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In an area where specifiers demand sensitivity to the original appearance of many properties, 12 Profile 22 windows were supplied by P22 customer, FrameXpress for a picturesque Cotswolds cottage.

“The homeowner’s brief was for a perfect visual match in relation to the style of all windows at the property, primarily to complement the area, which is recognised for its rolling hills and picture-postcard cottages” explains Sales Manager Ian Davis. “Requesting cream windows and doors that would match the surrounding properties, the homeowners needed a solid guarantee that the products could replicate the original heritage look, or we would have lost out on the contract. After showing the homeowner samples of the Profile 22 windows and discussing technical requirements, we were thrilled to win the contract.

“One contributing factor to our winning the contract was the inclusion of a 50mm plant-on bar to the glass, which was also possible to colour match. The complete project compromised of 12 windows and 2 sets of French doors; all of which are A rated for excellent energy efficiency. Special mounted bars, cream foiling and advanced security features completed the windows, and due to a tight deadline, the windows were manufactured and installed quickly.

Demand for these bespoke products is still high, and homeowners are looking at more than just price. Ian continues: “Design and performance sit hand in hand these days, and are equally as important to homeowners. Budget will always play an important role, but home improvements are usually viewed as an investment rather than just a repair, so the finer details such as colour and hardware are becoming increasingly important.

As one of the UK’s largest independent UPVC fabricators of windows, doors, conservatories and composite doors, FrameXpress offer a choice of 16 colour foils. To find out more visit www.framexpress.co.uk or call 01952 581100.

Soltherm EWI has become the latest distributor of Kestrel UPVC building products after months of market research by the South Wales company.

The Barry-based distributor has extended its range to include Kestrel’s roofline, window-line and rainwater products as part of its latest expansion plans.

Paul Williams, partnership development director for Soltherm EWI, explained that the company chose Kestrel after months of market research and product testing.

“Adding new product lines to our range requires thorough market research and technical assessment, to ensure our customers have access to the best materials available,” he said.

“As part of our product selection process we asked customers about their knowledge of a particular brand and product, and the feedback (about Kestrel) has been very positive.”

The company, which recently moved to larger premises in Barry, stocks Kestrel’s UPVC building products in addition to Soltherm EWI core business of external wall insulation systems.

Kestrel sales and marketing director Owen Thorogood said: “We are delighted that Soltherm EWI has become a Kestrel stockist.

“As such an innovative, customer-focused and market driven company, Soltherm EWI is well-positioned for its expansion into UPVC building products.”

Paul Williams of Soltherm EWI added that the company had plans for further expansion, based on its mantra of ‘innovation that works’, staying up to date with changes in regulations and listening to its customers.

“We firmly believe that with those values, our customer base will grow and we will grow and evolve with them,” he added.

“We feel Kestrel will be an integral part of those expansion plans and look forward to having a healthy trading partnership with them for years to come.”

Kestrel UPVC building products carry a range of guarantees from 10 years on grain products through to an extended 35-year non-diminishing guarantee on white profiles when fitted by a registered installer.

Kestrel also holds certification to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and BES 6001.

Image Above: Paul Sullivan MD Anglo European and director of Aluminium Shapes Ltd, Peter Toland Chairman of Anglo European and Aluminium Shapes Ltd, Joe Martoccia CEO, Aluminium Shapes Ltd  

Anglo European Group and Joe Martoccia have lead a consortium in forming Aluminium Developments Group Ltd and acquiring Corby-based aluminium extrusion and component manufacturing business, Aluminium Shapes Limited.

Employing over 60 people, Aluminium Shapes serves a wide range of industries and offers its customers a complete end-to-end service, from design and prototyping right through to component production.

Leading the acquisition, Joe Martoccia has been appointed Group CEO and will be based at Aluminium Shapes’ head office and production facility in Corby, Joe comments: “Investment from Anglo European Group, existing shareholders and the management team, together with funding from AIB (GB) delivers a well structured, robust platform for growth in what is an exciting and dynamic sector.  Collaboration with Anglo European in the fenestration and road transport markets will provide additional opportunities for growth, building on what is an already diverse customer base.

“This is an amazing business with a successful history and strong pedigree. From the moment I set foot in place, I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, support and expertise of the team. There is a genuine “can do” attitude which underpins the company’s superb customer service and quality ethos.  Aluminium Shapes is a solid company, with the additional investment and combined expertise of the management team we can significantly accelerate the growth of the business.”

The latest hike to Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will undermine good builders who play by the rules, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned ahead of the Spring Budget.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The doubling of IPT over the past two years has troubling implications for construction SMEs and homeowners alike. This stealth tax, which is set to rise for the third time in 18 months, effectively provides an additional competitive advantage to unscrupulous and uninsured builders. By driving up the costs of insurance it punishes those businesses that play by the rules and make sure that they are always covered. This is increasing the danger that homeowners could be tempted to opt for uninsured builders who are able to offer a more competitive quote. The stealth tax may also discourage clients taking out a warranty on building work, which is never advisable practice on a significant building project and could lead to plenty of heartache for consumers further down the line. It’s vital that we get a commitment from Government that this third rise of IPT will be the last for this parliament.”

James Dalton, Director of General Insurance Policy at the Association of British Insurers, said:“ Insurance Premium Tax is a tax on businesses, especially SMEs that often operate on very tight margins, that do the right thing by purchasing insurance to help manage their risks. At a time of continued economic uncertainty, with many firms facing increasing costs, the last thing they need is a further hike in IPT. Unlike VAT, no element of IPT can be reclaimed by businesses meaning they will have to absorb these extra costs – this could cost jobs, drive up prices or companies may decide to reduce their insurance cover, putting them at risk if something goes wrong. Enough is enough, give firms a break and freeze IPT.”

www.fmb.org.uk 

Launched at the end of 2015, Rooflights by Alumen have become a popular choice amongst installers thanks to their simplicity, ease of install and aftersales service provided.

Crystal Clear has been installing windows, doors and high end conservatories in the Bristol area for nearly two decades and have recently added Alumen’s own brand of aluminium rooflights to their product portfolio. James Mizen, MD of Crystal Clear explains why: “Our reputation is extremely important to us. We install everything ourselves so as well as selecting good quality products, it is key that we are able to rely on our fabricators to provide us with a reliable service and clear communication, in order for us to meet our customers’ expectations every time.

“Initially we chose Alumen to supply us with a bespoke rooflight for a unique project we were undertaking in Trowbridge. The price was good and the lead times they promised were fast for bespoke aluminium. They delivered on time and even helped us with the installation on-site as the rooflight was so large that the glass had to be split with a transom. Once installed the product looked very contemporary and the customer was delighted with the result.

“We have now taken delivery of, and installed a number of aluminium rooflights including walkovers. We particularly like the simplicity of the product and have found them easy to install. The service from Alumen has also been good. Their communication is clear and delivery well controlled, and the personal touch from Alan, Alumen’s MD, means I feel my business is valued and in safe hands. We would definitely recommend the rooflights as an all-round nice product, and Alumen as a reliable manufacturer.”

As well as rooflights, Alumen also provide a wide range of aluminium door and window products to the trade. For more information, contact Alan Robinson on 01536 737377.

www.alumen.co.uk

Image Above:  Roger Hartshorn welcomes Martin Thurley to Liniar.

Roger Hartshorn, CEO of PVCu systems house Liniar, has announced the appointment of Martin Thurley to the newly created role of Managing Director.

Roger welcomed Martin on his first day at HL Plastics, the innovative company behind the Liniar brand, explaining:

“Due to Liniar’s significant growth over the last six years, I felt it was time to strengthen the senior management structure to enable me to focus exclusively on the strategic direction of the company.

“The decision-making process at HL Plastics has always been swift, thanks to our flat structure – and as we grow I’m keen to maintain that so Liniar customers receive the same excellent levels of service they’ve come to expect.

The new Liniar warehouse and showroom is progressing well and due to open in June 2017.

“Martin’s appointment as Managing Director will ensure we continue to fulfil and exceed expectations, as well as bringing another level of experience to the senior team.”

Martin, who is moving to Liniar from Door-Stop, is MBA qualified and has extensive Operational and Commercial experience in both construction and manufacturing environments, bringing a wealth of expertise across a number of disciplines including Customer Service, Lean Manufacturing, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and Health & Safety Management.

Martin comments:

“I’m excited to be joining the Liniar team at an important time in the company’s development; Roger has built a great business with a fantastic reputation.  This year will see us take things to the next level with our new 178,000 sq ft warehouse and showrooms, both due to open in June.

“I’m keen to work alongside Roger to take over the day to day management at HL Plastics – as well as working with the existing senior team to support the company’s ambitious growth plans over the coming years – our customers and employees will remain central to our strategic direction and all  business decisions.”

For more information about Liniar, visit www.liniar.co.uk.

Image Above: Business Micros’ managing director Graeme Bailey

Recognising the very real threat which cybercrime now presents to the window and door sector, Business Micros has produced a cybersecurity bulletin to help businesses protect themselves.

The IT specialist makes the point that it’s no longer a question of ‘if’ businesses will become targets of cybercrime but rather ‘when’, so is trying to increase awareness of the latest threats and explain to businesses what they can do to combat them.

Covering everything from Ransomware and Spear Phishing to Spoofing, Whaling and Baiting, the new bulletin explains the dangers to look out for. Just as importantly, it gives straightforward advice on the practical security steps which everyone within a business can take to avoid being caught out.

Business Micros’ Managing Director Graeme Bailey said: “The figures on cybercrime are truly frightening. In the bulletin we quote a survey from a security company called Malwarebytes which shows that 54% of companies questioned had been hit by ransomware, and 58% of those had paid a ransom fee to get their data back. 28% had lost business critical data and 63% had experienced severe business downtime.

“Everyone is at risk, regardless of the size of the business, so we’ve produced this really useful bulletin for our customers to do our bit to try to help.”

The Business Micros cybersecurity bulletin will be distributed direct to Business Micros customers shortly and copies will be available on the company’s stand at the FIT Show (G30). It is also available now in the support section of the website at www.businessmicros.co.uk

Picture above: Andrew Scott, Purplex Managing Director & John Penrose, MP

More than 100 VIPs – including members of parliament, local officials, leading business people and clients, recently attended the official opening of the new Purplex HQ.

Located in Weston-Super-Mare, the new offices offer superb transport routes for both staff and clients with a mainline train station nearby and in close proximity to the M5 motorway. The new HQ joins the existing offices near Bristol and Central London, and was acquired by parent company The Ascot Group last year, as part of a £1M investment strategy.

Guests at the opening were served drinks and canapes on arrival before having a tour of the 5,000sq ft offices, which houses a film making and photography studio, training and conference facilities as well as a technology hub for computer programmers, web designers and social media marketing specialists.

Andrew Scott, Managing Director of Purplex made a formal speech discussing the history of the company and its plans moving forward, growing from 60 to 100 staff by the end of the year. This was then followed by a few words from John Penrose MP and the cutting of the ribbon.

Commenting on the event, Andrew said: “Our official launch provided us with a great opportunity to show business people and influential figures our exciting new offices and the plans we have for our business. Securing our new HQ is just the beginning, we have a sizeable investment strategy in place to develop this space and to employ even more talented people to make Purplex truly world-class.”

For more information call Purplex on 01934 808132 or visit www.purplexmarketing.com

Picture above; DWL Windows, Doors & Conservatories

The latest findings from Insight Data reveal the number of double glazing showrooms have increased from 3,460 to 3,764 in the last two years, with an average of 12 new show centres opening every month across the UK – and the trend is set to continue.

Insight Data’s Managing Director, Andrew Scott commented:

“In the 90s every high street had a string of double glazing showrooms, but we saw a decline from the early 2000s as margins tightened and installers cut costs. The financial crisis of 2008 coupled with consumers moving from high-street to online accelerated the decline, but this trend is now reversing.”

A shift in consumer behaviour and an evolving market are key factors. While high-street visitor numbers have dwindled, new destinations that combine shopping, leisure and entertainment are booming.

“Out of town shopping, large garden centres with plenty to see and do, and leisure parks are all attracting consumers and proving lucrative to savvy retailers. It’s about creating a consumer experience, a destination, not just a shopping trip.”

Another major factor is product development. If installers are all selling the same white plastic window there is very little difference. But the industry has seen an upsurge in product innovation with aluminium back in vogue, timber gaining more popularity and a raft of new window and door products on the market.

While consumers will do their research online, most will want to see products before buying, especially if they are new or include innovative features. Show centres at busy destinations, such as large garden centres, give installers the best of both worlds – excellent foot-fall and the opportunity to demonstrate exciting new products.

“Consumers are more selective than ever and having a quality, well designed showroom with great products will attract more visitors and help to convert more sales. It gives consumers a sense of confidence and helps installers sell at premium prices.”

Insight Data conducts regular research in the construction, building and home improvement industries, and provides business information for marketing purposes.

For more information contact Insight on 01934 808293 or visit www.insightdata.co.uk

National Plastics has just expanded its product portfolio to include aluminium bifold doors. Geoff Foster, National Plastics’ Managing Director, said: “Aluminium solutions are increasingly popular in the residential sector so it makes good sense to supply a selection of high quality, good value products to satisfy this demand.”

National Plastics has a policy of offering an extensive product range at the right price points, something that’s perfectly demonstrated by adding aluminium bifold doors to the portfolio. They have been designed with performance, looks and efficiency in mind, with each frame incorporating a thermal break that effectively insulates its doors against heat loss, raising a home’s internal temperature and helping to reduce the risk of condensation.

National Plastics’ product range is backed up with significant expertise and staff will be receiving full training in the aluminium bifold doors in the coming weeks to ensure they can offer value-added advice to customers. The range of aluminium bifold doors will be part of a portfolio that also includes bathroom panels, guttering products, fascias and soffits, cladding, drainage products, roofing products, PVC-U windows, doors and conservatories, garden products, accessories and wall panels.

The combination of products, people and price has helped National Plastics to become a successful trade counter network. By extending its range to include products from one of the industry’s growth sectors, the company is demonstrating its understanding of its market and its customers.

Tel: 0800 011 3503

E: info@nationalplastics.co.uk

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