Suite nothings

As if we didn’t have enough of a dilemma in the industry with the pronunciation of ‘leading’ – as all those leading leading companies will no doubt testify – we now have to get our tongues round ‘suited’, at least one of which meanings is so clearly outlined in the letter this week by Brisant’s Nick Dutton – who also generously added to the confusion by naming his own ‘suited’ range ‘Sweet’. Read Letter

First, we had ‘leading’ (rhymes with ‘feeding’ as in the word every company without exception seems to describe itself nowadays), some of which offer ‘leading’ (rhymes with ‘bedding’ as in the lead strips they stick to windows).

And now we have to content with ‘suited’ (rhymes with ‘tweeted’ as in part of a matching set such as door furniture) which of course is quite separate from ‘suited’ (rhymes with ‘booted’ as in to be pleased with something).

So, apart from briefly adding that the G18 finalists have now been revealed Read Story, it only remains to hope that you are well suited and not in any way led astray by this week’s issue.

Chris Church Editor

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

This Week's News

G18 finalists revealed

They’re out at last. The panel of independent expert judges have completed their deliberations and we can reveal the 54 finalists who will compete for the 12 coveted trophies in the G18 Awards.

“They have all done us proud as ever,” said organiser Tony Higgin, “Yet again, a superb selection of the most deserving companies and individuals in our industry throughout the past year.

“I am now looking forward even more to the Awards event and Gala Dinner in November and I am sure many more are too.”

Read More Here

UAP and Maven Capital in £20m buy-out

UAP Ltd has joined with private equity firm Maven Capital Partners in a £20 million management buyout to ‘take the company to new level’ and support growth plans for its UAP, Fullex Max6mum and other brands.

David Jennings will remain in place as CEO and will be be joined by former Focus DIY and Wickes MD David Pearson as non-executive Chairman, with other board appointments expected soon.

David Jennings explained the move: “In order to realise our huge growth ambitions, it was vital to us that we aligned ourselves with a pro-active private equity house who shared our vision. I know that we now have an equity partner who will help us shape our future and support our growth story going forwards. Our goal now is to repay the faith placed in us by Maven, and it is a challenge that we will relish.”

Read More Here

Epwin Group half-year ‘better than anticipated’

Epwin Group PLC has post half-year results that were ‘better than anticipated’ with ‘Satisfactory trading despite challenging market conditions and cost inflation’, according to group CEO Jon Bednall.

The group had been hit by ‘adverse weather’ at the start of 2018 and had also demonstrated its resilience after losing two of its biggest customers in the previous half.

Jon Bednall said: "Trading in the first half year has been satisfactory, despite challenging market conditions and cost inflation. The site consolidation and development programme which commenced in late 2017 is progressing and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. Alongside these programmes we have continued the work necessary to broaden our product portfolio and invest in our operations for future growth.

Read More Here

Buckley becomes GGF’s permanent CEO

The Glass and Glazing Federation GGF today announced that Kevin Buckley has accepted the permanent position of GGF Group Chief Executive, after serving as Interim Chief Executive following the departure of former CEO Phil Pluck in April.

The organisation says the appointment: “confirms the stability and long term commitment the GGF Board has made, to ensure the Federation moves forward in the right direction with a permanent and experienced leader heading up the organisation.”

Read More Here

We Have Email

From: Nick Dutton, CEO, Brisant Secure

Over recent weeks there’s been increased debate about what exactly is the definition of ‘suited hardware.’ For years we have been sold door furniture ranges under this banner, yet this definition is now being questioned.

The Cambridge Dictionary suggests that suite is a noun often used in relation to ‘a set of furniture for one room, of matching design and colour.’ So, for the door furniture sector it would seem that the term ‘suited’ would be appropriate only when all components share similarities in both finish and shape.

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