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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.”

The post Setting strong standards appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Aperture Solutions LTD, part of the global home improvement products manufacturer, ODL Europe and exclusive reseller of the Capstone Door Slab, has recently appointed Suzanne Nicholl to the role of Business Development Manager.

Suzanne, known to many from her previous role at Polyframe, has the responsibility for heading up sales across the whole of the UK, from the company’s head office in Bootle, Merseyside and has already won orders from a number of new customers during her short time in the role.

Managing Director, Nathan Barr commented, we are delighted that Suzanne has joined the Aperture Solutions team, it’s a great time for the business and she is making excellent progress in creating awareness amongst customers of the relatively new Aperture Solutions brand, this with our recent investment in manufacturing equipment and expansion at our Bootle site means we are starting 2018 in a great position to grow, Suzanne has made a great start and we wish her every success in the role.”

Suzanne is no stranger to the sector, having over twenty-two years of industry experience to call on, she started selling hardware from her late teens and has developed her skills and experience across several roles to the present day.

Suzanne comments, “I am looking forward to meeting as many customers as possible over the next few months, I have received a very warm welcome in the role and it’s been great to be demonstrating the many features and benefits of the Capstone slab, to both existing and new fabricators and installers. I really enjoy meeting up with customers and as my role is mainly field based, I get the opportunity to see first hand how our range of products can make a difference. I would encourage any potential customers to contact me if they would like to discuss any potential requirements.”

Outside of work, Suzanne is keen on running and keep fit, with a daughter involved in dancing and theatre productions, she follows her daughter’s career and enjoys attending the many shows in which she performs, that have taken her to many foreign locations.

If you would like any further information on the Aperture Solutions product range or Capstone Door slabs, Suzanne can be contacted on 0151 933 0299, or via the aperture solutions website at www.aperturesolutions.co.uk

The post Suzanne Nicholl, Business Development Manager of Aperture Solutions appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

First Job: I started work aged 16 as a commercial trainee at Rehau, working at their Amlwch plant on Anglesey.

When did you join current company: I joined AluK in March 2016 as Head of Marketing and was appointed Marketing Director in July 2017.

Most useful/favourite gadget: I love everything about my iPhone, but couldn’t live without the Deezer music streaming app.

Favourite/most useful website: I’m such an online shopper, the days of having the luxury of shopping on the High Street are definitely over for me, so all my favourite clothes brand sites are crucial. I’d be lost without them.

Business person you admire: That’s a tough one – I can appreciate the achievements of some of the big names obviously, but my real admiration is for those people who I know and whose journey I can see from their perspective. On the recent Paddle2Pedal challenge for instance, I was in awe of the stories of so many of the women taking part and how they had got to where they are in business. One stood out for me though and that was Tina Moorhouse, MD of Oakland Glass. She really is a true inspiration for all women and she deserves a medal!

Recommended hotel for business: I’m a regular visitor at AluK’s London Design Studio and use the Hub by Premier Inn. These are hard to fault – great value and just smart in terms of their approach and understanding the needs of business travel.

Favourite UK restaurant: I’ve been lucky enough to eat at some wonderful places but, as it’s my local, I have to say The Angel at Abergavenny. This is an award-winning restaurant in my home town and they’ve worked so hard and invested a lot to make their mark in the UK restaurant and hospitality sector.

Best business decision: Repositioning AluK in the trade/residential market with a clear product strategy, and then launching that at the FIT Show. I’m thoroughly enjoying being part of and having input into AluK’s journey of development and growth.

Other interests: Having just completed the GM Fundraising Paddle2Pedal challenge, I’m hooked on road cycling now.

Working Day: If I’m not out visiting customers, I like to be in the office between 7.30 and 8. I work with the rest of the marketing team on a whole range of strategic projects and it’s my job to make sure those are kept on track. With AluK launching so many new products at the moment, as well as a brand new Select Partner scheme, it’s exceptionally busy and I have to work hard to reduce the time I spend in meetings and maximise the amount of time I can spend on strategic planning. I usually leave fairly promptly at around 6 to make sure I spend time with my family in the evening, but the laptop does often go on again.

Working Location: AluK moved this year to its new 350,000 ft2 home in Chepstow, which for me is a perfect 30 minute commute. My office is right in the heart of the action, in the new purpose built offices which sit alongside the vast production facility. The whole building is fabulous and showcases lots of AluK’s windows, doors and curtain walling systems, not just in the newly opened Design Studio but in the structure itself. We literally live and breathe our products and are very proud of our new offices!

AluK made a very significant strategic decision this year to clearly position ourselves in the trade and residential markets. We redefined our product offering, focused on the expertise of our team and committed ourselves to a new level of partnership with our customers. At the FIT Show, AluK made a very big statement about our commitment to this market and our ‘Experts in Aluminium’ campaign which ran from January to June was deliberately created to reinforce that. All this coincided of course with our move to new 350,000 ft2 premises in Chepstow and a huge investment in the UK market by the AluK group. We now have an ISO9001 accredited facility. We are also the only systems company in the world to have an online pre-anodised vertical Polyester Powder Coat paint line, which will be fully commissioned early next year. At a time when the aluminium sector is already outstripping the rest of the market, with growth in 2016 of 24%, AluK now has the capacity and resources to maximise the huge opportunity which undoubtedly exists for us and for our customers in the years ahead.

The latest Palmer report that has been released predicts that the overall glazing market will struggle until at least 2020. However, it also stated that the outlook for aluminium is very much brighter, with further growth of 20% forecast by 2021, driven initially by bi-fold doors and then increasingly by windows. Arguably, there has never been a more exciting time to be in this sector and certainly there has never been a more exciting time to be at AluK. In marketing and product terms, we introduced three clearly defined new product tiers at this year’s FIT Show. These are – Optio for our mainstream products, Luminia for our premium range and Infinium for our high-end retail offering. This strategy means our customers now understand exactly which products fit their customer profile and, more importantly, can access products from across our portfolio to suit any type of project. We are focused not just on closing any gaps in our range which might have previously been filled by our competitors, but also on giving our customers additional new products which can deliver stronger and more sustainable margins.

Our aim is to take our customers along with us on what promises to be an enjoyable and very rewarding journey. Our plan is not simply to go on adding more fabricators to our customer base. Rather, we want to work with existing customers – giving them the products, service and sales and marketing support they need to grow with us and increase the number of installers buying from them. And, for that reason, we took the significant step of launching our Select Partner scheme this month, appointing partners for our Infinium and Luminia products. These will be those fabricators who have demonstrated a real commitment to AluK over the years and where we believe there is potential for us to really add value to their businesses and their showrooms and drive future growth together. We’ll be backing these partners with technical, sales and marketing support and helping them to reach those installers and developers who are so critical to our success in both the home improvement and new-build sectors. For instance, we have launched the Infinium panoramic slider specifically to enable those customers targeting high-end Grand Designs type properties to supply a UK manufactured AluK product with full local support, rather than having to turn to suppliers based in Europe. Similarly, we’ve just launched the Luminia Veranda system to give customers a great new add-on or retrofit sales opportunity on every bi-fold or sliding door installation they complete.

And, at the end of October, we launch what we believe will be a game-changing product in the bi-fold market – our Luminia F82. This features symmetrical all-round rebates of just 97mm to provide larger glazing panels and fantastic thermal performance U-values of just 1.34 W/m2K when double glazed – a first for any aluminium bi-fold. It is unashamedly targeted at the premium end of the bi-fold market where demand remains very robust, yet it is quicker and easier to fabricate than existing doors in our range. It will be released only to our Luminia Select Partners, giving them a real point of differentiation in the market and helping them to increase their share of the predicted 28% growth in bi-folds over the next five years. It really does represent an attractive proposition.

Our product development doesn’t stop there though – we’ll also be rolling out the brand new Luminia SC156 sliding door shortly. Looking even further ahead, the next stage in our marketing plan is to increase our targeting of the all-important consumer market. That won’t come from a big press or TV campaign because our budgets simply don’t run to that. But, it will certainly involve clever but cost-effective digital marketing, and will work hand in hand with our customers in the form of printed and digital marketing information and of course showroom branding. One key element for targeting consumers is the new AluK Design Studios. We opened our first in London’s design quarter last year and have just opened the second at our Chepstow HQ. These showcase full-size versions of virtually our entire product range and provide a fantastic venue for presentations and events. Our original intention was to use the London Design Studio to target architects and specifiers working in the commercial sector and certainly it’s proving ideal for that. But, it is also a facility which our customers can use for hosting their own events or simply directing prospective customers towards to view our full-size products. It is certainly proving very successful for that and we are seeing upwards of 40 homeowners a week visiting to look at products for themselves before they place orders with customers, further justifying our investment. There’s lots more to come from AluK throughout the rest of this year and into 2018 and beyond. We have a fantastic brand, underpinned by exceptional products and are now, I believe, perfectly placed to make the most of the rising demand for aluminium from across the trade and residential sector and, more importantly, to help our customers to make the most of that too.

The post Sioned Webb, Marketing Director, AluK appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Image Above: Kieran Buchan receiving his Level 2 NVQ from a member of North Lancs Training Group.

Sealed unit and integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass & Glazing has extended its apprenticeship programme with the help of North Lancs Training Group.

The company’s first apprentice Kieran Buchan completed his NVQ Level 2 in Glass Processing last year and has now progressed to the higher Level 3. He says: “After my GCSEs I tried Sixth Form, but it just wasn’t for me. I was ready to be given more responsibility and I realised I would do better at something more vocational.

“At Morley there is always something new to learn, all the managers and supervisors are willing to share their skills and it’s really given me confidence in my abilities. Doing an NVQ has really helped me understand my job a lot better and I’ll definitely consider moving onto Level 4.”

Elsewhere in the business, two other members of the Morley team have now embarked on NVQs in Business Administration. Last month, Nathan Hall and Kevin Murphy started Level 2 and Level 4 of the NVQ respectively and will study topics such as team supervision and project management as well as providing opportunities for research, analysis and original thought.

Previously a sales assistant at BHS, Nathan now works in Morley’s sales department, advising customers and handling orders. Having joined Morley is 2016 he is enjoying the chance to earn an additional qualification, which includes a visit from a GQA approved North Lancs Training Group tutor every four to six weeks. Meanwhile, after 17 years with the business Morley general manager Kevin Murphy is looking forward to using the opportunity to grow and develop

“This is my first time studying since my school days, but it hasn’t taken long to get back into the swing of it,” says Kevin, continuing: “I feel very fortunate to have seen the business grow over the years and have the opportunity to grow alongside it. I can already see how the skills I’ll learn over the next 18 months can be applied to my job role here at Morley.”

Ian Short, managing director at Morley Glass & Glazing which employs more than 70 people said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for the team to gain new skills, qualifications and a greater understanding of the business. I’m sure the business will benefit from the new ideas, as well as from a more motivated and inspired team. Hats off to Kieran, Kevin and Nathan who are committed to investing in their personal development and the future growth of the business.”

By offering real life work experience with a qualification alongside, apprenticeships and traineeships offer an ideal route for those looking to start out and progress within a company, with over 250,000 workplaces in the UK currently offering such schemes.