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Picture above: Conservatory Outlet Employee Award Winners with vision and values certificates.

Wakefield-based fabricator Conservatory Outlet Ltd has marked its best year ever with an award ceremony at its 2017 Employee Christmas party to recognise the dedication and hard work of its team.

In the 12-month period that has seen the company join forces with retailers Clearview Home Improvements and Pennine Home Improvements to form the Conservatory Outlet Group, Conservatory Outlet staff have stepped up to fulfil an unprecedented influx in orders, with several ‘record months’ topping all previous records.

A huge part of the company’s success in 2017 is also owed to the growth of its loyal Network of retailers, with 5 new or refurbished showrooms added to the network this year and a 6^th on the way in early 2018. The team at Conservatory Outlet have also found time to launch two new products to add to the company’s extensive portfolio; the Extreme 3 Security Locking System and the Envisage Flush Casement Window, both of which have contributed significantly to sales during 2017.

To support its recent growth, a stronger and more inclusive culture has been developing at the Wakefield plant, with the launch of a new vision and values, and a company video revealing a behind the scenes look at its manufacturing process featuring staff from all departments.

The team’s charity efforts can be commended too this year, with employees from across the business working together to get creative with a comedy Charity Calendar in aid of Cancer Research UK, as well as a Macmillan Coffee Morning, charity boxing matches and Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day.

To mark this huge year of change, individual team members were recognised for going ‘above & beyond’ at the Conservatory Outlet Christmas Party on 9^th December. Award winners were nominated by the senior management team for demonstrating exemplary behaviour in line with the new company values, including Honesty and Integrity, Growth and Innovation and Energy and Tenacity, and were presented with a personal thank you letter and vouchers by Managing Director Michael Giscombe.

Michael explains: “2017 has been a fantastic year for us at Conservatory Outlet and it’s extremely important to us that we recognise our employees and thank them for their dedication in helping us to achieve everything we have this year, I couldn’t be prouder of the way in which we’ve really pulled together.

“2018 will be crucial for our company as we take our current projects to the next phase. It’s down to the energy, passion and integrity of our fantastic team that this is made possible.”

What’s behind the recent upturn in the fortunes of conservatory sales? It’s simple: the alternatives to the traditional conservatory that have come onto the market in recent years. And if you want to capitalise on the opportunities these products bring, it’s time to take a closer look at LEKA Roof Systems. The company’s products have a unique construction that gives them a major USP over other roofs on the market. What’s more, the speed with which they can be installed is a big boon for installers.

The market-leading LEKA Warm Roof was developed using innovative engineering techniques, highly technical design protocols and practical experience, so it delivers a wealth of advantages. The unique GRP construction means it has a U value of just 0.15 W/m²K, so it delivers the thermal efficiency today’s homeowners are looking for from their conservatories. It has a better lifespan than the traditional tile, concrete or slate alternatives, making it a better investment. The roof is available in any design, can incorporate Velux rooflights and offers a bigger span and a lower pitch too, so it’s incredibly flexible. And because there are fewer elements to install than on a traditional solid conservatory roof, on site installation typically takes just two to three days, including removing the old conservatory roof.

The LEKA Orangery Roof uses the same technological innovation as the market-leading Warm Roof. It means it’s a genuinely lightweight orangery roof that has a U value of just 0.15 W/m²K, something that will be very appealing to homeowners looking to create year-round rooms to house kitchen, dining and living areas. The roof is supplied in kit form and all materials are pre-cut/fabricated to exact specifications. It means installation is a two man one day job (excluding the lantern and roof membrane).

LEKA Approved Installers are supported with a comprehensive marketing package plus full product and sales training so they can maximise their sales potential and take advantage of the trend for feature-rich conservatory roofs.

The LEKA Warm Roof and the LEKA Orangery Roof both revolutionised the market when they launched. The company will be launching a new product in March 2018 and all the signs are that it will take LEKA to the next level of innovation.

www.lekasystems.co.uk

Made for Trade has become what is now believed to be the biggest user of Emmegi machines in the UK by quantity, with the addition of a fourth Phantomatic T3A three axis machining centre to its manufacturing set up.

This brings to 13 the total number of saws and machining centres Emmegi has supplied to Made for Trade since 2013, as the company behind the Korniche roof system has continued to invest to keep pace with demand.

Made for Trade was reportedly operating older Emmegi type profile saws back in 2013, when managing director, Bradley Gaunt, ordered the first Phantomatic T3A and Emmegi Twin electronic double mitre saw.

That production set up is said to have proved so successful that Made for Trade ordered another Phantomatic T3A and Classic electronic double head saw two years later to create a second similar production set up, and these were followed in 2016 by the third T3A and a top of the range Combi 5 axis electronic compound cutting mitre saw. The fourth T3A and a second Combi saw were added in 2017.

Alongside the T3As, Made for Trade has also invested in two Phantomatic X4 four axis machines, specifically to manufacture the Korniche roof system, with a third ordered and scheduled for delivery in February. These have been specially tooled to suit the precision requirements of the new roof.

Ian Latimer, managing director of Emmegi (UK), commented: “Made for Trade has been buying Emmegi machines ever since they were established and we’re very proud to be their key machinery partner. Their growth over the past four or five years has been truly phenomenal and we’ve worked with them every step of the way to make sure that they have the very best machinery set up to suit their needs.

“With six advanced CNC machining centres, electronic double mitre saws, NC bead saws and a single head upstroke saw, we think they now have the most Emmegi machines of any single customer in the UK.”

Bradley Gaunt from Made for Trade added: “We chose Emmegi from the outset because we liked the quality and durability of the machines. Once we’d launched the Korniche roof, precision accuracy became our key criteria and Emmegi have again delivered exactly what we need to achieve the tolerances required to make sure every roof fits together effortlessly.”

Latimer concluded: “We continue to work hard to repay the loyalty Made for Trade have shown to us. They know that they can rely on us for quality products, reliable service and expert advice and, when a company is growing as fast as they are, that’s more important to them than ever.”

The post MFT ‘biggest user’ of Emmegi machines appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

A couple in Exeter have praised their Ultraframe conservatory for ‘saving their lives’. Mr and Mrs Bushell were said to be sitting in their conservatory, which was installed by Realistic Home Improvements, when it was hit by a 600kg silage bale that had rolled through a hedge from a neighbouring field.

Despite landing on top of their conservatory, smashing two of the glazed roof panels and raining down safety glass on Mr & Mrs Bushell in the process, the frame remained intact and the couple were spared any serious injuries.

“The conservatory style is a lean-to, on bolster beams,” explained Ryan Barrett, managing director at Realistic Home Improvements. “The ring beam was twisted but the bolster beams remained intact. If it had been a polycarbonate conservatory without the reinforced roof, it could have been a lot worse.”

Mrs Bushell said: “Thank goodness we made the choice of conservatory that we did. If we hadn’t selected such a good quality, solid conservatory, we’d probably be dead now. When I asked my husband how he wanted to repair the damage from the silage bale, he told me simply, ‘I want exactly the same conservatory as the one which saved my life.”

The team at Realistic Home Improvements, based across Devon and Cornwall, are now in the process of installing a new Ultraframe conservatory for Mr & Mrs Bushell.

“This conservatory was one of the first we installed after becoming an Ultra Installer in 2012,” explained Ryan. “I wanted to become an approved installer because I like to do things by the book – it’s peace of mind for me and for the homeowner. This type of situation is obviously rare, but when things like this happen, it’s so good to know we’ve installed the best for our customers.”

The post Life saver appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

A new report from Palmer Market Research suggests the composite door sector will see significant growth through to 2021.

According to The Market for Domestic Entrance Doors, composite doors now account for 54% of the market, the share rising to 56% by installed value with the inclusion of PVC/ABS faced doors. This follows an above market forecast of 9% increase in volume last year to 758,000 doors.

This contributed to 7.9% increase in installed value for the total entrance door market, the move to composites from PVC-U panels inflating installed prices.

Taken in its entirety, the market for entrance doors, however, remained

relatively flat last year at 1.4million door sets, with growth of just 0.9%. This compares to the 2.2% seen last year.

“The longer-term trends in the market have been more muted than those for windows. For instance, the market is now only 5% above the low point in 2012 but 20% below the peak year of 2007,” writes the author of the 2017 Palmer entrance door report.

Despite the growth of composites, PVC-U panels remained the second biggest material, accounting for 25% of the market in volume terms and 24% in installed value. This included modest growth in volume last year of 0.7% to 351,000 door sets.

Timber accounted for 16% in volume and 15% in installed value. This included a 25% decline in volume to 228,000 doors – the continuation of a 20-year downward trend.

Steel faced door sets fell 12% in 2016 to 40,000 doors – supplied almost exclusively into new build. Aluminium, again supplied primarily into new build by contrast, as in other areas of the window and door industry recorded growth.

“Going forward, there are a number of factors, which we expect to mute total market growth in coming years,” explained Robert Palmer, Palmer Market Research. “Despite significant demand for new homes, a general slowing of the housing market is having a corresponding impact on new build completions. Consumer confidence has also weakened – something that is very difficult to disconnect from the continuing uncertainty that has accompanied Brexit.

“We expect the coming two years to be fairly tough but, as in previous years, and like other areas of the window and door industry, some products will fare far better than others, with innovation and the shift to higher value installations, key drivers of growth.”

The post Growth for composites appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Picture above: Przemyslaw Federowski as Facade Engineer in Aluprof’s London office

As the demand for Aluprof systems and solutions continues to grow the company has recently appointed Przemyslaw Federowski as Facade Engineer in their London office. The new post at the London office follows the recent appointment of two new Project Consultants at the company in August.

Aluprof’s Managing Director, Wojciech Brozyna comments on the company’s commitment to the new London post; “Our aluminium systems are becoming well known and increasingly specified by architects in London. To ensure that we can quickly respond to specifiers requests for facade engineering support, we felt it was necessary to have a permanent presence in the city.”

A trained engineer, Przemyslaw brings with him a wealth of experience gained in the UK facade and solar shading industry. Working closely with Aluprof’s team of Project Consultants, the support position of the Façade Engineer will assist specifiers in detaining Aluprof systems into any project particularly where challenging details are required. As Aluprof embraces ‘Value Management’ across the project timeline, the Facade Engineers role will seek and design bespoke solutions which can offer project both cost and time savings whilst benefiting from robust design solutions.

Aluprof’s extensive range of systems extend to unitised curtain walling, sliding folding doors, commercial doors systems and a wide range of window systems, all of which are increasingly being specified on a variety of residential and commercial projects across the UK and overseas. All systems are designed and installed by selected, specially trained companies to ensure each product meets Aluprof’s exacting standards. Further information is available on the company website at aluprof.co.uk.

Helen Hewitt has joined the British Woodworking Federation to take on the role of Membership Director and Lead for the Wood Window Alliance.

Helen will act as a pivot point between BWF and its membership as well as the wider woodworking sector. She will be proactively developing relationships, growing the membership and feeding back crucial information to help evolve and improve the service that BWF offers its 700 members. In addition to this, Helen will be taking responsibility for the successful management of the Wood Window Alliance programme, helping to grow the market for wood windows.

Her previous professional experience has been gained at both an operational and strategic level as General Manager of MP Skills; the commercial training division of MPQC (Minerals Product Qualifications Council).

In her role at MP Skills she was also responsible for the growth and development of the Membership offering. Helen has previously worked in the Wood and Timber industries prior to joining MP Skills in the position of Industry Lead for the Wood, Timber and Furniture sectors at Proskills UK; a Sector Skills Council. Helen played a key part in the development and launch of the suit of timber level 2 qualifications and apprenticeships.

Other job roles include National Business Development Manager, Skills Manager and Head of Design for a UK manufacturing home furnishings company. In her spare time Helen is the Chairman of a Lancashire League Cricket Club and a taxi driver for her two children!

www.bwf.org.uk

Picture above: The winning MRA team

MRA Marketing celebrated a record five award wins at the prestigious Construction Marketing Awards (CMA), including the coveted Agency of the Year. Hosted in London on 30^th November, the full service agency won Best Digital Campaign and Best Use of Direct Marketing with Brisant Secure; Best Use of Social Media with IKO PLC; Best Product Launch for The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) with GfK and the Builders Merchant Federation; and to top it off – Agency of the Year. Run by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the CMAs are the UK’s leading awards for marketing in construction.

MRA’s Managing Director Lucia Di Stazio says: “We’re extremely pleased with our award wins. We were shortlisted for 13 awards overall and did well to be a finalist in so many. Over 60 agencies who work in construction enter these awards, including some of the biggest agencies, so getting shortlisted isn’t a breeze as the standard keeps rising. To win five, including Agency of the Year, is brilliant.

“A lot of time and effort goes into the entries”, continues Lucia, “And for the Agency of the Year category, each finalist was also interviewed by the judging panel. I’m proud to say our team did a fantastic job – and the judges said so! Our awards are recognition of the results we get for customers, and it really is a team effort.”

Commenting on MRA’s award win for ‘Agency of the Year’, the judges said: “We saw some great teams during the interviews and it was hard to choose a winner, but MRA showed the difference they make to their clients. They track the bottom line improvements they deliver, and are focussed not on campaigns, but on the client’s holistic marketing activity and needs. They also have a superb approach to the team’s personal development, and this is paid back with exceptional loyalty. These guys are setting the example.”

MRA Marketing specialises in helping companies grow in construction, building materials and home improvement markets. The full service agency is No.1 in the Construction Marketing Awards Agency League. For more information call 01453 521621 or email lucia@mra-marketing.com.

Purplex, the full-service marketing agency, has expanded its creative department with the appointment of a new senior Media Producer.

Jenny Gosling joins the marketing agency within the video production and photography department, and will work with clients on both studio and on-location shoots. With almost ten years’ experience, she has worked closely with UK and international brands both as an in-house photographer and videographer.

Andrew Scott, managing director of Purplex commented: “Quality photography is essential for any business wanting to portray the right image, while video is now the must-have marketing tool, whether it’s a corporate video to communicate your company values or as part of a digital marketing strategy to generate engagement.”

“Jenny is a talented professional with a rare ability to direct shoots and oversee production to get exactly the right outcomes for clients, whether this is an architectural photo shoot or a consumer video or TV ad, and we’re delighted to have her on our team.”

Purplex operates in the construction and home improvement industries and has invested over £1m over the last three years in new facilities, resources, and infrastructure.

With over 60 employees the agency has specialist teams in PR, digital marketing and creative, and has seen a significant increase in demand for photography and video as clients widen their marketing strategy.

Jenny commented: “It’s exciting to be part of a fast-moving, innovative agency, and I’m really looking forward to working with clients all over the UK and Europe, and to showcase what great imagery can do.”

Purplex Marketing was founded in 2004 by Andrew Scott and operates from offices in London and Bristol, with clients across the UK, Europe and the United States.

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