The benefits of triple glazing are overlooked by most homeowners

Despite its popularity in mainland Europe, triple glazing is still not on the radar for many UK homeowners. This is the view of the Managing Director of Improveasy – a company that offers customers financial solutions to fund home improvements through its approved installers. The use of finance arrangements by homeowners has grown hugely in the last few years but Austin says that data from his customers shows that, regardless of its benefits, triple glazing is failing to gain traction. He comments: “Recently, we’ve seen big improvements in the standard of double glazing and these enhancements have been well communicated to homeowners. In contrast, the potential advantages of installing triple glazing are often overshadowed by the initial expense of installing them and by customers’ concerns regarding payback periods.”

Triple-glazed windows are hugely popular in Scandinavian countries where the climate is very cold and are reported to offer good soundproofing against noisy neighbourhoods, enhanced security, and improved insulation. Austin continues: “Payback periods for triple glazing depend very much on the rest of the house. If a home’s walls, floor, and roof are well-insulated then its biggest heat loss is likely through windows. In this case – or if a customer’s renovation involves improving insulation generally – the use of triple glazing could save a customer money in the long run. In terms of the initial expense of purchasing triple glazing, this is where financial solutions can help. Installers that work with Improveasy will be able to advise homeowners if triple-glazed windows would be a good fit for a home and how finance can be used to fund the investment.”

Now, triple glazing makes up 1% of the UK’s window market and, with the popularity of the ‘Improve-Not-Move’ trend, Austin predicts that this figure will increase in the future. “For our installers, triple glazing is a good opportunity to up-sell, but we also want to help spread the message that homeowners can benefit from triple glazing with the help of Improveasy’s finance solutions.” Improveasy doesn’t just offer finance solutions; companies that partner with them can also access sales training seminars, alongside a host of innovative finance options. Companies that become Appointed Representatives (AR) will appear on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register; and can then begin offering finance options, under the Improveasy brand. Installers can also offer the finance options under their own company brand and Austin says he is seeing an increase in the number of homeowners who are using finance to part-fund larger investments such as conservatories.

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ONS figures published recently show that construction output in November rose by 0.4% in both monthly and annual terms. However, monthly data are volatile and on a rolling three-month basis, output declined 2.0%. This was the largest fall since August 2012.

Rebecca Larkin, senior economist at the Construction Products Association, commented: “Today’s data confirm what has been signalled by early indicators and industry surveys – that construction ended 2017 on a weak note. Past falls in new orders, particularly in the commercial and public non-housing sectors, now appear to filtering through into lower volumes of work. On a three-month basis, commercial output fell 5.4%.

“It now looks impossible that the industry avoided a full quarter of contraction in Q4, with the £30 billion private housing sector contributing the only positive story. Therefore, construction is set to have caused a drag on overall UK economic growth during the quarter.

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Synseal Group was voted PVC Company 2017 in the National Fenestration Awards in December, topping off a year that also saw them win an innovative technology award for the WarmCore aluminium system, and Glass Company of the Year at the G17 Awards.

Winning more than 30% of the vote in a competitive PVC-U category, the multi-product supplier claims the win is down to continual investment in their PVC-U manufacturing with two major projects conducted in 2017: their One White project and the roll-out of their 30% recycled EnviroCore technology.

Andy Jones, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Synseal Group, explained: “It was great to end last year winning an award for our PVC-U manufacturing, which will always be at the heart of our business activity even as our aluminium, glass and composite door brands continue to grow.

“With a PVC-U fabricator customer base exceeding 350, we have one of the largest PVC-U networks in the UK and we extruded more than 31 million metres of profile last year. Alongside this production, we rolled out two major projects, introduced to make it even easier for our customers to do business with us.

“The first, our One White project, is just coming to completion and will give our customers a colour match guarantee across all our white PVC-U products including all profiles, ancillary products and conservatory roof profiles from our Global and K2 ranges. Over the years we have acquired a number of brands with a number of different white shades, so this investment will enable our customers to confidently mix and match between the best of our product ranges.

“In addition, we have finished rolling out our EnviroCore technology to our Shield, Legend and SynerJy profiles. This is a 30% premium recycled core, using reprocessed post-production waste to create a real quality recycled product to help us and our customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and their installers who voted for us in this category and for recognising the steps we’re taking to further improve our PVC-U product range.”

Synseal Group was a finalist in eight of the NFA categories including Aluminium Company, IGU Manufacturer and Systems Company, which they won in 2016. Synseal’s marketing assistant, Katherine Taylor, also narrowly missed out in the Young Person category to James Haselden of Premier Conservatory Supplies – although Synseal had two reasons to congratulate them as the K2 and Stratus roof fabricator also took home the Conservatory Roof Fabricator accolade.

www.synseal.com

Image Above:  CMS Window Systems Chief Operating Officer, David Ritchie (2nd from right), discussing the importance of SMEs to the UK economy at a special Parliamentary Reception in London organised by BEIS, the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

CMS Window Systems has shared its business experience and insights at the highest level after being invited to a special SME Parliamentary Reception in London organised by BEIS, the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

The Glasgow-based company, which is a UK-leading window, door and curtain walling designer, manufacturer and installer, was represented at the exclusive event at Portcullis House by its Chief Operating Officer, David Ritchie.

David Ritchie was invited to be part of a panel chaired by the Federation of Small Businesses Director of Policy, Martin McTague, to discuss how SMEs can innovate and be more productive, and discuss the challenges to SME growth and scaling, and what government, the public and private sector is doing or can do to help.

According to BEIS, the SME Parliamentary Reception was arranged to help build networks amongst MPs, ministers, influential business leaders and SMEs, with the opportunity for views to be shared to help shape government policy that enables small business growth. The invitation to attend is the latest high profile recognition for CMS Window Systems, who were awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2017 and continue to be one of Scotland’s fastest growing manufacturing businesses.

Commenting on the SME Parliamentary Reception, David Ritchie said: “We were delighted to be invited to join this important event and discussion because of how crucial it is that policyholders and businesses work closely together for the UK economy to prosper. I really enjoyed the lively debate and very much hope that the contributions made by everyone representing the SME sector will be useful to policymakers.”

Find out more about CMS Window Systems at www.cmswindows.com

Deceuninck UK has announced that the company saw a 30% increase in like for like sales in December 2017 compared with December 2016. With these sales results Deceuninck claiming that 52% of everything the company makes now in colour, 2018 appears to be a starting off right for the PVC-U window manufacturer.

Rob McGlennon, managing director of Deceuninck UK said: “We had an exciting year in 2017 with the launch of our Heritage Window Collection, some prestigious new customer wins, hitting and surpassing the 50% colour milestone (and seeing some of our customers do the same) and of course winning the G-Award for New Product of the Year for the Heritage Flush Sash. However, we don’t intend to rest on our laurels this year. Customers can expect more of the same in terms of outstanding service, over and above marketing support and the very best products tailored to what the market wants and needs today.

“We’ve made huge investments to ensure we can deliver colour with no compromise and this will continue to be a focus this year. The market is demanding more colour and the companies that are delivering a wide range of options without restrictive delays, are the ones reaping the rewards. We’ve given our customers a USP in this area and we see this only going from strength to strength in 2018.”

www.deceuninck.co.uk

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Prefix Systems have just launched an impressive new collection of brochures for their WARMroof system, which includes a 20-page consumer brochure, 20-page product guide and a new 16-page guide to Building Regulations.

Collectively, the three new brochures represent arguably the most comprehensive range of support information in the solid roof sector, supporting customers fully through the sales, planning and installation process. In addition to the support materials, there’s also the added benefit of a comprehensive customer and technical support programme, across all four Prefix branches, which serve the entire UK mainland.

The most recent addition to the literature range is the comprehensive guide to Building Regulations, which provides clear and concise information about the whole process, highlighting the building control approval route for the LABC and LABSS schemes and their partnership with independent inspectorate jhai Ltd. There’s also a good practice guide for conservatory roof replacements, an area often overlooked throughout the industry, along with details of how to order the WARMroof from Prefix Systems. The guide helps to bust some common industry myths around the building control approval process, to ensure installers are well versed on the potential pitfalls associated with not adhering to the appropriate guidelines and legislation. 

Hannah Gilrane, marketing co-ordinator commented: ‘The newly expanded literature range for WARMroof is unsurpassed in the solid roof sector and is fully supported by our award-wining reputation for customer and technical support. The design, layout and content are easy to absorb and we have expanded upon the required information for customers to quote, sell, install and meet the required regulations.

She continued: ‘In all, it’s a complete blueprint for the sales, installation and approval process for solid roofs.’ 

For further information on Prefix Systems and to request the new WARMroof brochure pack, contact the head office on 01254 871800, or e-mail marketing@prefixsystems.co.uk. For other information visit www.prefixsystems.co.uk, or add to their considerable following on Twitter @prefixsystems.

Customade Group (Customade) has announced the appointment of David Leng as group chief executive. David’s appointment is effective as of 1 February, succeeding John Lightowlers who continues with the firm in a non-executive capacity.

David joins from Synseal Group, where as chief executive he took the company from a £70m manufacturer of window pro les and conservatories, to become a £160m multi-channel, multi-material market-leading business in the window, glass, roof and door sectors. Using a mix of acquisition, disposal, turnaround and organic growth, over the last 16 years David has led the transformation of several complex manufacturing businesses with turnovers ranging from £20m to £300m.

David is tasked to drive the business forward, doubling its scale to build a company with a turnover in excess of £200 million in the medium term.

He commented: “I am delighted to be joining Customade – it is exactly the type of opportunity that motivates me. It is at a really exciting point in its development and is ready to capitalise on its numerous growth opportunities. We have ambitious goals to fulfil and Customade is well structured, with strong investor support, exceptional products, first-rate employees and a well-deserved reputation for superior service. I look forward to leading the next phase of its development.”

www.thecustomadegroup.co.uk

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Bohle has continued its investment programme with the acquisition of high-profile US shower and bath accessories manufacturer, Portals Hardware.

Set up in 2001 and operating from Kansas City, Missouri, the acquisition of Portals Hardware, significantly extends Bohle’s reach in the United States.

Arne Klöfkorn, CEO at Bohle AG said the cultural fit between the two businesses was strong, with a common focus on customer service and product quality.

Arne said: “Bohle and Portals Hardware are two leading and steadily growing companies in the American market and joining forces allows each to offer their customers an even better service”.

Dave Broxton, managing director of the company’s UK operation, said that the deal demonstrated Bohle’s continuing willingness to invest in its overseas markets.

He said: “We have a very strong presence here in the UK but Bohle remains a global business. That’s a key benefit to our customers here at home because it means that we have the resource to invest in growth as well as a continuous programme of product development.

“This puts us but most importantly our customers, at the forefront of innovation in glass processing technologies.”

www.bohle-group.com

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