Vigilance required

Arguably, volumes of PVCU windows were declining before the economic crisis and the subsequent recession. Therefore, the new report published by D+G Consulting probably doesn’t contain any surprises.

What it does help to confirm, on the other hand, is that window companies are having to work hard to seek new opportunities for business (sometimes without break). The new Door Energy Rating (with the unfortunate acronym, DER) from the BFRC will be suitably exploited by those who seize upon such opportunities (Veka and Door-Stop for example).

Of course, the biggest business opportunity on the horizon is the Government’s Green Deal, with many salivating at the prospect of a flood of business from eager homeowners wishing to improve the energy efficiency of their properties at no discernible extra cost. Certass has already confirmed that it has applied to join the UKAS pilot scheme covering the accreditation for the certification of Green Deal installers and advisers.

As I discussed in last week’s Glazine, its success is far from guaranteed, and this week we publish concerns raised by the website Demand a Better Bill which believes the Energy Bill (the driving force behind the Green Deal which finished its passage through the House of Commons last week) is not fit for purpose. “There are now serious doubts about what the Green Deal will actually deliver unless further incentives are put in place .. [and] the Government must introduce a suite of financial incentives such as stamp duty and council tax rebates, as well as reduced VAT ... Without ensuring the Green Deal is attractive, and made affordable, it will not deliver lower homes fuel bills and carbon emissions,” it said.

However, eager companies are not letting the finer details get in the way of what could be a fantastic opportunity, and in a joint statement Fensa and the GGF warned of bogus schemes that are cropping up before the Government has released all the facts. “The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and Fensa are seriously concerned at the number of companies and organisations using the Green Deal term and concept in an attempt to lever glass and glazing businesses and homeowners into buying products and services – much of which is based on little more than speculation and supposition,” they said.

Echoing what I said last week, I do believe that the Green Deal is at risk of become a flop – because it either hasn’t been properly executed by the government, or is has been undermined by a devious few – and it is important the organisations like the GGF and Fensa, and those behind the Demand a Better Bill campaign, continue to remain vigilant so that a decent opportunity is not lost.

The charity donations page, set up in memory of Promac’s Derek Bonnard who died recently, has raised almost £7,000 for Hope House Children's Hospices (via GM Fundraising). If you have yet to donate (and would like to do so) the page will be closing at the end of the month.

And finally, the news we’ve all been waiting for: TV’s popular sardonic comic Sean Lock will be hosting this year’s G11 Awards, held at London’s Hilton Park Lane Hotel in November. Put it in your diary now!

Nathan Bushell
Editor

WE HAVE EMAIL Dear Nathan I have just finished reading a review of the proposed ‘Green Deal’ and the way it is to be administered. [Read the Rest Here] THIS WEEK'S NEWS   Sean Lock to Host The G11 Awards Comedian Sean Lock will host the G11 Awards Presentation & Gala Dinner at the Hilton Park Lane hotel in London in November. [Read the Rest Here] Green Deal warning Following a recent explosion of misinformation appearing in print and online about the Government’s Green Deal initiative, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and its sister company Fensa have issued a joint statement warning members, companies and consumers not to be persuaded into committing to any bogus schemes, websites, conferences or agreements until all the facts are revealed by the Government in 2012. [Read the Rest Here] Still inadequate? The Energy Bill finished its passage through the House of Commons last week, sparking concerns that it is not fit for purpose. [Read the Rest Here] Return to growth New Glenigan data shows that the construction industry has seen a 6% year on year increase in the underlying value of projects starting on site. [Read the Rest Here] Seven years of decline The volume of PVC-U windows continues to fall, according to the Annual PVC-U Window, Door and Conservatory Industry Report from D&G Consulting. [Read the Rest Here] Green Deal application Certass has applied to join the UKAS pilot scheme covering accreditation for the certification of installers and advisors of the Green Deal framework. [Read the Rest Here] Recycling stability PVC Recycling has reported stability returning to the marketplace with activity back up to pre-recession levels. [Read the Rest Here] Unable to switch off While work commitments forced more than half of UK business owners to remain in the country to endure the coldest summer on record since 1993, many of those in the construction sector who did manage to get away this year found themselves unable to switch off from work while they were on holiday. [Read the Rest Here] Affordable homes Edinburgh’s housing leader has welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government that will lead to 645 new affordable homes being built in the capital. [Read the Rest Here] The first energy rated door Door-Stop has launched the first UK energy rated doors, just two weeks after the BFRC introduced the DER scheme. [Read the Rest Here] Door to more ratings Veka has become the first systems company to register on the newly introduced Door Energy Ratings scheme. [Read the Rest Here] Increased leads? Leads2Trade has joined forces with fellow lead generator and price comparison website Local Quoter in a bid to increase the volume of leads available to Leads2Trade network members. [Read the Rest Here] New trade counters Screwfix is to launch 40 new trade counters over the coming months, bringing the total national network of stores to 215 by the end of January 2012, just six years after the concept was launched. [Read the Rest Here] Job creation Perth-based Sidey has created 50 new vacancies within its manufacturing and installation operations. [Read the Rest Here] Green workshops In preparation for the introduction of the Government’s Green Deal in 2012, businesses in the renewable energy and building sectors are being invited to a range of free workshops and events run by Nottingham Trent University’s sustainable design project, Future Factory. [Read the Rest Here]

Should you wish to advertise on THE GL@ZINE, please contact Tony Higgin at tony@the-glazine.com or telephone 01727-752202, mobile 07977-981753.

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Email us: theglazine@sky.com
Editorial should be sent to theglazine@sky.com

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UK fabricator of aluminium curtain walling and window facade systems, M Price of Enfield, North London, has announced the appointment of James Keller to its main board of directors.
[Read the Rest Here]

Edgetech - Double R Glass & Roofing Systems, supplier of glass sealed units and conservatory roof kits, has promoted Neil Spicer to the role of general manager.
[Read the Rest Here]

Rehau - Shepley Windows has unveiled its new sales team, who collectively have more than 60 years experience in the industry.
[Read the Rest Here]

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Mexican glass processor Templados del Centro commissioned the Speed’cut from Bystronic glass this summer.
[Read the Rest Here]

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Pilkington Spacia has been recognised by World Architecture News (WAN) and awarded the Product of the Year 2011.
[Read the Rest Here]

Secure A Home Windows recently gained a Kitemark licence from BSI for installing windows and doors, and carrying out the surveys associated with this work, BS 8214-4:2007
[Read the Rest Here]

Liniar has recently gained PAS 23 and 24 accreditation for its french doors.
[Read the Rest Here]

Insight Data has been shortlisted for the government-backed Enterprise Agency ‘Sian Lloyd Jones Business of the Year Awards’ for a second time.
[Read the Rest Here]

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.
[Read the Rest Here]

Synseal’s A-rated Vertical Slide windows are now Energy Saving Trust Recommended.
[Read the Rest Here]

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New Network Veka member Barrington Lewis doubled its turnover in its first month just from free leads.
[Read the Rest Here]

RegaLead has announced that its first open house – held to mark the opening of new warehousing and training facility in Sharston, Manchester – was a success.
[Read the Rest Here]

Continuing the soap-style theme of the Planitherm TV campaign being broadcast to millions of homeowners up and down the country, the latest Saint-Gobain Glass ads centre on Pam and her husband Vern discussing the benefits of Planitherm glass for their new windows.
[Read the Rest Here]

Hemel Hempstead installer Outlook Windows said that in over 60% of the work it has won, membership of the Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme clinched the deal.
[Read the Rest Here]

Mumford & Wood is now exhibiting in the Products Gallery at The Building Centre, Store Street, London.
[Read the Rest Here]

Saint-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.
[Read the Rest Here]

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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.
[Read the Rest Here]

Conservatory gable and raked frame manufacturer GableCraft, has just launched its new digital retail brochure.
[Read the Rest Here]

A guide designed to help building professionals correctly specify CE marked timber doorsets has been published by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).
[Read the Rest Here]

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.
[Read the Rest Here]

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Assa Abloy has reported success for its purpose-built training academy, since opening its doors over six months ago.
[Read the Rest Here]

Network Veka has updated its Surveying and Installation Manual, a key part of the training programme offered to new members.
[Read the Rest Here]

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.
[Read the Rest Here]

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Exhibition Calendar
Go Here:

for upcoming exhibitions in the UK and the rest of the world

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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.
[Read the Rest Here]

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.
[Read the Rest Here]

Timber Expo is a new event designed to bring the timber industry together for the first time under one roof.
[Read the Rest Here]

The Bystronic glass group is exhibiting at Vitrum 2011 in Milan.
[Read the Rest Here]

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.
[Read the Rest Here]