Flood warning

Like it or not, the onset of the rainy season has again raised the issue of flooding, with both Government and insurers suggesting high-risk households could take steps such as flood-proof doors to be ready next time. Aside from the fact that everyone in the debate seems to be blaming everyone else, it is clear that most now see flooding as inevitable for many homes and, as some commentators have already pointed out, perhaps it makes sense to build-in flood defence to more homes. After all, we now take intruder resistance as a given when choosing windows and doors – perhaps there are parallels here. Read Story

We also have a thought-provoking letter from The Window Company’s David Thornton, adding to the debate over the likely effect of Brexit-related price rises on installers, especially in the commercial sector where contract prices were set well in advance. Read Letter

Elsewhere, while the competition between aluminium and PVC-U hots up in many corners of the industry, we hear of one company that is gearing up for growth in bronze windows and doors. Read Story

And, in sporting news, it seems one industry-sponsored cricket team from Yorkshire will be travelling to Abu Dhabi to take on another Yorkshire side! At least the pitch will be dry.
Read Story

We hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

Chris Church Editor

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com

This Week's News

We need more flood-proof doors, say Government and insurers

Hundreds of thousands of UK homes would benefit from installing flood-proof doors and other simple resilience measures, even in areas already protected by public flood defences, according to the Association of British Insurers.

The comment follows criticism of insurers by the Environment Department for failing to prepare for future floods, however both agree that more could be done by households to protect themselves.

The Government report, The Property Flood Resilience Action Plan, says such basic defences could save over £5 for every £1 invested and goes on to say that insurers should make flood-hit properties more resilient rather than simply restoring them to their original state. The Association replied that insurers’ primary role is to get homes and businesses back on their feet, however it says it does work hard to increase consumer understanding of flood risks.

Read More Here...

GGF consumer site ‘surpassed targets’

The Glass & Glazing Federation has declared its MyGlazing.com consumer website a resounding success with over 100,000 unique visitors and over 27million ‘opportunities to view’ in consumer press.

The figures were announced at the organisation’s Members’ Day where James Lee, its Director of Marketing and Communications, said the site had surpassed the online and PR targets set at its launch a year ago.

In his presentation in Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens, he said: “It’s been a phenomenal year with so much activity on MyGlazing.com. Our Marketing team has been very consistent with their work on the project and deserve a lot of credit, but we are also indebted to three specialist agencies who have helped us on the web development, consumer PR and search engine marketing.

Next year we are aiming to double the online audience and of course re-direct more homeowners to consumer facing GGF Members.”

Read More Here...

‘Cut EU red tape on procurement’ – call

The Government has been urged to get rid of unnecessary EU procurement rules in the run-up to the UK leaving the Union.

The call comes from the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association which says the delivery of projects large and small is being stymied by ‘burdensome procurement processes’.

Its Head of External Affairs, Marie-Claude Hemming said: “Our research suggests that this burden is caused, in part, by the rules that are enforced as a result of EU procurement regulations. While some of the EU processes are sensible, and ensure a competitive market for customers, the decision to leave the EU potentially opens the opportunity to look again at the bits that are not working as well.

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B2B pedals to a record

GM Fundraising’s Border2Border cycling challenge this year has raised £195,766.92, a 20-year record for the event.

Gary Morton, Chairman of GM Fundraising and B2B team member, said: “All of this has come from the hard work of every one that took part in the challenge and of course, the support of our amazing industry. The riders and support crew put in an immense amount of effort to raise support for their challenge. All the money raised goes directly to Hope House Children’s Hospices as each of the team covered their own costs for the ride. We were also supported by our Headline sponsor Deceuninck, who not only contributed to the cost of the ride, but also welcomed us to their new plant in Reno during the trip.”

Andy Goldsmith, Chief Executive of Hope House added: “The support we receive from GM Fundraising is critical. Hope House is more than just a hospice; it’s a service and by providing support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, our aim is to improve their quality of life in any way possible. 84% of our funding comes from donations and the amount raised by this ride alone will help us offer more time, to more children and families.”

Read More Here...

We Have Email

From:
David Thornton
Chairman,
The Window Company (Contracts)

I’m delighted to be able to report that The Window Company (Contracts) has once again been given the highest possible rating of Strong in the latest Plimsoll Analysis of the Doors and Windows industry.

This time around though I think the reassurance which this rating gives to the contractors and social housing providers we work with across London and the south east is more significant ever, because of the pressure which installers’ margins are under in the aftermath of Brexit.

With so many suppliers imposing surcharges on imported products and components because of the fall in value of the pound, margins are being squeezed and I believe that it is only strong and well-resourced installers like us who will be able to cope.

Some suppliers of things like hardware and door slabs are adding up to 12% to their prices and encouraging installers to pass these on to customers in order to keep margins intact. Obviously, that’s maybe fine if you’re working in the retail sector but if you’re in the commercial sector, as we are, prices and margins are set at the beginning of a contract and we have no real choice but to absorb the extra costs until such time as the contract is renewed.

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