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Picture above:  (L-R) Paul Hinds, National Sales Manager at Safeware, with Jim Shearn, Co-owner of Seal-Lite Group, and Rod Johnson, Area Sales Manager at SFS.

Leading South West fabricator and installer Seal-Lite Group is gaining an important competitive edge for its PVC-U doorsets through a mix of aesthetics, quality and reliability by combining the Swish profile with Dynamic 2D hinges by SFS.

The Clevedon-based company, which serves trade and retail customers throughout the South West of England, produces more than 300 PVC-U doorsets every month, all featuring Dynamic 2D hinges supplied by Safeware. The combination of the Swish profile design and the Dynamic 2D’s bespoke hinge sash plate delivers excellent visual appeal in a robust, secure doorset in which Seal-Lite customers can have complete long-term confidence.

Seal-Lite Group Managing Director, Chris Shearn, said: “The quality of our doorsets, and all the products we manufacture, depends on choosing the right components and system, and our excellent customer feedback to date suggests that our new specification for PVC-U doors is ticking all the boxes. Switching to the Swish system has enabled us to achieve an important uplift in quality, and one that has been amplified through our decision to use Dynamic 2D hinges.

“SFS provided excellent technical support from the outset to ensure the hinges provide us with that ‘fit and forget’ solution, which is so important for customer satisfaction and for protecting our reputation. The hinges also mean we can provide the assurance of Secured by Design on our doorsets, and the ability to colour match with a durable finish gives our doorsets a visual appeal that sets us apart.”

SFS – a global leader in the design and manufacture of door hinges – is a long-established supplier to the Epwin Group’s hardware specialist business Safeware. This organisation offers a ‘one stop shop’ for fabricators of all the window and door systems produced by the Epwin Group, providing a simplified supply chain with easy access to the highest quality hardware and technical support.

Paul Hinds, National Sales Manager at Safeware, comments: “We’ve stocked the Dynamic 2D hinge ever since it was launched in the UK and it continues to impress our fabricator customers, whether it’s a Swish profile or any of the Epwin Group systems. The excellent results that the Seal-Lite Group is achieving with the Swish system and Dynamic 2D hinge combination is a clear demonstration of the technical excellence that lies behind these products, particularly in respect of the system-specific sash plate developed by SFS.”

Find out more in the Fenestration section at www.sfsintec.co.uk.

Picture above:  Inside the Rapierstar distribution centre in Cheshire, which now holds more than one billion fasteners in stock.

Customers of Rapierstar, the leading fastener supplier to the door and window industry, are benefiting from its latest investment in logistics and supply chain technology as it reports a near perfect record in on time in full (OTIF) deliveries over the last 12 months.

The company’s latest customer service data reveals that 99.4% of all orders last year were delivered OTIF and error free, when promised. This record high figure comes at a time when Rapierstar has increased its customer base to supply a market share of over three quarters of the UK and Irish window industry, and it has increased stockholding at its warehouse and distribution centre to over one billion screws.

David Furness, Rapierstar Managing Director, says: “We’ve been supplying fasteners to the UK and Irish door and window markets for over 25 years now, and through our strategy of continuous improvement we are doing things better for our customers year after year. This now means we get almost 100% of orders to our customers on time in full, which we are immensely proud of given the huge variety of screws and installation fixings we supply and the geographic spread of our customers.

“It’s a reflection of the professionalism that underpins every aspect of Rapierstar. For many years we have committed to the ISO 9001 quality management system, plus the Investors in People training and development standard. We also operate on the award-winning Microsoft Dynamics fully integrated ERP software, which is programmable, multi-site, multi-currency and synchronizes with HMRC for running our Customs Warehouse.”

Rapierstar operates from a purpose-built head office and 100,000 sq. ft. bonded distribution centre near Congleton in Cheshire, with supporting sites in Belfast and Norwich ensuring smooth distribution to all parts of the British Isles.

Its own branded products are designed and manufactured to exacting speed of insertion, strength of drill point and high plating standards, with quality assured through comprehensive testing at both its manufacturing plants and its ‘in-house’ R&D test facility at Congleton. This industry leading regime enables Rapierstar to comply with all appropriate British, European and international quality standards and to continuously improve product performance thorough innovation.

David adds: “It’s easy to take fasteners for granted, but without having the right types in stock when you need them, production would simply be brought to an abrupt halt, or the wrong types of fastener would need to be used as a substitute. Neither is an appealing option. That’s why we invest so heavily in making sure our global supply chain is strong, utilising the latest technology and the deepest stockholding, in combination with our decades of experience, to deliver a reliable service for our customers.”

Find out more about Rapierstar at www.rapierstar.com.

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VBH (GB) has promoted Sales Director Simon Monks to the position of Managing Director from 1^st of January 2018. Current Managing Director Peter Rowlands, who has been in the position for the last 10 years, moves into the newly created position of Business Development Director. Simon will become responsible for leading the VBH team through the next phase of business development and growth, as well as the overall day-to-day running of the business.

In his new role as Business Development Director, Peter will be responsible for the development of VBH’s own brand, greenteQ, and managing the VBH engineering team in the Far East. He will also be working with VBH’s branded hardware partners, as well as existing and new customers to develop new business opportunities and partnerships.  Peter comments: “In an ever-changing window and door hardware market, it is vital for businesses that they do not stand still, but can reshape and adjust with market trends as well as creating opportunities in new markets.

“Simon and I have been with VBH since 2007, and during that time we have seen many positive changes in both the company and the industry. The management team at VBH has worked hard to shape the business into the innovative, customer and service driven company that we are today. I would like to thank all of our customers, suppliers and employees for their support during my time as MD, and to join me in congratulating Simon on his thoroughly-deserved promotion.”

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Teal Products, the UK’s leading specialist distributor of window controls, openers and actuators has introduced yet another new product innovation to its line-up. Fresh from adding WindowMaster’s new folding arm actuator, the Gloucestershire-firm has launched a brand-new, intelligent chain actuator.

Designed for top-hung, side-hung and bottom-hung windows as well as domed or pitched rooflights, the Micro Evo from Mingardi is a highly-versatile solution to automate opening and closing in multiple applications. Easy to install thanks to its intuitive fixing system, the Micro Evo can be programmed to work in sync with up to three other actuators for large vents or even parallel opening vents.

“We’re delighted to be making a second addition to our product range so early in the year with the new high-performance chain actuator from Mingardi,” comments Teal Products Director, Sam Yiend. “At Teal, we are always investigating new innovations which can bolster our product line and provide our customers with a full range of added-value products suitable for any application.”

“The Micro Evo is a fantastic, high-specification actuator that’s perfect for both domestic and commercial markets, turning an ordinary window into an automated opening device. It’s fully compatible with our range of electric control systems that can open and close manually (switch or remote) or automatically (timer, thermostat, rain sensor, wind sensor or CO2 sensor). And as ever, we can provide full technical support and training to fully support installers new to this profitable part of the market.”

The new chain actuator joins Teal’s comprehensive range of both manual and electronic window control systems, including the new WMD 820 folding arm actuator from WindowMaster. Launched in January, the WMD 820 is designed for side-hung windows and doors, providing a complete 90-degree opening in just 60 seconds.

Founded in 2000, Teal Products is one of the UK’s leading suppliers and distributors of manual and electric window openers, controls and actuators. Family-owned and family-run, Teal stocks products from leading brands including WindowMaster, Mingardi and Highline, supplying to customers across the country. As well as an extensive product range, Teal prides itself on its comprehensive customer service including technical assistance, training and after-sales support.

For more information visit www.tealproducts.com or call + 44 (0) 1242 620318.

John King returns to Carl F Groupco as National Sales Manager. With over thirty years’ experience gained across a wide range of door and window industry management, technical, sales and hands-on roles, John returns to the hardware distribution company to head up its nationwide team of Regional Sales Managers (RSMs). After starting his career in fabrication in the early days of PVCu, John moved to a technical services post. He went on to take the positions of Production Director and head of a commercial installation operation. He previously worked for  Carl F Groupco for eight years as an RSM.

Commenting on the calibre of the company, John King said “Carl F Groupco has a widespread reputation across the industry as a highly professional hardware operation with excellent products, systems and processes. The commitment to service and investment in initiatives, such as SmartSecure, keep the company at the forefront of the fittings supply industry. A large number of people have worked for Carl F Groupco for a very long time and it is good to be back among friends. We are a close knit organisation and are passionate about what we do. There are no closed doors and we focus on what’s best for the customer by developing long-term relationships.”

Managing Director John Crittenden and his team welcome John back into the Carl F Groupco organisation.

The post John King, National Sales Manager at Carl F Groupco appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

3D Laminates have just launched a range of non-grained, metallic foiled finishes for their long lasting CoolSkin^® door skins for composite and panelled doors, that will help fuel further design inspiration for the sector in 2018 and beyond. These new foiled finishes have been developed in conjunction with Hornschuch, harnessing their impressive Cool Colors foil technology, which has proven to offer outstanding weathering properties in both hot and cold climates. First to be launched is Alux DB 703 which resembles a slate grey base colour, yet benefitting from flecks of metallic ink in this flat application development. Within the range that has been inspired by aluminium in architecture, are also several other flecked foils and those with a brushed aluminium appearance, in various shades of grey and blue. Fundamentally important is the fact that 3D Laminates will also be able to supply a roll of matching foil for door profiles, that can easily be processed by the leading foiling companies that service the industry, or through existing stocks from the systems houses that support the UK market.

With around 50% of all composite doors from the likes of Endurance Doors, Safestyle and Solidor in anthracite grey and schwarzbraun, the sales opportunity for these new category metallic woodgrains is overwhelmingly strong. Consumers like the appeal of aluminium, but without the associated price tag and so with the other addition of new flat glazing cassettes, leading manufacturers can now offer the next generation in composite door design. Mark Lofthouse, managing director of 3D Laminates commented: ‘The metallic options on CoolSkin^® are a game changer for composite door manufacturers, as we look to face aluminium entrance doors head on with a better price point, improved energy efficiency credentials and consistent levels of supply within 5-7 days, given we are carrying stock in our UK warehouse. He continued: ‘I believe 2018 will see the introduction of a new type of aluminium inspired composite door and it will be important for manufacturers and installers to keep up with the latest design rationale.’       

For further information and a free CoolSkin^® sample swatch call 3D Laminates on 0113 273 6281, e-mail info@3d-laminates.com or visit their website at www.3d-laminates.com.

The post New range of metallic composite foils from 3D launched appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Hurst Plastics has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management, making the company one of the first in the glazing industry to achieve the rigorous new standard.

The Hull-based firm achieved the transition almost a year ahead of the September 2018 deadline, which is when the former 2008 version will be superseded.

More stringent than its 2008 predecessor which Hurst Plastics already held, this new quality standard extends across the whole business management process and demonstrates Hurst’s company-wide commitment to continuous improvement and best practice.

Kevin Wheatman, Hurst Plastics’ Director and General Manager, explained: “This was a significant undertaking for the business as the new standard incorporates major changes compared to previous versions. In addition to quality control, the 2015 version focuses on all of our business management processes as well as the leadership of the senior management team.

“This new standard helps us improve efficiencies and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to put our customers first by consistently providing value for money, high quality products and exceptional levels of customer service.

“We’re proud to be a forward-thinking company and our mantra has always been ‘Hurst first’, which we have applied across all areas, from developing new products to embracing new technology and creating new processes. This achievement elevates our business by demonstrating that we have some very robust systems and processes in place that ultimately bring enormous benefits and assurances to our customers.”

Hurst Plastics brought in a specialist consultant to assist with the transition. As part of the transition, every member of the Hurst Plastics’ team took part in an awareness training programme and the company upgraded its quality manual to encompass all of its business management systems.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification is the culmination of a period of significant investment into new processes at Hurst Plastics. In the last two years, the company has invested more than £650,000 in new machinery, people and delivery vehicles to expand its capabilities and enhance customer service.

Kevin added: “This investment has been fundamental in helping us drive improvement within the business and deliver a first-class experience for customers. Our aim is to attain the very best service levels and we are leading the industry with an OTIF record of above 99%. We also deliver more than 99% of our doors on our own fleet and these levels of reliability make an immense contribution to the success of our customers’ businesses.

“Quality and service is in our DNA and we’re now looking ahead to a very exciting future built on these strong foundations for further growth and development. ”

For more information on the range of Hurst doors, please contact Hurst Plastics on 01482 790790 or visit www.hurst-plastics.co.uk.