British Woodworking Federation Calls For The Creation Of A Building Safety Fund

Image Above: Iain McIlwee

Iain McIlwee, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation statement following the release of the interim Hackitt Review report:

“The British Woodworking Federation, whose members manufacture approaching three million fire doors in the UK each year, welcomed Dame Judith Hackitt’s interim recommendations on the regulatory structure, however, cautioned that the regulatory framework is only part of the jigsaw. The elephant in the room is still who is going to pay for these essential works.

Dame Judith urges building owners not to wait until the review is complete. However, as it stands vitally important work is being delayed due to financial considerations. We are calling for the Treasury to make an allocation for long term and potentially life-critical works by creating a Building Safety Fund (similar to the Pension Protection Fund). This will offer a solution to the current predicament of Housing Associations and Local Authorities, providing them with a scheme to apply to for compensation to support replacement and repair cost. The Fund would alleviate concerns from building managers and most importantly, tenants, while helping consolidate legal matters through a centrally controlled process. Although the cost of this may need to be born through insurance premiums, when we consider the true cost of Grenfell, it is not one that we can responsibly ignore.

Dame Hackitt has, through this report, made a phenomenal start in pulling all of the complex interrelations together and by defining the roles and responsibilities of duty holders, and competence of individuals, is ensuring people look beyond “their bit” and instead focus on how we deliver successful projects together. We very much look forward to supporting Dame Judith and her team in the next stages and hope that in the meantime, the Chancellor will recognise that we need Treasury to act too to help clear the log jam.”

www.bwf.org.uk

Double R Glass & Roofing Systems, supplier of quality IGUs and conservatory roofs, is pleased to reveal the latest addition to its suite of customer support – a new brochure.

“Double R is a significantly sized IGU and conservatory roof manufacturer but we’re so busy doing what we do and focusing on customers, we’re not very good at letting people know that,” explains Ian Sims, Managing Director of Double R. “Hopefully this new brochure will help us spread the word and help our customers get the most out of Double R as a supplier. Even some of our customers don’t know the extent of our product range, so our new brochure, available in print or online at www.glassandroofs.com will be a useful tool for future and existing customers alike.

“We know fabricators and installers are busy, so the brochure is only 8 pages long but contains everything you need to know. It details what’s different about Double R, the range of sealed units we produce including double and triple glazed, the different projects our decorative department can help with and the range of solid and traditional conservatory roofs we supply. The brochure also offers an introduction to GINA – the first vertical Super Spacer Hot Melt IGU line of its kind in the world!

“Fabricators and installers can view the brochure as a flip book on our website, download it as a pdf or call us on 01933 443658 for a hard copy. We hope this latest addition to our customer support which already includes a re-designed website with information centre and published promise to customers in our customer charter, will give future and existing customers an insight into our business, our products and our approachable and quality focused philosophy.”

For more information visit www.glassandroofs.com or call 01933 443658

The fully thermally broken Stratus lantern roof system from Synseal Group is now available with a grey interior colour following high demand from customers.

With a hardwearing aluminium exterior and innovative thermal break technology, Stratus has been designed to combine desires for aluminium aesthetics and excellent thermal efficiency.

Following a successful first year of sales from fully fabricated products and a surge in roof fabricators signing up to offer Stratus, the aluminium lantern roof system was chosen as a finalist in the New Product of the Year category at the G17 Awards – giving Synseal Group high expectations for this product in 2018.

Now Stratus offers customers even more choice with an internal Anthracite Grey option.

Andy Jones, Group Sales and Marketing Director, said: “Anthracite grey has taken the market by storm over the past couple of years and is a very popular choice among homeowners both as an internal and external colour. Our grey exterior option has been well received by our customers and end users and following their requests, we have made grey an option for the internal colour too.

“More homeowners are starting to incorporate colour on their windows, doors and roof products internally now and RAL 7016, better known as Anthracite Grey, is the top choice at the moment. In addition to the minimal sightlines and discreet cappings that Stratus offers, the benefit of a grey internal colour will give the seamless impression of a panoramic view of the night sky which many homeowners are looking for.”

The grey interior colour will be available to customers from January. To add Stratus to your roof product offering, call 01623 444390 or email info@synseal.com.

 A time to be positive

Warm edge experts Edgetech have returned from China’s biggest glazing expo with over a hundred promising leads.

Held at Shanghai’s New China International Exhibition Centre in early November, FENESTRATION BAU China drew 100,000 visitors from across mainland China, East Asia and the world to see 635 firms showcase their wares.

The Chinese construction sector has seen phenomenal growth over the past decade – and while new-build is beginning to slow, domestic and commercial refurbishment is still in huge demand.

What’s more, both homeowners and the Chinese business community are becoming increasingly interested in thermally efficient products – and, by extension, warm edge spacer technology.

Edgetech, which trades under the name of parent company Quanex in China, attracted attention from new prospects and existing customers alike with its impressive warm edge offerings, including its TruPlas, Duralite, and flagship Super Spacer products.

Chris Alderson, Managing Director for the UK and the Asia Pacific, commented: “FENESTRATION BAU China exceeded all expectations this year. Meeting glass manufacturers from as far afield as Taiwan, Korea, Mongolia, the Middle East and the USA, we were able to walk away with over a hundred extremely promising leads.

“It’s clear that not just in China but all over the world, there’s huge demand for the sort of speed, efficiency, and outstanding all-around performance than Super Spacer can provide – particularly as more and more glass manufacturers move towards automation.”

Edgetech’s Super Spacer is the leading foam warm edge spacer product on the market, offering easy application, 100% memory and exceptional thermal efficiency and condensation resistance. The firm also manufactures an extensive range of other flexible components, including its commercial-focused TriSeal and T-Spacer, as well as a number of rigid products.

In 2011, Edgetech was acquired by billion-dollar building products giant Quanex. Soon after, Edgetech was merged with Truseal to create the world’s largest warm edge manufacturing site. In 2017, Edgetech celebrated a decade of manufacturing in the UK, and ten years of partnership with over forty valued customers.

For more information about Edgetech please call 02476 639931 or visit: www.edgetechig.co.uk

If you’re looking to secure more commercial contracts, it’s vital to partner with the right systems partner. And Spectus has all the credentials you need.

Spectus has been working in the commercial sector since 1991. Its innovative, class leading window, door and curtain walling solutions have been installed in thousands of new build and refurbishment properties in the public and commercial sectors including homes, schools, hospitals, offices and industrial units. It works with local authorities and private registered providers including ALMOs, housing associations, house builders and contractors. It all means it’s got instant brand recognition that’s very reassuring and gives contractors working with Spectus instant credibility.

Spectus is a leading commercial supplier because of the quality of its products and the quality of its support. Its products are at the cutting edge of innovation while also offering strong aesthetic and practical benefits. What’s more, from manufacturing and lifecycle optimisation to maximising thermal efficiency, it continuously strives to exceed current environmental requirements, which means it’s helping commercial organisations to meet their own targets.

The brand’s Approved Commercial Manufacturer’s scheme supports fabricators working in the commercial sector. Members are guided through all the required standards, including constructionline/EXOR and relevant quality accreditation, and are supported with training, full literature and continuous personal development seminars to keep them up to date with all the best practice techniques.

Spectus also has a comprehensive support team in house to support the commercial market. Commercial fabricators are assisted with technical support including Window Energy Ratings, wind loading calculations, load bearing calculations and section details for specifications. All of its products are listed in RIBA nbsPlus as well as on www.ribaproductselector.com, the buildings products library for construction professionals. BIM objects for its products are also available on www.spectus.co.uk and www.bimstore.co.uk.

The support continues to site as well. The specification team works alongside customers and liaises with other parties such as residents, attending any meetings to offer advice on the specified products, styles and hardware to ensure complete buy-in.

In short, if you’re keen to explore more commercial opportunities, Spectus offers one of the best ways to do so.

Picture above: Tracy Lockyer

FrameXpress management is delighted to announce a further team expansion as the company continues its development programme on the back of a very successful year.

This is an important milestone in the company’s growth with management focused on a strategy to build upon its already strong customer support services.

As FrameXpress gears up for new developments heading into 2018 at the start of its 20 Year Anniversary, and with demand for products at an unprecedented high, a number of new opportunities have opened to further expand the team.

Tracy Lockyer joins the company in the Order Processing department where she will handle order queries, customer liaison, job quotes and will also be responsible for re-ordering parts.  With extensive experience within the industry prior to joining the company, she is very familiar with the high standards of service associated with FrameXpress.

On her new role Tracy comments, “Assisting with customer care has been an integral part of my work before, and as such I am very much looking forward to becoming part of the strong, cohesive team here at FrameXpress.”

Additionally, there have been two promotions for long standing staff members Craig James and Lewis Cotton.

Craig has been appointed Commercial Contracts Manager where he will now work alongside Sarah Price, Commercial Sales Manager.  He will be responsible for administration and customer liaison on all commercial client accounts and this will help to underpin the qualities of the existing team.

Lewis’ promotion to Order Processor from the Glass Division, ensures that the company will remain efficient and will result in stronger business relations with customers both regionally and nationally. Customer liaison and support will be a key part of his new role.

With demand for the company’s products and services increasing steadily, it has become clear more businesses are turning to frameXpress as a preferred trade supplier due to product quality and strong support services.

On the new appointments, Tim Ball, Operations Director comments, “Keeping an eye on future market direction and giving customers the best support possible is vital.  It was essential to strengthen our team and resource it to capitalize on our strong position in this mature market.

The restructure is already having a very positive impact with our customers and this strategic programme will ensure that we achieve lasting growth and continued success.”

FrameXpress is a leading trade fabricator and supplier providing pvc-u windows, doors, conservatories and ancillary products including aluminium bifold and Composite Doors.  For more information contact the team on 01952 581100 or visit the website www.framexpress.co.uk.

Picture above: Gary Hill (L) and Ian Lant (R) of Original Wooden Windows Ltd

When Original Wooden Windows Ltd set out to make its frame production quicker and more efficient with new machinery, Director Gus Brazier said the name of Mighton Products needed no introduction. Even though the hardware specialist launched its machinery range less than a year ago, the Slough-based joinery firm knew Mighton from 12 years of using its sash weights and other ironmongery.

Mighton did not expect OWW to make the choice on reputation alone, but was able to give Gus and the team hands-on experience of its Scribe-It™ end-scribing machine without leaving the factory, thanks to the Mighton Mobile Demonstration Vehicle.

“The rep gave us a full demo of the end-scribing machine so we were able to see for ourselves exactly what it can do,” he said.

“Installation was simple and didn’t cause any interruptions. Just from using the machine in the first couple of weeks the benefits have been clear to see. It has not only sped up production significantly but also gives exactly the same profile with every cut.”

Scribe-It™ increases throughput by scribing the ends of timber profiles quickly, efficiently and consistently. It can complete a full cutting cycle in just 15 seconds and is compatible with any profile up to 45mm wide and 35mm deep. Using two cutters, Scribe-It™ allows for the shaping of the bead to be carried out in two halves, therefore safeguarding against issues such as the beads splitting or spelching at the ends.

Chairman Mike Derham said OWW’s experience was the ideal example of the difference one machine could make:

He explains: “The end scribing is only one small part of OWW‘s overall manufacturing process but when you have a bottleneck in a factory, it can have a knock-on effect on every other part.

“Now, with the the right machinery in place, the whole factory can operate more smoothly and of course more efficiently and cost-effectively.”

He  adds: “We are always pleased to be able to support craftmen such as Original Wooden Windows, a family owned and run business which has been trading for over 40 years. All of their experienced staff specialise in the bespoke design and manufacture of timber windows and doors, with every item designed and produced to match exacting customer requirements. They also pride themselves on working sucessfully with heritage and conservation authorities.”

To learn more about the range of Mighton Products machinery, and the flexible finance options available, or to order a new catalogue visit www.mightonproducts.com or call 01223 497097.

The highly-acclaimed Modo composite door range from Apeer has been used in a home renovation project in Broughshane, Co. Antrim.

Apeer’s Ryan Burnett was looking to replace the old single glazed door on his property with not only a highly secure and efficient replacement, but also a door that could be completely personalised to suit the external look of the property.

As part of the IT team on the Apeer FIT Show stand at the NEC in Birmingham last year, Ryan was able to see firsthand the latest offerings on the Modo composite door collection, which featured alongside the company’s frameless Lumi range:

“The show gave me the chance to see the colour options, furniture and glass designs available, and how through a combination of these, I could make a door that was personal to me and would suit the needs of me and my family.

“The replacement door we chose was the Modo AMD6 door finished externally in a non-standard RAL colour, Squirrel Grey. I loved the look of the contemporary bar handles that are available, but with young children in the household I knew this wouldn’t be practical as the lock would be too high. The Apeer Sales Team suggested the new Karcher handle, which suited our needs perfectly and we love the modern look and it complements the Modo door style really nicely.”

Ryan added: “We absolutely love the finished door and always get positive comments from people visiting the house, including the postman! We are now looking at replacing the old French doors and sidelights at the back of the house with Lumi French doors or a Lumi Lift and Slide door.”

Modo is a design-led collection of composite doors, designed and manufactured at Apeer’s state-of-the-art production facility in Ballymena, Northern Ireland alongside the Lumi windows and door collection.

To find out more about the collection of Apeer composite doors, and the frameless Lumi range, visit

visit www.apeer.co.uk

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our colleague and dear friend Jon Skinner who died on Friday 29^th December, 2017.

Jon had worked in the glazing industry for more than 40 years and spent his latter years as Commercial Director of Epwin Window Systems, a role which he was proud to have and thoroughly enjoyed before ill health prevented him from continuing.

Jon began his career serving an apprenticeship for BKL Alloys and soon found himself working in one of their newly formed companies, Scope Aluminium, which became a market leader in the aluminium home improvements sector at that time.  Over the following years Jon worked with some of the industry leaders and help build some highly recognised brands in the industry while making some life-long friends.

Jon has also chaired the marketing committee of the British Plastics Window Group, working to promote the industry and the benefits of its products.  With his infectious enthusiasm, energy and product knowledge he was always available to help colleagues and customers.

Jon, 63, was a popular industry figure and highly respected by both his colleagues and customers.  He will be greatly missed.

Jon is survived by his wife Lynette and sons Luke and Brett.   Funeral arrangements will be communicated at the discretion of Jon’s family.

Our thoughts are with Jon’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.

Jon Bednall

Chief Executive Officer

Epwin Group Plc