This Week's News

£7.8 Billion In Construction Projects At Risk If Scotland Says Yes

Over £7 billion of planned construction works could be in jeopardy if Scotland votes to leave the United Kingdom next Thursday.

New data from construction intelligence specialists, Barbour ABI, shows that currently £38 billion of construction projects are planned across Scotland; however, with the investors funding these projects headquartered outside of Scotland, the likelihood of activity going ahead as intended may hang in the balance depending on next week’s result.

With a significant proportion of Scottish projects in the pipeline focusing on the renewable energy sector which benefits from a UK-wide subsidy, these projects may be particularly at risk should Scotland vote for independence.

Commenting on the findings taken from its report, Scottish Construction: A Bright Future?, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “In the past 12 months, construction in Scotland has outperformed other areas of the UK, with it having the third highest volume of contract value, only behind London and the South East.

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GGF Reassures Scottish Members Ahead of Referendum

With the imminent referendum on whether or not Scotland should be an independent country from the rest of the UK taking place this week, the GGF can reassure all Scottish Members that the levels of service and the benefits received will continue regardless of the outcome.

Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive stated, “Our Scottish Members, like all our Members are very important to us and GGF Scotland will remain a key part of the Federation’s plans going forward. With GGF Scotland, we are continuing our discussions with the Scottish Government with regards to introducing a ‘Window and Door Registration Scheme’ and we are also continuing to work with Government on areas of the Scottish Building Regulations. I can assure all Member companies in Scotland that no matter what the outcome of the referendum is, the GGF will continue to support your businesses.”

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Pilkington Uk Signs Supply Agreement With Emplas

Emplas, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of domestic windows, doors and conservatories, has chosen to source all of its glass from Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, under an agreement expected to be worth seven figures.

Under the one-year deal, Pilkington United Kingdom Limited will supply Pilkington energiKare™ insulating glass units used by the Northamptonshire-based fabricator, which manufactures more than 2,000 frames a week for customers nationwide.

The glass manufacturer has supplied glass to Emplas for more than a decade, and its branded products play a central role in Emplas’ customer marketing materials. This deal formalises the partnership for the first time.

Ryan Johnson, managing director at Emplas, said: “We have earned a strong reputation in the market for delivering high-quality products that deliver cutting-edge energy performance, and our long-standing use of Pilkington products has played a big part in this.

“Pilkington energiKare™ Advantage in particular has been an important product for us, delivering market-leading performance in terms of the thermal efficiency it delivers for the cost. Energy efficiency is obviously a major driver for our customers and the Pilkington brand remains a strong selling point.””

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The Performance Timber Products Group Appoints New Ceo

Mr Roy Wakeman, OBE, Executive Chairman of The Performance Timber Products Group (PTPG) has announced today that Joe Martoccia, currently Commercial Director of Ultraframe (UK) Ltd, will join PTPG as Chief Executive Officer.  His appointment takes effect from 15 December 2014.
 
Roy Wakeman, who will remain with PTPG as Chairman, comments: “The search for a new CEO has been a long process and I am confident that Joe Martoccia is the right candidate to take PTPG forwards and continue developing the successful growth strategy of this £20m plus business.  We are all looking forward to working with him.”
 
PTPG was established by Roy Wakeman in 2006 with the acquisition of Mumford & Wood Limited.  Revenue at that time was approaching £6m. Since then the management team has developed the business through organic growth and also through the acquisitions of Timber Windows in 2009 followed by Dale Windows in 2010.
 
Within the PTPG portfolio, where separate brands target differing core markets, Mumford & Wood is recognised as the UK’s premier manufacturer of fine, bespoke, Conservation™ timber windows and doors designed for traditionally-styled and period properties.  The brand remains the favourite choice of architects, developers, planning officers and discerning homeowners.  The Timber Windows brand offers made-to-order, high quality windows and doors in traditional and contemporary styles through a unique on-line offering supported with strategically placed high street showrooms and a national network of recognised installers.  Dale Windows is the leading provider of high performance, made-to-order timber windows and doors sold exclusively through the merchant distribution channel and backed with an exceptional online estimating and ordering system.  PTPG prides itself on providing an unrivalled level of customer service, support and product offering.

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Get Britain Building Delivery Plan Endorsed by GGF

Last week, Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive attended the launch of the Get Britain Building 2020 Delivery Plan which makes the case for using construction as a driver of jobs and growth and includes a range of recommendations for the next Government, covering the period 2015 to 2020.

At the launch, it was mentioned that the Construction Industry is bigger in revenue than the aerospace and car industries added together and the campaign and this latest report has gained cross-party support. The 2020 Delivery Plan outlines how best to deliver new housing and infrastructure projects that would result in 200,000 new jobs in the construction sector - according to the industry’s leading organisations including the Glass and Glazing Federation.

As a co-signatory of the Get Britain Building Campaign the GGF joins the Modern Masonry Alliance, Federation of Master Builders, Home Builders Federation and Builders Merchants Federation who represent the major players in the construction and housing industry from the manufacturers and suppliers of building materials, right through to both the large and small construction companies.

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Consumers say online replaces friends and family

Friends and family are no longer the top source of information for buyers of windows and doors finds new consumer research carried out by Swish Window and Door Systems.

“We believe this is the first time that websites, search engines and social media has taken the top spot from asking our nearest and dearest,” says Jon Skinner, Joint Managing Director for Swish Window and Door Systems who funded the extensive research. “The gap is likely to widen as more information is made available online. With family and friends backing up research already done on the internet.

“We asked what sources respondents would use to get information about windows. The three top answers were 67 percent of people research online, while 59 percent ask friends and family. 40 percent of those polled said they used the installer as an expert for information. Adverts on TV, radio and magazines were also given as a source of information, but are much less important.”

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Prime TV Slot For Hurst Composite Door

A bold red composite door from Hurst Plastics has been used to make a stunning entranceway on a property which features in a major home renovation TV series.

In the brand new series ‘The 100k House: Tricks of the Trade’ which airs on BBC Two on Tuesdays at 8pm, property experts Kieran Long and Piers Taylor help owners on very tight budgets to transform their unsuitable properties into dream homes.

Couple Ronnie and Nicky Smith bought their 1950s bungalow in High Wycombe three years ago, but the layout was impractical for family living. With a modest £49,000 renovation budget and the expertise of TV architect Piers Taylor, the couple have used imaginative design solutions to overhaul their property and create a fantastic family home for themselves and their two young children.

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Press statement from Swisspacer

Swisspacer has issued a correction to the press release ‘Swisspacer and Solutions UK mark 5 years’ which appeared in The Glazine 2nd September 2014.
 
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