Weekly Email News for the Glass,
Glazing & Fenestration Industries
13th September 2011
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Schueco UK has launched the Schueco ERC 50 Renovation Facade, which allows an office building to be given a complete external facelift, including the installation of ProSol TF thin-film PV modules if required, without the need for the occupants to move out.
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Business Micros has launched a series of new mobile apps designed to make its EvoNET management software platform even more user friendly and accessible.
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The Window Store - The bi-folding door from the Exquisite range features lightweight aluminium, which glides on specially designed stainless steel wheels and top rollers with hardened carbon steel bearings. This allows for ease of operation and increases the systems strength and durability.
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RegaLead, together with Clayton Glass Ltd, has developed a turnkey decorative IGU solution for the composite door market.
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Sunparadise is now offering its Thermo60 folding door system at a permanently reduced rate.
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Mila has adapted its Evolution high security door hinge specifically for Profile 22 fabricators.
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Dublin-based Global Home Improvements is installing triple glazing with Swisspacer V as standard.
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CWG Choices has launched its traditional Legacy window, which incorporates Kömmerling’s O70 Gold sculptured outer frame, and C70 Gold slim sash.
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System 20 – the latest automatic sliding door from Record (UK) – offers interactive electronics and simple, user-friendly operation.
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Lister Trade Frames has launched a new single rebated range called Elitis Finesse.
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Sliders UK has launched a new range of PVCU composite doors and fire doors.
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Newark-based Rehau fabricator, Sherwood Windows, has just celebrated 20 years in business.
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FrameXpress has enrolled ten staff onto various NVQ training initiatives.
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Total Glass supplied new thermally-efficient PVC-U coloured windows for social housing maisonettes as part of an extensive refurbishment project.
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When A&A Double Glazing in Leicester were tasked with creating a more featured front door combination for a home owner, they looked to Solidor for a little inspiration from its Italia Collection.
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A new facade of curtain walling by Kawneer has helped a refurbished office block realise a 29% improvement in carbon reduction over an equivalent building.
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Cardea - A pilot housing regeneration scheme in south Durham is using new window protection technology to bring void properties back to life.
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Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton, south London, the first completed project in England by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid, is a visually stunning building which includes large areas of insulated curtain-walling, rain-screen cladding and window systems from Schueco UK.
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Roseview Windows is currently undertaking the third phase of the Parkwood School project.
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Following several years of strong growth, it is estimated that the UK market for commercial glazing systems increased to around £2.9 billion at installed prices in 2008, but then declined substantially to an estimated £2.2bn by 2010, according to the latest report from AMA Research.
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Warwickshire-based Alumet has donated more than £4,500 to Coventry and Warwickshire charity The Myton Hospices.
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Insight Data has launched a ‘Beta version’ iPhone web app of Salestracker, the online prospect database.
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The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has launched its new website – aimed at providing better business support to the BWF member community and offering a more user-friendly source of information for the industry.
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PFPF - A new fire safety register provides a quick and easy way to find certification schemes for fire safety products and for installers fitting them.
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Kömmerling has launched an energy savings calculator to its website, which enables consumers to estimate the cost and carbon dioxide savings of installing certain types of window including 58mm, 70mm and 88mm frames.
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Entrepreneurs who risk expensive legal battles after being tempted to trust in handshakes rather than pay lawyers to draw up business contracts are set to benefit from a new 24/7 online service launched by the Forum of Private Business and Legal365.com.
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Landfill Alternatives - CR Laurence has recently undergone a comprehensive environmental review of the resources they use.
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September 2011 sees the launch of the BFRC Door Energy Ratings Scheme (DER).
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Dekura has announced six figure investment in its recycling plant as part of the first phase of major growth plans.
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Will a VAT cut work?
Do you ever think that the government will listen to those who are calling for a reduction in VAT to 5% for RMI work? Everyone, apart from the Treasury, agrees that a reduction in VAT will help boost the home improvement industry.
Now, 26 organisations – including the GGF, FMB, the British Property Federation, and the NSCC – have put their weight behind a campaign to lower the VAT on energy saving options covered by the Green Deal.
The statement said:
“At present, the reduced rate of 5% VAT applies to the professional installation of certain energy saving materials and micro generation systems. However, this excludes some obvious energy saving options, including energy efficient boilers and low emissivity glass, likely to be included as measures funded under the Green Deal. This variable rate of VAT applicable to Green Deal measures will create a perverse incentive, as will the 5% rate of VAT on energy use while steps to cut energy bills often attract the 20% rate.”
There have been questions raised about how the Green Deal will be marketed, and we are still waiting for the finer details on how it will be financed. As the statement goes on to say, “without an additional package of incentives few owners and occupiers are likely to take action to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, even if the upfront costs are met by Green Deal finance”.
I doubt that the success of the Green Deal hinges on the rate of VAT – for me, the potential complexity of the scheme is offputting enough. The statement reinforces the view that the Green Deal’s success depends on whether or not people sign up to the scheme, and history has taught us that a financial incentive works pretty well – Feed In Tariffs, for example.
Will a 75% decrease in VAT do the trick? If that’s all it will take, then the government should jump at the chance. However, I reckon it will take a lot more than that to make the scheme attractive enough to encourage widespread take-up.
Nathan Bushell
Editor
WE HAVE EMAIL Dear Nathan Dear Nathan  THIS WEEK'S NEWS Foundation of recoveryThe Sunday Telegraph has named a number of companies from the glass and glazing industry as Britain’s Brightest Businesses, ‘set to be the foundation of the UK’s recovery’. VAT reduction supportA joint statement has been released calling on the government to use VAT to incentivise consumer take up of the Green Deal.  Construction industry treading waterNearly nine out of 10 construction firms (88%) admit they are faring no better than they were 12 months ago. Increase in recycling promotedThe management of waste generated by the construction industry has become a cause of major concern, according to Frost & Sullivan. It said the use of recycled materials and chemicals instead of virgin materials is seen as supporting sustainable construction, while yielding a range of environmental and economic benefits. 
Stability and optimismThe Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has released its Annual Report for 2010 showing a stable financial position against the current uncertainty in the UK and world economy. Equipment finance benefitThe latest Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) figures show that asset finance lending increased by 25% to £1.7 billion in May compared to the same time last year, with around 1,000 small businesses taking out equipment finance every day. 
Solus dealKestrel has won another three-year nationwide solus deal with Taylor Wimpey.  New depotsGAP has just completed a deal which adds eight new depots to the group, increasing its coverage to 24 locations across the UK.  CAB mini-conferenceThe Sculpture Gallery at Woburn in the grounds of the Safari Park is the setting for CAB’s second 2011 mini-conference and Regional Dinner on Wednesday, 28th September.  Smashing effortSaint-Gobain Glass UK’s engineers have designed a special glass rig to show the skills of Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in a special programme being aired extensively on Sky Sports.  Avon callingEurocell has opened is latest new branch on Avon Way, Doric Business Centre, in Trowbridge.
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CENSolutions now has additional representation in the South West. .
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Network Veka has appointed Carly Barton to a newly created position of leads administrator to look after the organisation’s lead generation programme.
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In a contract worth in excess of £60,000, a range of products from The Glass Machinery Company have been installed at Mid Devon Glass in order to diversify the product range and help improve efficiency and output at the company.
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Schueco fabricator, Sunsquare Ltd chose Elumatec as its supplier of machinery.
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Total Glass has invested in another multi-axis aluminium CNC machining centre to match rising production levels of aluminium windows and doors for its trade, commercial and public sector markets.
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Promac has announced its plans for Vitrum – it will be supporting its European suppliers with its exhibits.
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Kombimatec - Newport-based Modplan recently bought two machines for two of its three sites to provide a better, consistent finish to frames, and a quicker turnaround.
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The 2011 Proskills Awards Ceremony will be held at Alton Towers on 3 November, highlighting the achievements of employers and apprentices in the process and manufacturing sector.
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Sir Norman Bettison, the chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, has admitted that lock snapping should be covered by BSI standards.
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Rehau - Snooker legend Dennis Taylor was the guest of honour at the opening of a new showroom and trade counter by Thermseal Windows and Doors in Wrexham recently.
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In the 2011 Schüco Open, staged at top German venue, the Hubbelrath Golf Club near Düsseldorf, amateur golfer Duncan Grover (Handicap 10) – from Essex-based aluminium and steel fenestration specialist, Colorminium – finished in a very creditable fifth place in a tournament won by English professional and Ryder Cup winner, Ian Poulter.
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Network Veka will begin to use QR codes to engage with homeowners on its advertisements and other marketing materials.
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Synseal fabricator Pyramid Profiles recently chose Insight Data to create an email marketing campaign, which led to a number of qualified sales leads, many of which came through on the first day of the campaign.
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Freefoam has increased the support available to its registered installers.
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Network Veka fabricator, Glazerite Windows, has installed a large sign on the side of its Bolton factory.
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Solaglas has filmed a new video to promote EcoClear with Planitherm inside.
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A guide to specifying sustainable architectural aluminium glazing systems for the new-build and renovation residential market has been launched by Kawneer.
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Conservatory gable and raked frame manufacturer GableCraft, has just launched its new digital retail brochure.
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A guide designed to help building professionals correctly specify CE marked timber doorsets has been published by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).
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The Glass and Glazing Federation has re-launched The Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems Edition 3.
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Network Veka has updated its Surveying and Installation Manual, a key part of the training programme offered to new members.
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Kestrel has launched its Q Card installer training programme, designed to give installers formal training in fitting roofline products, legislation affecting the products they sell, and more specifically the benefits of installing products from the Kestrel range.
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WindowMaster is co-sponsoring a full day seminar and workshop on natural ventilation in schools organised by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
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The Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN), WWF’s initiative to eliminate illegal logging and drive improvements in forest management, will be at the Timber Expo, Ricoh Arena in Coventry on the 27th and 28th of September.
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RegaLead, the market leader in decorative products for the flat glass industry, plans a strong presence at the International Trade Fair Vitrum, to be held in Milan from the 26th to the 29th October 2011.
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Timber Expo is a new event designed to bring the timber industry together for the first time under one roof.
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The Bystronic glass group is exhibiting at Vitrum 2011 in Milan.
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Vitrum - Milan will be the venue for the 17th biennial International trade fair for machinery, equipment and systems for the processing of flat and hollow glass; glass and finished products for the industry from 26 to 29 October 2011.
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