Innovative glass hardware specialist OnLevel to build on successful 2017

2017 has been an exceptional year for innovative glass hardware specialist OnLevel. With the German and Dutch businesses well established, OnLevel was launched in the UK in February by experienced glass industry professional Gary Dean. The impressive warehouse and offices facilities in Manchester are ideally placed to provide comprehensive delivery throughout the UK and integral to OnLevels distribution service throughout Europe. Central to OnLevels success in its maiden year in the UK is the businesses focus on its customer’s needs, from day one Gary has ensured his team provide advice, a complete service, not just a product.

Gary Dean Managing Director, OnLevel comments: ‘It’s important our customers understand that we provide a service, not just a product. It’s a simple ethos, we want to build solid relationships with our customers and ultimately trust and reassurance. Our team is on demand to answer any questions relating to the product and its application, whether that is by a conversation on the phone or email. Many answers can be resolved by accessing our library of online information, including BIM and CAD downloads’ Gary Continues; The business is focused on innovation and providing solutions with genuine benefits to the installer and end user, we listen to what our customers say to inform our product development. SKYForce is a prime example of this and bang on trend in the UK. As we move towards 2018 we will be launching a completely new product in the market, one that’s truly innovative and going to be better on every level! Watch this space!’

With the sleek The SKYForce Juliet balcony system and the innovative range of adjustable frameless glass balustrade solutions precision engineered from Germany, OnLevel had an impressive foundation to work from in the UK. The SKYForce Juliet balcony system has proven to be very popular with customers in the UK, its innovative design and minimal look are right on trend, and admired by home owners and designers alike. 

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Heavers of Bridport manufactures and installs double glazed windows, upvc doors and conservatories to customers across Dorset, Devon and Somerset. A family business, founded in 1960 by master builder George Heaver, grandfather of the current MD Ross Heaver, the company prides itself on a reputation for building properties of quality.  The company has always been dedicated to ensuring high quality training for its staff and all installers, even those with previous experience, work with a senior team member for at least a year to get them used to the business’ rigorous working practices.  Heavers is also very proactive in its approach to formal qualifications and has fully embraced the qualification route to compliance over the CPS operators testing and assessment. It is the first Independent Network company to complete the Competency Update Qualifications (CUQ) that make them Minimum Technical Competence (MTC) compliant for a further five years. Having already completed a full NVQ, a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) update has to be completed every five years to prove staff are still competent and carrying out their duties to current legislation.

Ross Heaver, Managing Director at Heavers of Bridport explains: “We pride ourselves on our master builder heritage and providing top quality training keeps our workmanship standards consistently high. This is just one of the steps we take to ensure total customer satisfaction and safeguard our excellent reputation.” The CUQ for three members of staff were recently assessed by one of The Vocational College’s experienced Assessors. Daniel Legg, Bryce Riglar and Gavin Gay, who work as Senior Installers, have now been certificated with GQA qualifications in Fenestration Installation and have been presented with their CUQ.

Paul Gray, Business Development Manager at The Vocational College commented: “Upskilling and remaining up-to-date with training is so important.  It’s great to see Heavers and its team making this level of commitment to ensuring that they are maintaining consistently high standards of craftmanship and industry knowledge.  As the first Independent Network member to achieve this, they are setting the standard for others to aspire to.” 

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We at REHAU read with interest a recent article by the Double Glazing Blogger entitled, ‘Would you sell or make a fully recycled PVCu window?’, and were keen to respond with our thoughts.

It is true that within the polymer industry, and in the world beyond, working towards the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our planet is becoming a key consideration. As many other businesses do, at REHAU we have sustainability goals that we strive to achieve in all aspects of our work, from the processes of production, to the final product (a recycled PVCu window), to the way we work as an international company. And the industry will know that the creation of a circular economy is something we have striven to achieve for many years through constant innovation and investment.

As a result of this drive we welcome conversations within the industry about the importance of production of recycled windows. It is interesting however that we now see this question of whether businesses would make or sell a fully recycled PVCu window or not.

As stated in the blog post many companies are working towards this goal and at REHAU we produce TOTAL70 co-extruded profiles that use 100% post-consumer waste within the profile, with just a virgin skin, making the product around 75-80% recycled. It is also a product that is equivalent to its non-co-extruded counterpart in all aspects and it has no end of life as the entirety of the profile can be recycled again. We also have made a great investment in our PVCR recycling plant in Manchester to enhance the process which actually recycles the PVC and creates chip that is used within this co-extruded product. This is all key to our circular economy.

With our experience we know that there is no question of whether, but rather when. We ask when will there be more recycled products on the market, and when will legislation be implemented to demand this to help ensure the future of our industry and the planet!

Already we know projects are specified with a requirement for co-extruded profiles and products that assist with creating a greener end result. We also know that there will be a point when PVC is no longer allowed to be put into landfill. This is something we are hoping to work towards as a business and within the industry. So we would like to ask when and not if. We know the industry has to make this move and we are proud to be at the forefront of change.

For more information about this topic please visit rehau.uk/sustainability

Kind regards,

Gareth Jones, Marketing and Technical Director,

REHAU Windows Division

Solid conservatory roof specialist, Icotherm Roof Systems has reported a record year with a 75 percent increase in sales. After setting up in 2014, the solid conservatory roof manufacturer has enjoyed rapid growth, by fabricating the fast-fitting, fully ventilated, fully insulated Icotherm Solid Roof.

Dave Jackson, the brains behind Icotherm’s design explains: “The last three years have been a real whirlwind for the whole Icotherm team. Since launching the roof in 2014, we have had more and more installation companies approach us, wanting a piece of the growing replacement roof market. 

“They all needed a straightforward solid roof system that they could get going with straight away. Many of them have taken advantage of the market and have been retrofitting the roof onto old conservatory frames. Others have been using Icotherm to create new extensions.”

Icotherm’s timber frame roof technology mimics the successful design seen on the majority of the UK’s housing stock. Using timber, a naturally warm, strong and long-life material, the roof is made from special ‘pods’, that are similar to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). The full roof is delivered to site with very few components and super-easy adjustment to help installers have a straight-forward and fast fitting process.

Dave adds: “This year’s results are a real credit to the Icotherm team’s hard work and we’re looking forward to another great year in 2018.”

The management team at FrameXpress Ltd are delighted to announce that Jim Hinds has been appointed Production Manager at the firm. As a leading fabricator frameXpress is recognised by customers for performance, reliability and brand superiority, so bolstering the team during a significant expansion phase has been essential.

Jim has worked at the company since it was launched by Stuart Green and Mark Westbrook, 20 years ago, beginning in production and working his way up through the ranks over the years. His new appointment consolidates the management team and fortifies production methods at the company due to his understanding of the entire product portfolio and how it is manufactured.

His appointment reinforces the strong corporate position the company has achieved and will help to maintain the superior standards synonymous with the FrameXpress brand.

Part of the FrameXpress success is attributed to the team’s understanding of the product as well as the pressures on customers in a competitive market. Jim’s awareness that they need to install cost-effective and reliable products which last, is reflected in the procedures he has implemented on the production floor.

Bespoke, tailor-made solutions are available from the company and with his skillset, this greatly assists customers, as they know they can rely upon his technical advice on more complicated projects. This also helps to reinforce the strong market position with an emphasis placed on quality standards which Jim helps to evaluate and implement on a regular basis.

Over the years, Jim has helped to instigate new system installations and manufacturing procedures to ensure potential and new customers receive only the highest levels of support.   This is clearly reflected in the very positive results achieved last year by the team as a whole.

As a leading fabricator of windows, doors, conservatories and ancillary products including an aluminium range, bifolds, Composite Doors and Guardian roofing, customers are always welcome to tour the frameXpress premises to view work in progress and to demonstrate the quality of the products as they are made.

On his new appointment Jim Hinds comments, “Quality and efficiency are core elements to the corporate philosophy here and always have been.

Equally, developing strong, ongoing business partnerships with customers are the distinguishing qualities that set frameXpress apart from its competitors. This is clearly demonstrated by the increasing sales figures which obviously require that production is monitored and adapted when necessary to accommodate the demand. It is wonderful to be part of the management structure helping to take the company forward.”

Tim Ball, Operations Director at frameXpress comments, “As the company continues to grow and diversify, it is essential that a strong, unified team is developed to maintain the qualities for which frameXpress is recognised. Jim is an invaluable part of our team and has made great headway in our development programme.”

For more information on the products in the frameXpress range please call one of the team on 01952 581100 or visit the website: www.frameXpress.co.uk

Polyframe is calling all PVC-U installers to tap into the force of ‘PolyPower’ to supercharge their businesses and make the most of exciting new opportunities for growth.

‘PolyPower’ will help installers to make the most of PVC-U by giving them the powers they need to grow their businesses and steal a march on their competitors.

Richard Lee, managing director at Polyframe, Halifax, said: “We’re really excited to bring the force of PolyPower to the industry. It gives installers the powers they need to successfully grow their PVC-U business at lightning speed with the right partner to support them all the way.

“PolyPower defies convention and it carries a strong message that installers really can achieve great things beyond what they have imagined. With the backing of the UK’s largest manufacturer of PVC-U windows and doors to give them strength and flexibility, installers will have new powers to eliminate obstacles, zap their competitors and quickly achieve growth.

“We want to get the industry talking about how PolyPower can propel installers to new heights. PVC-U still has a loyal following and, with the largest choice of PVC-U products, expert advice and reliable support on offer, we’ll be showing installers that it’s easy to power their business and make the most of the opportunities out there. We can’t wait to see installers making their businesses the best that they can be!”

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Throughout the UK, over 1,000 doors are installed with Brisant Secure’s Ultion every day and this sales trend is growing strongly, with security the key motivator in entrance door sales. The statistics show that many homeowners are reliant on a £3 cylinder to stop an intruder, with a reported 1,127 burglaries each day in England and Wales according to the statistics from the ONS and of these 834 were through a door.

Ultion is a Kitemarked 3 Star cylinder that also carries Sold Secure Diamond, a standard set by the Master Locksmith Association, along with Secured by Design. It also offers extreme protection against lock drilling, bumping, picking and snapping even when the key is in the lock.

Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant Secure commented: “Ultion has become the go to solution for transforming a door into a secure door, with many door manufacturers now offering it as standard, while time served locksmiths offer it as the ultimate upgrade. Research shows that security is the main driver in entrance door sales and we’re continuing to see strong product adoption in 2018.”

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Veka Recycling has chosen Wellingborough for the location of what is said to be Europe’s most advanced facility dedicated to recycling PVC-U window and door profiles. The company has taken over a former metals recycling plant in Neilson Road on the Finedon Industrial Estate and will spend more than £8 million to create build a facility ready to accept and convert UK unused offcuts and old PVC-U windows into re-usable polymer.

The 5.5 acre Wellingborough plant will be the third such facility to be built by Veka Umwelttechnik, the specialist recycling subsidiary of the Veka AG Group.

The latest, the Wellingborough plant, will enable Veka Recycling to fully re-process PVC-U window and door frames into material that can be re-manufactured as new products including window profiles, cills and trims and also a range of products as diverse as cable management and construction products. Plans are for the plant to open initially this year and to be fully operational from spring 2019, with up to 50 jobs expected to be created.

Rubber, metals and other impurities will all be separated from the PVC-U to enable re-manufacture as part of the most sophisticated process of its type installed anywhere in Europe. The combined capacity of the three plants will exceed 100,000 tonnes of PVC-U windows a year.

Tony Cattini, Veka Recycling managing director, said: “This is a real-world commitment by the VEKA Group towards the UK and recognition of the continued importance of the British market post-Brexit.”

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