously been CEO of several growth businesses, Deborah’s experience will be invaluable in helping to support our next exciting chapter.”

The Board would like to thank David for his contribution and wish him well for the future.

The post Synseal’s David Leng steps down appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Swish says 7 out of 10 consumers recognise the Swish brand. And Gerald Allen, Swish’s Brand Manager, says: “Brand recognition like this is a fantastic advantage, as Swish fabricators and installers know. They also know that Swish is a brand that deserves its reputation.”

Swish is a British brand with a 40 year heritage. Swish windows have been approved by the Secured by Design scheme, the official UK Police flagship initiative that supports and promotes the principles of crime prevention through secure design and engineering. The system easily achieves the best A++ ratings and triple glazed frames can deliver a U-value of just 0.8. All products are said to be easy to maintain and keep looking pristine. The range of 28 colours includes woodgrain effects, accent colours and on-trend shades.

Swish maintains that aside from giving homeowners what they want and need, Swish also delivers for fabricators and installers. 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.

Then there’s the level of support offered by a brand known for its warm and friendly customer service. High quality sales support and literature provide the tools to help secure sales. There’s also the Excellence as Standard member programme, which aims to drive and promote excellence at every level of member businesses. Benefits include access to qualified leads, branded marketing materials, benefits from partners including FENSA, and learning and development options via the Excellence as Standard Academy.

For more information visit www.swishwindows.co.uk

Image Above:  Tim Ferkin, Sales Director

Two recently evolved products at Caldwell are helping to drive sales says a Director at the company.

The fenestration hardware specialist launched the re-engineered products earlier in 2017 and they have boosted sales at the company.

Tim Ferkin, Sales Director at fenestration hardware giants Caldwell, explains in more detail about how the company’s long-standing spring balance products have been improved for 2017.

He comments: “At Caldwell, we are committed to producing the most high-quality, innovative products possible. Earlier this year we decided to look at improving two of our spring balances – the Ultra Lift 2 (UL 2) and the Torso – which are designed to give the end user mechanical assistance in opening and closing their sash window.

“The end result of our efforts was two newly-evolved products: the Ultra Lift 6 (UL 6) and Torso II.”

Both of Caldwell’s newly enhanced products have been carefully developed to provide some of the highest performing balances within the market. The Torso II is now the only class 6 balance and offers up to 85% mechanical assistance and can hold sashes that weigh up to 60kg.

Both new balances are available in a variety of colours including white, brown and grey, and the Torso II now boasts an incredibly sleek design, with tube diameters of 17mm and 19mm.

Tim continues: “It was a priority for us to ensure that the modifications we made to the Ultra Lift and Torso would not impact the manufacturing process by which they are incorporated into finished windows. Indeed, there will be no extra fitting requirements and no extra costs for manufacturers.”

For more information please call 024 7643 7900 or visit www.caldwell.co.uk

Image Above: Leads2trade team

A lead generation firm is on a mission to recruit new members following unprecedented demand for its services.

Leads2trade has seen record volumes of enquiries from consumers looking for installers of double glazing and both aluminium and PVCu bi-folding doors, over the past few months.

But demand is outstripping supply and Leads2trade is now looking for reputable home improvement companies to become members of its Trusted Local Supplier network and receive red-hot leads in their area.

Leads2trade posted strong sales figures for the first half of 2017 – achieving a 15% increase in lead volumes compared to last year – and is on course to achieve a record end of year turnover.

Director Andy Royle, says a resilient market and increased homeowner spending has contributed to high volumes of leads.

Initially Andy also says that Leads2trade are recruiting for installers looking for double glazing leads in the following regions – South West, Northern Counties, Scotland, Yorkshire, North Wales, East Anglia, South Wales and the Home Counties.

He comments: “Despite economic uncertainty, consumer spending is still strong and one area of investment is home improvements. Strong house price growth coupled with the high cost of living means homeowners are now choosing to stay put and upgrade or expand their homes rather than moving, with measures such as new double-glazed windows and new bi-folding doors.”

Leads2trade generates thousands of leads per month for companies operating in the home improvement market, with the core sectors including windows, doors and conservatories.

These leads are then double qualified by Leads2trade’s in-house call centre and passed onto members of its popular Trusted Local Supplier network, in postcodes of their choice.

They can receive leads instantly via email and SMS and use the company’s appointment booking and hot key transfer service.

To receive red-hot leads in these areas, get in touch today on 0161 466 0099 or visit www.leads2trade.co.uk

In response to the growing demand from homeowners, housebuilders and specifiers for coloured PVC-U windows and doors, Eurocell now offers fabricators a seven working day turnaround for a wide range of foils.

Customers can choose from 31 different colours and finishes for any window or door as a made to order item, secure in the knowledge that they won’t be subject to the traditional three- to four-week wait that usually accompanies made to order profiles.

The available palette allows the homeowner or end-user the choice of regular favourites Rosewood and Golden Oak or, for those of a more contemporary mindset, soothing and stylish greys such as Anthracite, Slate, Kensington and Hazy Grey. Both Anthracite and Hazy Grey can be ordered with a woodgrain or smooth finish option.

Even those who are keen to be at the forefront of design and trends can select in vogue colours such as Light Ivory, Anteak and Chartwell Green or two shades of perennially cool black, Ebony and Black Ash.

“Whichever of the colours and finishes fabricators order, we now have the capability to complete that order within seven working days. Even allowing for delivery of say one or two days, this is the quickest and most complete made to order service in the industry. Should a customer wish, they can collect their order from us after seven working days”, says Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing.

“With the appetite for coloured profile growing across both new build and RMI, the launch of our seven-day made to order service is timely. It ensures that Eurocell fabricators are best positioned to take advantage of this upward trend,” he adds.

www.eurocell.co.uk