Fact Versus Fiction: Link Building

Conservatory installer, SEH BAC, has been accepted into Ultraframe’s Which? endorsed Ultra Installer scheme.

The scheme aims to help end-users identify ‘reputable, trustworthy’ traders to install Ultraframe orangeries and conservatories. As a supplier of Ultraframe products, SEH BAC has reportedly been ‘rigorously vetted’ and found to meet the firm’s ‘stringent’ quality standards.

As an approved member of the scheme, SEH BAC has permission to display the Ultra Installer scheme logo, featuring the Which? Trusted Trader icon, and benefits from its own page on both Ultraframe’s website, and the Which? Trusted Trader website.

Like all other Ultra Installers, SEH BAC follows a strict code of conduct, requiring it to ensure staff are trained to a ‘high standard’, follow up customer enquiries within two days, and to act ‘responsibly and professionally’ at all times.

SEH BAC sales director, Norman Hornigold, said: “We’re delighted to have been accepted into the Ultra Installer scheme. It demonstrates our clear and long-standing commitment to offering exceptional quality products and customer service to homeowners throughout the South of England.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to have our hard work recognised by Ultraframe, and to be associated with Which?, the country’s most trusted and respected consumer rights organisation.”

www.sehbac.com

The post SEH BAC gains Which? endorsed Ultra Installer status appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

The Window Outlet have launched a customer-friendly version of their new aluminium brochure.

Designed to help their trade customers sell by presenting a professional image, the glossy, 16-page brochure showcases the firm’s range of aluminium windows, doors, bifolds and patio doors available from the likes of Reynaers, Shueco and AluK.

“We’re delighted with the positive response we’ve received from customers using our trade brochure,” comments Ben Warren, the Window Outlet MD. “At The Window Outlet, we want to offer our customers valuable sales material that puts their business and our aluminium products in the best light possible. We also deliver training to help uPVC installers break into the buoyant aluminium market and offer clients our showroom to use with their customers.”

The new brochure focuses on The Window Outlet’s extensive offering from AluK which includes their BSF70 and BSF70HD luxury bifold doors and the 58BW aluminium window.

In addition, the brochure showcases products from Reynaers, specifically their CP130LS patio door and the CP155LS premium patio door solution. Both patio doors offer a highly-versatile solution with lift and slide functionality and can be configured with either two or three rails. The CP155LS maximises natural light through an innovative ultra-slim middle section.

For more information visit www.the-window-outlet.co.uk or call 0117 405 8488

A new bespoke display Pod for the radical Lumi window and door range is being trialled by approved dealer Crystal Clear Bristol with a view to rolling it out across the system’s retailer network.

The Pod, which is already proving the centre of attention in the retailer’s showroom, is styled directly after manufacturer Apeer’s striking exhibition stand with the specific aim of targeting leads generated by the company’s busy schedule of lifestyle exhibitions.

“So many homeowners are knocked out by Lumi at consumer shows wherever we go,” said Apeer Marketing Manager Linda Tomb, “Now, they can step into a showroom and pick up on it immediately, with not only the same products but the same look and style, so they know straight away what they are looking at.

“We are already passing out hundreds of leads generated from lifestyle shows like Grand Designs Live to our retail partners around the country. This pod will enable them to make the very most of those leads as well as providing a striking display for everyone else who walks into any showroom.

“From what we have learned from this first unit, we are confident they could be in a good few more showrooms by Christmas.

Crystal Clear Bristol is an established outlet for the Apeer door range and, as MD James Mizen explained, the Pod was integral to the move into Lumi:

“We knew about Lumi and we went to the HQ in Ireland to see for ourselves. We knew straight away this was something we wanted to sell and we signed up for the Pod while we were there.

“It was fitted by the Apeer guys in three days. We have the Lumi window, the door and the new glass entrance door in the unit and most people who come into the showroom comment on it and love the idea. Hopefully, this will allow us to grow the Lumi brand as South West agent for the system.”

www.apeer.co.uk

FMB’s Brian Berry is warning homeowners not to ‘take the risk’ with a ‘cowboy’ when it comes to building projects

A third of small building firms say that soaring material prices are squeezing their margins, with windows at number five on the list of increased prices and timber at number one, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Construction SMEs have reported a range of material price increases since the depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum in June 2016. Small building firms were asked which materials have increased the most and the results were as follows:

1) Timber
2) Insulation
3) Bricks
4) Blocks
5) Windows
6) Plasterboard / slate (joint sixth)
7) Boilers and radiators
8) Porcelain products

As a result, the FMB reports that:

• 85% of builders think material price rises could drive consumers to hire ‘rogue traders’ in an effort to save money on their building projects

• One third of construction SMEs (32%) have had their margins squeezed

• Almost one quarter (22%) have been forced to pass material price increases onto their clients, making projects more expensive for consumers

• More than one-in-ten builders report making losses on their building projects due to material price increases

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “Material price increases have left builders under severe pressure. This research shows that following the fall in the exchange rate, timber is the material that the majority of builders say has increased most in price but the problem doesn’t end there – everything from insulation to windows to bricks and blocks are soaring in price. A third of builders report that these price increases are eating into their already razor-thin margins – and this on top of increased wages and salaries stemming from long-term construction skills shortages. Furthermore, one-in-ten builders say that they’ve actually made losses on projects due to material price increases – this is most likely to happen when a particular product or material jumps up in price mid-project when the builder has already quoted for the work. Perhaps unwisely, some builders are absorbing these extra costs as opposed to re-quoting for the project.”

Berry concluded: “Material price spikes aren’t just a problem for builders – they’re also a problem for the homeowner, with almost one quarter of builders saying that they have had to pass on price increases to their clients. This means that building projects now cost significantly more than they did this time last year. What with stagnant wages and price inflation across the economy, consumers are feeling the pinch and it might be that they decide not to commission that loft conversion or extension after all. Or worse still, 85% of builders believe that homeowners will be tempted to hire rogue traders who are quoting a lower price than a professional building firm such as those that belong to the FMB. If that’s the case, material price rises could lead to a flurry of botched jobs and distressed consumers. We’re calling on homeowners to hold their nerve – they’re better off commissioning a more modest project from a professional builder than a high spec project from a cowboy. Don’t take the risk.”

The post Material prices ‘soaring’ says FMB appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Conservatory Outlet retail partner Amber Home Improvements new showroom, Hellesdon Hall Industrial Estate, Norwich.

The first month of its new financial year has reportedly been another record breaker for Conservatory Outlet, with June 2017 sales figure up 5% on the previous record. The Yorkshire based fabricator is crediting its best ever month to the growth of its retail network members, with four new showroom openings over the past six months.

With more than 6,000 frames, 200 roofs and 350 composite doors processed in June, it has been a very busy period for the fabricator and its 24-strong retail network. The firm says its ‘sustained and uncompromising’ growth continues to defy wider UK concerns over the economic climate and the uncertainty of Brexit.

Conservatory Outlet managing director, Michael Giscombe, explained: “The Conservatory Outlet Network is truly alive with activity at the moment. We’ve never been so busy in terms of both orders and in supporting new and exciting growth initiatives from around the network.

“We’re looking forward to building on this strong start through the rest of the financial year and raising the company to new heights, including more new showrooms, product launches and additional marketing support.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone within the network for their continued support; and to our fabulous staff for their commitment and dedication in processing the overwhelming quantity of orders in June without compromising on quality. In true Yorkshire style, we celebrated with a fish and chip lunch for all our staff on Monday 24th July as a small token of our appreciation for all their hard work.”

The company says it remains firmly focused on achieving its £20m turnover goal by 2018, and on securing full UK coverage by ‘actively seeking’ new retail partners in areas of the UK untapped by its network, including Essex, Cornwall and South Wales.
www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk

The post Sales figures up at Conservatory Outlet appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Leading VEKA fabricator Modplan added VEKA/Halo’s FlushSash window to its range earlier this year and Heidi Sachs, Modplan’s Managing Director, says the window is proving a hit with customers. “The heritage market is buoyant at the moment and the VEKA/Halo FlushSash has the credentials the sector demands. But as well as being the perfect heritage product the flush aesthetics mean it’s also proving to be a popular alternative to aluminium on contemporary projects.”

The FlushSash window replicates 19th century windows, helping to keep the heritage feel of older homes. This feel can be enhanced with heritage detail options such as monkey tail handles and ornamental peg stays when required. But, as Heidi says, as well as offering everything heritage applications need, the window also has a modern feel to its aesthetics, which makes it a popular option for architects and specifiers looking for a cost-effective alternative to aluminium in new build projects. It is available in a range of woodgrains and coloured finishes in the 30 colour options of VEKA’s Variations collection.

While the window may have heritage looks, the thermal efficiency credentials are certainly modern day, thanks to the five chamber construction that gives it a U value of 1.3m²k using 28 mm glazing. And for when even better credentials are needed, a triple glazed version is also available. The security is impressive too because it achieves BS7950 and PAS 023/024.

The FlushSash window is manufactured in Modplan’s dedicated factory near Newport, Gwent with orders for coloured frames being fulfilled in Modplan’s dedicated on-site painting facility. It means customers benefit from a quality product backed up with the quality service for which Modplan is renowned.

Heidi concludes: “We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop for installers and making their lives as easy as possible. The FlushSash window is an essential component of a heritage portfolio and we are delighted that so many of our customers are benefiting from what it has to offer.”

Modplan manufactures and provides a comprehensive range of products that includes the Matrix 58, Veka Matrix 70 and 70FS systems, VEKA Vertical sliders, PVC-u patio and bifold doors, conservatories, the Vertex Open Canopy, the Vertex roof system with polycarbonate, glass or tile effect roof options, the Wendland roofing system and the newly added Ultrasky, Livin room and LEKA Warm Roof. For more information on any of the Modplan’s products and support, simply Ask the Man from Modplan.

www.modplan.co.uk

We have all seen the devastation fire can cause. The disaster at Grenfell Tower in London just a matter of weeks ago shocked us all to the core. Never had we seen such a tragedy play out live in front of us like this. It is something I am certain not a single person will ever want to see in the future.

As a result, the Government has launched a number of wide ranging enquiries to find out the catalysts for the fire, and the causes for it spreading so quickly, although we probably all know that information anyway.

Since the disaster, the Government has said that Building Regulations will be looked at, with the overall aim to tighten them up. Whether this actually happens I doubt. So many times in the past Building Regulations could have been updated strongly, but was always watered down.

But this disaster I think has caused us in this country to take a serious look at construction. How we build our buildings. The quality of those buildings. And of course, safety. The window industry has a big role to play in this, and I often wonder whether the window industry and Building Regulations takes fire safety in fenestration seriously.

The current regs

According to the Planning Portal, the national home for for planning and Building Regulation information, this is the law on windows and escape in case of fire:

When replacing any window, the opening should be sized to provide at least the same potential for escape as the window it replaces. If the original window that is being replaced was larger than necessary for the purpose of escape, then the new window opening could be reduced down to the minimum as specified in the criteria below.

The means of escape should be considered for any new window installed to an extension or existing dwelling.  If an escape window is required then criteria set out below should be followed.  It is also generally good practice to replace any window on the first floor that is not used as an escape window with an escape window.

See below for the general criteria for egress windows:

• Width and Height – Either of these are not to be any less than 450mm
• Clear Openable Area – No less than 0.33m²
• Cill height – The bottom of the openable area should be no more than 1100mm above the floor area.

Only one window per room is generally required.

I hope that most of us are familiar with those bullet points. But it’s that top paragraph that concerns me.

“When replacing any window, the opening should be sized to provide at least the same potential for escape as the window it replaces.” The way I read that, it creates a loophole whereby an existing window of a bad design that doesn’t provide access like a side opener does can be replicated in the new window. For example, in a bedroom which has only a small top opener, the new window can be made once again with a small top opener.

The wording then goes on basically to say that if the existing window already ticks the fire escape regs box, then the new one can either be the same, or reduced in opening so long as it meets those three bullet pointed requirements.

But it’s that first paragraph that concerns me the most. This wording I believe is based on 2013 regulations, and so is relatively up to date. I find it hard to believe that even in 2013, those in charge thought that it would be OK to allow installers to retro-fit new windows in bedrooms on the first floor that copy and existing bad design. This is where Building Regulations have not taken fire safety seriously enough. And it needs to change. Quickly.

Installers who don’t care

It isn’t so long ago that I pulled up to a house to quote for new windows, where over the road I saw another window installer blatantly installing windows which went directly against the regulations stated above.

This was a tall terraced house, where on the floor laid big tilt and turn windows with diamond leading. Not the nicest looking windows, but they were big openers and more than met the requirements for fire escape. Being put back in were new windows, minus the leading, but all with very slim top openers. Nowhere near meeting current fire or ventilation regulations. I was in two minds as to whether to report them. Even common sense at the point of sale should have flagged up that if there was a fire these people were not going to get out, even if they didn’t actually know the regulations.

Time was against me so I had to see my own customer. She got fire escape windows, needless to say. But this was utter blatant disregard for this home owner’s safety. My guess is that top openers were the cheapest and therefore easiest to sell for that sales person who would have only been bothered about the sale and nothing else.

It goes against what we do at our place. Although the flawed law seems to allow the copying of a bad design for new windows, we ignore it. We impress upon the home owner the vital need to get out in case of emergency, which obviously no one wishes ends up being the case. But for everyone’s peace of mind we insist on having fire escape windows in every bedroom, regardless of the design that was there originally. The window design could vary of course, depending on the house and the dimensions of the opening, but they always get a fire escape window. I have even walked away from a customer who insisted on putting top openers in a bedroom where he had side openers before. I explained the rules of the law to him, but he said he wasn’t bothered. So I said I wouldn’t be quoting him that day.

This is where we as an industry at this moment in time has to take some personal responsibility. The existing fire escape law is flawed in my opinion, by allowing, as I read it, to copy a bad design for a new window. For me, we should be ignoring that and insisting to all home owners that in all bedrooms, be it ground or first floor, their new windows should incorporate a fire escape element. Given what has happened, can we really be turning a blind eye, using loopholes, just to be able to copy bad window designs? No.

I sincerely hope that the whole of Building Regulations is looked at very closely and revamped as much as it can. No more watered down incremental increases every few years. We all deserve regulations that are fit for purpose.

Haffner Murat has strengthened its sales management team with the appointment of experienced industry man, Mike James, in the position of Sales Director. Dave Thomas, Haffner Murat’s Managing Director, said, “Mike is well-known in the industry and we are delighted to find a committed and experienced sales professional with a vast knowledge of the fabrication market. Mike brings with him the expertise and industry knowledge to ensure we maintain our momentum as the pace of Haffner Murat’s machinery sales continues to increase. “

In his appointment, Mike will be responsible for developing sales opportunities for the full range of Haffner Murat’s machinery products including the new ITALMAC range of aluminium fabrication machinery.

Commenting on his appointment, Mike said: “I am delighted to join Haffner Murat at such an exciting time. The company is renowned for the success of their machinery range and I firmly believe they are in the best position to challenge the market to increasingly accept production automation.  I am delighted to be working with such a talented team.”

Mike brings with him over 30 years of industry experience in sales, management and business development. From 2002 onwards Mike was with the Eynsham Group where he sat on the main operating board as Sales Director.   Previously Mike was with the Epwin Group for 15 years.

The appointment of Mike further reinforces Haffner Murat’s sales team as the company rapidly expands to meet the increasing demand for their machinery products.

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