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Following the news that Nova Group have joined National Glass Group (NGG) in September 2017, the group has now announced a further two new members in the form of Crystal Units based in the South East and Ecoglass situated in East Anglia.

Collective member turnover for National Glass Group (NGG) is now in excess of £90 million pounds, double that of 2016 and making it the largest glass group in the UK, claims the company, providing unrivalled purchasing power, operational resilience and national reach. Despite the scale of the group, all members retain the agility and personal attention from being owner managed, independent businesses.

Crystal Units was established in 1994 and operates from its facility in North West London, serving the South East of England in both commercial and domestic markets. The heritage of Ecoglass stretches back to 1949 from its base in Norwich, where it has grown to be the supplier of choice in East Anglia and beyond.

NGG is a group that represents leading glass processors in the UK, including existing members Clayton Glass, Custom Glass and Northern Express Glass, Nova Group, Romag and Supaseal Glass and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK. Collectively the members employ over 800 people across 12 sites, boasting turnover in excess of £90million and with annual purchases exceeding £30million, it also makes for the largest independent buyer of sheet glass in the UK.

Beyond the purchasing power of the group, NGG looks to promote operational best practice and shares the value created by collaboration, fairly among the members. The addition of Crystal Units and Ecoglass move the group significantly closer to its goal of representing 25% of flat glass purchases in the UK, achieved through organic growth of the members and through the introduction of new companies to the organisation.

Ryan Green, co-director of NGG commented: ‘A key principle of the group is that we maintain the high quality and ethos as we grow, by ensuring the new members are independent, financially strong and excel through operational quality and service. The collective group now service the entire UK, operating in both commercial and domestic markets, along with niche products and markets.’

For further information, contact National Glass Group at info@nationalglassgroup.co.uk.

Aluminium systems specialist, Jack Aluminium has added its first aluminium glazing product to suit both commercial and home improvement markets – the TRL90 rooflight. It’s a flat, aluminium framed rooflight that’s ideal for retrofitting skylights in commercial buildings or for bringing extra light into modern home extensions.

Sales and Marketing Director at Jack Aluminium, Jeff Pearson explains: “Following the success of our TruEnergy Window, earlier this year, we found the market was also hungry for a rooflight that was simple to fabricate and install but offered superb performance levels.

“So, our technical team got to work to create the TRL90 flat rooflight. It offers excellent U-Values and is the perfect solution for bringing light into spaces without adding extra height to buildings.

“In true Jack Aluminium style, we’ve gone back to basics, with simple, straightforward engineering, to make life easier for fabricators. The rooflight is essentially an aluminium frame, with an optimised profile and thermal breaks positioned in the most efficient place possible. This is fitted to the upstand and then finished with a double or triple glazed insulated glass unit.

“We’ve already had lots of interest from customers looking for a rooflight with a simple design and effective performance.”

With just one profile to buy, fabricators don’t have to hold lots of unnecessary stock levels, and so that projects can stay on track, Jack Aluminium delivers profile in just 5 days.

www.jackaluminium.co.uk

SWISSPACER has been nominated for Best Spacer Bar Manufacturer in the National Fenestration Awards (NFAs). The company has experienced strong growth in the last year through a mix of distributor support and new direct business. The opening of SWISSPACER’s new headquarters in Milton Keynes was a significant milestone and is pivotal to developing direct sales. Customers can now collect products directly from the centre and benefit from its new Laser Marking Service – a permanent and discreet way of coding spacer bars. The modern and spacious building is also used for events, training, and customer meetings.

John Cooper, Commercial Director of SWISSPACER, comments: “Warm edge technology remains at the heart of energy efficient windows, and we’re delighted to be nominated as an NFA finalist. It’s been a tremendous year for our UK business and the nomination is recognition of our continuing success. We have many exciting plans for 2018 and we look forward to developing these in the year ahead.”

To vote for SWISSPACER go to: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/spacer-bar-manufacturer-2017/. For more information, visit www.swisspacer.com.

Ultraframe has reported a sharp rise in leads which the roof system manufacturer is attributing to its partnership with Which? Trusted Traders.  Leads generated for its Ultra Installers are up by 20% compared to the same period last year and are still increasing beyond Ultraframe’s predictions for this time of year.

Alex Hewitt, Ultraframe Marketing Director comments: “we’ve worked really hard this year to get a number of key initiatives in place – such as the alliance with Which? Trusted Traders.  There’s no question that the increased consumer appeal of the Which? brand is directly impacting our lead generation activity. The quality of the leads is also high, with many home owners in a position to buy.  This is great news for our Ultra Installers.”

Ultraframe has recently launched a campaign called ‘take a fresh look at Ultraframe’, designed to appeal to retailers looking to take advantage of Ultraframe’s comprehensive roof range.  As Alex concludes: “we have areas in the UK where we are keen to identify and recruit new retailers and ‘take a fresh look at Ultraframe’ is very much about making the process of switching roof supplier pain-free.”

Bosch Professional has added an extra dimension to its power tool and measuring device range with the launch of a high-quality thermal camera. Its development draws on the manufacturer’s deep understanding of practical problems faced by electricians, plumbers, builders and other trade professionals. The Bosch GTC 400 C Professional Thermal Camera is designed to bring competitive advantage to their businesses at an affordable price.

It will be of help in numerous applications, including installation and maintenance of heating, air-conditioning, electrical systems, windows, drywalls and building insulation. Just point the device at your work area and you will quickly gain a clear and reliable picture of the conditions you have to tackle. Its measurements, which include thermal images, visual images and temperature values, accurately show the pattern of heat distribution across the room or feature surveyed.

The thermal camera will reveal, for example:

• Locations and courses of cables and heating pipes in walls and floors
• Sources of draughts, dampness, water intrusion and pipe leakage
• Weak points and overloads in electrical installations
• Condition and effectiveness of heat insulation
• Functionality of heating systems, and presence of radiator vents

Issues which are difficult or impossible to see with the naked eye become clearly evident through high-resolution coloured pictures which are easy to interpret and demonstrate to your client. Visualisation is exceptionally sharp thanks to high pixel counts.

The device is equipped with a visual camera as well as an infrared sensor. This allows a thermal image to be easily superimposed onto a photo of the workplace, helping to put the data into context.

Bosch connectivity enables rapid transmission of images and data, wirelessly, to your smartphone or tablet, via the thermal camera’s inbuilt WiFi Hotspot and the Bosch Measuring Master app. You can share them immediately with your client, even while you are still on site. The device also has a micro USB, through which you can quickly move those files to your computer, using GTC transfer software, and on to your client in a report format.

With the GTC 400 C, measurement takes seconds, problems are spotted and acted upon sooner, and accurate information avoids time-wasting errors by ensuring that project plans are based on sound knowledge.

The camera’s highly intuitive interface makes it simple to take precise measurements and produce professional outputs. At a price that fits the average tradesperson’s budget, you can present your clients with pictures and documentation of the quality they might expect from, say, an architect.

Other user-friendly features include a large (3.5 inches) colour display, robust construction and IP53 sealing against dust and splashing water. Power supply is flexible, offering a choice between 12 V Li-ion battery packs and standard alkaline AA batteries.

The Bosch GTC 400 C Professional Thermal Camera is available now from specialist retailers at a recommended retail price of £900. This price excludes VAT and is subject to change.

For further information, visit www.bosch-professional.co.uk

The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd are helping Osborne celebrate its 50^th Anniversary by working alongside them to build a two-storey extension at Demelza’s Eltham Hospice in South East London that will allow seriously ill children the space to grow, develop and live life to the fullest.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children provide expert, compassionate care, free of charge to severely ill children and their families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Window Company (Contracts) are working with other supply chain partners on this build with many donating their time and materials for free.

Chairman David Thornton said: “As a long term partner of Osborne, we were more than happy to get involved with such a worthwhile project. As well as us donating the windows and doors for the project, our team working on site are donating some of their time as well, which I think says a great deal about the calibre of fitting teams we have.”

At Demelza in Eltham, The Window Company (Contracts) are installing aluminium windows and doors throughout the new extension, as well as automatic door opening gear to make it accessible for hospice users.

Andy Steele, Chief Executive at Osborne said: “I am delighted we found the Delmelza Space to Grow Project to mark our 50 years in business but most importantly achieve an outcome that will positively impact on the lives of vulnerable children in our society for the next 50.”

“This ambitious project would not have been possible however, without the support of The Window Company (Contracts) and many other partners who have all come together for such a worthwhile cause.”

Claire Ellis-Waghorn, Head of Fundraising at Demelza said: “We are so grateful to the team at Osborne and all their wonderful colleagues and suppliers for giving us such a phenomenal gift. The work that is taking place at our Eltham hospice will make such a big difference – not just to our children and families, but also our staff and volunteers too, who work tirelessly to provide the best possible care.”

www.thewinco.co.uk

Image Above: Russell Day and David Thornton

The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd has been recognised at Silver 3 level in the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) GLASS Charter Merit Scheme

In 2016 The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd took part in the first group of audits against the GGF GLASS Charter. The culture of the business and the evidence provided clearly showed they were a company that recognised the clear link between safety of employees and customers with success.

They achieved Silver Level 2 at the first go, the highest level any Member of the GGF has reached the first time around.

The company have been keen to progress in the scheme and invited Phil Pinnington, GGF Director of Health and Safety, to conduct a further audit earlier this year. The audit identified that recommended improvements had been made from the previous visit and therefore in recognition of their sterling work the company was awarded Silver 3.

Phil Pinnington commented: “David and his team are excellent ambassadors for safety in the industry and it is highly likely they will be the first Member company to achieve Gold standard.”

David Thornton, MD of the Window Company Contracts added, “Everything around the GLASS Charter is positive for us – it helps to strengthen the Health and Safety culture which already exists here and it brings us positive recognition from our commercial clients. We’re now focused on the incremental improvements we need to achieve Gold and we’re excited by that challenge.”

In 2001 the glass industry took up the Government’s Revitalising Health and Safety Initiative. In partnership with both industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the Glass and Glazing Federation launched the GLASS Charter (Goal; Less Accidents, Safer Sites). In 2016 the scheme was updated in line with the Health and Safety Executive’s 5 year strategy.

The Merit Scheme is open to all GGF Members no matter the size of business, sole trader to multi-national companies. The unique advantage is that it focuses on systems appropriate to the size and nature of the business whilst applying a set of common standards.

To find out more about GLASS Charter, you can download the GLASS Charter booklet for the publications section of the GGF website.

www.ggf.org.uk

Specialist aluminium frame manufacturer, Mercury Glazing Supplies Ltd., has just added the new TD68 commercial door to its range. Chris Reeks, Mercury’s Sales and Marketing Director, said, “We are delighted to be adding the TD68 commercial door into our portfolio. The new aluminium door allows us to extend our reach even further and helps our customers take advantage of the commercial aluminium opportunities.”
The new TD68 door is being billed as one of the most thermally efficient, high usage commercial doors on the market. Designed by Jack Aluminium Systems the TD68 is ideal for public buildings and schools, as well as shopfronts, flats and apartments and offers intrinsic strength and security. It boasts some impressive thermal efficiency figures too with a typical u-value of 1.7 on a 1230mm wide door being achieved. Furthermore the door is accredited to BS: EN 6375 and has achieved PAS 24:2016 on a 1300mm x 3000mm single sash door!

In the past twelve months, Mercury has witnessed an unprecented upturn in sales of their aluminium products something that is reflected in current market trends. Chris explains “As recent industry reports confirm sales of aluminium ‘remain strong’ and sales of our products support this finding. We feel this is down to offering a comprehensive aluminium portfolio which is suitable for all markets sectors and is backed up with a high-quality service.”

The new TD68 door will be manufactured at Mercury’s Gloucester fabrication plant. Customers will also have the reassurance of Mercury’s commitment to quality and customer service which aims to build long term commercial relationships. Chris concludes, “Aside from the products being a compelling offering, we work closely with our installing partners who are looking to work in – or are working in – the commercial sector. We have a great deal of experience in-house that our customers can call on whenever they need it.”

www.mercuryglazing.co.uk