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Safety is not a ‘nice to have’ option, but a right for all employees and in particular those engaged in the glass and glazing industry. It is about education, power and leadership as well as policy and process.

The newly updated easy-to-use reference guide gives an overview to prepare you for working safely in the glass and glazing industry. It provides advice on what to do when you come across a common hazard associated with your work and gives basic direction as to what actions you must take. It also takes account of recent changes in Health and Safety legislation and emphasizes the need for all those involved in the industry to identify, assess and manage risks, working together as a team.

Phil Pinnington, GGF Director of Health and Safety commented, “The re-focus with an emphasis on the practical application of safety practices has been keenly sought, especially by small and medium sized enterprises. These companies have a willingness be proactive with Health and Safety and now have a working framework to help. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring such practical guidance to the industry. I’m confident that the handbook and assessment will be well received.”

For the first time the guide encompasses not only the flat glass manufacturing sector but the customer facing installers. It’s been compiled with the most up to date information and guidance available and aims to help employees understand both the legal aspects of safety but the practical applications.

Supporting the handbook, a simple online assessment has been developed where employers can satisfy themselves their workers have a good understanding of the basic safety concepts. This then helps make sharing their own safety systems so much more effective.

The new publication is available as a free download to GGF Members via the Members Area of the GGF website www.ggf.org.uk or is available to purchase from the GGF Shop (http://shop.ggfmembers.com/employee-safety-in-the-glass-and-glazing-industry-ref-30-8/)

Express Trade Frames in Fleetwood, Lancashire, is the first fabricator of Exlabesa’s new Xlafold aluminium bifold door system that was recently launched. And one of Express Trade Frames’ first installations was suitably high profile – EFL League One football team Fleetwood Town FC.

Express Trade Frames had undertaken work for Fleetwood Town FC in the past and the quality of their workmanship meant they were first in the queue when the team needed to replace eight glass sliding doors at its ground.

Express Trade Frames recommended using the Xlafold bifolding door system from Exlabesa for the project. It has the classic slim sightlines of an aluminium bifolding door and is available in sculptured or square sash options. It has a typical U value of 1.5 W/m²K and has PAS 24 accreditation, so it offers exceptional thermal efficiency as well as meeting the requirements of Document Q of Building Regulations.

The company manufactured the doors in its new aluminium fabrication plant and installed them at Fleetwood Town’s ground over a period of five days.

Scott Law, Express Trade Frames’ Director commented: “We have only recently added the Xlafold bifolding door to our fabrication set-up and we were delighted that our local football team was one of the first projects we used it in.”

The decision to add the Xlafold system to the Express Trade Frames’ portfolio was simple, says Scott: “We have recently set up a new aluminium plant to complement our strong PVC-U offering. We approached other companies on the market about their bifold doors, but the Exlabesa system and attitude was superb and we felt they were the right choice for us. The Xlafold system is easy to manufacture and easy to install. The sightlines and overall product finish is excellent – basically, it does everything Xlabesa says it will.”

The Xlafold bifolding doors have given a new lease of life to the restaurant overlooking Fleetwood Town’s training facilties. Scott concludes: “We have been delighted with Exlabesa and Fleetwood Town are delighted with their doors.” Happy customers all round!

www.exlabesa.co.uk

CORGI Fenestration is delighted to announce that Liniar is the first systems house to achieve formal registration on its scheme and have access to one of the most recognised consumer mark in industry.

In making the announcement Chris Mayne, CEO of CORGI Fenestration commented “Liniar passed the CORGI Fenestration audit with flying colours and will be the first to display the CORGI Fenestration mark that tells its fabricators, installers and consumers that the business is committed to best practice when it comes to quality products, qualified staff, and the best in customer service.”

“There will be huge benefits for Liniar’s fabricator network with its Approved Fabricator Scheme also becoming CORGI Fenestration registered.  This means that if a fabricator has already achieved Liniar Approved status, it can become CORGI Fenestration registered in its own right through a reduced audit process”.

“There are also benefits for Liniar’s installers.  Any installers who already have existing GQA-awarded qualifications will be recognised by CORGI Fenestration and will be eligible to join the scheme as well”.

“Liniar installers who become registered and buy Liniar products through a CORGI Fenestration Registered fabricator will be able to offer their customers the assurance of the highest quality throughout the whole supply chain and will be able to carry a CORGI Fenestration branded qualifications card”.

Liniar’s Chief Executive Roger Hartshorn reinforced the company’s decision to join forces with CORGI Fenestration. “We’re delighted that Liniar is the first PVCu system house to join the CORGI Fenestration scheme. CORGI is a name that’s synonymous with trust and quality, values that we also hold dear at Liniar.

“There are many ‘approved’ schemes already in place within the industry that are little more than marketing exercises, so we fully support the independent scheme launched by CORGI Fenestration. We feel it will help to raise standards across the board, from system house to installer, which will have only benefit the consumer in the long run”.

“We believe that we’ve set the bar high by being the first systems company to be audited and accredited by CORGI. The audit has also backed up the validity of our own Liniar Approved Fabricator scheme, which will enable our customers to benefit from a reduced audit to use the CORGI Fenestration mark.”

Chris Mayne added: “We knew that Liniar were of the same mind-set as ourselves and so it was no surprise that they committed to our values of trust, reliability, expertise and quality.”

“We look forward to working with them over the long haul and to helping them realise the outstanding benefits associated with the CORGI name”.

For further information

enquiries@corgifenestration.co.uk

www.corgifenestration.co.uk

Tel:  0800 246 1729

Aluminium window, door and curtain walling specialist Soundcraft Doors has chosen an Emmegi Phantomatic M3 machining centre to help it expand capacity and manage some new large scale commercial projects.

Soundcraft originally made its name as a timber joinery company but in recent years has switched its emphasis on to aluminium and hybrid systems produced by Senior Architectural Systems, which now account for more than 80% of its output.

Previously, the Orpington based company had used its CNC timber machines for machining in aluminium, but has now replaced these with the bespoke Emmegi solution.

Production Manager Lee Gordon said that the Phantomatic M3 is doing exactly what was promised and is delivering the precision, speed and quality which the company needs.

He said: “We have been impressed with Emmegi (UK) at every stage of the buying process. The sales manager Andrew Jones talked through our requirements with us and really made the effort to understand what we needed before recommending the 3+1 axis machine which suits our factory perfectly. The installation team did a great job as well, and the training and support we received meant that we were up to speed with the machine in just a few weeks.

“We chose Emmegi largely on the basis of the quality and durability of the machine, and it is definitely living up to all our expectations.”

The Phantomatic M3 is a compact, fully enclosed machining centre which is ideal for producing Soundcraft’s extensive range of SBD doors and windows. The fully enclosed feature was important for Soundcraft in terms of guaranteeing there was no health and safety risk for operators, as well as the ease of operation which means the machine can be manned without any real joinery training.

Lee Gordon added: “Our skilled joiners can now be deployed to more complex tasks which means we are getting better value from them, whilst our in-training team are still able to turn out beautifully crafted aluminium frames thanks to the precision of the Phantomatic M3.”

At Soundcraft, the Phantomatic M3 is linked to BM Aluminium’s LogiKal software which is enabling the company to connect its CAD design function to its manufacturing.

Further details are available at www.emmegi.com

In its biggest ever distribution deal, Composite Wood Company has joined forces with Eurocell to put its timber alternative decking, fencing and balustrade into all of Eurocell’s 170 trade counters covering the UK.

“Composite Wood decking and fencing is an exciting addition to Eurocell trade counters.  For installers, it’s fast and easy to fit, and homeowners love having a natural wood feel without the hassle of maintaining it,” says Lee Robinson, Senior Product Category Manager at Eurocell.

“Composite Wood Company has invested heavily to develop the right range and maintains a consistently high level of stock. That means Eurocell customers get quality products, when they need them.

“We see huge potential for Eurocell customers to win business with this range.  Composite Wood Company has already demonstrated impressive demand from homeowners with a G Award-winning retail campaign.  There are already more than 13,000 fans on the Composite Wood Company Facebook page.”

Eurocell and Composite Wood Company kicked off the partnership at FIT Show 2017, where the two companies’ stands were opposite each other.  Visitors saw the stunning Composite Wood products that can be ordered now at Eurocell trade counters.

To help customers make the most of the boom in outdoor living using Composite Wood, Eurocell’s comprehensive sales and marketing tools were also on display.  New POS material includes a Composite Wood sample board and brochure, so customers can easily select the components they need for each job.  Materials will be delivered direct to site within seven days of ordering.

Composite Wood Company is running a series of training sessions for Eurocell, covering the whole of the UK.  Lee says: “Branch staff will be able to show Eurocell customers how easy the decking, fencing and balustrades are to fit together, and to help with enquiries about the range.”

Tony Pratt, Sales Director at Composite Wood Company, adds: “Offering Composite Wood products through Eurocell Trade Counters is a fantastic opportunity to further develop our supply to the trade.  The Composite Wood Company team is looking forward to developing great working relationships with all Eurocell branches.”

www.compositewoodcompany.co.uk

Saint-Gobain Building Glass looked on proudly last month as a £27.5m university building it helped to design and create was opened by the University of Huddersfield to provide a new home for its Law School and the School of Music, Humanities and Media.

The prestigious new Oastler Building was officially opened by The Duke of York on Monday 24 April at a VIP ceremony that celebrated the success of apprentices and trainees, via numerous sub-contractors and manufacturers, that were involved in the project.

Occupying a prominent site on the Shorehead side of the campus, the six-storey building is BREEAM Outstanding rated thanks to the use of SGG COOL-LITE SKN 165 II collar control glass in its curved frontage and a 3.5m cantilever. This dramatic design feature helps to self-shade the building’s glass façade to reduce solar gain and energy costs for cooling.

During the project, Saint-Gobain Building Glass worked closely with commercial sealed unit manufacturer Dual Seal Glass to ensure the correct technical glazing specification was provided and ensure that project deadlines and demands were met on time and in full with an excellent quality finished product.

Nigel Meredith, Managing Director of Dual Seal Glass, commented that the project was a success thanks to the collaborative effort between Dual Seal Glass and Saint-Gobain Building Glass “The partnership created between our two businesses is invaluable and it helps to ensure that we can meet the ever increasing demands in the commercial building sector.”

Adrian Adams, facades market manager at Saint-Gobain Building Glass, commented: “The team at Saint-Gobain Building Glass is proud to have been part of a project that was made possible by the involvement of many fantastic local businesses. It has been incredibly inspiring to see this project take shape and we look forward to seeing it become an established part of the Huddersfield skyline.”

The new building is a tribute to Richard Oastler, the 19th century reformer who campaigned to curb child labour and improve conditions for all workers in the new factories of the Industrial Revolution.

www.saint-gobain.com

www.saint-gobain-glass.com