The scheme of things

Just when we thought it was safe to stand up proudly and say ‘I’m in the double-glazing business’, we hear of a skirmish – or dare we say scrap – emerging that might just put the industry’s reputation a few steps back towards the dark side.

Of course, we could be very kind to the alleged perpetrators and say it is not absolutely a lie. They have not actually said it is a government-backed ‘scheme’ or indeed one with any other official funding, and if they want to call the too-familiar multi-layered discount offer ‘a scrappage scheme’ then we might be hard pressed to hang a charge on that. Read more

Another set of windows that have not fared well in the face of the law are those that must now come out of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings as a result of serious faults.
Read more

And back on the subject of professional standards, we hear the Door & Hardware Federation has had such a bumper year of new recruits that it is setting the membership bar a little higher, so this is an especially a good week to applaud them for that.
Read more

Whatever your standards, we hope there is something in this week’s issue for everyone.

Chris Church Editor

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

This Week's News

Eurocell issues legal
threat against mystery ‘scrappage’ website

Eurocell has reacted angrily to a supposed window scrappage scheme operator that the system supplier says is using its own assets, quotes and other material on its website.

The company’s head of marketing, Chris Coxon says that it has written to the business behind ‘Windows Scrappage Scheme’ threatening legal action if it does not cease and desist from using the material.

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Court orders 1,300 glazed units to be replaced on iconic tower

A High Court has ordered the owners of Manchester's iconic Beetham Tower must replace more than 1,300 ‘shadow box’ glazed panels due to a failure of structural sealant on the units.

North West Ground Rents Ltd lost the action by leaseholder Blue Manchester Limited, owner of the Manchester Hilton Hotel which takes up the first 22 floors of the tower.

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Epwin results ‘in line
with expectations’

Epwin Group PLC this week said results for 2018 are set to be in line with market expectations, despite difficult conditions.

The group reports ‘substantial’ progress in its programme of site consolidation and rationalisation though it will realise an exceptional loss on the transfer of its glass business (to the Panoramic Group). Epwin can now focus on core operations, and it is planning a new site in Telford for its window warehousing and finishing activities.

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DHF tightens membership spec after ‘bumper year’

The Door & Hardware Federation has introduced tougher procedures for companies applying to join including an ‘affiliate member’ status for all recruits before being granted full membership and use of the organisation’s logo. The move follows what the federation says has been a bumper year for recruitment.

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Obituary, Amit Mistry

Friends and colleague at Siegenia have paid tribute to Amit Mistry, who died unexpectedly last month. 

Amit covered the midlands area as an Area Sales Manager but also often worked elsewhere around the country, supporting the team at Siegenia with his technical skills and industry experience.

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