House moves

And so we awake to read that the country has yet another housing minister, the second in six months and fifth in less than four years. Many will remember Kit Malthouse’s most high-profile pronouncement on the issue of homes when, as deputy leader of Westminster City Council a couple of years ago, he threatened to make life ‘more uncomfortable’ for the homeless. We can only wonder what he will do when he has the opportunity to just the opposite.

Elsewhere this week, for both the commercial and retrofit sectors, we have mixed news from construction and house movers, showing winners and losers in both cases.

And finally, two pieces of very encouraging news in the world of offsite construction, with Hull fabricator EYC forecasting sales to double as a result of its renewed interest in modular construction Read Story and Iso-Chemie about to play its part in a 500 home project using the same principles. Read More

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

NHIC launches 44th awards – plus a medal

Entries are now open for the 44th annual National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) Awards, including this year for the first time, the George Clarke Medal.

NHIC Chief Executive Anna Scothern said: “To maintain the highest standards of improvement in the Nation’s housing stock it is vital we reward those organisations who are striving and delivering excellence.

“The NHIC Annual Award winners this year will, for the first time, feature alongside The George Clarke Medal inaugurated to recognise and celebrate the UK’s best architect-designed home refurbishment / conversion or renovation scheme.”

Read More Here

Repair fails to halt further construction slide

Private housing repair and maintenance grew by 7.3% in May but was not enough to halt the ongoing decline of UK construction which fell 1.7% quarter-on-quarter, making it the third consecutive period of decline, according to figures published by the ONS today.

The report says: “construction output fell by £683 million in the three-month on three-month time series in May 2018. The most notable contribution to the decline came from private housing new work, which decreased by £394 million in the three months to May 2018. Elsewhere, public other new work also fell sharply, decreasing by £238 million.

Read More Here

Modular boost set to double sales

Commercial fabricator EYG says it is on course to more than double its sales target in its first year since moving back into supplying the modular buildings market.

The Hull-based firm last year recruited modular sales specialist Stephie Stansfield and has since secured contracts on projects in the education, leisure, health and modular housing sectors, as well as for the Ministry of Defence.

She said of the firm’s growth: “The industry is fast-moving and demands a quick turnaround on products, which can be a challenge at times when you are busy and growing.

Read More Here

Capital bucks home
sales decline

Londoners put more homes onto the market last month than in any time in the last three years – up 2.8% on May – while at the same time the national figure declined slightly by 3.8%.

However, the longer-term picture remained strong, according to the Property Supply Index by HouseSimple.com, showing that June was the second consecutive month to see new listings with estate agents surpassing 70,000 UK-wide.

Read More Here

CO gains another
Scots retailer

Aberdeen-based Bon Accord Glass has joined the Conservatory Outlet Network of retailers as part of the fabricator’s strategic plan to strengthen its position within the North East of Scotland.

The move to Conservatory Outlet as its key supplier will see Bon Accord Glass, spearheaded by Directors Martin Allan & Colin Kinghorn, now offering the Conservatory Outlet range to an exclusive patch of around households across Aberdeenshire and beyond.

Bon Accord Glass will kickstart its welcome with a new website and be the first to receive its latest suite of newly-launched brochures. Also planned are an enhanced PPC and multi-channel digital campaign, a series of retail videos and significant investment & updates to the Riverside Drive showroom.

Read More Here

We Have Email

From: Terry Richardson ,
Managing Director TWR Bifolds

Following a period of consolidation and unrest in the industry, smaller firms need to show guts and embrace innovation if they are going to survive.

The number of companies trading in the glass and glazing sector is falling but the average number of frames being produced each week is on the rise – as more and more small and medium sized manufacturers and installers are acquired by larger companies.

In the current trading conditions, several industry heavyweights are also seeing their profits squeezed.

Read More