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Swish says 7 out of 10 consumers recognise the Swish brand. And Gerald Allen, Swish’s Brand Manager, says: “Brand recognition like this is a fantastic advantage, as Swish fabricators and installers know. They also know that Swish is a brand that deserves its reputation.”

Swish is a British brand with a 40 year heritage. Swish windows have been approved by the Secured by Design scheme, the official UK Police flagship initiative that supports and promotes the principles of crime prevention through secure design and engineering. The system easily achieves the best A++ ratings and triple glazed frames can deliver a U-value of just 0.8. All products are said to be easy to maintain and keep looking pristine. The range of 28 colours includes woodgrain effects, accent colours and on-trend shades.

Swish maintains that aside from giving homeowners what they want and need, Swish also delivers for fabricators and installers. 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.

Then there’s the level of support offered by a brand known for its warm and friendly customer service. High quality sales support and literature provide the tools to help secure sales. There’s also the Excellence as Standard member programme, which aims to drive and promote excellence at every level of member businesses. Benefits include access to qualified leads, branded marketing materials, benefits from partners including FENSA, and learning and development options via the Excellence as Standard Academy.

For more information visit www.swishwindows.co.uk

Image Above:  Tim Ferkin, Sales Director

Two recently evolved products at Caldwell are helping to drive sales says a Director at the company.

The fenestration hardware specialist launched the re-engineered products earlier in 2017 and they have boosted sales at the company.

Tim Ferkin, Sales Director at fenestration hardware giants Caldwell, explains in more detail about how the company’s long-standing spring balance products have been improved for 2017.

He comments: “At Caldwell, we are committed to producing the most high-quality, innovative products possible. Earlier this year we decided to look at improving two of our spring balances – the Ultra Lift 2 (UL 2) and the Torso – which are designed to give the end user mechanical assistance in opening and closing their sash window.

“The end result of our efforts was two newly-evolved products: the Ultra Lift 6 (UL 6) and Torso II.”

Both of Caldwell’s newly enhanced products have been carefully developed to provide some of the highest performing balances within the market. The Torso II is now the only class 6 balance and offers up to 85% mechanical assistance and can hold sashes that weigh up to 60kg.

Both new balances are available in a variety of colours including white, brown and grey, and the Torso II now boasts an incredibly sleek design, with tube diameters of 17mm and 19mm.

Tim continues: “It was a priority for us to ensure that the modifications we made to the Ultra Lift and Torso would not impact the manufacturing process by which they are incorporated into finished windows. Indeed, there will be no extra fitting requirements and no extra costs for manufacturers.”

For more information please call 024 7643 7900 or visit www.caldwell.co.uk

Image Above: Leads2trade team

A lead generation firm is on a mission to recruit new members following unprecedented demand for its services.

Leads2trade has seen record volumes of enquiries from consumers looking for installers of double glazing and both aluminium and PVCu bi-folding doors, over the past few months.

But demand is outstripping supply and Leads2trade is now looking for reputable home improvement companies to become members of its Trusted Local Supplier network and receive red-hot leads in their area.

Leads2trade posted strong sales figures for the first half of 2017 – achieving a 15% increase in lead volumes compared to last year – and is on course to achieve a record end of year turnover.

Director Andy Royle, says a resilient market and increased homeowner spending has contributed to high volumes of leads.

Initially Andy also says that Leads2trade are recruiting for installers looking for double glazing leads in the following regions – South West, Northern Counties, Scotland, Yorkshire, North Wales, East Anglia, South Wales and the Home Counties.

He comments: “Despite economic uncertainty, consumer spending is still strong and one area of investment is home improvements. Strong house price growth coupled with the high cost of living means homeowners are now choosing to stay put and upgrade or expand their homes rather than moving, with measures such as new double-glazed windows and new bi-folding doors.”

Leads2trade generates thousands of leads per month for companies operating in the home improvement market, with the core sectors including windows, doors and conservatories.

These leads are then double qualified by Leads2trade’s in-house call centre and passed onto members of its popular Trusted Local Supplier network, in postcodes of their choice.

They can receive leads instantly via email and SMS and use the company’s appointment booking and hot key transfer service.

To receive red-hot leads in these areas, get in touch today on 0161 466 0099 or visit www.leads2trade.co.uk

In response to the growing demand from homeowners, housebuilders and specifiers for coloured PVC-U windows and doors, Eurocell now offers fabricators a seven working day turnaround for a wide range of foils.

Customers can choose from 31 different colours and finishes for any window or door as a made to order item, secure in the knowledge that they won’t be subject to the traditional three- to four-week wait that usually accompanies made to order profiles.

The available palette allows the homeowner or end-user the choice of regular favourites Rosewood and Golden Oak or, for those of a more contemporary mindset, soothing and stylish greys such as Anthracite, Slate, Kensington and Hazy Grey. Both Anthracite and Hazy Grey can be ordered with a woodgrain or smooth finish option.

Even those who are keen to be at the forefront of design and trends can select in vogue colours such as Light Ivory, Anteak and Chartwell Green or two shades of perennially cool black, Ebony and Black Ash.

“Whichever of the colours and finishes fabricators order, we now have the capability to complete that order within seven working days. Even allowing for delivery of say one or two days, this is the quickest and most complete made to order service in the industry. Should a customer wish, they can collect their order from us after seven working days”, says Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing.

“With the appetite for coloured profile growing across both new build and RMI, the launch of our seven-day made to order service is timely. It ensures that Eurocell fabricators are best positioned to take advantage of this upward trend,” he adds.

www.eurocell.co.uk

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) will be showcasing joinery excellence and promoting new best practice guidance for stairs and fire doors at Timber Expo this October.

Part of UK Construction Week, Timber Expo runs from 10-12th October at the NEC, Birmingham, and is the most important event on the UK construction calendar dedicated exclusively to timber. Visitors are able to find out more about the latest products, innovations and developments across the timber sector.

The BWF will be hosting two events at Timber Expo on the Confederation on Timber Industries (CTI) Stand. The shortlist for the BWF Awards will be announced at a reception on 11th October and a new version of the BWF Stair Scheme Design Guide will be launched on 12th October.

The awards highlight technical innovation and excellence in joinery projects and joinery product design, process efficiency, health & safety, as well as rewarding the rising stars of the industry. The winners are set to be announced at BWF’s popular Annual Dinner at Drapers’ Hall, London on Friday 24th November. The BWF Annual Dinner & Awards are kindly sponsored by Accoya, Teknos, W18 Exhibition, Didac and CITB.

For specifiers, architects or other parties involved in the design or manufacture of stairs for a project, the updated BWF Stair Scheme Design Guide will help make sure that the stair is compliant with relevant standards and regulations, while producing fabulous and beautiful design results.

Booking details for both events will be available shortly on the BWF website at www.bwf.org.uk/news/events. Visitors to the CTI stand will also be able to find information on what BWF has been doing for the UK joinery industry and the benefits of joining BWF for joinery manufacturers and suppliers to the industry.

BWF-Certifire will also be linking up with Exova during the show to launch a new fire door installation guide. At the launch, Exova will also be holding live demonstrations on correct fire door installation. BWF will be giving away a limited number of copies of its acclaimed Fire Door Best Practice Guide on the CTI Stand.

Registration to attend Timber Expo is available now and you can register for free at: www.timber-expo.co.uk/register

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is looking forward to a very positive future, despite some media speculation of internal disruption as the organisation undergoes a transitional period.

John Agnew, GGF President issued the following statement to reassure GGF Members and related stakeholders that the GGF and its group of subsidiary companies are on a progressive path to grow and serve the industry.

GGF President’s Statement

As President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Glass and Glazing Federation, I would like to highlight the positive changes at the GGF in the last 12 months.

The changes to the management structure and the organisation’s direction were unanimously agreed by the GGF Board. It is worth noting that the GGF Board is made up of representatives from across the main sectors of the glass and glazing industry.

GGF Board Directors are democratically elected by GGF Members and the positions are entirely voluntarily and unpaid. In the past, some Board Directors have resigned due to the non-declaration of conflicts of interest.  The GGF has always had firm rules in place to declare any conflicts of interest and all Board Members must sign this agreement before being ratified as GGF Board Members and at every Board meeting the Chair remind all in attendance of the rules regarding conflicts of interest.

The Board decisions taken and resultant changes in the past year are to be applauded as they were strong decisions made in the best interests of GGF Members and the wider industry. The changes have also been accepted and welcomed by the GGF Group Staff.

With the appointment of Phil Pluck as the new GGF Chief Executive in May this year, along with the subsequent management restructure aligned to the new additions to the GGF Board, I can confidently state that the GGF and its group of subsidiary companies are now in a better position than ever before to serve GGF Members and the industry.

As with most businesses during a transition period, there will inevitably be some more changes along the way, but rest assured none will be to the detriment of the GGF and its Members.

With record numbers of companies joining the Federation this year, we are now looking forward to our annual Members Day next month when we will unveil the GGF’s long term strategy to help GGF Members and the industry cope with the many challenges ahead.

I am pleased that all connected to the GGF and its group of subsidiary companies have so much to look forward to as the restructure takes shape to enhance all the benefits and services the GGF Group provides to the industry.

The GGF has come a very long way since its foundation in 1977 and as we mark our 40th Anniversary and reflect on the GGF’s great achievements, we also must focus on our future. The changes that have occurred in the past 12 months, will ensure our Members and other stakeholders in the subsidiary companies will continue to get the best service from the industry’s main trade body.

The post GGF President highlights positive changes appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

In partnership with leading British and European brands a new business is delivering high quality aluminium doors and windows to the trade industry in Exeter.

Exeter Trade Aluminium (ETA) will hold its launch event at its showroom and factory at Apple Lane, Sowton, on Friday and Saturday, September 22nd and 23rd.  Visitors will have the chance to explore the products on offer, speak with experts and take a factory tour to see products being made. Food and drink will also be provided along with a free prize draw!

With 35 years industry experience, the experts behind ETA will offer a fast efficient service using their own on-site manufacturing facility making use of the latest in CNC technology, says the company.

Nick Sandbrook said: “We are looking forward to supplying the trade with competitively priced aluminium doors, windows and roof lights. We will also be offering sliding doors, bi-folding doors, entrance doors and commercial glazing solutions. Our friendly experts will work with you, offering top customer service and quality products made to order, direct to the trade.”

ETA is conveniently located 2 minutes from junction 30 of the M5 at Unit 15, Apple Lane, Trade City, Exeter, EX2 7HA. The showroom and factory open days will take place from 9am to 6.30pm on Friday 22nd September and 8am until 4pm on Saturday, September 23.

www.exetertradealuminium.co.uk