This Week's News

EU Directive 'could scupper Green Deal'

A European Directive that wants to end the reduced 5% VAT rate on energy-saving products could scupper the Green Deal and further depress the market, warns the Builders' Merchants Federation (BMF).

The European Commission in Brussels has told the government that the 5% VAT rate for the supply and installation of energy-saving materials such as insulation is illegal and that, if the law is not changed within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.
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Improved domestic security moves centre stage as burglary crime rates rise

An important initiative from the UK lock industry to raise domestic security standards has coincided with increasing concerns about the rise in burglaries in some parts of the country.

A police chief has stated that cuts in police numbers has led to an “inevitable” increase in the number of burglaries being committed. Acting Chief Constable Chris Weigh of Lancashire Constabulary, whose force has lost 500 front-line officers, says house burglaries were up 8.4 per cent in April compared to the same time last year.
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Crystal Windows and Doors launches High Court action

The Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme (REAL) and its parent company The Renewable Energy Association (REA)  are facing a High Court legal action over damaging claims that it has unfairly targeted companies with a campaign of disruption.
 
REAL is being challenged over whether it is acting beyond its powers and unfairly interfering with legitimate companies.
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Mila backs G12 Awards with Main Event Sponsorship Deal

Mila is backing the G12 Awards with the news that it has just become a main sponsor for this year’s event at the Hilton Park Lane in November.

Richard Gyde, Managing Director of Mila, says the company wants to show its continuing support for the awards as they recognise and reward the very best aspects of the entire glass and glazing industry.
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Construction sector 'key to boosting growth through infrastructure'

The UK's economic recovery from the global downturn needs to be driven by infrastructure development and the construction sector will play a major role in this, it has been claimed. According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), infrastructure renewal is essential and needs to be enacted urgently in order to underpin long-term growth.

Commenting at the Creating Britain's Future campaign launch, Rhian Kelly, CBI Director, explained: "To get spades in the ground on infrastructure delivery, there must be an urgent focus across the UK on bringing forward repair, maintenance and improvement projects, for example on roads, to deliver immediate and tangible results in terms of local jobs and growth."
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GGF looks forward to the Green Deal Business Summit

The Glass and Glazing Federation will be on the panel of experts at the Dods Green Deal Dialogue Business Summit in, Birmingham this Friday.

This unique event offers firms of all sizes, the ideal opportunity to meet with Parliamentarians, other policy makers and potential Green Deal Providers to discuss their views on the Green Deal and make suggestions for improvement.
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Hail storms cause a four fold rise in out of hours call outs

Conservatory roofs suffered the most damage during the UK hailstorms in June, with the emergency repair team at GLASSOLUTIONS responding to a fourfold increase in out of hours calls during the busy period.

The Saint-Gobain Group company, a provider to general insurers, brokers and intermediaries of 24/7 nationwide repair services, increased call centre staff by 50 per cent to ensure a consistent service was delivered.
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Energy efficient Bournville refurbishment programme shortlisted in national award

A major programme to improve the energy efficiency of homes and at the same time restore the character of one of Birmingham’s most historic suburbs, has won national recognition.

Profile 22 and Profile 22 Approved Window Contractor, Stafford have been shortlisted in the Large Housing Retrofit Project of the Year category of the Sustainable Housing Awards for a project to install energy efficient windows and doors in Bournville.
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First Year of Planitherm Campaign "Fantastic Success"

Saint-Gobain Glass UK has completed its assessment of the first full year of its Planitherm TV promotional campaign with the conclusion that it has been a “fantastic success, way beyond expectations”. That is the view of Craig Dodsworth, Residential Market Manager for Planitherm, who has headed up the team that created the UK’s biggest ever promotional campaign for window glass.
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Long-Term Relationships Reap Rewards

Composite door supplier Hurst Plastics is reaping the benefits of its long-term relationship with fabricator and installer Everseal Limited, as they have seen demand for composite products rocket by 348 per cent in the past two years.

Worcester-based, Everseal Limited trading as St Johns Window Centre, has seen a massive growth in demand for GRP doors - making Hurst’s stunning collection one of Everseal - St Johns Window Centre’s best selling products ever.
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'CAB ‘Coming of Age’'

CAB President Mo Panam referred to the recent CAB AGM & Dinner at De Vere Belton Woods Hotel, Grantham as a ‘Coming of Age’ event. Recognising the difficult trading conditions experienced by members Mo, who entered the second year of his term of office, highlighted just how far the Trade Association had come in its eighteen years.

His presentation focused on just how much CAB was championing the use of aluminium in building. This ranged from decisive responses to key consultations relating to Document L and Green Deal which impacted upon our market to highlighting key issues surrounding specification within the supply chain, developing a new website and continuing to lead on a number of UK and International sustainability projects.
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Industry first

Another industry first for the Force 8 team, the company claims, are their new composite bi-fold doors which are also the first of many new products from their new Mediterranean range. The new Bi-fold doors combine all the beauty of timber, the simplicity of UPVCu, without any of the drawbacks associated with either. They are also available in a full range of colours, giving a wider choice of options.

The new Mediterranean Bi-fold is bristling with new innovations, from the stainless steel marine grade hardware to the integral blinds.
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