Dialogue Layered Glass by ODL

With four supply partners showcasing the latest innovations in PVC-U, aluminium and glass technologies, Promac Group’s presence, will be among the very largest at this year’s Fensterbau , 21 – 24 March Nuremberg, Germany.

This includes significant innovations in PVC-U welding technologies from Graf and Urban. The latest incarnations of the SL4-FF seamless welder from Graf Synergy, including the SL4FF EVO and the SL4-H FF, which introduces a new capability to insert welded transom and mullions into a seamlessly welded frame or sash, provide a major pull.

The same technology has also been applied by the FOM-GS group to sill manufacture. The SLS Seamless Sill Welder, delivers an exceptional finish, while reducing total cycle time to less than 2 minutes per weld, and will form a key part of the Graf showcase including on stand demonstrations.

Urban is also ‘out in force’ with its own seamless welder the new AKS 9600, expected to form a key part of its stand. It will also preview its new single-head CNC controlled automatic corner cleaner, the SV840 and its range of AKFU Timberweld® millers.

“We’ve been talking about the influence premium finishes and foils have been having on the PVC-U window industry for a little while”, says Lee Marriott, Promac Group. “The Graf SL4FF seamless welder has been incredibly influential. The Graf SLS taps into that same technology to deliver a seamless sill weld, while also cutting total production time by 90%, eliminating knifing, sanding and penning.

“Urban is now also moving into this area and will unveil a new seamless welder alongside its Timberweld® millers, so there’s a huge amount for PVC-U fabricators to look at”, continued Lee.

Innovation in aluminium also plays a big part at this year’s expo. FOM has chosen Fensterbau to unveil its new LMX 65 aluminium machining and cutting line. An evolution of its highly innovative LMT 65 aluminium entry level offer, the LMX 65 introduces the ability to mill both ends of the bar, making it ideal for higher volume commercial work including curtain walling.

FOM will also showcase the Axel 5 five axis machining centre and the revamped Blitz Double Mitre Saw. The Axel 5 handles profile of up to 18m also making it ideal for curtain walling and manufacture of larger scale commercial applications

The glass processing and IGU sector is also represented by Forel, which will profile its new EM Vertical Edger, PBA Profile Bender and DFN Dessicant Filler.

The EM Automatic Veritcal Edging is optimized for processing float and laminated glass, delivering high levels of flexibility. This includes edge arrissing, graded edge grinding and edge polishing with the ability to square glass to final dimensions, it can also be used across IGU, tempering and grinding lines.

The Automatic Spacer Bar Bender applies the same focus on quality and efficiency to the manufacture of spacer bar frames, including new warm-edge technologies. It features advanced new software which automatically recognizes and calibrates hardware to multiple profile types, while smart arm clamping technology guarantees the perfect bend.

www.promac.co.uk 

Long-standing Halo fabricator Masterframe was named ‘Timber Alternative Window Company 2017’ in December’s National Fenestration Awards and the team are delighted that they will be recognised at the official prize-giving.

The accolade demonstrates that, using Halo’s high quality PVC-U profile, Masterframe creates some of the fenestration industry’s most sought-after sashes, in low-maintenance PVC-U.

Based in Essex, Masterframe specialises in PVC-U sash windows and has a reputation for quality and attention to detail. The company’s products are regularly specified to replace traditional timber in buildings that need to retain their historic looks, while improving energy efficiency.

According to the Fenestration Awards’ website “companies eligible for the timber alternative category are those who fabricate or install PVC-u or aluminium window and door products that aim to replicate their timber counterparts.”

Carol Slade, Sales & Operational Director said “We are especially honoured to receive this award because it is won on number of votes received from the industry rather than a panel of judges. We cannot thank those who voted enough for taking the time out of their busy schedules to help us win this award.

“For a while now, we have been marketing our windows as the best low maintenance alternative to timber sash windows. When retail customers call in at our showroom or visit us at a show and view our windows, they are often surprised that they are, in fact, not timber and are always genuinely impressed with their authenticity.

“The high spec, PVC-U systems that we use allow us to combine the traditional aesthetics of a timber window with the many benefits of this modern material. As a Halo customer, we are also able to benefit from VEKA Group’s Variations foil range which means we can specify a wide range of colours and a host of realistic woodgrains that are virtually indistinguishable from real timber. If required, we can even spray frames in a bespoke colour of the customer’s choice.

“This award will make it even easier to for those that purchase or specify our windows to impress their customers who are interested in timber alternative windows.”VEKA Group’s Sales Director Neil Evans said: “We were very pleased to see Masterframe named 2017’s Timber Alternative Window Company. We know for a fact that they were up against some stiff competition, so the hard work of the team has certainly paid off! With such a commitment to quality and a strong partnership with Halo, we’ll look forward to seeing what else Masterframe might achieve this year.”

Read more about Masterframe sash windows at www.masterframe.co.uk

According to Schueco UK, innovations and improvements being introduced for the 2018 competition mean that there are now even more reasons for entering the Schueco Excellence Awards for Design and Innovation. Inaugurated in 2013, these annual awards aim to celebrate the very best in building design and construction in the UK and Ireland.

The 2018 Schueco Excellence Awards Gala Luncheon will take place on 21 June at the Saatchi Gallery, off the King’s Road in London. Every company that submits an entry will be invited to attend, free of charge.

Confirmed names for the 2018 panel of judges currently include Chairman, Ken Shuttleworth, Make architects; Denise Bennetts of Bennetts Associates; Carl Turner, Carl Turner Architects and Jason Flanagan of Flanagan Lawrence. Specialist cladding consultants are yet to be named.

The categories for the 2018 Excellence Awards are: commercial, cultural, education, health, individual house, individual house improvement, refurbishment, residential development, steel project and specialist contractor. There will also be a Schueco Special Merit Award for Overall Excellence.

The only stipulations for an eligible entry are that a project submitted should be completed or handed over before the end of March 2018 and should utilise at least one Schueco system and involve a UK- or Irish-based Schueco Partner fabricator.

www.schueco.co.uk

The post Vying for Excellence appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

With big changes happening at the organisation, can you afford not to be IN?

Independent Network powered by VEKA, the nation’s premier installer network, is inviting companies to join the organisation at a time when they can take advantage of record levels of investment and benefit from an innovative new consumer strategy.

A promotional programme being delivered across the country is currently highlighting the opportunity for companies to join, by sharing the ‘Top Ten’ advantages of membership this year, including a huge re-brand from Network VEKA to independent Network.

VEKA Group Marketing Director Dawn Stockell explains: “Since 1996, VEKA Group has offered the industry’s finest installer support package. In 2017, we made substantial investment in consumer research to ensure that our installer network was being recognised and understood by the largest number of homeowners and that our members were getting the most out of the offering. We delved into exactly what consumers consider when investing in home improvements, and how their buying decisions are influenced. Based on in-depth analysis of the results, Network VEKA evolved into Independent Network.

“VEKA Group is increasing its marketing budget three-fold in this sector and with the greater spend on trade and consumer advertising and PR, this is a fantastic time for companies to join Independent Network and take advantage of the nationwide publicity for their business.

“I think it’s fair to say there’s never been a better time to get involved. The huge number of benefits that members already enjoy are very much still available, combined with the surge in publicity of the brand, which will reflect on your business by association.

“The ‘nature’ of the Network is that local, independent firms can benefit from being part of a bigger group, with shared marketing, impressive buying power and a reputation for quality workmanship that is recognised across the country. Something that few companies would be able to achieve alone.

“The plan with our current recruitment campaign is not only to increase the number of members (we only accept the very best), but to create a more evenly distributed spread across the country. This will benefit homeowners and installers in areas not currently covered by IN.”

IN member companies are recognised as some of the most professional window installers in the industry. The organisation’s logo acts as a ‘stamp of approval’ demonstrating to customers (at a glance) that these companies have met the stringent requirements demanded in the approval process.

Some of the many other benefits listed in the current recruitment brochure include: a sales generation programme that generated 17,000 new leads in 2017, subsidised marketing material via the new portal, consumer finance options, free legal advice, free training and much, much more.

If you haven’t received information about taking your business to the next level with IN, you can find out more at www.inveka.co.uk/join or call 0808 1471 995.

A new industry-wide business conference will be held in May, aimed at tackling the big issues facing the glass and glazing industry.

The Glazing Summit will take place near Birmingham on 22 May, with hundreds of industry leaders expected to attend. Keynote speakers will debate the changing landscape of the industry, the impact of new products and technologies, the implications of Brexit and why some of the established ‘big players’ could disappear.

The future of the industry will also be discussed in light of the recent Insight Data Window Industry Report and the latest round of mergers and acquisitions.

Andrew Scott, said to be one of the industry’s marketing experts, will discuss new, cutting-edge marketing strategies that will help companies gain market share and strengthen their brand and reputation. He will also explain how Purplex generates over 15,000 qualified sales leads per month for their customers.

The Glazing Summit is aimed at fabricators, installers, glass companies and material suppliers and the event will include lunch and networking.

The post Market on the agenda appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).