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Seven out of ten homeowners recognise the Swish brand name, which is why installers will be pleased to hear that recent changes to the system’s back edge detail mean it is now compatible with more products than ever before. Gerald Allen, Epwin Window Systems’ Marketing Manager, said: “Swish is renowned for its casement windows, tilt and turn windows and doors. And now developments on the Swish back edge detail mean the Swish system is now compatible with vertical sliders, patio doors, fully reversible windows and flush casement windows from the Epwin stable. It opens up a world of new opportunities for Swish fabricators and installers and means more homeowners than ever before can enjoy the benefits that a Swish installation brings.”

Swish is a British brand with a 40 year heritage and is a firm favourite with UK homeowners. But aside from giving homeowners what they want and need, Swish also delivers for fabricators and installers. The brand’s commitment to continuous product development and opening up opportunities is perfectly reflected in the introduction of the new back edge detail. The system is easy to fabricate and simple to fit. An impressive range of ancillaries including baypoles, couplers, cills, add-ons and trims make it easy to complete perfectly fitting projects. The colour finishes have no minimum order, so they’re an option for every project. And high quality marketing support, including the Excellence as Standard membership programme, is designed to add value to fabricators’ and installers’ businesses.

Swish prides itself on continuously supplying customers with exceptional products, relentlessly high installation standards and the very finest customer service. It’s why 97% of Swish customers would recommend Swish to family and friends. So if you’re hungry to achieve, take a look at what Swish could do for you.

www.swishwindows.co.uk

Spectus has just launched a fully mechanically jointed option of its market leading vertical slider. Carmen Velilla, Brand Manager at Spectus, said: “The tried and tested authentic period looks of the Spectus Vertical Slider means it is renowned as the window that changes planning officers’ minds about PVC-U. The mechanically jointed version takes authenticity to another level because the 45 degree PVC-U welds on the frame and sash are replaced with 90 degree mechanical joints, creating a wealth of new opportunities to work on heritage and conservation properties.”

The mechanically jointed version of Spectus Vertical Slider was introduced at the FIT Show and Carmen says the reaction was extremely positive. “Feedback from both existing and prospective customers was exceptional and everyone appreciated the quality and attention to detail.”

The fully mechanically jointed version of the Spectus Vertical Slider has all the features that have proved so enduringly popular on the standard version. The mechanical joints are complemented with two sash widths that give equal vertical sightlines, plus run through horns and a deep bottom rail. Dedicated ancillaries and end caps make it easy to personalise a window, as does the ability to use off-the-shelf or high end hardware. The choice of 28 colours from Spectus’ Spectrum range, including five from stock, increases the design versatility even further.

Despite the authentic looks, the window has everything homeowners would expect from a modern window and more. Reliable spiral balance mechanisms mean the window is easy to open and close, while the tilt inwards facility on both sashes makes them easy to clean. And a U-value as low as 1.3W/m²K and a WER in Band A+ means exceptional thermal efficiency too.

It’s a practical option for installers – the 128mm outer frame matches box sash dimensions and there’s the option of a 150mm or 210mm cill. It’s Kitemarked to BS EN 12608 and PAS 24 accredited, BBA approved and is designed to achieve Secured by Design status so is Document Q compliant.

In short, the fully mechanically jointed option on the Spectus Vertical Slider means the best just got even better.

www.spectus.co.uk

Rocal Group, the company behind the impressive solid core Endurance^® Doors brand, has just launched a new 40-page Impressions brochure for their range of panelled doors, in light of other manufacturing companies pulling out of the sector.

While panelled door sales across the industry are in decline, Rocal Group still retains a strong market share for the product and the investment in the new 40-page brochure will support demand from existing and new customers. Since 1993 the company has been manufacturing door panels, an impressive 24-year statistic.

There are 10 different door designs featured, along with conservatory and half panels, with standard colours of white, golden oak, irish oak, mahogany and rosewood. Premium colours include foiled white, cream, chartwell green, french navy, racing green, rich red, walnut, anthracite grey and schwarzbraun. The company is also boasting a 3-5 day turnaround on all orders for 20, 24 and 28mm deep panels.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Rocal Group commented: ‘With several door panel companies ceasing production, it seems pertinent that we launch our new and impressive Impressions brochure. The sector may be in a slow long-term decline, but with an underlying need to satisfy demand we’re actively looking for new door panel sales.

He continued: ‘We’re continuing to invest across the Group as a whole at present, with sales for our starring Endurance Doors brand remaining over 30% up on 2016, whilst still retaining outstanding levels of customer service.’

For your free copy of the 40-page Impressions brochure please contact Rocal Group on 01652 659259, e-mail sales@rocal.co.uk or visit www.rocal.co.uk. You can also find out more about Endurance^® Doors at www.endurancedoors.co.uk.

VEKA Group MD David Jones (left) shows George Osborne the warehouse during the factory tour.

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) chose Veka Group’s Burnley headquarters as the location for the launch of its latest report; ‘Powerhouse 2050: The North’s Routemap for Productivity’.

Established in the autumn of 2016, NPP aims to increase the contribution the North makes to the UK economy. This will be achieved through cooperation with local stakeholders at all levels along with government. Following the publication of its first report earlier in the year – which focussed on education and skills, infrastructure and assets, international competitiveness, and leadership and learning – the Powerhouse 2050 report focuses on advanced manufacturing and materials, energy, digital, and health innovation, with a series of specific proposals for government funding, business investment and closer collaboration across the North.

Following an introduction from Director of Northern Powerhouse Partnership Henri Murison; former Chancellor and NPP Chair George Osborne delivered a speech on the past, present and future of the initiative to a packed conference room at Veka’s HQ.

Mr Osborne said: “One of the major aims is to improve connectivity. Northern villages, towns and cities are proud of their local identities and steeped with history but are perhaps not big enough to make a global impact by themselves. They are close enough geographically however to team up; the distance between Manchester and Leeds, for example, is shorter than the Central Line of the London Underground.

“We have all the ingredients we need for the Northern Powerhouse to succeed, and now it’s time to make some decisions on what to focus on, because choosing everything, means choosing nothing. A great idea like this cannot live and die with any one MP or government, but if the North itself owns this idea, it will endure.”

Veka’s managing director, David Jones said: “It has a been a pleasure for Veka to host the launch of the latest Northern Powerhouse Partnership report, and as one of the primary capabilities is ‘advanced manufacturing and materials’, Veka seemed to set the scene perfectly.

“Veka Group has been operating in Burnley since 1986 and we have never stopped investing and innovating when it comes not just to manufacturing quality products but in providing the highest standards of working conditions for our employees.

“Almost all of the speakers today called for Northern businesses to pull together, own the Northern Powerhouse initiative and work towards a stronger North. I think I am speaking for everyone at Veka, when I say ‘we’re in’!”

The post Veka hosts Powerhouse 2050 appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Synseal Group is vying for trophies across an impressively wide number of categories in this glazing awards season with three G17 Award nominations and eight in the National Fenestration Awards.

Global Glass, Masterdor and WarmCore are among the Group’s brands to be shortlisted after continued growth this year. Global Glass is up for Glass Company of the Year at the G Awards and IGU Manufacturer at the NFAs, where WarmCore is also a contender in the Aluminium category and Masterdor has been recognised in the Timber Company and Composite/Panelled Door categories.

Synseal Group will be returning to the NFAs this year hoping to scoop the Systems Company award for the second year in a row, and will also be competing in the PVC Company category. Meanwhile at the G17 Awards, Synseal’s aluminium lantern roof, Stratus, is among the seven products fighting for the coveted New Product of the Year award, and the Group has also been named a finalist in the Training and Development Initiative category.

Synseal Group’s marketing team is particularly pleased to see two of its team shortlisted for individual awards. Marketing assistant Katherine Taylor is in the final of the NFA’s Young Person award, with Ellie Saunders nominated in the Social Networker category for running Synseal’s Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts.

www.synseal.com

Earlier this year, hardware manufacturer, the Trojan Group launched one of the industry’s very few Document Q compliant letterplates. Manufactured from Stainless Steel for ultimate corrosion resistance, the TS008 Unicorn Letterplate meets the exacting requirements of TS008 which means it can be used on doorsets that need to comply with the requirements of PAS24: 2016 or Document Q of Building Regulations.

In order to help potential customers discover for themselves the importance of the new high security TS008 Unicorn Letterplate, Trojan have commissioned a short 90 second video that demonstrates the anti-fishing properties of the product compared with a standard letterplate. Tony Chadwick, Trojan Group’s Managing Director explains.   “The TS008 Unicorn Letterplate has an inner protective housing and a unique concealed hinge mechanism to prevent attack. The inner flap has a positive stop feature for maximum protection from ‘fishing’ while the inner flap projection is below door handle height for added protection. When it comes to explaining these technical features of the letterplate we find that video is much more suitable so fabricators and installers can see straightaway the benefits for themselves.”

The TS008 Unicorn Letterplate has simple but elegant styling that will complement any doorface and is suitable for both composite and PVC-U doors. It is available in a full choice of external finishes including Polished, Brushed and Satin Stainless Steel, PVD Gold, Black and White. The internal letterplate can be colour coded to match the door colour.

The external flap is manufactured from 304 Stainless Steel for ultimate corrosion resistance (galvanised mild steel is used for painted finishes). The letterplate has a 25 year anti-corrosion guarantee on all Stainless Steel product finishes and there is a 10 year mechanical guarantee on all versions.

The video can be seen on YouTube by searching for “TS008 Letterplate Demonstration” and is also available to view on www.trojangroup.com

Polyframe has announced plans to expand its 50,000ft2 site in Livingston and boost production of PVCu frames by more than 30%. It is said to be the second major investment since becoming part of the Customade Group.

Polyframe Livingston has reportedly made a £750,000 investment into plant and new machinery to help it satisfy growing market demand and increase production on the site from 1,500 to 2,000 frames a week on a single shift basis. Polyframe Livingston is said to be Scotland’s largest trade fabricator and the biggest fabricator of Veka PVC-U frames north of the border.

The move at Livingston follows the announcement by Polyframe for more space and new machinery at its Norwich site, where output will increase from 4,500 frames a week to 7,000 frames a week.

115 people are currently employed on the Livingston site, with 75 staff working in the factory. The enhanced Livingston site will manufacture the complete range of Veka PVC-U windows and doors.

The factory will be equipped with a number of brand new machines, including a new Stuga ZX 5 sawing and machining centre – said to be the very first of its kind in the UK – a new eight head welder, an SV800 corner cleaner and a reverse butt cleaner. According to Polyframe, this machinery will enable fabrication at Livingston to become fully automated, with the exception of handling and assembly. The developments on the site will also help the business to maintain its consistently high ‘On Time In Full’ record.

Martin Linden, managing director of Polyframe, Livingston, said: “This has been an outstanding year for us and we are very excited to be ramping up our production rates. This venture is particularly notable at a time when many PVCU fabricators are not investing and shrinking back on production. The atmosphere at Livingston is buzzing and we’re all ready to take the next step to reach 2,000 frames a week. Our longer-term goal is to achieve an impressive 4,000 frames a week.

“This investment isn’t just about growth though, it’s about taking us forward in our journey to continuously improve. That’s why we’re dedicated to developing our operational procedures and investing in our people. This investment will be fundamental in helping us to create even better, smarter processes, whilst maintaining our very high manufacturing standards and improving efficiency. Those are critical assets to our customers and what ultimately sets us apart from other fabricators.”

Polyframe operates nationally and has four PVC-U production sites in Norwich (fabricating Rehau), Halifax (fabricating Halo and Eurocell), Gloucestershire (fabricating Duraflex) and Livingston (fabricating Veka) which will collectively fabricate more than 13,000 frames a week when the expansion is completed at Livingston.

The post Polyframe boosts production appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).