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Eurocell has launched a pioneering industry initiative in Select – the sector’s first comprehensive solid conservatory roof approved installer scheme. Designed to give scheme members a competitive edge and boost business, Eurocell Select will seek to address homeowners’ fears about product and workmanship quality, encouraging them to engage approved companies to carry out work. Built upon the company’s leading Equinox solid conservatory roof range, Eurocell Select is being operated in partnership with certification body, CERTASS, and is the first independently audited and accredited scheme for solid roof installations. The scheme features a two-year workmanship (installation) warranty, an alternative dispute resolution service (ADR) with no annual fees and low per case fee (from £35 per party) and a comprehensive marketing support package.

Membership will be limited to 150 companies during the introductory period, so it will be a race against time for professional installers seeking to grow sales and profit to sign up on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Those ‘early adopters’ will get free entry to the scheme, discounted CERTASS accreditation and a significant Eurocell contribution to the first year’s subscriptions. Entrance to the scheme includes typical ‘professionalism criteria’, such as meeting the terms set out in competent persons and quality assured installer schemes; and installing Equinox, in compliance with Eurocell specifications.

Head of Marketing, Chris Coxon, believes Eurocell Select will prove attractive for both the trade and the consumer: “Traditionally finding suppliers for home improvements has always been a headache for homeowners. Concerns over reliability, quality of work and cowboys all add to the stress.  Eurocell Select will give them greater confidence in their choice. For the participating installer, the scheme provides a competitive edge over rivals and, crucially, more sales and profit opportunities. For example, last year we referred over 2000 leads to our Equinox installers and for Eurocell Select we are targeting a £100,000 investment in lead generation”. He continues, “The conservatory market has changed. Once homeowners were prepared to invest five figure sums in a garden room for occasional use. Now they want to maximise their plots with a room they can use 24/7, 365 days a year. The result? A burgeoning conservatory roof replacement market. With around four million conservatories already covering Britain, this means plenty of opportunity for Eurocell Select members”.

Jason Clemmit, Managing Director of Certass, added ‘We are delighted to be working with a top industry player in Eurocell. Our new solid conservatory roof warranty is the first of its kind, which will help raise standards in this new, fast growing sector’.

The post Solid conservatory roof improved installer scheme from Eurocell appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

GM Fundraising Christmas cards are now on sale! The children at Hope House Children’s Hospices have been working very hard to create a pair of very special and unique cards which are sold in packs of 20 and can be personalised with company logos and messages.

“This year Callie and Lily have produced the very special Christmas drawings that we used to create the cards this year,” explains GM Fundraising team member, Alan Sadler. “These cards have become a tradition for us and every year the designs from the children get more and more special. Last year we sold more than 5,000 cards, many personalised with messages and logo’s. Every penny we raise from these cards goes straight to supporting the children and families at Hope House.

“Each pack contains 20 cards – 10 of each design – costing £20 plus £2.50 P&P. Orders over 60 packs can be personalised for a small additional charge.

“With Christmas just around the corners, why not be traditional and send a Christmas card to your customers, friends and family, and support this amazing cause at the same time?”

Packs can be purchased directly from the GM Fundraising website www.gmfundraising.co.uk/cards or from Alan Sadler, by email alan@gmfundraising.co.uk, or phone 0845 302 1966.

More information on GM Fundraising can be found at www.gmfundraising.co.uk

Image Above: Chris Jones presenting on Best in Class products

Deceuninck UK recently opened its doors to Editors of the industry’s trade and commercial media to give them a behind the scenes tour of its impressive manufacturing plant and mammoth warehouse, as well as offer a sneak preview of its up and coming innovations.

Rob McGlennon, Managing Director of Deceuninck explains: “We’ve worked with the industry’s magazines for a long time now, but many of them haven’t visited Deceuninck. We know from experience that it’s one thing to read about people or companies, or come across them at industry events for example, but it’s quite another to visit their premises and meet the people that work there, in all areas of the business. It shows people who you really are. I’m proud to say that visitors to Deceuninck have always said they’ve found us to be a friendly, down to earth, approachable team of people and are impressed by the size and scale of our operation. From the feedback we had from our press day, the Editors of our industry magazines seemed to agree.

“We gave our visitors insight into what’s important to Deceuninck, including building long standing relationships and developing new products for the good of the market, as well as giving both sectors of the market an overview of the complete Deceuninck picture. The commercial press we work with for example weren’t aware of the over and above support we offer our trade fabricators, just as the trade media weren’t aware of the comprehensive list of commercial case studies we have worked on with our commercial fabricators, including Hinkley Point, Fairview Homes. Abbey Road and Kennedy Gardens.

“Without giving anything away, we also gave the Editors a sneak preview of some of the new products they can expect to hear about in 2018, in addition to the Heritage Window Collection and more recently Grey Substrate product launches of this year.

“Our visitors were also shown our impressive warehouse that allows us to deliver our 26 colourways from stock, for both profile and ancillaries. We performed a fun exercise before we started the tour whereby one of our visitors chose a specific product and a specific colour combination, which we then challenged ourselves to find quickly and easily in our warehouse. Considering our warehouse has been likened to Amazon or T5, you can imagine how much of a challenge this could be without the right systems in place. Thanks to our advanced set-up however, we were able to demonstrate precisely how efficient an operation it is.

“On the topic of colour, we also announced that we have now hit the 50% colour milestone – in fact 51% of our products are now supplied in colour, because we can do it so easily. Two of our largest customers are also now doing 50% colour. The demand is there, as an industry we just need to meet it, which means delivering quality colour products, without extended delivery times.

“At Deceuninck, we are always keen for people to come and visit us in Calne, customers and prospects alike, but it was nice to take a day out to build further on the relationships we have with the industry’s press, for our benefit and of course the benefit of our customers.”

Contact Deceuninck today for more information on 01249 816 969 or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk

An installer has increased its aluminium business by 50% after making the leap to REAL Aluminium. Sherborne Windows is reaping the rewards of Customade Group’s complete aluminium solution after becoming one of the first installers in the UK to adopt it when it was launched a last year. Chris Long, managing director of Sherborne Windows, explains: “We are very pleased to have increased our spend on aluminium by 50% compared to the same period last year. There is a rapidly rising demand in the domestic market for aluminium and we have been able to take advantage of these positive trading conditions because we have a robust supply chain in place and access to full sales and marketing support to help us achieve growth.”

Sherborne began installing aluminium glazed roofing systems from Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, which is also part of the Customade Group, some time ago and recognised that REAL Aluminium could help the company achieve growth in aluminium.  The company, which has three dedicated showrooms at Farnborough and Hartley Wintney in Hampshire and Windlesham in Surrey, was attracted to REAL Aluminium because of the impressive array of aluminium products available from a single source and the enviable showroom and marketing support on offer. With access to these products and the best domestic aluminium retail brochure to help the sales team to win business, Sherborne has completed dozens of large-scale installations using REAL Aluminium windows, bi-folding doors, sliding doors, French doors, residential doors and lantern roofs. Chris adds: “The quoting and product lead times for the range of REAL Aluminium products are way ahead of other fabricators and this has helped us to confidently secure new business and keep customers satisfied. The whole package behind these products is seamless and we know that we have won more aluminium work because of the support it delivers. The team at REAL is dedicated to our success and that makes an enormous difference to how smoothly our relationship with them works.”

An Atlas Skyroom and REAL Aluminium windows and doors have been installed at Sherborne’s showroom in Windlesham, whilst the Hartley Wintney site features a selection of flat rooflights, aluminium bi-folding doors and French doors. Sherborne has seen a significant uplift in aluminium sales as a direct result of homeowners visiting the showroom. “We know that displaying products in the right way will influence a sale so we made a sizeable investment in our showrooms which showcase the complete range of REAL Aluminium products. This decision has paid off for us and the number of sales enquiries we receive has increased on last year. Visitors can see and feel the quality of the products and really imagine how they will look in their homes,” says Chris. Sherborne has also taken advantage of the comprehensive showroom and marketing support package from REAL Aluminium which includes the 36-page luxury REAL Aluminium brochure – the UK’s only retail brochure dedicated to the full range of aluminium fenestration products. Sherborne has every brochure personalised with their logo and company details.

REAL Aluminium is designed to eliminate the common pitfalls associated with the supply of aluminium and to make sourcing aluminium as easy as buying PVC-u. The REAL range of aluminium windows, bi-folding doors, sliding doors, French doors, residential doors, composite doors and lantern roofs is manufactured in a dedicated factory, which holds more than 100 miles of aluminium extrusions in stock in the four most popular colours Lead times for REAL are much shorter than other aluminium fabricators at just two weeks.  The Customade group now operates nationwide and employs 900 people in multiple manufacturing sites across the UK. The Group includes Polyframe (PVC-u), REAL Aluminium (aluminium), Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions (glazed roofs), Virtuoso (composite and paneled doors), Hourglass Seal (sealed glass units), and Fineline Aluminium (specialist glazing).

The post Installer Sherborne Windows boosts business with REAL Aluminium appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Deceuninck has worked with Climatec Windows Ltd for 10 years supplying quality solutions for various projects. Recently the two companies have worked together to deliver 95 foiled Slider24 patio doors to an entire block of new build apartments in Orpington, Kent.  Steve Barker at Climatec explains: “We were asked to quote for this project by one of our larger commercial contract customers for a new build project for Berkeley Homes. The Deceuninck patio doors were particularly suited to this project because it required the doors to be smooth anthracite grey on white and these are not so widely available from other systems companies. The contemporary 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are completed to a high specification, each with a private terrace, winter garden or balcony, which residents can make the most of with the Slider24.

“Climatec prides itself on offering customers a full suite of window and door products that are manufactured to a high quality – our customers seldom need to go elsewhere, which means we have a very loyal customer base. As well as the Slider24, we also manufacture Deceuninck’s 2800 flush sash product, which, like the sliding patio door, is of high quality and meets the demands of our customers. It’s still early days with the flush sash but initial feedback from customers is very good. Deceuninck has also supported us in our achievement of an A++ energy rating on a triple glazed flush sash window, which we will be launching to the market very soon. However, it’s not just about the products with Deceuninck. They offer a very good service too. The technical support is prompt and the marketing materials they supply are impressive. We’ve also always had a good relationship with the company’s employees, across all departments, which makes the day to day contact so easy.”

Andy Smith, Deceuninck’s Business Development Manager in the South-East comments: “We’re thrilled to have worked so closely with Climatec on this project and others like it to deliver the very best end result to the customer. Our market leading colour offering of 26 colourways from stock, means we can deliver colour hassle free, which is something fabricators tell us they are struggling to get elsewhere. Deceuninck is a systems company that is entirely focused on helping customers grow by delivering quality, innovative and reliable products every time and we enjoy working with like-minded ambitious companies like Climatec.”

The post Deceuninck supports Climatec on new-build project with Slider24 appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

MPL Locksmith Training is based in Wakefield and provides the only City & Guilds accredited specialist locksmith training in the UK, claims the company.  The company is now CORGI Fenestration registered too.

MPL launched this course in 2008, the only one of its kind in the country.  In 2016 it achieved City & Guilds accreditation and in 2017 needed to expand the range of courses and move to new premises so it could satisfy demand.  Initially the CORGI Fenestration registered City & Guilds course will run for five days and will culminate in the issuing of a CORGI Fenestration skills card.  This card will prove invaluable to qualified locksmiths as the CORGI mark is recognised by 74% of UK consumers*.

Nicky England, MPL Locksmith Training Operations Director, commented:  “We are delighted to be the first locksmith training provider that has registered with CORGI Fenestration.  We both share the same commitment to recognise and encourage best practice. It proves that the level of training we offer is of the highest standard and meets all required criteria.” England added: “Offering the CORGI Fenestration skills card alongside City & Guilds accreditation raises locksmiths we train to another level – the best in the industry.”

“We are delighted to welcome MPL Locksmith Training into the CORGI Fenestration family,” commented Chris Mayne, CEO of CORGI Fenestration.  “MPL’s registration is an example of CORGI Fenestration’s commitment to recognising and encouraging best practice across the whole supply chain.  This now includes the professional fitting of window and door locks by the best qualified staff.”

CORGI Fenestration has been established to bring together the best in glazing company management, customer service, qualifications, the best qualified staff and their continuing professional development.

Further information:

enquiries@corgifenestration.co.uk

www.corgifenestration.co.uk

Astraseal are well-known for their ever-expanding product range. Once again, the Wellingborough-based firm has strengthened its diverse offering with the addition of Alitherm 500, the new aluminium flush casement from Smarts.

The Alitherm 500 offers a credible replacement for timber windows, whilst still providing a viable solution for new-build, replacement and even commercial applications. The inherent slim sightlines of aluminium combined with its flush sash and sympathetic dimensions creates a window that is well suited to period properties.

“We are very fortunate, in that we can add such bespoke products like Smart’s Alitherm 500 to our range with relative ease,” explains Zac Nedimovic, Astraseal’s Sales and Marketing Manager. “Alitherm 500 is a high-performance flush casement which provides our trade customers with a valuable and versatile product for a wide range of uses. Whether it’s in the traditional market as a timber replacement or a new-build project looking for a distinct, flush appearance, Alitherm can deliver without compromise.”

As to be expected from the experts at Smarts, the Alitherm 500 is thermally broken to achieve a U Value of 1.4 W/m²k when paired with Astraseal’s ‘A’ rated sealed units. Available in top hung and side hung configurations with optional dummy sashes, the Alitherm 500 can achieve an astonishing maximum sash size of 700mm wide by 1400mm in height.

This latest addition to the range is manufactured in Astraseal’s new, dedicated aluminium factory. Located near their Wellingborough HQ, the 25,000 sq-ft state-of-the-art facility achieves a greater economy of scale for the uPVC and aluminium fabricator, and helps to reduce their aluminium lead times.

With one of the biggest portfolios in the industry, Astraseal has built a strong reputation for high-quality aluminium and uPVC products including windows, doors and conservatories. For over 30-years, operating from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, Astraseal’s ethos has been to offer exceptional products with customer service that goes above and beyond.

For more information call Astraseal on 01933 227233 or visit www.astraseal.co.uk