Image Above: Rob Bennett, Sales Director, Darren Frost, Commercial Director and Lionel Grant Managing Director.
Aluminium glazing specialists Bennett Architectural are celebrating ten years at their premises at Rosevale Business Park.
The family owned and family run business has been around since 1960, previously residing at a unit on Parsonage Street in Tunstall.
Lionel Grant, Managing Director at Bennett Architectural commented,
“We’re delighted to be celebrating ten years at Rosevale Business Park.
“Moving to these premises has allowed us to expand our workforce and portfolio of work for various sectors. I’d also like to thank our dedicated workforce for making light work of so many technically challenging projects.”
In the ten years since moving to Rosevale Business Park, Bennett Architectural has taken on award winning projects for the Maggie’s Centre in Manchester, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the expansion of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium amongst others.
Also during this time Bennetts has raised nearly £10,000 for local charity The Donna Louise.
Bennett Architectural are specialist in the design, fabrication and installation of aluminium doors, windows and curtain walling.
In recent years, the structure of the IGU market has seen some dramatic changes.
Since 2007, the number of companies manufacturing glass units in the UK has dropped by one third to just 848. But, despite this, in recent years the total number of units being fabricated has seen a steady increase.
Many of your readers will surely be wondering how this is possible and here at Edgetech, we believe that automation is largely responsible.
For a long time, energy efficiency and high performance in glass units was the exception – the mark of a truly extraordinary product. New innovations such as polyamide thermal breaks and warm-edge spacer bars were introduced and, consequently, standards soared.
Now, however, these high standards have become the norm – the baseline that manufacturers must not only hit but surpass.
The result of these now commonly-held, elevated standards – combined with an ongoing decrease in the number of IGU manufacturers operating in the UK – was a new pressure to produce large volumes of windows, all offering unbeatable levels of energy efficiency and great all-round performance.
This led to a heightened interest in automation and, at Edgetech, in applying our flexible Super Spacer product on automated lines.
One of the automated lines available boasts an incredible turnaround time of just 15 to 20 seconds per IGU when using Super Spacer and this has proven particularly popular in the US. In the near future, we anticipate that this level of investment in automation will be echoed in the UK too.
As we move into an increasingly competitive economic climate, more and more companies will begin choosing automation as a way to drive their business forward. As a method of manufacturing, it offers customers not just faster lead times but also improved quality and greater consistency.
The opportunities that automation offers are limitless. In the future, those companies embracing this technology will set an important example for others in their sector, helping to move us ahead and create a forward-thinking industry that will not be left behind in today’s information age.
Precision-engineered Dynamic 2D door hinges by SFS are helping The Residence Collection become one of the market leaders with its premium window and door range.
Having rapidly established itself as one of the favoured brands for high-end windows and doors, The Residence Collection open-in doors are complemented by premium quality Dynamic 2D door hinges manufactured by SFS.
Residence 9 authentically replicates the traditional style of 19th century flush sash windows, whilst the Residence 7 and Residence2 Collections provide the market with more contemporary, yet equally visually stunning windows and doors. SFS were chosen as a partner for their inward opening doors, with their Dynamic 2D hinges providing the perfect blend of strength, security, aesthetics and long term reliability thanks to a highly-engineered construction and bespoke sash plates. This means the installer can ‘fit and forget’.
Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection said: “Developing The Residence Collection has brought together the best technical minds, with SFS playing a key role. It was vitally important to get the door hinges right, to reflect the quality of the Residence Collection brand – and that’s why we partnered with SFS for their Dynamic 2D hinges. These hinges have enabled us to create open-in doors which combine fantastic looks with smooth opening and closing, and the long term assurance of robustness and security.”
As a manufacturer of door hinges, SFS was able to work closely with The Residence Collection to achieve the perfect match. By developing bespoke sash plates, SFS has ensured a precise and secure attachment to the open-in sash for an attractive result that characterises the brand and protects against door ‘sagging’ over the door’s long, hassle-free lifespan.
Dynamic 2D’s design and build quality also enables Residence Collection doors to offer enhanced security, being successfully tested to the requirements of BS-PAS 024 and allowing for Secured by Design licensing.
Nigel Wood, Director of Sales – Hinge and Fastening Technology at SFS adds: “The Residence Collection is a superb portfolio of window and door systems that we are delighted to make a contribution to and we are thrilled to be working closely with them.”
Find out more about the Dynamic 2D range, which also offers solutions for flush fit composite and timber doors, rebated aluminium doors and flush composite doors, at www.sfsintec.co.uk.
PatioMaster, the nation’s favourite patio door brand, has just launched a new website. Carmen Velilla, Brand Manager of PatioMaster, said: “Our new website builds on everything that worked well from the previous site to deliver a new platform that is more engaging and informative. It is aimed at both trade and end users and its overarching aim is to increase lead generation for our customers.”
The new site has a fresh, high quality, personable style that reflects PatioMaster’s brand personality. It has been designed to be easy to navigate, including the use of clearly defined calls to action at the end of each page that direct visitors to more information that may aid their decision-making process. A Door Builder platform allows homeowners to design their own door, a feature that will help them become much more engaged when on the site. A regular programme of content marketing, including case studies and blogs, will ensure traffic will be consistently driven to the site to boost visitor numbers and lead generation opportunities.
PatioMaster dealerships have been highlighted throughout the site to emphasise one of the brand’s USPs of the reassurance of a trusted major brand that still allows homeowners to support their local economy. The move will also mean it will be much easier for homeowners to find details of their nearest dealer and get in touch, something that will ensure PatioMaster customers are immediately connected with prospective customers.
One of the biggest features of the new site is the Technical Hub. It’s a dedicated area for trade customers that contains valuable technical and marketing support in the form of wall charts, manuals, bulletins, brochures, renders, installation images and more. Unlike many similar hubs on trade websites, this one has been designed to be quick and easy to access and navigate.
Carmen concludes: “Quality, service and style are the three factors that define the PatioMaster experience and they’re the reasons why we’ve become one of the UK’s leading patio door manufacturers. They are factors that are reflected in our new website and I’m delighted it’s now live.”
Image Above; Dan Powell (left) and Adrian Gale (right)
Following increased demand for VBH’s growing greenteQ portfolio, the company has appointed two new Regional Sales Managers (RSM) for its UK operation. Adrian Gale will be responsible for the region comprising the Midlands, Northern England and Wales, while Dan Powell will be responsible for Southern England and Wales.
Adrian Gale has been in the industry for 28 years, having worked for a number of hardware manufacturers and distributors. He joined VBH in 2016 as Timber & Composite Door Product Manager – a role he will continue alongside his RSM duties.
He comments: “I have been in the industry for a good few years now and have seen huge changes over the years – mostly for the better, though I do miss some of the characters from back in the day! We have a very skilled team here at VBH, covering all aspects of the business and most importantly we are all striving towards the same goal – success!”
Dan Powell, currently Maintenance & Locksmiths Product Manager, will take on the additional role of RSM for the southern part of the country. Dan has worked for VBH since 2013, when he moved from a hardware distributor. He’s looking forward to the new challenge, saying: “Since I joined VBH the greenteQ range has grown from an unknown industry name to one of the most trusted and reliable brands supplying the PVC-u, aluminium and timber markets. VBH has one of the most experienced sales teams in the UK and in addition to greenteQ we distribute a range of well-known brand suppliers such as Maco, Roto, Siegenia and Yale. With this back-up, taking up the post of Regional Sales Manager is an exciting opportunity. I’m looking forward to meeting new customers and being part of the greenteQ revolution!”
VBH’s greenteQ range is a growing suite of window and door furniture, colour-matched for a seamless and integrated look. For more information, call 01634 263300 or visit www.vbhgb.com.
Up to 70% cost savings can be achieved when using ISO-BLOCO ONE high performance foam tape from ISO CHEMIE to install and seal windows.
The self-adhesivetape enables installers to quickly and effectively seal windows from inside the building during the construction phase. This can avoid the requirement to use time consuming and expensive external access systems, which together with associated health and safety issues, can contribute significantly to a project’s overall costs.
Moreover, because the foam sealant can be applied in the wet and rain, the installation of windows can be undertaken regardless of external weather conditions, avoiding further time consuming and costly delays.
This can add up to potential savings of hundreds of pounds per day, ISO CHEMIE estimates.
BLOCO ONE offers a single product ‘fit and forget’ solution for fast and effective sealing based around the European RAL principles of three level sealing – the inside seal area is more airtight than the external one, allowing any trapped moisture inside the joint, or within the wall, to escape outwards rather than into the building.
The external seal area provides weather resistance and breathability, while the intermediate seal area provides extra thermal and acoustic properties and the internal one air tightness and humidity regulation.
ISO BLOCO ONE provides a longer lasting seal for window and door joints up to 30mm wide and installation compliance to BS8313-4:2016. It is impermeable to driving rain at a minimum of 1,000 Pa – 66% higher reliability than most conventional joint sealing tapes.
The internal air tight seal has been tested at 1000 Pa pressure difference (20 times more than UK Building Regulations) and was found to give less than 0.1 m³ of air loss. At the same time, depending on tape width, it will also supply a U-Value of 0.55 and reduce sound by 63 dB, straight from the box.
Once installed, the tape ensures structures are better protected from elemental factors like wind, dust and moisture ingress by accommodating the changes in structural movement caused by environmental, cyclical and settlement factors. Product complies with energy saving regulations (EnEV) on windows and doors as well as the RAL quality assurance association and can accommodate extremes of temperature changes, from -30°C to + 80°C.
Productcomes with a 10-year guarantee and is available from stock on next day delivery service. More at www.iso-chemie.co.uk
Rocal has recently revamped their Rocal Extrusions website (www.rocalextrusions.co.uk), investing in a range of new features for enhanced content management. This included the creation of a bespoke content management system (CMS), designed to enable Rocal to change the copy, images and pages on their site quickly and easily.
Not only does this make things easier for Rocal themselves, but it also allows them to promote their services in a more coherent and accurate way for their customers. This means that they will be able to find exactly what they need quickly and easily. Whether you’re looking for plastic extrusions services, or extrusion finishes, colours, wrapping, custom tooling or general advice, it’s all present online.
The site rebuild has also allowed Rocal to integrate a built-in media library for heightened resource management. They are now able to upload technical documents for their customers to download, covering help and advice on both flexible extrusions and rigid extrusions. If you’re looking for advice on which material to use, this is a fantastic starting place.
This addition works alongside their new built-in news section, which enables Rocal to keep their customers up to date with their latest services, company news and the unique aspects of the Rocal Extrusions approach. This is perfect for ensuring that customers are aware of Rocal’s latest high-quality offerings, with information on how to get in touch included in the articles that are posted.
In addition to this Rocal has also changed their logo to bring their brand name to the forefront, changing from ‘Extrusions by Rocal’ to ‘Rocal Extrusions’. As a company that has been evolving and diversifying since its inception in 1993, this website update and logo change stand well in line with their commitment to quality across the board.
Need professional, high-quality plastic extrusions services? Get in touch by calling 01652 659259 or by visiting www.rocalextrusions.co.uk.
Picture above: Abacus is seeing significant benefits from using the Business Micros EvoNET business management system
Most fabricators transition gradually to Business Micros’ EvoNET business management software after several years using the Evolution manufacturing and order processing package.
Not so trade and commercial fabricator Abacus Windows in Chelmsford who went straight from the original Business Micros Winstar software to Evolution and EvoNET in one fell swoop last year and have never looked back.
Abacus, which fabricates in Halo PVC-U, wanted to set up a machine link to their new Haffner Murat SBA-4 saw centre, so approached Business Micros to complete that link using Evolution.
When Sales Manager Chris Bailey visited them, he realised that the company’s ambitious expansion plans meant they could actually benefit from installing EvoNET alongside Evolution, and the team enthusiastically embraced his proposals.
Business Micros’ experienced technician Kevan Howarth completed the installation for Abacus and helped to train the team on both software systems. One year on, they are already seeing huge benefits.
General Manager Cliff Evans said: “We were spending up to a day on production planning previously and now we can complete that in just an hour. We were also spending several hours on quotes which we can now generate in minutes. That’s making us much more efficient and guaranteeing that we’ll see payback on this investment in record time.”
At Abacus, EvoNET is tracking and monitoring every aspect of production from order intake right through to despatch. There are scan stations throughout the company’s factory enabling them to analyse output per man and identify any areas for improvement. This is giving them complete traceability of every product of course, with the added benefit that it will simplify their upcoming Kitemark audit.
Abacus has introduced Business Micros’ Evolution software alongside EvoNET
Since the installation, Business Micros has tailored the software to suit how Abacus is using it. They have, for instance, created a colour coded display interface for the order inputting team which makes it easy for them to switch between the different products and systems being fabricated.
They have also added the popular despatch module within EvoNET which ensures that Abacus can guarantee that orders are delivered to customers error free and complete with all ancillaries. Cliff Evans added: “I’m delighted that customers are seeing the benefits of our investment almost as much as we are. As well as giving them the reassurance that every order is complete, we are also achieving incremental improvements in our quality, and responding more quickly to enquiries and quotes.”
The senior management team at Abacus are also benefiting from the big USP of EvoNET which is that it gives them a unique dashboard overview of how the whole business is performing. They can generate reports instantly on everything from margins to remakes and can use that information to inform their business planning moving forward.
Cliff Evans concluded: “If we are to achieve our ambitious plans, then we know we have to match our bigger competitors in terms of quality, efficiency and speed of response. Evolution and EvoNET are helping us to achieve that as well as giving us an invaluable new insight into our ongoing performance.”
Epwin has consolidated its glass production facilities onto one site – Epwin Glass.
Katrina Earl, Epwin Glass national sales manager, commented: “We are one of the leading manufacturers of insulated and energy-rated glass units for the window industry and we supply the trade, light commercial, new build and social housing sectors. As part of the consolidation and the creation of Epwin Glass we have invested in our production facilities to ensure they deliver the latest technological developments to our customers.”
All products are manufactured in the UK in the production facilities in Northampton and comply with relevant legislation and window energy ratings (WERs) for complete peace of mind. Katrina said: “We work closely with our suppliers to ensure we always use the best quality materials to meet our customers’ specific requirements and consistently deliver the products they need.”
BLOCO ONE offers a single product ‘fit and forget’ solution for fast and effective sealing based around the European RAL principles of three level sealing – the inside seal area is more airtight than the external one, allowing any trapped moisture inside the joint, or within the wall, to escape outwards rather than into the building.
Epwin has consolidated its glass production facilities onto one site – Epwin Glass.
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