A win-win

There are few hotter topics in the industry right now than the incursion of aluminium into the domestic market and the cost of importing any materials in the face of a Brexit-beleaguered pound. So, with the proportion of ali for the trade coming in from across the channel, there could not be a more promising-sounding win-win than the plan headed by Joe Martoccia which could lead to a new ali window system, based in the UK and with hints towards the domestic market. We imagine we will be hearing much more of this in the weeks to come. Read Story

Rather less cheery is the latest AMA report that the window market is slowing almost to a halt, largely due to market saturation. Sadly for today’s industry, when those ‘double-glazing salesmen’ of past decades told homeowners “These will last you a lifetime,” they were uncharacteristically telling the truth and, as the report points out, the future for windows lies mainly in replacing the ones that didn’t. Read Story

However, if the Federation of Small Businesses has got it right, there may not be as many firms competing for the crumbs when the new Business Rate starts to hurt Read Story. And, even worse, there may only be the cowboy builders left to enjoy the spoils if, as the FMB fears, they prosper by ducking the rising Insurance Premium Tax. Read Story

And speaking of the future, the GGF says it is not surprised that 27million homes still have to be insulated if HMG is to hit its carbon targets by 2050. Read Story

Whatever the future holds for you, 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

Martoccia returns with plan for new ali window system

Joe Martoccia has stepped back into the industry spotlight, heading the acquisition of a UK-based aluminium extruder, and today he told The Glazine of an eventual plan to create a new aluminium window and door system.

He also hinted at a probable emphasis on developing ali’s fast-growing inroads into the domestic sector as well as commercial, using acquisition partner Anglo European Group’s contacts and distribution network.

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Window market
flattening – AMA

The UK window market slowed down to a ‘modest’ 3% growth last year, according to the latest report from AMA Research, with forecast of an even flatter 2%pa, driven mainly by demand for second and third time replacements.

The report, which cites a mature market and the high rate of household penetration for the slowdown, goes on to say:
“Future growth in this market remains dependent on a positive housing market, but our forecasts for 2017 and beyond remain muted, with the uncertain economic situation a central factor.

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Showrooms are back on the up – survey

The number of ‘double glazing’ showrooms is on the rise again – up nearly 9% in two years – after a long decline since the early 2000s, with almost three a week opening across the UK, according to the latest findings from Insight Data.

The growth – from 3,460 to 3,764 in that time – is partly down to shifting retail trends and ‘the consumer experience’ but a wider variety in product offering is also cited as installers have more to show than ‘white plastic windows’.

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Business rate rises
set to stunt small firms’ growth – survey

Many small businesses are set to reduce investment and staff costs once business rates rise next month, according to a new survey from the Federation of Small Businesses.

The research finds that more than a third (36%) of small firms expect to see their business rates increase from 1 April.

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Liniar appoints Martin Thurley as MD

LINIAR, has announced the appointment of Martin Thurley to the newly created role of Managing Director.

CEO Roger Hartshorn explained: “Due to Liniar’s significant growth over the last six years, I felt it was time to strengthen the senior management structure to enable me to focus exclusively on the strategic direction of the company.

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Insurance tax hike
will benefit cowboys,
says FMB

Cowboys and uninsured traders will gain a competitive edge from the latest rise in Insurance Premium Tax by driving up the costs of those that play by the rules, according to the Federation of Master Builders.

Speaking ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, Chief Executive Brian Berry said: “The doubling of IPT over the past two years has troubling implications for construction SMEs and home owners alike.

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