Window Widgets reaches halfway point for fundraising goal

Leadinguniversal window ancillary supplier, Window Widgets, has so far raised £10,510 as part of their mission to raise £21,000 for GM Fundraising and We Mind & Kelly Matters.

Window Widgets began their fundraising mission in celebration of their 21st birthday in May 2021 when they set out to raise £21,000 to be split between both charities. The leading supplier of window ancillaries chose to fundraise for these worthy industry charities to add a little respectful cheer and help raise much needed funds that have been limited due to the global pandemic over the last couple of years.

As part of the fundraising, Window Widgets has worked in partnership with over 15 companies within the industry to create a joke book and encourage people to make a donation when placing their order for a free copy. Launched in April, the Little Pink Book of Jokes incorporates Window Widgets’ well-known and loved pink theme that resonates throughout their branding, and is now available to order. 

The Window Widgets team has been involved in many industry charity events over the years, so creating the Little Pink Book of Jokes in support of these charities seemed a perfect and natural fit for the brand. All print and distribution costs were paid for directly by Window Widgets and other brands and businesses were given the opportunity to be a sponsor of one of the books, jokes, or a full page. Their main sponsors include Glass Times and Deceuninck.

50% of the £21,000 has been raised so far; £5,223 for GM Fundraising and £5,287 for We Mind & Kelly Matters.  The release of the Little Pink Book of Jokes has supported Window Widgets fundraising efforts, along with various other activities that the team at Window Widgets have got involved in. The team aided the donations by participating in activities including; selling homemade pancakes to staff, a sponsored Halloween fancy dress and ‘Wear it Pink’ day. The Window Widgets team will continue to run fundraising activities throughout the year, to aid in hitting the £21,000 target for the chosen charities. They hope this campaign, as well as other activities, will bring joy to others whilst also tackling the challenges that the industry faces.

In addition to the main publication, Window Widgets have published a children’s activity book, where Window Widgets superhero brand icons make an appearance to engage children with the industry. These will be distributed to local schools and can be requested for other children and schools across the UK. 

Jo Trotman, Marketing Manager at Window Widgets commented: “The Little Pink Book of Jokes is our way of not only celebrating our 21^st business anniversary, but also giving something back into the industry and making people smile too. One year later, we are now at the halfway mark of our £21,000 target and would love to hit that and encourage everyone to get involved”

“Thank you to our main sponsors Glass Times & Deceuninck! We would also like to thank Emplas and Window Ware, The BOAL Group, Gap Ltd, Hurst Doors, Leamore Windows and we build brands for their page sponsorships. Finally, thank you to our joke sponsors; Alexander Windows, The Consultancy, Essential Promotions, Genius PVC Trade Frames, Harrison Carloss and Quality by Design.”

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Kommerling’s coming to celebrate at FIT

KÖMMERLING have a large stand at this year’s FIT Show located at D21 with a wide range of premium window and door solutions under the main brand and also under that of Legend and WarmCore. It will also be an event to remember as the brand celebrates the 125-year anniversary of the original business with a champagne reception central to their festivities.

Founded in 1897 by Karl Kömmerling, the business has grown into a global PVCu systems powerhouse, particularly over the last two decades, thanks to a continuous investment programme and through consistent product innovation. This year’s show will showcase all variants of the flush sash window including the concealed mullion, along with premium upgrades to the PremiLine patio door, 70mm, 76mm and 88mm window variants and new head vents and cill range for KÖMMERLING 70.

WarmCore will also feature on the stand with patio and bi-folding door options, as will the Legend window and door system which includes a dedicated cavity closer and the KÖMMERLING VS sash window. But the big draw to the stand will be the celebration of the important milestone for the business. While the celebratory bar will be open for the duration of the show, on the Wednesday late night this will be transformed into a cocktail area, where revelers will be able to enjoy the festivities up to the 8pm closure of the show. 

Robert Thiroff, managing director of profine UK and KÖMMERLING commented: ‘This year’s FIT Show is arguably our most important event yet in the UK given our relatively new facility, new brands and the celebration of 125 years. With the owner Dr Mrosik also due to fly into the event, we want to make it one to remember for all the right reasons and to celebrate with customers, business partners and the industry as a whole.’

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It feels right, says Quickslide boss Barraclough as the firm commits to FIT

Taking the opportunity to book a last minute stand at this year’s FIT Show (10^th – 12^th May 2022, NEC), Quickslide’s Chairman Adrian Barraclough has declared: “We’re not here to sell windows, we’re here to make sure you can”. With the Brighouse, Yorkshire window fabricator taking space at the first FIT Show since 2019 just 10 days before the event opens, Adrian’s stance reflects 6 months of his social media activity during which he has posted videos recording his intensive tour of Quickslide customers. 

The FIT Show stand is an extension of that, he says: “We have taken this large space at the FIT Show because we want to take advantage of so many people being together at the same time, under the same roof…I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out to see customers and potential customers since we were able to interact with people again. It has been uplifting and now we have the opportunity to meet more people at the FIT Show,” added Adrian.

The stand will feature a tall structure to act as a beacon to the company’s existing customers and those interested in talking about Quickslide’s most comprehensive range of windows and doors ever, in aluminium and PVC-U. And especially the firm’s market leading range of VS windows, with which Quickslide is synonymous: “We will of course show our core product on the stand,” explained Adrian, “but this is about talking, meeting people, and discussing how we can grow together. We will have three fantastic meeting spaces where visitors can relax. And everyone is welcome! Just come and chill out with us…it’s one of the things I love about this industry.”

Underpinning Quickslide’s aim to support the success of their Trade Partners, there will be displays showing Quickslide’s latest addition to their marketing and showroom support package, the latter of which will allow visitors to enjoy the experience just as homeowners would: “There is nothing like face-to-face at every level of the supply chain,” said Adrian. “And the FIT Show allows that, for thousands of the industry’s installers, fabricators, and suppliers to get together. And after the strains and limitations of the past two years, this is the perfect opportunity to put that behind us and get down to business.”

Quickslide’s Legacy sash windows can also be spotted on Morley Glass and Glazpart’s stands at the FIT Show. 

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Glazing Summit to host exclusive party at FIT Show

The Glazing Summit is hosting an exclusive party to celebrate the launch of the 2022 event at this year’s FIT Show, which takes place at The NEC Birmingham from Tuesday, May 10-Thursday, May 12.

The Glazing Summit Cocktail Party will take place on the Wednesday evening from 5pm until late at the Purplex and Insight Data stand D61. Purplex and Insight Data are organisers of the Glazing Summit, and during the three days both will be running a series of free marketing seminars.

Visitors to the party will be able to enjoy a selection of special cocktails produced fresh by our own mixologist and an evening of great networking and conversation in a relaxed, informal setting with the opportunity to connect with industry VIPs, Glazing Summit speakers, sponsors and guests.

Andrew Scott, founder of the Glazing Summit and CEO of Purplex and Insight Data, said: “Our drinks evening will be the perfect appetiser to Glazing Summit 2022 and visitors to the FIT Show are welcome to drop in and find out more about the Glazing Summit and speak to our sponsors, many of whom have supported us from the very beginning and our first Summit in 2018. It should be a great evening.”

The Glazing Summit, a major one-day conference and one of the most important dates in the industry calendar, takes place on Tuesday, October 18, at Edgbaston Stadium and Conference Centre.

After another sell out last year, organisers are again expecting to attract more than 400 leaders and CEOs from across the industry.

And the list of big-name sponsors is growing all the time. It includes headline sponsors Yale, MACO, Edgetech, Exlabesa, Unique Window Systems, who are sponsoring the Glazing Summit Dinner, Window Ware, Glazpart, Caribbean Blinds, Carl F Groupco, Shelforce, Business Pilot and Chase Taylor Recruitment.

Plans for an official Glazing Summit 2022 launch event later in the year are already under way.

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Ultraframe FIT seminar programme announced

Ultraframe has announced a comprehensive seminar programme to be delivered by an experienced company-wide team at this year’s FIT Show. Visitors to the Ultraframe stand R59 will be able to learn first-hand about everything from building & transforming conservatories under the new Building Regs through to social media & digital marketing, from the comfort of a purpose-built seminar theatre.

Explaining more about the company’s busy seminar schedule and what visitors can expect to learn, Ultraframe Marketing Director, Alex Hewitt, said: “Like everyone in the industry we’re very much looking forward to getting back face-to-face with the industry at this year’s FIT Show. Along with showcasing our new hup! extension system and other new products on the stand, our seminar programme is a key focus for us. We know that our industry never stands still and so people find it hard both to keep up with the latest news and also to take time out for training, and so we thought that allowing people to pick up vital knowledge on current ‘hot topics’ whilst at the FIT Show was the perfect solution. The seminars will be presented by members of staff from Marketing and Research & Development, each sharing their knowledge in their own area of expertise.”

The full Ultraframe seminar programme is:

Tuesday & Wednesday:

• 11am – Building & transforming conservatories under the new Building Regs (Andrew Thomson, Design & Development Director)

• 1pm – Building extensions under the new Building Regs (Andrew Thomson, Design & Development Director)

• 3pm – Social media & digital marketing (Dan Bradley, Digital Marketing Manager)

Thursday:

• 11am – Innovative building methods for the new Building Regs (Alex Hewitt, Marketing Director)

• 1pm – Social media & digital marketing (Dan Bradley, Digital Marketing Manager)

Continuing, Alex said: “We know that the imminent changes to Building Regulations have raised many questions for installers and so we have two seminars designed to educate people through building & transforming conservatories and building extensions under the new Regulations. Delivered by myself and Andrew Thomson, our Design & Development Director, we’re confident that these sessions will answer any questions that people may have. Our third seminar topic is focused on social media and digital marketing. Delivered by our Digital Marketing Manager, Dan Bradley, these sessions will deliver a succinct masterclass in creating engaging digital content and making the most of the many digital tools available to Ultraframe customers.”

To take advantage of the Ultraframe seminar programme and see the company’s latest products, including the brand new hup! building system, visit stand R59 at the FIT Show.

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Slowest new order growth so far in 2022 as rising costs and economic uncertainty hit demand

UK construction companies reported another strong rise in business activity during April, but the speed of recovery lost momentum amid weaker new order gains. Survey respondents noted that higher costs and worries about the economic outlook had started to act as a brake on demand. 

Signs of a slowdown in client spending contributed to another drop in growth expectations, with the degree of optimism about future workloads the lowest since September 2020.  At 58.2 in April, down from 59.1 in March, the headline S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) – which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity – signalled the weakest rate of output growth since January. The index has nonetheless posted above the crucial 50.0 no-change mark in each month since February 2021. 

Of the three main construction segments monitored by the survey, the fastest-growing remained commercial work (index at 60.5), followed by civil engineering (56.2). Construction firms cited pent up demand for commercial projects and spending related to COVID-19 recovery plans. Meanwhile, major infrastructure schemes such as HS2 were reported as factors helping to boost civil engineering activity. 

Residential work remained the worst-performing sub-sector in April and saw the greatest loss of momentum (53.8 vs. 54.9 in March). 

The near-term outlook for construction activity deteriorated in April as total new order volumes expanded at the slowest rate for four months. Escalating raw material prices and, in some cases, hesitancy due to higher borrowing costs and geopolitical uncertainty were reported as headwinds to demand. 

While tender opportunities diminished in April, the need to deliver forthcoming projects and rebuild business capacity contributed to another round of job creation in April.  Moreover, the rate of employment growth hit a three-month high. 

A strong pipeline of construction projects and efforts to boost stocks where possible resulted in a steep rise in purchasing activity. Higher levels of input buying have been recorded in each month since June 2020. 

Suppliers once again struggled to keep up with demand for construction products and materials. Around 45% of the survey panel reported longer lead times, while only 2% noted an improvement. The resulting index measuring suppliers’ delivery times across the construction sector signalled a sharper downturn in performance than in the previous month. 

Supply chain delays were attributed to shortages of staff, materials and transport, with these difficulties often exacerbated by delays at ports and the war in Ukraine. 

Higher prices paid for energy, fuel and raw materials led to a steep increase in average cost burdens during April. Survey respondents also noted that the removal of red diesel subsidies had pushed up costs. The overall rate of purchasing price inflation accelerated to its fastest since September 2021. 

Looking ahead, the percentage of construction companies forecasting an upturn in business activity during the next 12 months (43%) continued to surpass those expecting a fall (12%). The gap narrowed again in April, however, and as a result the Future Activity Index dropped to a 19-month low. 

Construction companies cited risk aversion among clients and persistently high inflation due to energy price rises. There were also concerns about squeezed household incomes and rising borrowing costs. 

Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global, which compiles the survey said:  “The construction sector is moving towards a more subdued recovery phase as sharply rising energy and raw material costs hit client budgets. House building saw the greatest loss of momentum in April, with the latest expansion in activity the weakest since September 2021. Commercial and civil engineering work were the most resilient segments, supported by COVID-19 recovery spending and major infrastructure projects respectively. 

“Construction companies have built up strong order books since the reopening of the UK economy, which led to another round of rising employment in April and these project starts should keep the sector in expansion mode during the remainder of the second quarter.  However, tender opportunities were less plentiful in April as rising inflation and higher borrowing costs started to bite. Consequently, longer-term growth projections have slumped from January’s peak, with business optimism now the weakest since September 2020.” 

Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said:  “A slowdown in output growth amongst builders in the UK has highlighted a number of issues to be concerned about including rising costs, shortages and a hesitancy amongst customers.  New order levels rose at the slowest pace since the end of last year. There were fears around disrupted supplies as 45% of supply chain managers reported longer lead times. To counteract some of these challenges and with an eye on the future, supply chain managers were building stocks resulting in another sharp rise in purchasing activity. 

“Inflation hit the highest rate since September 2021, impacted on budgets and made customers think twice about committing. Job creation grew quickly to complete work in hand, risking over-inflating capacity should new order growth slow further. With the Bank of England confirming the interest rate as the highest for 13 years, the squeeze on business lending also led to a relatively gloomy outlook amongst builders for the year ahead, with sentiment the lowest since September 2020.” 

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Mark Scaife, new Group Operations Director of Quickslide

Quickslide has welcomed Mark Scaife as its new Group Operations Director. In this role, Mark will take responsibility for the leadership and management of all business operations of the leading windows and doors fabricator, both tactically and strategically.  

“I’m delighted to have joined Quickslide and I look forward to helping the leadership team move from great to outstanding,” said Mark. 

Explaining what his objectives will be in the new role, Mark said: “Quickslide is a market leader in sliding sash windows, and I want to develop a longer-term strategy for operations that meets the aspirations of the business to stay best in class, as well as develop KPIs and scorecards that will help drive our ambitions in customer service, quality, people and process capability and reliability.”

Mark has many years of experience in the industry, including ten years as Group Operations Director and three years at COO level. He is also a qualified engineer and Lean Sigma Black Belt and system deployment champion, certified and experienced in optimising processes for speed and quality. 

Quickslide’s Managing Director Ben Weber said: “Mark’s expertise and experience is just what we need to continue with our committed focus on further improving the service and quality of our offering, and is in line with our goal to remain at the very forefront of the industry. We welcome Mark to the team as we look forward to exciting times ahead.” 

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The first Avantis ‘Works with Kubu®’ FMT window locks now in stock

Following a thorough development and testing programme, the newest member of the Kubu Smart Security family is ready to launch, with the first Avantis Works with Kubu® FMT window locks now in stock, together with a brand-new website allowing consumers to purchase their all-new window sensors coming in a matter of weeks.

 Kubu smart sensor technology, and the platform that it runs on, has been proven and perfected over several successful years in consumers’ homes across the UK. The launch of the window sensor sees the introduction of the most advanced smart security sensor yet in the fenestration industry.

It is completely concealed within the frame, and is able to report a multitude of statuses, from ‘Fully Secure’ to ‘Open Wide’. It even knows when the window is in ‘Secure Night Vent’ mode. The Kubu window sensor uses ther company’s own floating-sensor technology, which allows the sensor to move with the window over time, helping the sensor to overcome such issues as sash-drop. This means it will always provide accurate status reports without the need for repeated setup or calibration.

 As a smart home platform, Kubu provides both security and lifestyle benefits, including their SureSecure location alerts, full smart-home integration, family sharing, under-attack, weather, and air-quality notifications. All the latest Avantis hardware Works with Kubu® and will be showcased at the FIT Show on stand Q31 as Ryan Bromley, co-founder of Kubu, points out. He said: “This year’s FIT Show is huge for the industry as we continue our march into the smart home market. Not only do we have a whole host of new developments in our Smart tech, but we now also have a comprehensive range of Avantis multi-point locks for both windows and doors that all ‘Work with Kubu.” 

He added: ‘We are developing additional products with other hardware manufacturers too.  All this means our customers can now offer consumers Smart Security Technology throughout their homes. There’s no longer any need for fabricators and installers to wait. We’re smarter than ever, and we’re ready now, that’s why we are urging everyone in the industry to ‘Be Smart, Work with Kubu’.”

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Hazlemere on course for record year after £100k showroom investments

A £100,000 investment in its two showrooms and the latest 3D design studio has seen a High Wycombe-based home improvement specialist secure a record year. Hazlemere, which offers a wide variety of conservatories, orangeries, tiled roof extensions, double glazed windows and doors, has enjoyed a 37% increase in orders with sales on the retail side of the business now reaching £7.5m.

Part of the Conservatory Outlet network, the company has tapped into the change in purchasing habits brought on by the pandemic by introducing the latest flush casement windows to its range, as well as an extensive selection of new doors. The firm is now setting its sights on further growth and is currently recruiting for 11 new jobs, including a Production Manager, Ssales Administrator, Living Space Sales Consultant, Conservatory Surveyor and several window and door fitters.

MD Rachel Braham-Hill explains: “Nobody really knew what was going to happen during Covid-19, but we quickly realised that people, who were spending an increasing amount of time at home, were keen to tackle those delayed jobs or make improvements with their disposable income. The decision was quickly made to try to maximise this opportunity and we spent a lot of time and money upgrading our showrooms in Wellington Road in High Wycombe and at Welwyn Garden City.

“There was also investment in new presentation software so we could showcase new designs, and our involvement in the Conservatory Outlet network meant we had huge support with our digital marketing activity. All of this saw us accelerate retail sales from £5.5m in 2020 to £7.5m this financial year, with our commercial division also performing very well working with its local authority and education contacts.”

Hazlemere has come a long way since it was formed in 1985 by father and son team George and Stuart Braham. The duo started from a small unit in Wooburn Green where they originally manufactured aluminium windows, adding PVC-U to the range in 1992 and moving to the current HQ and showroom in High Wycombe. They took the decision to join the Conservatory Outlet Network in 2011 and this accelerated the company’s growth, with current MD Rachel joining at the same time after completing her degree in event management. Daughter of Stuart, she became MD at just 28-years-old in 2018 and has navigated the business through the pandemic and to its current record year. Rachel added:  “There’s definitely a female touch at Hazlemere, with Jenna Ledward joining me on the senior management team as Head of Production, Purchasing and Goods In. Our sector traditionally has been very male-dominated, but this is slowly changing, and we feel we are helping to show females that you can have a fantastic career in our industry.”

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Renolit creates harmony with green

Green has been emerging as a trend in interior design for several years and can now be seen transitioning into a popular colour choice for use on external installations. The colour green is symbolic of the environment and creates a biophilic design as people seek to connect with nature which helps to improve health and wellbeing. To suit both modern and heritage buildings, RENOLIT offers a range of different shades of greens and green toned greys highlighting the versatility of this growing trend colour. Three examples that traverse the spectrum are featured below. 

The strongest of these is Chartwell Green. A classic heritage colour created as an exterior foil by RENOLIT to reimagine the colour used for outdoor furniture at Chartwell House, the former country home of Sir Winston Churchill it encapsulates the British countryside. Chartwell Green is a light, bright pastel green that uses a traditional woodgrain emboss to emulate the effect of painted wooden frames. Although the colour is mostly associated with installations on cottages and heritage style homes, it is steadily gaining credibility on new builds where it complements pale rendered constructions. 

Moving into the mid-tones, Sage is a subtle olive grey colour completed with the increasingly popular Ulti-Matt texture. Smooth to touch and with earthy grey green undertones Sage is suited to a wide range of installations that encompass the essence of the countryside.

Where a lighter colour is desired, one of the fastest growing colours Agate Grey, is a cross over colour between grey and green offers a gentler shade for installations. It provides a functional, all-purpose option within the grey spectrum which continues to be the most popular colour for windows. Agate Grey is a subtle blend of light green and grey that uses an established woodtick texture. As a lighter shade of grey with undertones of green, Agate Grey is a neutral adaptable shade suited to both rural and urban installations. 

As people continue to embrace a more sustainable existence, green affords a visual harmony connecting buildings and its occupants more closely to nature.

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Granada Glazing strengthens its manufacturing division

Granada Secondary Glazing has further bolstered its manufacturing division following the appointment of three new members of its core production team.

The expansion of the company’s manufacturing division features the creation of three brand-new job roles, designed to increase both output and efficiency in light of sustained, increased demand.  

The first of the newly created positions is that of Production Process Engineer, undertaken by Daniel Millington, who will be responsible for working alongside Granada’s existing design and manufacturing team to assess and develop assembly, process and calibration procedures within the company’s 40,000 sq ft manufacturing facility.

The second new position is that of Factory Supervisor, undertaken by Owen Dernie, who will oversee Granada’s product output and will be responsible for organising both daily and weekly workflow. As part of this new position, Owen will also manage the training and development of both new and existing employees.

The third and final new position is undertaken by Kevin Beales, who joins Granada as Production & Purchasing Scheduling Co-Ordinator. Within the new role, Kevin will be responsible for planning and implementing the company’s production schedule, as well as building successful relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues alike.

Shelley Dibble, Operations Manager at Granada Secondary Glazing, said she was delighted to welcome the three newcomers: “We’re continually assessing ways in which we can improve and develop our manufacturing output, and the creation of these three new positions forms a key part of our strategy moving forwards. 

“Following a rigorous recruitment process, we’re supremely confident that Daniel, Owen and Kevin – with their wealth of experience – will each prove to be a great success throughout their time at Granada.

“We’ve seen incredibly high levels of demand following the launch of our new product range last summer. We’ve been proactive in our decision making to ensure we keep up with demand and are looking forward to an incredibly successful remainder of 2022 and beyond.” 

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Fensa hits 15-millionth certificate milestone in 20th anniversary year

FENSA, the government-authorised competent persons scheme for the installation of replacement windows and doors, has issued its 15-millionth certificate – an achievement that also marks the start of its 20th anniversary year. 

The milestone certificate was issued to Shropshire-based Starbrite Windows, an original FENSA member since the scheme began in 2002, and a company which, in the two decades since, has never failed a FENSA assessment: “We joined FENSA when it began and we’re proud to say we’ve had a 100% pass rate on all our jobs inspected by FENSA since. It’s great to be receiving their 15-millionth certificate this time,” said Starbrite Windows Director Colin Nutall.

“We’re a family business trading for over 30 years and 90% of our business comes from customer recommendations. The introduction of FENSA 20 years ago was such a positive move forwards for the industry. Being a member of FENSA means our customers can be reassured our work complies with building regulations, is energy efficient, is registered with the local council and that our FENSA Approved Installer’s guarantee is backed by insurance.”

FENSA is the largest and most popular competent persons scheme in the glazing sector. Lis Clarke, Operations Director for FENSA and BFRC, said: “It’s fitting that our 20th anniversary year begins with us issuing our landmark 15-millionth certificate to an installer that has been a FENSA member since day one, and is receiving yet another FENSA certificate demonstrating their competency and consistency.

“We’re really proud to have served all our members for two decades, helping businesses win more work thanks to the well-known FENSA certificate homeowners receive when they choose a FENSA Approved Installer. Our mission at FENSA has always been – and continues to be – to improve door and window installations across the country by professionalising installers and protecting homeowners.” 

Each FENSA Approved Installer, from large national brands to small local companies, is assessed regularly to ensure its compliance to building regulations is continually maintained. As well as saving installers the time and hassle of registering their installations with local councils themselves, FENSA Approved Installers also gain access to a raft of exclusive benefits, including free lead generation on the FENSA website and exclusive discounts on fuel and purchases.

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Venting frustration with legislation

CONSERVATORY OUTLET‘S GREG KANE CALLS FOR CHANGE IN TRICKLE VENT LEGISLATION THAT COULD ESCALATE ENERGY PRICES FOR HOME OWNERS

The boss of a major window and door fabricator has hit out at new Government legislation due to come into play in June that will see trickle vents become mandatory on all refurbishment/replacement projects.

Conservatory Outlet’s Greg Kane believes the ‘ADF1’ regulation contravenes the demand for houses to be more energy efficient and could instead lead to homeowners facing up to a £500 increase in energy costs.

The experienced CEO, which has been in the sector for more than 20 years, is now calling for Ministers to rethink and make the introduction advisory rather than mandatory.

This proposed solution would mean that a double glazed, double sealed PVC-U window is replaced with the same type of window that carries product test certificates showing that the airtightness has not been made worse. The decision is then down to the homeowner if they want to introduce trickle vents or not.

“ADF1 makes no sense whatsoever, it is just going to cause more financial pressures for the end consumer at a time when fuel bills are already set to go through the roof,” explained Greg Kane, CEO of Conservatory Outlet.

“It goes against other legislation that is coming in to improve energy efficiency and we’ve yet to see any concrete evidence for punching holes into what will be hundreds and thousands of doors and windows every year. To make matters worse, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) predict that 94% of homeowners don’t want trickle vents.”

He continued: “There are also significant concerns around an increase in noise and possible pollution from car emissions finding their way into buildings.

“We have to give people the choice and this is what we will be joining with the GGF to lobby Government and opposition MPs to consider.”

Conservatory Outlet employs over 150 people at its manufacturing facility in Wakefield, where it fabricates more than 10,000 windows and doors every year. 

The ADF1 legislation, which will go live on June 15^th, comes at a hugely pressurised time for the fenestration sector with unprecedented demand being delivered against the backdrop of supply chain disruption and rising material prices.

This latest potential change could exacerbate production difficulties, with new tooling required for the volume of products that will require trickle vents as standard.

Greg went on to add: “As an industry, we have worked tirelessly to raise standards over the last twenty years, yet the Government seem hellbent on putting in regulation that will cause an unregulated grey economy develop.

“There are so many unanswered questions. For example, thousands of installations are being sold every day for completion after June 15^th so what does that mean for them or how will non-compliance be rectified or managed by the Local Authority Building Control.”

He concluded: “We’re hoping most of the glazing industry will put pressure on the Government to rethink before this comes into play. It’s not a case of being against trickle vents, it’s just a case of giving homeowners the choice of doing what is best for their homes and their own personal situations.”

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Trickle vents are the new hardware

Many of you will be aware of the impending changes to the building regulations especially the requirement for trickle vents to be used on most windows installed from the 15th of June 2022 for new build and replacement windows! This is being done due to the lack of value attributed to the cost of poor ventilation in dwellings by all interested parties from Installers to homeowners. Add a lack of information and education and there is little incentive or motivation to improve the environment in dwellings. 

This lack of good ventilation then gets locked into a dwelling for decades and then ends up with remedial works and potential poor health outcomes due to the building’s ventilation provision. The estimated benefits being between £21m – £91m (its difficult to estimate the beneficial NHS costs!)

Therefore, it is now the government’s view is that there is a need for regulation to address these issues, as the market isn’t installing a solution. This can be seen in the studies used in this review which clearly showed that only a small number of homes met the existing minimum ventilation provisions recommended in ADF 2010: 2006.

They audited 55 sites for compliance to AD F and only 2 sites complied to the 2006 regulations! This was due to a lack of value given to the need for the provision of background ventilation by house builders, fabricators, Installers combined with a lack of education of the homeowners as to the need.

With trickle vents to be fitted to most windows this now presents opportunities for the supply chain and installers to add value, turn over and margins to their products.

Today’s trickle vents are significantly different to their predecessors in terms of addressing issues of design and performance. The Link vent from Glazpart for example has, depending upon how you view it either reduced its size by 50% or increased the equivalent area performance by 200%. The 5000-link vent delivers 5000EQA using a 13mm rout or 4000EQA on a 10mm rout with just a 454.5mm width. Consequently, you can fit (depending upon the application) the same number of vents you fit today in a habitable room to comply to the new 8,000mm2 EQA requirement per habitable room.  

It’s the scope of the windows that needs to be understood as the previous guideline of only fitting vents to replacement windows where the windows have vents fitted has gone and the minimum requirements for background ventilation must be installed, depending on the room type, especially as the use of the night vent position has been specifically excluded as a means of compliance.

What has changed however is how the products look, with the opportunity to upsell a trickle vent with a basic, better and best product. The key is to sell these as you would a high-end specification handle.

Fabricators and Installers can now offer you coloured or colour on white vents:

A basic trickle vent is one with the vent colour matched to the profile colour you customer wants and that reduce their visual impact. Looks great on anthracite grey, cream and any number of other grey shades.

A better tricklevent can be delivered If the profiles are foiled with the embossed “tick” effect, they can give you a better product that matches the surface effect camouflaging it into the profile colours on the inside and outside of the window, even on white foiled windows.

The best and ultimate trickle vent can deliver a premium where the windows are wood grained, using various technologies we can now match these effects on the window. Creating an impressive premium finish on Golden oak, Irish Oak, Natural oak and even Anteak.

The added value is significant and should be seen as a route to make your offer different from the competition. Most investments in new windows as we know are not totally about price. If it were, everyone would buy a white window with plastic handles, and we wouldn’t have seen the rise of coloured windows. To see the latest designs visit https://glazpart.com/link-vent/  and for the widest range of colour options https://glazpart.com/colour-options/

According to Dean Bradley – Sales and Marketing Manager: “The Link vent has been a success as it addresses most concerns of the fenestration market and house holders alike. With vents half the size of traditional products and camouflaged on profiles using a range of finishes using a range of technologies the supply chain can add value”

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ClimaGuard® Neutral 1.0 developed to meet the new Part L building regs for windows

Developed specifically to meet the new UK Building Regulations Part L for windows in new and existing residential builds, Guardian Glass has introduced Guardian ClimaGuard^® Neutral 1.0, a thermal insulating coated glass for double-glazed windows that has a Ug-value of 1.0 W/m²K and offers improved aesthetics with a more neutral colour and a lower reflection compared to other 1.0 U-value glass products for residential windows. 

ClimaGuard Neutral 1.0 is a single product solution which can be used in its annealed form or can be heat treated for use in safety applications. This means glass processors do not need to stock two different glass products (a heat treatable version and an annealed version) to meet the demand from window makers. 

Changes to the UK Building Regulations were published in December 2021 and will come into force on 15^th June 2022. One of the five new Approved Documents, Part L (‘Conservation of Fuel and Power’), introduces new minimum efficiency standards for both new and replacement thermal elements, windows and doors. New build schemes will be assessed under the new SAP 10 (Standard Assessment Procedure) method. From June this year it will be mandatory for all new windows including roof windows and glazed doors, to achieve an improved maximum U-value of 1.6 W/m²K compared to 2.0 W/m²K previously. Taking into account the complete window system (frame, sealant, spacer bar, etc.), this means the notional U-value target for windows in new dwellings is now 1.2 W/m²K. This means that window makers and glass processors will now require a glass product with a Ug-value of 1.0 W/m²K to meet these new regulations.

Gary Frakes, Regional Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Guardian Glass comments: “In order to achieve a Ug-value of 1.0, Guardian Glass has taken a very different approach, believing that the glass should help bring as much natural daylight as possible into people’s homes, with clearer, less reflective view. Thanks to Guardian knowledge in coated glass innovation ClimaGuard Neutral 1.0 is more colour-neutral with a lower reflection”.

ClimaGuard Neutral 1.0 achieves 74% light transmission for a double IGU 4-16-4 panel (coating on surface #3, 90% argon fill), 14% light reflection and a solar factor of 52%. The product is available on Guardian ExtraClear^® float glass as standard, on Guardian ExtraClear laminated glass and on Guardian UltraClear^® low-iron float glass, offering better colour neutrality and a higher transparency for even more natural views of the outside.

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Central Window Systems celebrates 40-year anniversary milestone

Full solution PVC-U and Aluminium fabricator Central Window Systems is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, marking an important milestone for the company.  Starting off as Reliant Products Limited (RPL) in 1982, a small but growing PVC-U fabricator, the business has certainly come a long way. 

In 2011, RPL acquired local fabricator Central CRC, in order to enhance capacity. As a result, RPL was soon re-named to Central RPL, a banner which has grown dramatically since it was further acquired in 2015 by the Boing Boing Group, led by CEO Gary Morton. 

Just two years later, in 2017, thanks to a growing popularity of aluminium products, Central ASL was born, focusing exclusively on aluminium windows, bi-folds and patio doors, serving to both commercial and domestic installers. 

In February last year, the two divisions merged to form Central Window Systems Ltd, becoming one of the Midlands’ largest PVCu and aluminium full solution fabricators. 

“Central Window Systems has a long and rich history, and to reach 40 years is an incredible milestone for the company and everyone involved throughout that time,” Gary comments. 

“It’s thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team, the wide range of our high-quality products, and our commitment to delivering exceptional customer service that we’ve been standing tall for four decades.”

Today, Central offers a wide range of PVC-U windows and doors, as well as an extensive range of aluminium doors, windows, and roof light systems.

During the past two years, the company has expanded its manufacturing facility to 52,000 square feet, invested in new products and machinery, increased production, and appointed new members of staff in order to drive business growth. 

Gary concludes: “It’s certainly been a challenging two years, but in its 40-year history, Central has always worked hard behind the scenes to meet customer demand, supplying the best products and services possible. 

“I’d like to thank all our valued customers and suppliers for their continued support, and I look forward to seeing what the future has to hold for Central.”

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John Fredericks marks 30-year Veka milestone with future commitment

Leading PVC-U manufacturer John Fredericks Plastics Ltd celebrates a three-decade partnership with Halo (a brand of Veka) in April this year.

And the award-winning industry heavyweight is looking forward to seeing this relationship flourish even further after signing a five-year long-term service agreement with their trusted supplier. 

Mark Dicconson, JFPL Managing Director, said their incredible 30-year shared history was down to product quality, delivery, service and trust. 

“It’s a combination of all those factors really. Halo is an excellent brand – high quality products designed to last. That works for us, and our customers.  

“And the customers obviously have grown to rely on the same product now for 30 years, so they have that familiarity, and trust. They have seen how it has consistently performed for 3 decades.

Established in 1970 John Fredericks Plastics has been trading for 52 years, forging a reputation built on exceeding high standards. 

When Mark returned to the business as Managing Director in 2019, he took the decision to use the Halo system exclusively.

“This has proven to be the right decision,” said Mark. “I brought Halo to John Fredericks 30 years ago. It’s an exceptional product; one we have been pioneers of and has been involved in many of our innovations over the past 30 years. During my absence from JFPL a second system had been introduced which was inferior in my view.

“I feel you should concentrate on one thing and do it really well. Hence the reason I went down the exclusivity route with Halo again. I initially signed a three-year deal on that basis and then felt comfortable enough to extend that for a further five years. 

“This was done in conjunction with taking full control of all JFPL shareholding. Five years is a long time in business, but I have full confidence in Halo as a brand.”

In what has been a tough two years for businesses across the industry, Mark said Halo (and VEKA’s reliability as an excellent supplier), has stood out from many of their competitors and assisted JFPL in maintaining high levels of customer service in these challenging times.

“It has been the best of our suppliers without question; it has been extremely reliable. It has been very supportive of us over the years, and this has continued throughout the pandemic.  

“The last 2 years have been tough, but we’ve managed those challenges, and as a result we’ve experienced excellent growth.”

VEKA plc Managing Director Neil Evans said: “It has been an honour to work alongside JFPL for 30 years. Mark and his team continue to raise the bar for quality and service, having demonstrated tremendous resilience during a challenging two years for the industry. 

“Signing this long-term service agreement demonstrates immense trust in us, and we will continue to repay that trust by delivering an exceptional product backed by steadfast support.

“I am extremely confident this partnership is one that will continue to flourish for many years to come.”

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BWF launches ‘Our Industry’s next Generation’ apprenticeship campaign

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has today launched a campaign to champion the role of apprentices in woodworking and joinery manufacturing and highlight the diversity of career opportunities in the industry. The campaign Our industry’s next generation: Apprentices tell their stories sees apprentices and former apprentices of BWF members share their journeys to bring to life the passion, achievements and benefits that an apprenticeship can offer. 

The construction industry is facing a skills shortage, with CITB estimating more than 43,000 new entrants are needed every year for the next five years to maintain output. This campaign aims to encourage the next generation into the woodworking and joinery manufacturing profession by shining a light on the apprentices and former apprentices and the breadth of opportunities offered by the sector. 

The campaign, which includes video interviews and case studies, will run across multiple channels to raise awareness of the diversity of roles, skills and career pathways within the industry. 

Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation, said, “Hearing direct from apprentices and apprentice graduates in our profession about why they chose a career in woodworking and joinery is inspirational for the next generations. The wide range of roles, jobs and opportunities within the industry is clear, and as our apprentices have highlighted, every day is exciting, different and a chance to learn new skills.

“As the focus on sustainability is pushed to the top of the agenda, it’s clear that woodworking and joinery skills will be sought after as demand for sustainable building materials, such as timber, increases. It’s therefore vital that as an industry we come together to champion the important role that apprentices play in securing the growth and future of our profession. This campaign will maintain the momentum and focus on apprentices throughout the year, raising awareness of the diverse and fulfilling career options that lie ahead for those joining our industry.”

The campaign forms part of the BWF’s 2022 plans and core focus on skills, talent recruitment and retention. ‘Our industry’s next generation: Apprentices tell their stories’ includes content from BWF members: A R Manley, ERW Joinery, George Barnsdale, Input Joinery, Masonite and William Holmes.

For more information, please visit: https://www.bwf.org.uk/education/timber-futures/

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Steve Hudson Managing Director at Alutech Systems

Facts and Figures

First Job: I started out as a trainee scaffolder, then I got the chance to go to college to learn all the practical aspects of civil engineering, which was more my thing. Scaffolding was too much like hard work!
When did you set up current company: I bought JDUK (LTD) in 2013, which supplies Alutech sectional garage doors and roller door components to installers and manufacturers. Then in 2016, the owner of Alutech in Belarus challenged me to introduce their aluminium systems for doors and windows into the UK, and Alutech Systems was born.
Most useful/favourite gadget: My brand-new gadget is a reMarkable electronic notebook and it’s revolutionising my organisation skills. It’s now impossible for me to lose any meeting notes, which I used to do a lot! It really is good.
Favourite/most useful website: Hate to say it but Amazon, it’s just sooo easy! Mind you, for everything else we redeem ourselves and always buy locally, especially fresh produce from the local farm shop. It costs twice as much as the supermarket but worth every penny.
Business person you admire: Anybody that is successful but is equally understated, there are too many that shout about their achievements, most people are really not that interested.
What lesson have you learnt about business over the last 12 months: To be more relaxed and have confidence in the structure of the business. After that, the people around you tend to take the lead from how you are. We’ve got to better conclusions by being this way.
What has helped you during lockdown: Having a loving family around me to offer help and advice. My motto is that it really will be ok in the end.
Best business decision: Taking the leap in 2013 and buying JDUK (LTD), which has led me and my colleagues down so many different paths that would not have been open to us otherwise.
Other interests: I love the outdoors! We’ve an old campervan that takes us to some lovely places around the UK with our two Bordoodle dogs running amok around somewhere or another!

Working Day

Whether I’m working from home or commuting to the offices in West Yorkshire, I always begin my day by taking a moment to enjoy a coffee, while I plan what I need to do that day. Then I’d normally spend most of the day on the phone, liaising with my incredibly talented team. I’m always at the end of the phone for guidance and have regular update meetings with them, but I’ve built a team of people who excel in their specific field, so they’re better than me at what they do. My role is to empower them to do what they do best. Mine is the best job in the world because it doesn’t feel like work at all, more a case of surrounding myself with likeminded people, helping them to thrive and enjoying our shared success, which is an absolute joy to see.

Working Location

I don’t actually have an office as such at our West Yorkshire premises. We operate across 3 buildings so I tend to pop in and out of each and meet with colleagues in their workspace or a meeting room. If it’s a client, we usually meet in the showroom. At home on the other hand, I have a converted stable in the garden that I use as an office, mainly to escape the hustle and bustle that comes with living with 2 teenagers!

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THE INTERVIEW

Looking back to March 2020, and I was ready to set off on my 2CV challenge, driving a vintage Citroen 2CV round France while completing a series of dares to raise money for Dementia UK. With £20k already raised and another £20k promised, we were hopeful to reach £50k by the end of the challenge. A mate of mine kept saying, ‘What about Covid? How will that affect your challenge?’ I kept saying, ‘Oh it’ll be ok, it’s only a bit of a cold, we’ll be fine’… How wrong I was?! We finally decided to postpone, just days before we went into first lockdown. It was a sad decision but with no other option. Then, like many other business owners, I spent days staring into the abyss during the initial lockdown, wondering and planning how long we could survive with the business shut down for an unspecified amount of time! Thankfully, only a few short weeks passed before we started slowly coming back to work, supporting those companies that were providing products to key workers.

During that we all had to be resourceful, which drove us to innovate and improve the way we did things, to the continued benefit of our customers. We thought it might be useful to create some virtual training that could be accessed remotely, to supplement the in-house training we’d usually offer, for those fabricators that were planned to come to us for training to get a head start and for those considering a new supplier of aluminium systems to truly appreciate the ease of fabrication. We had a great response to the series of 8 fabrication videos on our YouTube channel, which continues to gain new subscribers daily. The penultimate video in the series, and by far the most popular video on our channel, sees our Technical Manager complete the fabrication of a 3-pane aluminium bifold door sample by installing the sashes into the frame and has enjoyed over 4,000 views!

Fast forward on to the summer of that year and our volumes were up by 50% across all businesses. To accommodate this rapid growth, we implemented night shifts with staff in 7 days a week and hired extra vehicles, until we were able to recruit additional staff and buy more vehicles. In typical British fashion, and in line with our company values of always going the extra mile, everyone stepped up to the challenge and did a sterling job in supporting our clients’ needs during such an unprecedented time.

If only I’d had a crystal ball, I’d have acquired another warehouse back then, which we had since done, and filled it with enough product to fill several stadiums! Due to such unusually high demand, we suffered with stock outs and delays like many others. Fortunately though, we were unaffected by the untimely impact of Brexit during what was already a difficult period, due to the fact we import from outside the EU. And one of our biggest USPs, in addition to customer support, has always been our ability to hold huge amounts of stock in the UK. This, and our own fleet of delivery vehicles, is what allows us to offer industry-leading delivery on stocked product. So, we were able to pick up new clients who were struggling to get product and have since retained these on account of the customer support we offer.

As a result, in March this year, we were able to add an additional 17,000 ft2 of warehousing to our premises, taking our facilities to 62,000 ft2 for both aluminium systems and garage door supplies. The new 17,000 ft2 facility has aided all parts of the business to further our expansion, specifically housing sectional garage doors and garage door automation. Thus, allowing aluminium profile systems and roller garage door components to further grow into the existing space, particularly as new products are launched over the coming year, such as our new curved sash and the hotly anticipated new window system.

We launched our new rounded sash in July this year. The curved edge of the external facing sash gives the illusion of even slimmer sightlines, which are already slimmer than 68% of the market. It’s proving a big hit with trend-setting homeowners that want something different for their property to stand out from the rest of the street and it perfectly complements most existing windows, which tend to be curved too. We’re always looking for ways to help our customers stand out from their competition and make more money and the curved sash offers fabricators the chance of more margin per door leaf as a premium upgrade but at the same trade price as our ever-popular BF73 system. The beauty of this systems lies in its versatility. Whether the project is a single door, French door or bi-folding door, they can all be fabricated from the same BF73 system, taking away the headache of having to stock multiple systems by using one for all.

However, the thing our customers want most from us now is a residential aluminium system to complement our door range. We’ve listened to feedback and worked closely with Alutech in Belarus to develop a product that will be launched imminently. The launch had previously been planned for FIT Show 2021, but in light of it being post-postponed, we’ve decided to revamp our showroom instead. All being well, the grand re-opening will be the launch platform for the new window system and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to come and see what we can do.

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The all-year-round glass room from CRL

The pandemic sparked a new trend for homeowners, with an increasing amount of Brits investing in their outdoor spaces. More time being spent at home than ever before, coupled with the encouragement to meet with others outside where possible, saw UK consumers investing £26 billion on their gardens, including installing outdoor rooms, according to home insurance company Go Compare.

Our outdoor spaces play an essential part in our overall health and wellbeing, but the great British weather cannot always be relied upon, with outdoor rooms offering the perfect solution. Suitable for use all year round, such structures enable the garden to be enjoyed whatever the weather, with uninterrupted views of our green and floral spaces, an abundance of fresh air and importantly in the UK, shelter from the elements.

With new decking or patio areas being high on the list of home improvement priorities since 2020, respondents to the Go Compare research were just as likely to top this work off with some kind of canopy.
Enjoying outdoor areas All-year-round CRL Glass Rooms provide homeowners with a comfortable environment to enjoy their outdoor areas, while protecting them from the changing seasons, whether it be sun, wind or rain, with a maximum projection length of 600cm to provide ample shelter. This transforms the garden into a permanently usable space and an extension of our living spaces when spending time with family and entertaining friends at home.

One of the highlights and main advantages of CRL Glass Rooms is their intelligent modular design. The main structure is aluminium, meaning very few supports are required to span large areas. The intelligent design of the connectors enables a high degree of flexibility and the attractive design gives a sleek, lightweight look while making it extremely stable and giving the structure longevity.

The inconspicuous drainage is cleverly integrated into the post, with rainwater channelled through the gutter into the drain pipe. The front profile of the post can be easily removed using a clip system to allow easy access to the drain, with the drainage itself concealed in the profile underneath the side gutter and wall connector cover for a minimal, fuss-free look.

All rafters come with integrated channels for fitting lighting and discretely attaching motorised awnings. The glazed roof draws huge amounts of natural light on to the terrace below, with optional integrated electric roof blinds available to provide comfort when the sun gets too low.

Optional sliding glass doors can be installed too, with flush mounted floor tracks providing a seamless transition to the outside. These smooth-running and easy to operate transparent doors ensure protection from bad weather, affording a clear view of the garden.

CRL Glass Rooms have a modern progressive design, with all of the individual components such as rafters and wall connectors designed to complement each other perfectly, creating a sophisticated and modern appearance. With the structure available in a range of standard RAL colours, its timeless design integrates seamlessly with almost all types of architecture, and with the range of optional extras it is possible to create a space that is seamlessly in keeping with the property and its surroundings. The flexible design of the Glass Rooms means many variations are possible, and with the optional extras of sliding doors and vertical blinds, homeowners can create a unique space to enjoy their garden throughout the changing seasons.

Tel: 01706 863600
E: crl@crlaurence.co.uk

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Business confidence amongst UK tradespeople bounces back

New industry insights from Screwfix, the omnichannel retailer, has revealed that business confidence amongst UK tradespeople has more than quadrupled in the last 12 months. Screwfix’s Business Confidence Index is part of its monthly Trade Pulse survey, which includes a range of measures. All these measures rose in December 2021 when compared to December 2020 figures.

The overall confidence score saw a dramatic increase from +8 in December 2020 to +35 in December 2021. This has held steady since June 2021. In addition, the December 2021 insights show that 38% of tradespeople reported increased business activity in the last 12 months compared with -8% in December 2020 and 21% in June 2021. There was also increased optimism around future business activity, with 41% expecting business to ramp up over the next 12 months.This was a slight decrease from June 2021 (52%), with the rise in the Omicron variant of Covid-19 a possible factor. The proportion of trades without work remained low at 4%, with 82% of the trade now working with further work lined up.

John Mewett, CEO of Screwfix, commented: “The latest Trade Pulse figures show a stark contrast to the year before, and it’s really encouraging to see UK tradespeople are feeling confident about the future of their business. Despite the challenges of the last couple of years, our index shows most UK tradespeople are not only busy, but also lining up future projects. To support our customers in getting their jobs done, and keep pace with demand, we are committed to providing our customers with what they need, when they need it, and through their preferred shopping channel. For this reason, we continue to focus on convenience, whether that’s through our Click & Collect service in as little as one minute, Screwfix Sprint, which enables delivery to home or site within 60 minutes or, simply opening more stores to bring Screwfix even closer to tradespeople, with over 770 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland.”

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Raft of enhancements to Hurst Door’s trade customer portal

Hull-based manufacturer Hurst Doors has recently invested in a suite of developments to enhance its online platform for trade customers, Hurst Live. Hurst Live already enjoyed high levels of engagement from installers, acting as an easy to use, ‘one stop shop’ to assist them in all aspects of managing their orders from end to end.

Hurst Doors has recently celebrated its 25th birthday and hopes to build on its commercial success with a range of customer-focused initiatives to be launched throughout 2022. The enhancements made to Hurst Live include: improvements to the styling, functionality and user interface; a new search facility for easier navigation; the introduction of a new ‘order status’ checker; digital paper trails attached to each order, so that copies of all necessary paperwork are attached to each order; a ‘report issues’ e-form, with the commitment that the Hurst team will respond to all issues within 48 hours; an updated user manual and the offer of bespoke 1:1 training for new users.

 Mark Atkinson, Sales Director at Hurst Doors, said: “The needs of our trade customers are our constant and central focus at Hurst Doors. As part of our ongoing commitment to deliver a quality customer experience, we have listened to feedback and made improvements to Hurst Live to make it easier for our trade customers to manage their orders online, as well as provide more visibility on the status of their orders. The very significant challenges of the last 18 months, due to supply chain issues, labour and transport shortages, highlighted the need to be more transparent with the status of orders and provide customers with as much information as possible. We are confident that these developments to Hurst Live go a long way towards achieving that transparency.”

Hurst Live had already received regular, positive feedback from trade customers, who cited it as an essential tool that assists with managing all aspects of their account, as well as providing a wealth of comprehensive information and useful resources. Dave Fellowes of DNK Services said: “Hurst Live is a fantastic support platform that has clearly been designed with the needs of their customers in mind.  These latest additions add significant value to the user journey and provide the level of transparency I need, in real time, at the click of a button.”

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Victorian Sliders report £10m rise in turnover in the last 12 months

Sash window manufacturer Victorian Sliders is celebrating its most successful year on record. It has seen turnover soar by an incredible £10m over the last 12 months. After experiencing unprecedented demand for its ECOSlide sash windows, the manufacturer has implemented extra shifts, expanded office locations, hired dozens of new employees, and significantly expanded its transportation fleet to keep pace with demand.

Having reached this momentous milestone, Victorian Sliders is now in an excellent position to continue to thrive and grow into 2022 and beyond. Chief Finance Officer Ian Cunningham comments: “The incredible success we’ve experienced in 2021 is a direct result of Victorian Sliders’ long legacy of investment.

“Under the leadership of CEO Scot Starkey, we’ve continually invested in expanding our productive capacity, improving our products, and bringing everything from profile extrusion to recycling under one roof. Today, we stand out as the UK’s only vertically integrated PVC-U sash window manufacturer.”

CEO Scot Starkey comments: “We’re absolutely delighted with the growth we’ve seen over the past 12 months.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff for all their hard work over the last year, and the thousands of customers we serve right around the UK, without whom none of this would’ve been possible. Thank you to all our customers for their continued support and I wish them a successful new year.”

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PVC-U machinery manufacturer Stuga announces acquisition by Stürtz Group

Stuga Machinery, a market leading manufacturer of PVC-U sawing and machining centres to the UK and Ireland window and door industry, has been acquired by Stürtz Group. All of Stuga’s directors and staff are continuing with the business under its new ownership, working from its base in Great Yarmouth, as Stuga looks to benefit from the operational and technological synergies Stürtz can bring to them to add value to its customers.

Stuga’s products will continue to be manufactured in Great Yarmouth, with Stürtz looking to invest locally into the business to increase production and headcount in the UK facility. Stürtz are looking to develop Stuga into a turn-key system supplier by adding Stürtz full machinery program including welding, cleaning, logistics and sorting systems in the UK and Ireland.

Stuga employs around 40 personnel, based from its production facility in the east of England and with service engineers located throughout the UK. The roots of the business go back to the 1970’s and Stuga are widely recognised as a leading specialist in its marketplace, developing products to improve its customers production processes accompanied by comprehensive after-sales services. Stürtz Group, headquartered in Neustadt (Wied), Germany, is a designer, producer, and marketer of machines and automated solutions for the window production industry across the globe. The company generated approximately EUR 50m in sales in 2021 and employs more than 290 personnel across five locations globally. Stürtz’ product portfolio covers solutions for the entire window production process, from cutting & machining to welding & corner cleaning, assembly, sorting & logistics, and glazing & order picking.

The acquisition represents the first acquisition for Stürtz since its majority investment by Capiton AG in 2021 as the Group looks to continue its international expansion. Stuga was the ideal investment in the UK with its strong brand, technical products, service offering and with management and staff who understand the UK market.

Stuga and Stürtz are well positioned to benefit from strong industry trends including increasing demand for automated solutions, energy efficiency, as well as predictive maintenance. The companies have had a strong and trustful relationship for more than 25 years and have successfully implemented projects together in the past.

Steve Haines, Sales Director and Gareth Green, Technical Director of Stuga commented: “We are excited to start on this next phase of the Stuga story with such a credible and technologically advanced partner in Stürtz, who we are looking forward to working with to grow the business, add value to our customers and provide opportunities for our staff.”

Jörg Breuer, CEO of Stürtz added: “Stürtz is delighted to welcome Stuga to the Group. The company has continuously delivered high quality machines and an exceptional service to its customers and we are looking forward to working with Stuga’s management to expand its technological capabilities and provide a full suite of machining products to customers in the UK and Ireland.”

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