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Anthony Bill has been promoted to a new technical role at composite door manufacturer Phoenix Doors, part of the Masco UK Window Group.

As Technical Liaison Team Leader, Anthony’s role involves new product development and providing technical support for both the business and its customers. He will also continue to assist production colleagues where technical advice is required and in the event of any machinery issues.

From joining Phoenix Doors in 2005 as an operative making large flat PVC door panels, Anthony has risen through the ranks at the Huntingdon-based company over the past 13 years. He brings valuable experience to his new role, having also worked in the glass shop and on CNC machines in both PVC panel and composite door manufacturing.

Commenting on his appointment, Anthony said: “Phoenix Doors is a very forward-looking company and I’m looking forward to working on a number of new product developments over the coming months.”

Haydon Statham, Phoenix Sales Director added: “This is a key technical role for a company of our size and given his extensive experience at Phoenix Doors, Anthony is the ideal man for the job.”

www.phoenixcompositedoors.co.uk

With the launch of its new AL-220/70 Aluminium Machining Centre, Haffner Murat has positioned itself as the go-to machinery supplier for aluminium fabricators. Dave Thomas, Haffner Murat’s Managing Director, said: “The AL-220/70 Aluminium Machining Centre has been designed for the serious fabricator who wants to step up production. The work rate of this machine is staggering and consistency and accuracy is key when you are looking to step up your output.”

The AL-220/70 gathers all sawing, punching, drilling and marking operations together on a single computer-controlled machine. Key features include the ability to stack ten profiles of up to 6.5 metres in length, automatic cutting in all angles between 30° and 150°with accuracy of 0.1°, the ability to open drain slot routing, drilling and milling at variable angles, the ability to work with data from different window production software packages, optimisation ensures minimum wastage and the reassurance of a safe production facility thanks to the three-dimensional collision and error control system. All this is wrapped up in a machine that delivers high quality precision and drives quality throughout the production process.

Like all Haffner Murat machines, it comes with the reassurance of exceptional pre- and post-sales support and finance options for customers looking to spread the investment. Dave and his team work closely with every customer to ensure they have the machine that’s needed. Plus as well as carefully installing and commissioning every machine, Haffner Murat engineers provide full training to ensure the investment can start to add value to the production set-up straightaway.

So, if you’re looking to transform your aluminium fabrication, contact Haffner Murat to find out what the AL-220/70 Aluminium Machining Centre could add to your business.

www.haffnermurat.com

Double R Glass & Roofing Systems is a specialist in glass and conservatory roofs and is predicting a year of strong sales for all types of conservatories. Ian Sims, Managing Director of Double R explains: “We offer all kinds of conservatory roofs at Double R including traditional, skypods and solid roofs and all look set to enjoy growth in 2018 thanks to the continued demand for high end products from the proportion of consumers with money to spend.

“We’ve seen a particular resurgence in our skypod product as homeowners continue to strive to flood their homes with more natural light, but demand across the range continues. From our perspective as a roof specialist it’s important to supply choice, so whatever the requirement from the homeowner, our customers can deliver. We’ve even been known to get involved in some completely unique projects to ensure the end user gets exactly what they want!”

Double R is a pioneer in the field of solid roofs as the first fabricator to offer the Guardian solid roof back in 2011. The company also fabricates both Wendland and Eurocell traditional roofs. “As a supply-only specialist we have an outstanding level of in-house skill and expertise across all types of conservatory roof,” continues Ian, “so we are well positioned to identify up and coming trends in the sector and deliver the best solution for each individual end user. We also pride ourselves on delivering the right products with excellent service levels because we appreciate that products in high demand come with increased competition. Installers can’t afford to work with suppliers that let them down. We’re looking forward to working with more proactive fabricators and installers in 2018 to help them make the most of the new opportunities arising this year.”

For more information visit www.glassandroofs.com or call 01933 443658

World-class manufacturer Tradelink Window Solutions has opened a new manufacturing facility and Windowcenter in Stoke-on-Trent. The Stoke site is Tradelink’s fourth Windowcenter in the UK, offering a direct service for installers looking for top-quality windows, doors and conservatories.

The Windowcenter at Stoke-on-Trent gives installers in the Midlands easy access to Tradelink’s diverse range of aluminium and PVCu windows and doors, conservatories and sealed units.

Jim Moody, Managing Director at Tradelink explains: “This fourth Windowcenter has been opened so that Midlands-based installers can take advantage of Tradelink’s product range and our top service.

“We have invested £450,000 in machinery for the new manufacturing facility in Stoke. The new premises brings our total to six sites across the UK. We produce a full range of windows and doors, including our own Regiment composite door range and the impressive Residence 7S window system.”

At a well-attended, three day opening event in December, the Stoke Windowcenter ran a series of giveaways and competitions for customers including the Tradelink Wheel of Fortune game with free spins on every quote and order. Winners received a range of great prizes including windows and doors, tool boxes and a Dewalt radio.

Tradelink has more than 20 years’ experience supplying one of the largest ranges of PVCu and aluminium products direct to installation companies. The new Windowcenter is in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent and features an impressive showroom with working examples of their extensive range.

Two-thirds of those running small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms are struggling to hire bricklayers and carpenters as construction skills shortages hit a ‘record high’, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Key results from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey, which is the only quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include:

• More than two-thirds (68%) of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers and 63% are struggling to hire carpenters and joiners – the highest figures since records began in 2008;

• The number of firms reporting difficulties hiring plumbers and electricians (48%), plasterers (46%) and floorers (30%) also reached record highs;

• Construction SME workloads grew at a slightly slower rate than in Q3 2017, but new enquiries and expected workloads slowed more sharply; expected workloads among those firms building new homes showed a negative net balance for the first time since 2013;

• Fewer construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming three months, down from 41% in the previous quarter to 38% in Q4 2017;

• 87% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months, up from 82% in the previous quarter;

• Nearly two-thirds (61%) of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to increase in the next six months.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Skills shortages are sky rocketing and it begs the question, who will build the new homes and infrastructure projects the Government is crying out for. The Government has set itself an ambitious target to build 300,000 homes every year in England alone. More than two-thirds of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers which is one of the key trades in the building industry. This has increased by nearly 10% in just three months which points to a rapid worsening of an already dire situation. What’s more, nearly as many are facing difficulties hiring carpenters and joiners. These figures are the highest we’ve noted since records began a decade ago. As a result, the wages for these increasingly scarce skilled tradespeople continue to rise sharply; that’s a simple consequence of supply and demand. This, coupled with the fact that small construction firms continue to face significant material price increases, will inevitably squeeze their margins and put a brake on growth.”

Berry continued: “The Government must take account of the worsening construction skills shortage with Brexit looming large on the horizon. The Prime Minister must ensure that the immigration system that replaces the free movement of people can take account of the particular needs of key sectors such as construction and house building. Without skilled labour from the EU, the skills shortages we face would be considerably worse, and it is not in anyone’s best interest to pull the rug out from under the sector by introducing an inflexible and unresponsive immigration system. On the domestic front and in the longer term, to ensure we have an ample supply of skilled workers in the future, the Government must continue to work with industry to set the right framework in terms of T-Levels and apprenticeships.”

Berry concluded: “The silver lining to current skills shortages among construction SMEs is that the numerous tradespeople and professionals, who may find themselves out of work following the collapse of Carillion, have a ready supply of alternative employers. The FMB is working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Construction Industry Training Board to match-make ex-Carillion workers with small construction employers in need of skilled workers. We’re also working hard as an industry to re-home the 1,200 Carillion apprentices who are the innocent victims of the major contractor’s demise. It’s in everyone’s interests to ensure that these young people continue on their path to a rewarding career in construction.”

www.fmb.org.uk

North East installation company, Pennine Home Improvements has opened its newest showroom in the heart of Durham.

Its latest retail space, which will be situated in Dragonville Retail Park, is set to be Pennine’s largest showroom to date, and will feature seven stylish conservatories and orangeries, a window and door gallery, as well as a state-of-the-art virtual reality design station.

Pennine Home Improvements has been operating for over 40 years and now makes up one third of the newly-formed Conservatory Outlet Group.

Mark Tinnion, managing director at Pennine Home Improvements, said: “It is a really exciting time for the Company as we prepare for the next stage of our expansion plan as part of the Conservatory Outlet Group.

“The new Durham showroom comes as the result of numerous additions and advances within our product range, along with developments in cutting edge technology that calls for the addition of a virtual reality station. This will allow our customers to experience their desired living spaces, as part of our innovative and advanced design process, before building work even begins.

“With Conservatory Outlet Group’s expertise, we’re certain this showroom will be one of the best in the country. “

www.penninehome.co.uk

The post Delivering a cutting edge appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Picture above: Phil Pluck

“As the assessment of the true damage continues following the collapse of Carillion, it does raise some fundamental issues in terms of protecting both smaller companies caught up in the collapsing supply chains and the jobs that may be lost as a result.

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has sympathy with local government and other bodies tasked with delivering major build projects on ever decreasing Government funding. This creates a race to the bottom in terms of procurement practice in that more and more major contracts are awarded based on the lowest price.

This is a poor, short term approach which causes companies throughout the supply chain to operate at almost impossible margins. The companies that the GGF represents operate to the highest standards of manufacture, supply and installation. As a result of short term procurement practices and Government’s fixation with cost savings, a clear risk has been built into major construction projects.

GGF Members aim to be – and many are – the best in the world in their given sector and collectively the membership represents over 30,000 jobs in the UK alone. A cost cutting approach to the awarding of contracts puts at risk build quality, safety and jobs. In doing so, no legal protection is afforded to those in the supply chain that are now the victims of the Carillion Collapse. This in turn could result in further company failures and consequent losses of jobs and talent.

A knee-jerk reaction comprised of Government rescue packages to selected companies is of no reassurance to GGF Member companies and does not allow them to plan for long term sustainability. A lasting negative effect on Government tax revenue would be the result.

I urge the Government to assess the long term damage that short term cost savings creates and to take heed that Carillion may not be the last company to collapse as a result. There are other major supply chains also operating at near impossible margins.”

Phil Pluck

GGF Group Chief Executive

www.ggf.org.uk

When you take a look at the marketing support that Distinction Doors offers, you quickly realise it offers the same level of market-leading quality and innovation as its doors.

Bethaney Larkman, Distinction’s Marketing Manager, said: “Our unrivalled marketing support package has been designed to give our customers a competitive advantage and help them secure sales.”

One of the most compelling elements of the marketing package is the Skin Book. The Skin Book is a first for the industry and it shows the complete range of 43 colours, including five standard colours, two premium colours, two wood stains and over thirty bespoke colours all on swatches of Distinction’s woodgrain skins so homeowners can choose their door colour with confidence.

As befits a company renowned for its innovation, Distinction was the first company to introduce its Skin Book and their customers report that it aids consumer decision-making and is a superb tool to help in the overall sales process. Bethaney comments: “As market leader, it’s our responsibility to lead the way across the industry and our Skin Book is a perfect example of our ability to innovate in all areas of the business.”

Other highlights include the company’s in-house graphic design service that produces bespoke marketing materials to support their customers’ sales processes. The company’s door-designer application is also a well-valued customer aid and can be personalised for Distinction’s customers and their customers’ websites to promote their composite doors and Distinction Glass offering.

Distinction also offers an online knowledge bank and asset library via the trade log in area of their website that provide customers with electronic versions of documentation and marketing material. Finally, a useful showroom locator allows retailers to find their nearest Distinction showroom to help drive traffic for their customers.

If you want to capitalise on the growth in composite doors, not only do you need a market-leading product, you also need market-leading support – and that’s exactly what Distinction Doors offers.

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk