Build your own quote

TruFrame has announced the launch of a lead generation tool for its customers – QuoteBuilder.

The purpose of this free tool is to create new sales opportunities for TruFrame customers by providing homeowners with a quick, enjoyable way to obtain accurate prices and realistic visual representations, in a way that conforms to expectations set by the automotive and furniture industries.

Customers can use QuoteBuilder to design their perfect windows or doors via mobile, tablet, PC or Mac and receive an instant quotation.

QuoteBuilder uses a detailed 3D modelling to produce Computer Generated Imagery that accurately represents every type of product TruFrame manufacture.

Patrick Firmager, projects director of TruFrame commented: “QuoteBuilder is a genuine game-changer that marks a new direction for TruFrame. We believe that QuoteBuilder has the ability to fundamentally change the general perception of double-glazing by providing complete transparency when it comes to pricing. This is just the beginning; we have many more developments to come in the near future.”

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110,000 industry folk headed to the recent Fensterbau exhibition in Germany. The show was dominated by grand style entrance doors. This was one of the rather unusual versions on show – a interesting mix of timber appearance from a metal faced door.

The post Entrance doors are the main event at the international Fensterbau exhibition appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

With a year left on the Brexit clock, small businesses are urging the Government to inject much needed momentum into agreeing the future economic partnership with the EU.

According to FSB research, the EU single market is a priority trading bloc with 63% of small firms wanting to see a trade deal prioritised with the EU post Brexit. However at an individual country level the US is the country that the highest percentage of exporting small businesses would want to see a trade deal done with post Brexit (49%) –with 29% wanting to see a trade deal with Australia and 28% with China.

Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “The landmark agreement on the terms of a transition period should provide the much needed certainty for the UK’s small business community. Attention must now turn swiftly towards hammering out new trade arrangements and pressing ahead with designing our future immigration system, post the implementation period.

“The freedom to ratify new trade agreements during this time will ensure that small businesses benefit from existing trade agreements while enabling them to make progress on trade deals with new partners across the world. It is vital that the right balance is struck between ensuring as frictionless trade as possible with the EU while exploiting new, exciting trading opportunities with growth markets across the world.”

It is important that small businesses are given every chance to seize the opportunities presented by any new trade arrangements. To achieve this, FSB is calling on Government to include a dedicated small business chapter recognising the bespoke support small firms will need to realise their exporting and wider trade ambitions. Coupled with this, the Department for International Trade’s Global Growth Programme must be rolled out to small and micro businesses, as well as mid-sized businesses to allow these firms to access financial support to assist them with for example translation or intermediary costs.

Mike Cherry said: “It is clear that small firms trade with countries based on ease, cost and value. It is vital that any future trade deal, irrespective of whether with the EU or non-EU markets, must deliver these key priorities. A small business chapter, as part of all new trade arrangements, will help allow small firms to fully realise the benefits of international trade.

“Small businesses up and down the UK are excited about the prospect of opening new avenues of trade across the globe. To maximise these opportunities, small firms must be given the tools to do so. Tailored trade support, like financial incentives to support costs attached to international trade including small business trade missions, whether in their own right or as part of supply chains, will empower many to reach out and connect with new markets.”

It is not just about trade, skilled labour is just as important to the success of UK small businesses and it is essential that the Government delivers an easy, cost effective future immigration system, post the implementation period

One fifth (21%) of small employers currently have EU staff and over half 59% of small businesses are concerned about accessing the skills they need post-Brexit.

With such a strong need for skills and talent from the EU, it is critical that the design of any future immigration system is easy, cost-effective and does not add additional red tape for small employers.

FSB is calling for an employer driven immigration system to ensure that businesses can meet their skills and labour needs and allow easy transfer of EU workers between UK employers. This system must not replicate the complexity of the current non EEA, UK points based immigration system which 95% of small businesses have no experience of using.

The new system must  also work for the self-employed and small business owners looking to come and set up in the UK, as well as those in the UK looking to carry out assignment and contracts in the EU.

Mike Cherry said: “As the UK wrestles with its productivity challenge and the skills shortage grows, having access to the people that they need is critical for small business success. Without easy and cost effective access to EU workers, firms will be faced with medium term chronic, unresolvable skills gaps, particularly in the mid skilled area. This will impact growth and even the survival of many small businesses.

“It doesn’t matter if you are hiring a packer, mechanic, fruit picker or engineer, small employers need to be able to hire the right people, for the right job, at the right time.

“The Home Office must work hard to deliver an immigration system that that is affordable and easy to navigate. Small businesses should not be put off hiring the right talent or losing staff because the new processes take too long, add too much paperwork or has become too expensive.”

www.fsb.org.uk

With exactly one year until Brexit, construction employers in the UK are praising the quality of their EU workers and encouraging them to stay, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The key findings from the FMB’s research on how the bosses of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms view their EU workers includes:

• 94% of firms describe the quality of EU workers they employ as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
• 85% of construction SME employers that employ EU workers say that these workers are important in allowing their business to maintain and expand its workforce.
• 76% of these firms say it would have a negative impact on the health of their business if any of the EU workers they employ returned to their country of origin, now or post-Brexit.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “With exactly a year to go until ‘Brexit Day’, our research demonstrates the extent to which the UK construction industry values its EU workers. More than 90% of firms describe the quality of their EU workers as good or very good. What’s more, three-quarters of firms that employ EU workers think it would have a negative impact on the health of their business if these individuals returned to their country of origin, now or post-Brexit. The UK construction sector is more reliant than most on migrant workers from Europe – at present, 9% of our construction workers are from the EU. In London, this rises for nearly one third. Given the severity of the skills shortages we already face, retaining these workers is business-critical.”

Berry concluded: “Our research sends a strong and positive message to from the construction industry to its EU workers. We’re now calling on the Government to step up and help us convince our EU workers that they are needed and warmly welcome. Ministers recently announcement that those who have lived in the UK for five years, or those who arrive from the EU during the transition period, will be able to apply for settled status. This is a huge step in the right direction, and what we were calling for, yet we question how well the Government has communicated the news. We’re already seeing EU workers return home for financial reasons, or simply because they don’t feel welcome, so time is of the essence. The Government and the industry must do all that they can to put positive messages across to our vital and highly-valued EU workers.”

www.fmb.org.uk

Cornwall Glass has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Steven Marques as Sales Manager.

Joining the glass processor and IGU specialist from Saint Gobain Glassolutions but with extensive experience, including the automotive glass sector, he assumes responsibility for customer accounts from Bristol and along the M4 corridor.

“I started out in glass working for a family member in South Africa, so I have seen the industry up from very basic glass processing on the factory floor, through to senior and management roles”, explained Steven.

“Cornwall Glass is a very progressive and well-structured company with a great culture, it’s expanding its interests and has massive potential for growth, so it’s a very exciting time to be joining the business.”

Prior to moving to the UK in 2016, Steven was General Manager for Glass Guru in Cape Town, a high end manufacturer and processor of frameless glass doors and balustrades. Prior to this he worked as Regional Manager for USG Auto Glass and before that in a series of management roles within leading processing businesses and glass wholesalers in Johannesburg.

Mark Norcliffe, Director, Cornwall Glass, said: “We’re delighted to have Steven on board. He brings incredible experience to the role. He knows the glass processing business up from the grass roots, which gives him a great technical understanding and is something which I am certain will be an asset to Cornwall Glass and its customers.”

For more information please call 01726 66325 email info@cornwallglass.co.uk or log on at www.cornwallglass.co.uk .

Industry-leading systems supplier VEKA Group has been awarded a certificate for being an “armed-forces friendly” company.

The Bronze Armed Forces Covenant Award comes from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and is signed by the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff. It is presented to UK employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and committed to being “armed-forces friendly and open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners”.

By gaining the certificate, VEKA Group joins around 60 Lancashire companies, organisations and clubs who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

Paul Armstrong, Operations Director commented: “VEKA employs around 400 people from Burnley and surrounding areas and as a company we always strive to support and encourage staff at every level, whether it be professional training or personal development.

“We know that if VEKA staff are happy in their jobs, it benefits our customers across the industry. We recognise that the Army provides opportunities and training that go hand in hand with our own dedication to staff development and we are all extremely proud of the Armed Forces Covenant Award, which further demonstrates our commitment to people who’ve worked in the forces, and their families.”

In spring 2017 Paul was invited to Cyprus by the Army on behalf of VEKA laminator Mark Schofield – who has been in the Army Reserve for more than 20 years – to learn about reservists’ military work and how it complements their ‘everyday’ roles.

Paul said: “When I was given the opportunity to visit Cyprus, on account of Mark’s role as a reservist, it was a fantastic chance to see not just the incredible work the Army does every day but how being in the military – at any level – enriches the soldier’s life both inside and outside of work.

“Reservists learn skills that benefit both their Army and civilian work; operating in difficult conditions, thinking on their feet, taking on responsibility, and assessing risk are among the many challenges that they face, and these skills build confidence that transfers directly over to civilian employment. They can also benefit from a host of training opportunities that provide ‘real world’ qualifications for their CV.

“It’s clear to see that VEKA will long continue to support the Army Reserve in this way. It’s an invaluable service with benefits for all parties involved, we’ve even planned a number of recruitment days at VEKA, to highlight to staff that they would be supported should they decide to join the Armed Forces on a part-time basis.”

Lieutenant Colonel Justin Tancrel (Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment) visited VEKA to join Paul in signing the Covenant on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. He commented: “We’re delighted to see VEKA join other forward-thinking companies across the country in pledging to support defence and inspiring other businesses to do the same. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, VEKA has officially demonstrated that the company recognises the phenomenal value that Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.”

www.vekauk.com

PVC-U systems supplier Veka Group has won the ‘Employer of the Year’ trophy at this year’s Red Rose Awards.

The annual Red Rose Awards evening was held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool with over 1,100 guests attending the black-tie event.

Dave Jones, Veka Group MD, said: “We are all extremely proud to have been named ‘Employer of the Year’ at the Red Rose Awards, in the same year that we also won ‘Employer of the Year’ at the Burnley Business Awards.

“Our continued commitment to our employees and the local area was reflected in our Red Rose Awards nominations that also included ‘In-House Training Award’ and ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Award’, but to come home as ‘Employer of the Year’ was the icing on the cake. It shows that all the effort we put in to supporting and nurturing our team is working, and of course we couldn’t have done that without the commitment and hard work from all the staff too.”

The post That winning feeling appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Oakland Glass, the IGU supplier dedicated to offering a wide range of sealed units, has announced a 15% increase in sales in 2017 and a strong start to 2018.

Tina Moorhouse, managing director of Oakland Glass, explains where the growth is coming from in the context of a relatively flat market: “We work with a wide range of customers across the trade, new build and commercial markets and have seen growth across the board from existing customers as well as new companies switching to Oakland.

“We put a lot of this down to the range of products we supply, the investment we make into the business to ensure continuous improvement and of course the service we offer.

“We build long lasting relationships with our customers because we offer the complete package – quality products delivered in full and on time. We’re proud of the Oakland Glass reputation and the fact we have grown the business through supporting our ambitious and forward-thinking customers. We look forward to building on these relationships even further in the future.”

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