9th December 2014 VIEW ONLINE
 
Weekly Email News for the Glass, Glazing & Fenestration Industries
People

Following the recent appointment of Stewart Lamb to Managing Director of VITA Hardware Ltd,
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As part of The VEKA UK Group's commitment to continuous growth, the systems supplier has appointed a new National Sales Manager for Bowater Doors.
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Security Solutions, a division of ASSA ABLOY UK, has appointed Allan Henry to the position of Commercial Manager.
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Boasting an impressive 20 plus years’ experience in Sales Manager roles across a number of well-known consumer and trade facing companies, HOPPE is delighted to welcome Sally Tolley as Sales Centre Manager.
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Purplex, the specialist window industry marketing agency, has appointed Sam Cross as Account Director as part of a strategic growth plan.
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Avocet Hardware has significantly expanded its field sales presence with the appointment of three new business development managers.
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Fenestration systems designer and manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems has appointed Mark Wadsworth as its new managing director.
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G14 Awards

A marketing campaign which culminated in the impressive video “A day viewed through Residence 9” has resulted in an award for the premium window system.
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GLASSOLUTIONS’ commitment to environmental sustainability has been given industry approval at the G14 awards where it received the Environmental Initiative of the Year award.
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The GGF was delighted with the success of the recent G14 Awards at Park Lane Hilton which saw 5 GGF Member Companies pick up awards.
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Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, has won Commercial Project of the Year at the prestigious G14 awards for its glazing system used in English Heritage’s recently opened visitor centre for Stonehenge,
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Another fantastic night was had by all at the G14 Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner, as the glass and glazing industry united once again to celebrate all that is great and good within it.
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Specialist commercial installer The Window Company (Contracts) is celebrating after it was named Installer of the Year at last Friday’s G-Awards.
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Halifax-based Halo fabricator, Polyframe has won its third award in 2014 after collecting the prestigious G14 Award for Fabricator of the Year.
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Twelve worthy winners stood on stage at the G14 Awards Presentation & Gala Dinner in November,
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Emplas has been awarded the top Customer Care Initiative Award in front of an industry-wide audience at this years’ G14 Awards for its innovative Customer Information Manual.
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ERA, has been announced as the Component Supplier of the Year at the prestigious G14 Awards held in London on Friday 21 November.
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Quickslide had reason to celebrate at this year’s G14 Awards after being presented with the Training & Development Initiative of the Year trophy.
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LivinROOF, the solid replacement roof system from Ultraframe has seen record adoption rates by its network partners and to end the year on a high
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Events

Heads of the global arms of multinational PVC-U window manufacturer, The VEKA Group, came together in the UK this week for the company's annual General Managers Meeting.
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Members of Qualicoat UK and Ireland recently met for their final meeting of 2014 at the Jurys Inn, Edinburgh.
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The British Safety Council will be hosting its opening seminar in its 2015 events programme at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Thursday 26 February 2015.
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The Japanese window industry is looking into creating a similar system to that provided by BFRC and specifically came to the UK to meet the BFRC team. 
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Glass

SWISSPACER, the UK and Ireland market leader, has extended their congratulations to Thermoseal joining them at the top of the list for most thermally efficient warm edge spacer bars.
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Manufacturers continually reset the goal posts with new and innovative products, and this has never been more evident than with the launch of two new advanced glass products from Guardian Industries
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SiestaT is the all-round solution for conservatories, offering total solar control to all sections of the conservatory. The new sealed unit developed at Cornwall Glass,
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SWISSPACER, the warm edge spacer bar, has seen sales grow for the third consecutive quarter in 2014. Market leader since the end of 2010,
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Machinery

Glaston Corporation has closed a deal for two special Glaston FC500™ lines with European Glass Group.
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Marketing

Companies signed up to The VEKA UK Group's Approved Installer Scheme are wholeheartedly exploring the initiative's benefits by making their first orders via its online Marketing Hub.
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SWISSPACER is sending Christmas greetings via a direct marketing campaign with a little help from Santa’s reindeers.
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For the third year in succession, commercial fabricator Solar Windows sponsored the Local Hero award at Wales & West Housing’s Making a Difference Awards.
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Recently launched, the revolutionary consumer lead generation service GoSend.it has hit over 100 users,
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Brochures

JELD-WEN, manufacturer of timber windows, doors and stairs, launches its new Winter 2014/2015 catalogue, available from 19 January 2015.
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IT

Windowlink, creators of design, sales and pricing software for the window and door industry, have recently delivered a bespoke project for Abbey Windows,
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Digital specialist The Consultancy and UK composite door designer and manufacturer Solidor have successfully launched the official Sales Generator.
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The latest version of the LogiKal market leading software for the aluminium sector is now available from Business Micros Aluminium
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Awards/Standards

Door-Stop International has won its 5th Construction Marketing Award, this year for Best Digital Campaign, in a joint entry with construction agency MRA Marketing.
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Halo fabricator YWC Group has announced successful BSI testing and accreditation for its mobility threshold Secured by Design French door.
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The UK Commission for People and Skills, the body responsible for Investors in People - the UK’s premier people management standard - has awarded Schueco UK Limited
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Liniar’s trading company, Denby-based plastic extrusion firm HL Plastics,
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Glazing systems designer and manufacturer Senior Glass Systems is celebrating after winning the prestigious Medium Business award at the Scarborough News Business Awards.
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UKAS accredited testing specialist Wintech Engineering Limited is pleased to announce a new partnership with respected German test laboratory EPH Dresden,
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Health & Safety

The GGF is fully supportive of the recently launched Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign to help tradespeople work more safely with asbestos
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swishwindows.
Products

To meet demands for the rustic modern interior design trend, P C Henderson, manufacturer of sliding and folding door hardware,
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The VEKA UK Group has now unveiled the industry's only BSI notified and BFRC certified window and door energy performance calculator.
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Leading UPVC and aluminium distributor in Ireland, Profile Systems, has specified SFS intec’s Dynamic hinge range for its high performance and colour matching properties.
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Geocel, supplier of quality sealants, coatings and associated chemicals, introduces theWORKS, a high performance product range that helps trades people and homeowners tackle those tough,
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Aztec Conservatory Roof Systems’ new ring beam finishing detail is giving fabricators and installers a fresh dimension to adding value.
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Thermobar Warm Edge Spacer, manufactured by Thermoseal Group, is officially at the top of the list of the most thermally efficient spacer systems
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Fabricator Focus

Trade fabricator Bison Frames is a company with strong roots in its local community. So when the opportunity arose to get behind and sponsor the up and coming local band ‘The Sherlocks’,
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Consumer tastes have evolved from white windows, with colour presenting plenty of opportunities for installers in the domestic market. But with long lead times creating supply hassles for installers many are yet to take full advantage of these opportunities. Yorkshire based trade fabricator Dempsey Dyer
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Lightweight solid roof systems for conservatories have gained substantial momentum since being introduced on the market a few years ago.
LB Roof Windows
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Sliders UK has seen sales of its aluminium bi-fold door range more than triple in less than 12-months, reporting 225 per cent growth year-on-year to the end of 2014.
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TruFrame have just launched the new, energy efficient uPVC flush sash window from Liniar,
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Manufacturer of doors, windows, conservatories and sealed units Tradelink has been manufacturing aluminium windows and bi-fold doors for four years and in that time has seen demand increase exponentially.
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Roseview have raised the bar of sash window fabrication yet again with the launch of their new colour spray service.
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Modplan’s dedicated bi-fold door manufacturing facility has been busy lately as more and more customers realise the benefits of adding VEKA’s revolutionary Imagine Bi-Fold to their portfolios.
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For Nigel Leivers, Sales Director at Frame Fast (UK) Ltd, the Skypod® skylight is the answer to creating a dream home extension.
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In an industry first, Stockport-based VEKA fabricator Force 8 is now able to offer its revolutionary seamless arched frames, nationwide, with a 48 hour turnaround.
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Gemini UPVC Ltd. and its installation arm, AWC Windows and Home Improvements are some of the latest companies to sign up to The VEKA UK Group's Approved Fabricator and Installer initiative.
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Deceuninck’s sole Irish distributor Star Elm Frames switched to Deceuninck earlier this year and hasn’t looked back.
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Projects

Over 1,000 high performance aluminium windows and balcony doors from Wicona will be installed at a new luxury residential development now under construction in London's Docklands.
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Profile 22 Approved Commercial Manufacturer Emplas, and its customer Unicorn Windows have helped to revitalise Leighton Buzzard library with the supply and fit of new windows and doors.
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Architectural aluminium systems company Metal Technology has supplied its window products to a 101 apartment retirement village in Worcester Road,
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Tourists visiting Tower Bridge can see a unique view of the bridge mechanism and road below – through two new glass walkway floors 42 metres above the River Thames. The UK’s largest processor, distributor, installer and repairer of glass and glass systems GLASSOLUTIONS
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A Georgian style new build property set in the stunning surroundings of the Perthshire countryside has incorporated Andersen windows and doors from Black Millwork to achieve a modern home with superb thermal efficiency ratings.
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Doors

The expanding export division at Hurst Plastics is adding even more countries to its global map, having just dispatched an order for more than 50 door panels to Thailand.
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After 25 Years of profile bending Force 8 have now turned the process into an art, and have adapted part of their composite door range to follow suit.
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“Christmas is the high point of most retailers’ years and there should be no exception for the window and door industry,” says Martin Dickie, Business Unit Director of Door-Stop.
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Distinction Doors has just been named in the top ten SME businesses in the Sheffield City Region in a list compiled by local publication The Star Business and sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt. Chantel Roach,
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Just weeks after launching Imago Lift& Slide super-slim timber doors leading Italian hardware company AGB has announced its first hardware distributor partners for the Imago door system.
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Glazed sliding doors have always been popular in residential and high rise residential properties as they take up little room and are cost effective to manufacture and install. Today’s lift and slide doors offer high thermal performance and excellent weathering capabilities complete with a low threshold detail. Aluprof
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Door manufacturer, Apeer, has produced two new guides to fitting the company’s double rebate, triple glazed doors.
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Distinction Doors, the UK’s largest GRP composite door supplier, is celebrating 10 years in business.
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Doorco, the Macclesfield based door supplier, is reporting a 3-year high in sales of the company’s popular Capstone 68mm product across both blanks and prepped supplies.
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Construction

Government’s announcement that it will lower the threshold on the Builders Finance Fund to five units has been welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
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An exemption for small sites from the off-site elements of the zero carbon standard will allow more new homes to be built by small local builders and help create diversity and choice in the housing market,
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Figures released last week by construction analysts Glenigan forecast a 7.3% increase in project starts for 2015,
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Internet

Freefoam, manufacturer of a wide range of products for the building industry in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe have announced the launch of a brand new web shop for Freefoam stockists.
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Stockport based fabricator Force 8, have launched a new look, easy to navigate website, providing customers 24/7 access to the full range of products Force 8 have to offer,
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NW Rooftech has just re-launched its website, www. nwrooftech.co.uk. The new improved site has been designed to showcase both NW Rooftech’s and NW Alutech’s comprehensive range of conservatory roofs
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Charities

Profine UK who represent the KBE and Kömmerling brands in the UK, have just presented the new industry pay to play charity, MADi Fundraising, with a significant donation.
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Slim pickings from Autumn statement

This week’s issue of The Glazine has a selection of Autumn Statement reactions which, in the main, provided precious little in incentive terms for the glass, glazing, door and conservatory industries. We hear from the BWF here, the FMB here, and the GGF here.

We also have details of more funding available following the new release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund which will accept new applications to help with the cost of installing energy saving measures including double and triple glazing. You can read more here.

I hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com or should you wish to contact me directly
tony@the-glazine.com





Tony Higgin
Publisher

This Week's News

GGF Reaction To Autumn Statement

This week, Chancellor George Osborne delivered his final Autumn Statement before next year’s General Election in May.
The GGF had written to the Chancellor eight weeks before his Autumn Statement announcement highlighting the GGF’s campaigns and raising Members’ concerns.

In general, the Autumn Statement is seen as a chance to set out future tax and spending plans, as well as set out the state of the nation's finances. During the speech, the Chancellor hailed Britain as the "fastest growing of any advanced economy in the world." He also stated that against a difficult global backdrop, “Britain has achieved higher growth, lower unemployment and a falling deficit.”  

Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive commented, “As had been anticipated, it was good to hear the Chancellor confirm the increase in funding of £100m to support homeowners installing energy efficient measures in their properties. However, it remains to be seen how much of this funding will help homeowners install energy efficient windows.”

“It was also pleasing to see a drive to increase new builds and positive to hear that the Chancellor’s statement has included some measures that will benefit small businesses, such as expanding the British Business Bank, freezing fuel duty as well as doubling business rate relief for small businesses for another year.”

Read the Rest Here...

Autumn Statement 2014: Some good news for business, but still a way to go

In a series of highly political tactics designed to woo voters before next year’s General Election, the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne used this year’s Autumn Statement last week to announce a range of headline-grabbing crowd pleasers on issues such as personal allowances, home buying, air passenger duty and even a trip to Mars.


 
The Chancellor’s upbeat assessment of the UK’s economic performance included new forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, with short-term growth in 2014 revised upwards to 3% from 2.7%, and for 2015 to 2.4% from 2.3%.  Britain is on course to be the fastest-growing G7 economy this year, and those headlines received a warm welcome from many window businesses.
 
However, the Autumn Statement fell short in delivering on some of the key areas that will help the joinery industry to grow sustainably, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has warned.
 
Measures to support small and medium sized businesses included a promise of extra bank lending, support for VC-backed funds investing in SMEs and better information on finance schemes. Many firms welcomed the freeze in fuel duty, the annual increase of business rates capped at 2% and a doubling of the Small Business Rate Relief to April 2016. There was also a 230% increase in R&D tax credits for SMEs, and the long-awaited promise to review Business Rates.

Read the Rest Here...

A deafening silence over apprenticeship funding in Autumn Statement

The Government has offered no clarity on its plans for apprenticeship funding reform in today’s Autumn Statement, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Apprenticeship funding still hangs in the balance with no clarity offered by the Chancellor in today’s Autumn Statement. We had hoped government would publish its response to the May 2014 consultation on funding reforms for apprenticeships but as things stand, we are no closer to understanding if Ministers have taken heed of our advice and decided to review their ill-conceived proposals.”

Berry continued: “Like many organisations which represent SMEs, we have warned the Government that if it implements its apprenticeship funding reforms as proposed, they will greatly detract from the ability and desire of small firms to train apprentices. As two-thirds of all construction apprentices are trained by micro-businesses – that is the very smallest of firms – this is extremely concerning. Although we welcome the abolition of employers’ National Insurance contributions on earnings up to the upper earnings limit for apprentices aged under 25, what we really need to hear is an alternative way forward for SME apprenticeship funding. Perhaps government has decided to kick the issue into the long grass in which case I urge Ministers to respond as soon as possible – uncertainty around apprenticeship policy is the last thing our industry needs when facing an ever-growing skills gap.”

Read the Rest Here...

Saint Gobain launches bid for a stake in Sika

Materials giant Saint Gobain is planning to acquire an interest in construction chemicals specialist Sika.

The €2.3bn move will see Saint Gobain acquire Schenker Winkler Holding AG which owns 16.1% of Sika ’s capital and 52.4% of its voting rights.

The board of Sika said they “do not support the change of control of Sika to Saint-Gobain.”

Sika’s bosses added: “The Board neither sees the industrial logic in the transaction, nor significant synergies for Sika.”

Saint Gobain said it is not planning to launch an offer for Sika’s remaining shares and “has full confidence in the company to continue developing the business.”

Read the Rest Here...

Green Deal Home Improvement Fund Details Announced

More people will get help to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through a new release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF).

From 9am, Wednesday 10 December, the popular scheme will open to new applications, with up to £5,600 available to households in England and Wales to help with the cost of installing energy saving measures such as solid wall insulation, double glazing, boilers, cavity wall and floor insulation. 

Up to £30 million in vouchers will be available and details of further releases will be announced on a quarterly basis with the next release expected in February 2015.  This is part of the additional £100 million for household energy efficiency measures announced in October 2014 which is in addition to the £450 million already allocated to household energy efficiency over 2014 – 17.

Read the Rest Here...

Triple-powered Residence 9 from Sternfenster

Following a recent investment in state-of-the-art machinery that allows for a revolutionary manufacturing process, Lincoln-based Sternfenster has reported a 48% increase in demand for its high-end Residence 9 window.

Sternfenster is the only fabricator in the UK to offer the popular nine-chambered window in three manufacturing options, from the conventional welding method, to mechanically-jointed frames put together by skilled craftsmen, and through to the all-new seamless welding process.

Managing director, Mike Parczuk, said: “We have one of the largest portfolios of windows and doors available from a single UK fabricator in both uPVC and aluminium. Our investment strategy places us a step ahead of the market, and our latest innovation has attracted a huge interest from installers. Our Residence 9 with a seamless welded corner is unlike anything produced before – aside from the impeccable finish, the sash and outer frame are also stronger than those manufactured in the conventional way.”


Read the Rest Here...

Unique Picture Gallery At Grade I Listed Mansion Saved

A unique picture gallery designed by John Nash, the renowned Regency architect who re-modelled Buckingham Palace, has been saved by the installation of a new Pilkington Planar™ roof at stately home Attingham Park near Shrewsbury.


 
Work has been completed on the new roof, which will ensure the 200-year-old glass and cast-iron structure installed by Nash is protected from the elements – something that had always been a challenge as the original roof, installed in 1807, had leaked from the start.
 
Architects S T Walker & Duckham, appointed by the National Trust to design the new roof, selected the Pilkington Planar™ system because of its low-profile appearance, high structural strength and high clarity.
 
The installation, which consists of 133 sq m of double-glazed frameless units supported by steel bowstring trusses, was carried out by specialist conservation contractor Norman & Underwood.

Read the Rest Here...

Major funding opportunities for glass innovation, research and development

Independent research and development, consultancy and testing facility, Glass Technology Services Ltd (GTS), is urging the glass supply chain to take full advantage of the range of major funding opportunities open to them - thanks to a number of UK and EU grants.
 
With its grant funding in the past two years topping £3.6 million and grant applications achieving an astounding 100% success rate, Glass Technology Services Ltd is keen to develop more innovative projects and partnerships.
 
“Our extensive experience and specialist knowledge in glass has enabled us to develop some highly successful knowledge and technology transfer partnerships and we’re continually looking to extend these further with new partners, networks and project opportunities,” said GTS Innovation Director, Dr Malcolm Glendenning.“

Our specialist experience, extensive supply-chain and academic networks, mean we can offer advice on the variety of funding sources available from commercial organisations, government bodies and institutions and can assist in the writing of grant proposals. We have an excellent track record of securing grant funding for innovation, market studies and other research. Our established reputation and global network of academic and commercial partners across a wide range of sectors, enables us to quickly pull together world-class consortia of experts and commercial partners.”
 

Read the Rest Here...

More apprenticeships will mean more brickies

A shortage of bricklayers must be addressed by an increase in the number of construction apprenticeships, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Commenting on a study by Manpower which was published today, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “This research is a timely reminder that government must put the right framework in place to encourage construction employers to train more apprentices. Our recent Q3 2014 State of Trade Survey shows that 41% of SME construction firms are struggling to hire bricklayers and this is up from 34% three months earlier. If skills shortages continue to increase at the same rate, it could undermine the surge in private house building.”

Read the Rest Here...

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