A rating capability
Northwich Glass is the latest company to buy SGG Planitherm Total+ glass and join the Saint-Gobain Glass Planitherm Network.
The Synseal window fabricator and installer switched suppliers to benefit from the extra thermal efficiency that SGG Planitherm Total+ offers, as well as taking advantage of the leads generated by the Saint-Gobain Glass consumer marketing campaign.
“We had initially aimed to achieve a Window Energy Rating of C across the board,” explained Anthony Taylor, partner at Northwich Glass. “But with SGG Planitherm Total+ on the inner pane, float glass on the outer pane, and a Swisspacer warm edge spacer, we can achieve a B as standard. An A rating is achieved by gas filling – with SGG Planitherm Total+ we don’t need to use low iron glass to achieve an A, which gives us real cost savings.”
Until recently, Northwich Glass manufactured 90% of its own units, buying in the remaining 10% for their A rated units. “Now we have the capability to produce our own A rated units, we can do so more cost effectively, and we can promote them more heavily,” Anthony said.
Anthony believes there is a lot of mileage left in the Window Energy Rating scheme. “Depending on their suppliers, it is either impossible or too expensive for some companies to manufacture A rated windows, therefore they are less likely to use that as a selling point,” he said. “However, if you have a competitively priced A rated window, then you are going sell that to your customers.”
Anthony also said that he was excited about the marketing opportunities available as a Planitherm Network installer, something that was supported by the company’s local Saint-Gobain Glass area sales manager, John Rigby. “Northwich Glass has joined at an exciting time,” he said. “Our latest advert is currently airing on TV, and interest in SGG Planitherm Total+ has hit a record high. As a result, homeowners are flocking to www.planitherm.com to search for local installers.”
Northwich Glass DGU output is around the 900 per week mark – largely destined for its domestic window frames – which makes it one of Saint-Gobain Glass’ smaller customers. However, this has no bearing on the support the Eggborough-based supplier offers them. “Big or small, we look after them all,” John laughed. “Northwich Glass benefits from our marketing material like our large customers, and in return, they help us make the Planitherm marketing campaign the most successful of its kind.”
