This Week's News
Construction activity set to rise by more than 7% in 2014
Figures released today (15 July) by construction intelligence providers Glenigan forecast a 7.4% increase in project starts during 2014, as rising private sector investment and improved consumer confidence underpin further industry growth.
The 2014 Mid Year Construction Review and Forecast, prepared by Glenigan’s economics team, indicates the upturn in construction activity is gathering momentum, with growth revised upwards from 4% at the beginning of the year.
Glenigan recorded a 10% rise in the value of projects starting on site during the first half of 2014, primarily driven by increases in private housing, industrial and commercial building projects.
Work volumes will continue to pick up across these sectors through the latter half of the year, with private housing set to rise by 14% and 28% growth predicted for industrial projects. The value of underlying office project starts is forecast to rise by 9%, building on the strong recovery seen over the last two years.
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FENSA Notifications flatten off
Notifications of replacement windows and doors in domestic properties in the second quarter of 2014 are up just 0.54%* on the same period last year, says FENSA. This represents a slowing down in the growth of installations figures. In comparison, the second quarter of 2013 saw an increase of 8.53% over 2012.
April was up 3.7% on 2013, May up 1.2% and June was down 3.3%.
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Assa Abloy Announce Dedicated Trade Focus
Assa Abloy Security Solutions has appointed a new Managing Director as it announces its decision to focus solely on trade customers.
Eryl Jones has been appointed to the role of Managing Director of Assa Abloy Security Solutions, with his predecessor David Wigglesworth heading up the new specification division of Assa Abloy UK.
In the year that the company celebrates its 20th anniversary, the announcement comes at a time of change for the Midlands-based manufacturer.
The restructure of the Security Solutions division, which includes Adams Rite, ASSA, Trimec® and UNION is designed to continue to build on the success of the well-known product brands.
Under the leadership of Eryl, whose previous position as Commercial Manager has provided him with extensive experience and knowledge of the trade sector including builders’ merchants, OEM, architectural ironmongers and locksmith channels, the team will now have increased focus on developing its relationships and offering for the trade.
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Veka UK Group gives back to the G Awards
The Veka UK Group is proud to once again be a main sponsor for this year's G Awards.
The industry-leading PVC-U systems supplier believes that they are a valuable resource within the industry, encouraging companies to strive for excellence.
The G14 Awards are described as being the 'the only event in the glass and glazing industry to publicly celebrate and reward standards of excellence on a national scale.
Sales and Marketing Director of The Veka UK Group Colin Torley says: “The G14 Awards provide a fantastic opportunity for businesses in the glass and glazing industry to be recognised for their hard work and outstanding achievements, which is certainly something to be celebrated.
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GGF Sponsors The G14 Awards
The GGF has once again agreed to be a main sponsor of G14 Awards which will take place at London Hilton on Park Lane, on Friday 21st November.
The G14 Awards is one of the highlights in the industry calendar as it showcases the very best of glass and glazing. Each year hundreds of companies come together to enjoy a great night out in celebration of their outstanding work.
G14 will be the 11th annual Awards celebration for the industry and is now open for submissions with the Closing Deadline: Friday 5 September 2014
The Awards are firmly established as the only event in the glass and glazing industry to publicly celebrate and reward standards of excellence on a national scale. If your business has done something exceptional over the last year, then why not enter? With twelve awards categories there is something for every business type, big or small. If you want your name on one of the superb G14 Awards trophies, enter today.
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G13 Award Winners Reaping The Benefits
It is well known that winning an industry award can bring a number of benefits to the company, yet Awards are sometimes still seen as a drain on resources in terms of the time and effort it takes to submit a quality entry. Two companies who submitted outstanding entries to the G13 Awards are MiGlass and PJ Plastics, the latter of which had not entered before and won on their first attempt.
MiGlass, one of the largest glass processors in Europe, is last year’s Glass Company of the Year winner. Managing Director, Alan Taylor, has noticed the benefits that winning the Award has made over the last nine months: “Since we won, it has been much easier and quicker to open doors and follow up overseas leads. We have attended a number of UK and overseas trade shows and there is no doubt that the recognition of the award has helped us in our business development. It has definitely added kudos and credibility with potential customers who otherwise would take much longer to make purchasing decisions.” Taylor concedes that they spent time planning their entry but says, “Winning the Award has been extremely positive for us.”
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New Timber Composite For Ireland
Solidor and Profile Systems have reached an exclusive agreement where Profile Systems, Ireland’s leading systems distributor, will manufacture and distribute full timber composite door kits for the whole of Ireland.
Profile Systems are Ireland's leading distributor for PVCu and aluminium window and door systems. Based in County Kildare and established in 1978, they have been a proud and successful partner for the KBE and Kömmerling brands for nearly 20 years and have now put into place an exclusive long-term agreement with Solidor for the distribution and manufacture of timber composite door kits for Ireland.
In the UK, Solidor are one of the fastest growing companies in the glass and glazing industry at the trade level. While trade installers and consumers are bowled over with the product features and marketing expertise, the company now feels that they can offer the Irish market a better composite door offering through Profile Systems.
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New Despatch Developments
Investment in new despatch facilities at Carl F Groupco supports the hardware supplier’s commitment to service. The established distributor has accommodated over 200 door bolt options in new racking that doubles the size of its locking product storage capability and enhances selection.
The services of Link51, a leading storage solution company, were used to design racking specifically to meet Carl F Groupco’s needs – this included the challenge of many lock systems exceeding two metres.
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Manufacturing Growth With New Factory
Origin Frames Ltd, manufacturer of bi-folding doors, has opened a new production facility at its headquarters in Buckinghamshire as part of the company’s expansion plans. The factory opening follows the introduction of Origin’s industry leading ‘Your Lead Time, Not Ours’ service in 2011, which eliminates lead times on its bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors.
The new 18,000 sq ft x 40,000 sq ft factory will support Origin’s new flow line manufacturing process, introduced in 2013 as the company moves towards lean manufacturing; while helping to maintain a 100 per cent record for delivery of its ‘YLTNO’ service.
In early 2013 Origin introduced a new flow line system, giving each factory worker a defined role in the production process. The primary aim of the new system was to streamline work and improve efficiency levels by breaking down each task.
The new production facility will facilitate the flow line production process, which has already allowed the business to double its capacity in the last 12 months, while acting as the main manufacturing hub for its Dubai and US counterparts.
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Continuing to invest in success
Yorkshire based Conservatory Outlet is well-recognised brand and investments across the business have played a vital role in putting the fabricator on the map. This is set to continue as the company looks to enter a second phase of significant growth.
As an extremely customer focussed company, Conservatory Outlet needs a dependable team so it’s natural that it continually invests in its staff.
“Because we work very closely alongside our dealer network we need a team who fully buy-in to our visions, values and beliefs,” says Greg Kane, managing director of Conservatory Outlet. “Although we aim to develop and promote staff within the company, recent expansion has meant we’ve needed to bring in several new people to take up newly created positions.”
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