Fenestration Digital Magazine January 2019

Fenestration Digital Magazine January 2019

 @FenDigital www.fenestrationdigital.co.uk

ISSUE 7: FENESTRATION DIGITAL MAGAZINE

LIT . riginal.

RENOLIT. Das Original.

The first for exterior films.

RENOLIT EXOFOL products have reliably remained at the forefront of exterior surface technology for over thirty years and have a highly valued reputation for innovation and quality.

A commitment to development and investment in new designs and aesthetics deliver added value for our customers in a market where there is an increased demand for colour and realistic natural finishes. Dedication to customer care, service, technical and marketing support ensure that the original continues to lead the way.

Contact us for further information at [email protected]

F E N E S T R A T I O N D I G I T A L

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CLIPPINGS AND MUSINGS – JANUARY 2019 - HELEN DUVAL

When it comes to the housing market there is an expectation that this year will prove to be very much like last, a general trudge that will keep moving slowly. Divorce and death will prove to be natural causes for properties going onto the market as well as the need to move for work for some people. The continuing strict criteria regarding mortgage loans will once again place a focus on renovation rather than moving for many. Andrew Burrell, from Capital Economics recently commented, ”In short, the market will continue to tread water.” Hardly an inspiring statement for those looking to either get on the property ladder or upscale. In terms of prices, these appear to be rising despite difficulties for first time buyers according to The Halifax, which has stated that “property values rose by 1.3% over the course of 2018.”

average out at £10.7bn per year according to Capital Economics who were commissioned by Shelter.

Moving from the private sector to social housing, it has recently been stated that there is now a housing crisis, with the need for another three million new social homes to be built in England over the next 20 years to resolve the issue. Shelter has cited that 1.2 million homes are now required for “younger families who cannot afford to buy”…and that this will cause them to "face a lifetime in expensive and insecure private renting". The government has stated that it plans on building 250,000 new social houses by 2022 and that this was a priority. Initially commissioned because of the Grenfell Tower disaster, Shelter commented that "the disaster must mark a turning point in how we talk about social housing”. Claims that the government would save £60bn over 30 years if renting was made cheaper were also made by the Housing Charity. This would

After a weak November, prices rose in December 2018 by 2.2%. So, with the average property price now £229,729 and the requirement of a substantial deposit required by lenders, things still look fairly bleak for buyers looking at investing in their first home. Unease over the way the market is heading will continue until clarity about Brexit is achieved. Andrew Montlake, from mortgage broker Coreco, believes that a clear position regarding an EU-UK deal would give a more steady stance regarding the housing market in general. "Whichever way Brexit goes, the UK is still a stable country compared to many others and an end to all the current uncertainty will make a huge difference," he commented in a recent BBC interview. "There is also potentially something to be said for buyers to have property investments outside the EU which could then go through a particularly bumpy time."

Ed Miliband, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, TV architect George Clarke and Grenfell survivor Ed Daffarn recently authored a report on social housing, with the ex-Labour leader commenting on BBC Breakfast that the proposal would "transform the fabric of the country, the lives of millions of people in the country”. "It is a big sum of money but the problem is, the last labour government didn't do enough, and neither is the current government doing enough. "In the years after the Second World War, governments - Labour and Conservative - built about 120,000 social homes and council houses every year. "In the last 20 years or so we've built 20,000 social homes per year - and that is one of the biggest causes of the housing crisis.”

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GLASTON CORPORATION TO ACQUIRE BYSTRONIC GLASS

HELSINKI (FINLAND) / NEUHAUSEN- HAMBERG (GERMANY), JANUARY 25TH, 2019 Glaston Corporation has signed an agreement to acquire the Bystronic glass Group. The globally operating high-end machinery, systems and services provider for the processing of flat glass is currently owned by Swiss industrial holding company Conzzeta AG. Bystronic glass has a comprehensive range of products, highly complementary to Glaston’s, for the Architectural, Automotive and Display markets. Bystronic glass has a strong brand recognition based on 50+ years of industry expertise and is a market leader with an unrivalled reputation for innovation and quality. Technology frontrunner Glaston provides glass processing technologies and services for the architectural, solar, appliance and automotive industries globally. It is committed to serve clients with both the best know-how and the latest technologies in glass processing.

Through the combination Glaston will become a significant player in the glass machinery business providing a comprehensive product range offering from tempering, bending and laminating through insulating glass manufacturing and glass handling to automotive and display glass pre-processing as well as services. As a result of this transformational acquisition, Glaston will have a unique and value adding offering benefitting its customers. Arto Metsänen, President & CEO of Glaston, comments: “I am very pleased to welcome Bystronic glass’s highly professional team to Glaston. We have followed the company for years and we are very impressed by the quality of its products and its transformation when it comes to both operational and financial performance. Together we will become a leading player in the glass processing technology market for the benefit of our customers. With our combined capabilities and expertise, we will be able to offer customers equipment, services and solutions from one supplier optimizing customer operations and driving customer value.” Dr. Burghard Schneider,

CEO of Bystronic glass, adds: “We are proud of our employees for delivering significant improvements over recent years. The transaction will open a new chapter to the benefit of all stakeholders. With an enhanced systems-thinking and strengthened R&D capabilities we will shape the industry trends towards energy efficient solutions and digital integration, jointly with our new colleagues from Glaston. Together we can serve our broad, global client base even better and we remain committed to deliver flat glass processing at its best in terms of productivity, quality and cost.” The closing of the transaction is expected by the end of the first quarter 2019, subject to regulatory approval. Glaston has secured committed debt and

equity financing, subject to customary conditions and support of an extraordinary general meeting, respectively. Until the closing of the transaction, Bystronic glass and Glaston will continue to operate as two independent companies and the legal structure will remain unchanged.

Web: www.glaston.net www.bystronic-glass.com

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WILL AI HELP TO MAKE BREXIT EASIER TO BEAR?

Adopting new technology is taking businesses forward and at a rapid pace. The innovations brought about by the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0 is now making a substantial impact on British manufacturing. By combining a variety of technologies such as cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), manufacturers can embrace the best technology has to offer. There are greater opportunities and clear advantages in relation to performance and efficiency. of learning from its own experience, we are entering a new AI age. Automation has much potential in relation to processing and analysis, giving manufacturers clear advantages which when combined with AI will give exceptional insights into processing behaviours and how problems can be eradicated down the production line. For example, AI can help to increase volume and keep production costs low which will be of great benefit when developing new products for As AI takes leaps forward mimicking human intelligence with computer software now capable

different markets. With the constantly fluctuating situation regarding Brexit it will create excellent opportunities as businesses can understand the challenges they will face in the run up and purchase the right products to keep them ahead in fiercely competitive sectors. With the advent of AI integration, companies will come to rely more and more upon machines to increase productivity, new systems will be created that will help to minimise costs and help businesses to gain ground. This is particularly relevant for large manufacturers, which, through research, development and investment, could already be familiar with what technology can do for them. Digital technology will be the next viable step that transforms a business and its manufacturing processes to yield greater profit margins and a leading market position. Managing Brexit is also about recruiting and retaining the right staff to drive success. To fully implement the benefits of Industry 4.0, UK

business can make a more seamless transition to automated processes. Focusing on training schemes as well as working with colleges and universities to incentivise the next generation of engineers and industrialists has to be a winner all round. Creating a team that is skilled in the art of designing and manufacturing products digitally will bring an excellent ROI and transform the production process at the same time. This will boost staff morale and help the workforce to cope with tomorrow’s marketplace. Brexit is a massive business challenge but being able to handle the digital transformation will eventually provide a solid solution that will satisfy customers. Investing in technology will create better products for a global market.

manufacturers must have a strategy of upskilling existing employees to deliver digital transformation.

In relation to business and Brexit, until there is clarification it is hard to evaluate longer term strategy plans but for certain, investment in AI, automation and reviewing practices will be essential. Staff training and their ability to adopt new skills will create a better informed workforce which can help to take a business further forward as it makes its transition towards more artificially intelligent manufacturing solutions. Auditing staff and evaluating ways to maximise their potential as the Industry 4.0 revolution dawns will be key to implementing better business strategies for manufacturers. Supporting employees through this transition, giving them support to work through any worries will keep a workforce engaged and committed, so that the

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LIT . riginal.

RENOLIT. Das Original.

More Valuable Output. More Benefit.

You increase your profit with the new B‘CHAMP generation.

You increase your prot with the new B‘CHAMP generation.

The first for exterior films.

• Higher yield • Shorter changeover times • Footprint reduced by up to 50%

• Higher yield • Shorter changeover times • Footprint reduced by up to 50%

RENOLIT EXOFOL products have reliably remained at the forefront of exterior surface technology for over thirty years and have a highly valued reputation for innovation and quality.

You will find additional information on our dedicated page and those who are clever, register immediately and secure an exclusive presentation of the new B’CHAMP .

A commitment to development and investment in new designs and aesthetics deliver added value for our customers in a market where there is an increased demand for colour and realistic natural finishes. Dedication to customer care, service, technical and marketing support ensure that the original continues to lead the way.

You will fin additi nal information on our dedicated page and those who are clever, register immediately and secure an exclusive presentation of the new B’CHAMP.

Contact us for further information at [email protected]

www.bystronic-glass.com/newbchamp

www.bystronic-glass.com/newbchamp

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A perfect addition for any installer or SME who doesn’t have an onboard system.

Not all driving is done during daylight hours, and sometimes if at the end of a cold winter day, the journey can be made all the longer by eyestrain when the light is lost. With safety a priority, if anyone has trouble seeing clearly at night then an investment in NIGHTGUIDE products could well be a part of the solution. Many accidents are caused at night on the roads and taking risks can cause serious damage which could alter lives. Just like HD television, NightGuide HD enhances colours and clarity and they last. This type of product has been growing in popularity due to the clarity they offer drivers with tired eyes while they are driving at night. KeySmart Pro ensures that keys need never be lost again and as a compact holder it minimises the amount of space that keys take up in pockets or bags. Bulky keychains with numerous keys attached are really cumbersome to handle and they can help to tear pockets apart. This is a neat solution that is about the size of a Swiss Army Knife and will help to organise all the important keys used everyday. It can hold up to 14 keys and is made of two 3mm thick plates made from aircraft grade aluminium. A really useful location tracking system is built into the KeySmart Pro which can be paired with a smartphone. Also, should the phone get lost then this little gadget allows the owner to press its tracker button and the phone will ring via the free app. Lost keys would seem to be a thing of the past with this great little invention. Keeping up with technology seems a constant challenge, with updates continually surfacing as tech giants look to get us to invest. The lifespan of a smartphone battery varies greatly depending on the brand but it can be infuriating as the phone ages, that the life of the battery decreases rapidly.

GADGETS AND GIZMOS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY BUSINESSMAN

Unless phones are regularly updated it can be infuriating to see battery life diminish quickly, particularly if important calls are cut because of this. New technology is incorporating wireless charging options but unless you have the latest versions then the life of the battery will continue to diminish. Today however there always seems to be a great gadget just around the corner that can help us to save money. Universal wireless charging adapters can now be bought which are helping to revolutionise the battery life of older phones. Companies such as Energix UK provide thin adapters that can turn a phone into a wireless charging device. If considering buying an upgrade it may be worth checking these out first before making the investment. As the most innovative gadgetmakers can be found online all these useful products can be sourced via their trade names and purchased online.

With so many people out on the road, regularly visiting customers, sites and suppliers, making the best of the journey can be hard, particularly if it will mean all day travelling. Last year saw some great inventions launched to help make travelling a little less stressful. FIXD UK offers a range of products that help to detect or translate any technical problems that may arise during a journey. A lot of us tend to rely on the information given by mechanics and that familiar sharp intake of breath as the issues are evaluated. CarDrs are becoming very popular as they can immediately explain what is wrong with a vehicle in simple, easy to understand terms. As an onboard diagnostic scanner these gadgets plug into a car’s OBD port which then passes real time diagnostics straight into a smartphone.

It links via wifi and gives the opportunity to have a little knowledge or at least some understanding about a technical car problem before visiting a mechanic. When it comes to navigation there are plenty of onboard GPS systems that will help us to find a new location. VIZR however is an easy to use driving display that helps to transform a smartphone into a heads up display on the dashboard. As a transparent display it doesn’t distract while driving, won’t slip off the dash and it can be used in any car or truck, working day and night in any weather conditions. VIZR products include free iOS & Android Apps so current traffic conditions, speed checks, diversions and GPS features can all be easily checked.

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competition shall roll back to the recognised name of Cool Wall.

where people and companies with live vacancies in their businesses will be able to upload their job adverts for free. Once people have uploaded those vacancies, all live jobs will be visible on the NFA Jobs Dashboard. This is a trial period of the service, however, if it proves to be successful in it’s trial period, then it will become a permanent feature of the National Fenestration Awards. To find out more, or upload your own jobs to the site, click here: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa-job #NFA18 WINNERS EVENT The National Fenestration Awards will also hold it’s annual Winners Event celebration on Saturday April 27th. This will be held at the prestigious Doncaster Racecourse, where winners from the 2018 campaign will be honoured for their achievements last year and be presented with their trophies. It’s a day of racing, fine food and drink, networking and hospitality, and a great place to meet future customers or reconnect with existing ones. Main sponsors; Masterframe, Kolorseal, Synseal, FrameXpress, GQA Qualifications and Morley Glass will all be there, as well as many others from the industry at large. This is an event open to everyone who wish to attend. Information on ticket prices will be made available shortly on the NFA website.

In an effort to make the monthly competition simpler to use for participants, changes have been made to how that part of the competition works on the website. The NFA team aims to make the 2019 Cool Wall the very best yet in terms of standard of projects uploaded and subjected to voting, as well as by volume of participants too. NEW CATEGORY SPONSOR The NFAs are happy to announce that they are launching the 2019 campaign with a brand new category sponsor, Liniar. They will be putting their name and brand to the Fabricator / Manufacturer category for the duration of the campaign. They are the fourth category sponsor for the National Fenestration Awards, who will be looking to expand the number of companies putting their support behind individual categories during the course of the campaign. NFA NEWS The news page on the NFA website has also been given a bit of a face lift. There is now a timeline feed of the latest news, which continues to expand as you scroll down. The National Fenestration Awards this year are going to be far more than just awards. The NFA News service has become a very large, regularly update resource with all the latest industry news, opinion, guest articles and analysis. During 2019 the NFAs will aim to bring the very latest updates from companies and the industry as a whole to as much of the industry as possible. It will be a place where companies will want to be seen and publish their news. NFA JOBS Continuing in that vein to be more than just awards, there is a brand spanking new service called NFA Jobs. This new section on the site is

2019 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS CAMPAIGN GOES LIVE

After a well earned Christmas break, the National Fenestration Awards are back in what is now their seventh campaign. There’s plenty new to talk about! NEW CATEGORIES

been making great strides in this area.

Some changes have also been made to two existing categories for 2019. Glass Systems Company has been merged with the Systems Company category. Given the small number of possible competing companies, the two have merged to span all systems houses across all products and material groups. The panelled doors section has been dropped for 2019, creating a specific composite door category. To browse all #NFA19 categories and start casting early nominees, follow this link: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa19 NFA COOL WALL After an attempt to re-brand the popular Cool Wall competition in the 2018 campaign to reflect the established nature of the competition, it has been decided that for 2019 the monthly installations

The event was a massive success last year, and will be one of the highlights of the year again in 2019!

The 2019 campaign launches with two new categories: Trade Counter and Recycling Company.

The National Fenestration Awards team wishes everyone the very best of luck to all who are competing in this year’s campaign. Here’s to a productive and prosperous 2019 to all!

Trade counters play an important role within UK fenestration, but have grown rapidly in recent years to become a much more influential part of the supply chain. Far from just trims and silicones, most modern trade counters supply almost everything, from bi-fold doors, lantern roofs, composite doors and all the ancillary products in between. Recycling has also been included for the first time. The industry is going through a period of self-reflection, as the campaign to ditch single-use plastics gathers pace, and we all look at how we produce and consume materials in all walks of life. Some companies have

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· 70mm sash and 80mm frame · Double rebated for extreme weather · Discreet external seal · Fully foiled for authenticity · Welded or mechanically jointed

A new generation of flush sash windows…

01332 883900 [email protected] www.liniar.co.uk/resurgence

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EDGETECH HEADS TO DUSSELDORF FOR 25TH ANNUAL GLASSTEC EXPO

Warm-edge experts Edgetech have returned from a highly successful appearance at Glasstec 2018. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Glasstec is one of the world’s biggest and most respected glass industry trade expos, and this year drew more than 42,000 visitors from over 120 countries to Dusseldorf between the 23rd and 26th of October. Edgetech was one of 1,280 exhibitors from fifty countries, and demonstrated the array of hugely impressive projects its products have featured in at a stand bearing the motto ‘Always Present in Prestigious Buildings.’ The mood of the exhibition was extremely positive, as Edgetech Head of Marketing Charlotte Mercer recalls. “Construction continues to boom in China, the Middle East and Asia more generally, and we saw extensive interest from visitors from these parts of the world across the four days. “It’s clear that, for Edgetech and other businesses like ours, there’s still huge growth potential in the East – not just because of the rising number of prestige buildings being built across the continent, but also because of the specific challenges that Asian construction presents.” In hot regions like the Middle East, windows and glass facades are subject

to much higher stress, because of large differentials between inside and outside temperatures. Super Spacer’s 100% memory makes it invaluable in these circumstances – no matter how much a unit might expand in hot weather, it will always return to its original position. Tall, tower block-style buildings are also very popular in the area, which also presents challenges. Again, Super Spacer’s flexibility is extremely useful here, significantly reducing the mechanical load. “As ever, Glasstec was an extremely valuable experience for us – it’s no surprise it’s lasted 25 years”, Charlotte concludes. Edgetech’s Super Spacer is the leading foam warm edge spacer product on the market, offering easy application, 100% memory and exceptional thermal efficiency and condensation resistance. The firm also manufactures an extensive range of other flexible components, including its commercial- focused TriSeal and T-Spacer, as well as a number of rigid products.

Your No1 choice for integral blinds

Choice of FIVE control systems ONE blinding profit opportunity

ORDER TODAY

www.morleyglass.co.uk

Quotes available in 60 minutes.

from

Tel: 0113 277 8722 Email: [email protected] Direct fax for quotations: 0113 277 8723

For more information please visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd, Unit 3, Leeds 27 Industrial Estate, Bruntclie Way, Leeds LS27 0HH

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THE HEGLA GROUP CELEBRATES SUCCESS HEADING INTO 2019

This industry recognises leaders who are interested in developing innovations that create a bigger picture value not just in relation to stronger, faster performance for their customers, but also for employees to feel a strong security in regards to their working environment. The HEGLA group saw many changes and developments for the good in 2018 that were not only focused on improving customer profit margins, but that focussed on the possibilities and prosperity of the industry as a whole. By looking at market direction, HEGLA consolidated its leading market position and now offers triple the advantages from under one roof. There mergence of HEGLA boraident GmbH & Co and HEGLA-HANIC as integral to the HEGLA group’s future, has created greater business potential for customers with machines and systems that can achieve the highest precision and quality in automation. The strong tradition of collaborating with customers to tailor solutions that will give them greater scope is just one part of HEGLA’s contribution to improve business performance across the sector. There is a commitment through training and support, that is dedicated to help customers survive in an

exceptionally fierce market. This has been achieved via discussion, insights and technical advancements. The launch of AGV’s and the new StreamLam for example, help customers achieve greater results in a faster timescale. The latter can achieve a 30% greater output in LSG cutting than conventional cutting lines. Equally, the modern software solutions from HEGLA-HANIC simplify production control whilst innovations including the laser-assisted glass finish and marking from HEGLA boraident GmbH & Co. give excellent technical advantages to a production line. The company recognises that great strength lies in a strong team and one of the signature developments is consistent employee evaluation and training support. Career opportunity has never been better at the HEGLA group with graduate schemes, mentorships and apprenticeships offered that have seen the team grow substantially to reflect the progressive approach to the industry. Senior management believe that the opportunity to support younger professionals demonstrates their valuable contribution to this business sector as a whole.

the HEGLA team and customers as a consequence results in powerful working partnerships which reflect the best the industry can offer. As we begin 2019, already we have a strong business profile in place and our primary mission is to keep our customers ahead in what could prove to be a turbulent economic climate. We are focused on upholding the high standards for which we are recognised whilst continuing to develop outstanding new innovations that will support our customers and further advance their businesses.” Looking ahead, the HEGLA team recognises that customers are constantly evaluating and investing in their own future performance by adopting methods and technology. Analysing emerging trends and creating discussion with customers from this enables the company to then drive forward successful solutions for an ever changing marketplace. The company’s core strategic objective is to provide a resource for customers as they expand their own capabilities, helping them to create value and support for their own target markets. For more information on the complete HEGLA range please call 01908 291 633.

Bernhard Hoetger, COO, HEGLA group comments, “Collectively, these efforts attract new entrants to our profession, which supports the resilience of this company, internationally. Likewise, the new business partnerships and developments in automation have been successful milestones for this company which have unified the organisation as it prepares to gain further ground next year. Our automated systems will continue to evolve as the all important Industry 4.0 begins to gather momentum on a global scale. Streamlining production methods with faster output and greater quality all round will give our customers greater potential and success.” Demand for products in the HEGLA range grew throughout 2018 particularly across the UK, with industry accreditation and satisfied customers substantiating the claims of engineering excellence provided by the company. Steve Goble, Managing Director HEGLA UK Ltd, comments, “Customers are actively seeking to adapt their business methods and improve their performance credentials. The engineering excellence of the HEGLA brand is very well recognised as being able to support this. The trust that grows between

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Keep some jingle in your pocket in the new year

We are kicking off the festive season with

another booklet containing thirty, £30.00 vouchers to use against your future sash window orders

in January and February 2019.

Please call Jack Sellick directly on 01376 534 109 to claim your FREE GIFT of thirty, £30 vouchers.

This personal gift is worth a total of £900 and can be used right up until 28th February 2019. There is plenty of time to make some big savings! Our offer is available on purchases

across all our trade ranges so no matter what your customer’s budget, you still benefit from the £30 off each sash window. With best wishes for a happy and prosperous Festive Season. The Masterframe team

Terms and conditions 1. Not available in conjunction with any other offer 2. One voucher per window purchase

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Upholding customer’s trust in Contech Conservatories and maintaining the integrity of the business will always remain a key focus, confirming the company’s commitment to quality and efficient delivery. Gareth Jones, Director, comments “We will always strive for the highest levels of professionalism and quality standards. Adapting to market trends is a continuing focus and collaborating with customers to ensure that we provide the right products at the right price will remain key to this business. The new developments we have launched have received a very positive response from customers and we will continue to introduce new initiatives as we move forward to help support them. Tailoring

solutions such as coloured foils and building up our roofing orders before delivery gives customers complete confidence in the support that is provided by this business. Whilst economic changes could be on the horizon, the Contech Conservatories team is here and ready to face industry challenges as they appear, to ensure customers have what they need to move forward. Defining and redefining good business opportunities remains at the heart of the whole team.” For more information on the Contech Conservatories range please visit the website www.contechconservatories.co.uk or call the team on 01782 593 968.

A POSITIVE START TO 2019 FOR CONTECH CONSERVATORIES

Contech Conservatory Roofing saw a steady and positive year throughout 2018 with a focus placed on customer satisfaction. The range has diversified and been expanded to ensure there is a broad choice of roofing and trade frame products for domestic and commercial projects. Customers have come to reply upon the highest standards of integrity and business support from the Contech team, with technical advice and POS material all readily available on request at no extra charge. Strategic thinking, business insight and new ways to inspire consumers to invest will continue to be a big part of the company’s development programme throughout 2019 and beyond. Introducing market leading solutions that will help customers improve their business potential is at the heart of the family-owned business.

For this reason investments have been made in modern new machinery for the fabrication division to ensure that only the highest quality products are manufactured and delivered. Investment in transport and delivery services has also greatly helped the Contech team meet customers deadlines, whatever the weather, with increased delivery runs made and larger delivery routes now made. Introducing new products into the range has helped customers gain ground in the domestic market with the Atlas Flat Roof and Sky Light Vista proving very popular additions this year. Adding more space and value continues to be a focus for consumers when they make decisions regarding their home, as design becomes more dynamic and this remains a priority for the company.

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The easy choice for integral blinds

Long-lasting quality is our guarantee For almost 30 years Edgetech has provided customers throughout the world with reliable and innovative insulating glass products they can build their business on. We’re so certain our products are the best- in-class that we guarantee them, extending a Super Spacer ® unit warranty to 20 years, if service requirements are met.

Choice of FIVE control systems ONE blinding profit opportunity

Sit back and relax. With 20 years’ experience you can trust us to deliver consistently high-quality Uni-Blind sealed units with ScreenLine integral blinds inside in just 10 days.

ORDER TODAY

www.morleyglass.co.uk

Quotes available in 60 minutes. Tel: 0113 277 8722

from

Let us show you why our customers put their trust in Edgetech.

Email: [email protected] Direct fax for quotations: 0113 277 8723

T: 02476 995841 www.edgetechig.co.uk E: [email protected]

Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd, Unit 3, Leeds 27 Industrial Estate, Bruntcli„e Way, Leeds LS27 0HH

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elevate INTRODUCING ELEVATE BY LINIAR

There's a buzz in the air at Liniar's Derbyshire production facility surrounding the upcoming release of Elevate, Liniar's stylish, lantern-style conservatory roof. A roofing option often requested by fabricators and installers, Liniar listened to what their customers wanted and delivered Elevate, a contemporary, eco-friendly product with straightforward installation. Designed by Liniar's in- house research and development team, Elevate is set to take the market by storm. The unique, elegantly designed Elevate lantern- style conservatory roof inspires the senses with slim sightlines and a sleek transition of roof bars. An effortless option, Elevate is simple to order and easy to install. It's available in kit format, which is handy for installers because it provides everything needed to get the job done. The new, modern construction style is innovative and thermally efficient, whilst giving an unobstructed view and flooding a room with natural light. Elevate kits boast Liniar's EnergyPlus twin walled caps as standard, providing additional thermal efficiency, as well as a strong, robust fit and finish. Utilising Liniar's patented features, including a weather dam and Glazing Stop, installers can rest assured the product is designed to avoid glass slippage and will stand up to the test of even the

most inclement weather. Designed to be a perfect match with other products in the Liniar range, including windows, bi-folding and patio doors, bespoke Elevate kits are available in 36 colour combinations and delivered within five working days, with more colour options available on longer lead times. Each coloured kit comes fully foiled, including the top and end caps, offering a smooth, seamless finish. Chris Armes, Design and Development Manager for Liniar, explains how Elevate was developed: "Drawing on advantages of the existing Liniar conservatory roofing system, with its patented glazing retainer for non-slip glazing and unique twin walled caps for strength and security, we were able to develop Elevate, a new, simple and attractive lantern-style roof to compliment the ever-expanding window, door and roof range at Liniar." Designed, crafted and supported in Britain by a team with over 500 years' experience in the fenestration industry; Elevate comes with Liniar's 10-year guarantee as standard.

NEW TEAM FOR A NEW YEAR

RENOLIT Cramlington Ltd has made two key appointments to its Exterior UK & Ireland team: Alex Callan (right) joins as Business Manager; John Gray (left) joins as Account Manager. These are important roles within the company states Sales Director Mark McDonagh, “Alex and John will be at the forefront of customer account management within the UK and Ireland for RENOLIT’s exterior business. With an uncertain year being faced by the UK in 2019, providing a solid point of contact and reliably high levels of service to our customers is particularly important.” Alex has 25 years account management experience within the construction and automotive industries. John has a strong background in technical sales

within the industrial automation sector. With the relevance and depth of experience, they will provide an unrivalled support to the UK & Irish markets. The RENOLIT Group is a globally-active specialist for high-quality plastic films, sheets and other plastic products. With more than 30 locations in over 20 countries, and with annual sales of EUR 1,016 billion in fiscal 2017, the company from Worms – nearly 50 km northwest of Heidelberg – is one of the world’s leading plastics product manufacturers. Over 4,700 employees continue to further develop the knowledge and expertise gained from over seventy years of business.

Available exclusively for Liniar customers from December 2018.

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NEW YEAR, NEW ROLES AT VBH

BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO A NORWICH MARINA

VBH (GB) is pleased to announce several promotions and a new starter at the company, recognising the talents of the ‘next generation’ VBH team. This follows what the company describes as “a fantastic year of customer, team and product development capped by record months and the strongest Q4 since before the crash.” A member of the Customer Service team for 12 years, Sarah Talbot moves into the newly created position of Internal Sales Manager, leading all three sales offices and working with the Regional Sales Managers to ensure excellence is delivered ‘as standard’. Sarah had previously been Customer Service Leader. Louise Eagle, who joined VBH in 2012 as a Business Apprentice, has taken over leadership of the Customer Service Team in the Gillingham office. Louise will also be responsible for putting feedback systems in place to better understand and react to any customer issues and build on positive comments. Within the Purchasing department, Karl Thompson, who also originally joined as a Business Apprentice has now been promoted from Purchasing Team Leader to Purchasing Manager, reporting directly to the Logistics Director. Karl manages the other members of the Purchasing team and oversees their activities, ensuring smooth delivery of stock on both greenteQ and third-party products. Following a very successful induction period, Area Sales Representative Harriet Adams is now responsible for sales in the South East region. Her role involves

visiting customers on a daily basis, keeping them abreast of new products, trends and regulations, and making sure that all aspects of the relationship between her customers and VBH run smoothly. Vince Kay, Financial Director at VBH says: “We have always prided ourselves on the quality of products that we offer, but what really sets us apart from competitors is our service and our team. Our focus is on nurturing talent from within VBH, and in addition to our VBH stalwarts, we have great younger people coming through the ranks who have thrived on the extra responsibilities. By promoting them into their new roles, Louise, Sarah and Karl have the confidence to take on new responsibilities, express themselves and implement new processes that benefit everyone in the supply chain. Our recent win as Component Supplier of the Year at the G-Awards has shown that the industry already recognises us as a great supplier. However, we are always striving to become better!” For more information on VBH, visit www.vbhgb.com or to talk to one of the team, call on 01634 263263 and follow @vbhgreenteq

Sitting at a stunning location on the water's edge in Norwich, Fencraft Marine, owned by Ray Hilburn, has been a destination for relaxing stay-cations or to moor your boat since the late 1970s. In early 2017, Ray contacted Liniar's Technical Sales Manager Les Paternoster about a challenge he was facing at the marina, hoping Liniar's 100% recycled PVCu trench piling could solve the problem. The issue Fencraft Marine faced was the deterioration of timber piling that supported the shoreline underneath the piers and along the banks of the river. Ray and his team at Fencraft needed a long-term solution that was environmentally friendly and wouldn't break the bank. Before they would commit to an order, the Fencraft team wanted samples of the Liniar piling and time to go over them to make a decision. Les sent them the requested samples, and it took them a year to decide to go ahead with the project. are going to be cheap - but they aren't. It was hard to justify spending a lot of money on PVCu trench piling; it’s a well-engineered product even though it’s made from recycled PVCu. In the end, we accepted that it was more expensive than we thought and because the quality was so good (and we’d never have to replace it!) we were willing to We asked Ray what made the decision so difficult, he explained, "You think that recycled materials

pay for it." The biggest obstacle the team installing the trench piling faced was not losing any support while replacing all the rotten timber. We asked Ray how the installation went and he commented, "We ordered 25 metres of the trench piling and were worried that we'd have to have special equipment to install it. "Surprisingly, we installed all of it by hand, with nothing but a rubber mallet. We were able to position it and get it secured without any loss of support. "We're thrilled with the results of the project and still have several metres to replace in the months ahead. The neighbouring marinas have seen our new PVCu trench piling, and they're really impressed with it. I think Liniar will be receiving calls off them in the near future to replace their rotting railway sleepers as well!" Liniar's plastic piling range includes a host of features which make it attractive for applications from peat bog preservation to marine conservation and the reclamation of lands lost because of erosion. The plastic piling range from Liniar doesn’t rust or rot, won't spark and isn't affected by salt water. With the ability to create curved walls, and with log pile even designed with a wood composite fascia to offer a soft engineering appearance, PVCu piling from Liniar has a wide variety of uses.

Find out more about Liniar plastic piling on tour website: www.liniar.co.uk/plastic-piling

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installation. The ringbeam is simpler to drill to the kerb and it comes with fewer components to ease fitting further. And, because the lantern is a ‘dry fit’ system, which only requires silicone to seal the lantern at the kerb, it is neater, quicker and easier to fit than ever before. “These enhancements were all about simplifying the installation for the fitter,” Gareth adds. “Many installers shied away from projects with lanterns before, because they saw them as complicated, specialist jobs that needed to be subcontracted to expert fitters. This new lantern has been designed with the fitter in mind and it opens up terrific opportunities for firms that don’t have experience in lanterns to widen their offering and make the most of the growth of the flat roof extension market.”

The Lantern 2.0 is perfectly proportioned with the internal ridge, transom rafters and hips the same 40mm width and appearance for a streamlined look. Unlike some alternative systems, there are no boss or hoods to intrude on the roof’s slim-line ridge. It is also one of the strongest glazed roofing systems available and, despite its extensive glazing, it delivers outstanding thermal performance. The ridge and rafters feature a thermal break to prevent cold air from penetrating to the inside of the rafter. The rafter is more thermally efficient than its nearest rival and can achieve a U-value of up to 0.9 W/m2k with triple glazing.

For further information, please contact Atlas on [email protected] or phone 02838 327741.

ATLAS UNVEILS NEW GENERATION LANTERN

Industry pioneer Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions has pushed the boundaries in lantern design once again with the unveiling of a next generation glazed roof lantern. The Lantern 2.0 is the slimmest, lightest, finest looking and most energy efficient lantern that Atlas has ever created and the market has ever seen. Developed to deliver everything the homeowner and installer want in a roof lantern, the fitter friendly lantern is the slimmest non-bonded roof in the industry. And Atlas has improved on all of its features to make it the best lantern available on the market today. Taking aesthetics and performance to a new level, the lantern features a fully aluminium, thermally broken ringbeam, which has been reduced in size by 55% to make it even lighter, better looking and more thermally efficient than before. The new lantern also incorporates a refined ridge topcap, which is 25% thinner than before, to achieve incredibly slim sightlines when viewed from below. The height of the ridge top cap has also been trimmed by nearly 50%, making it much less obtrusive because the

lantern sits much lower than bulkier alternative systems from the outside.

Gareth Thomas, sales and marketing director at Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, said: “This lantern is the dawn of a new era for our industry and we’re really proud to launch what is a truly exciting advance in lantern design. We’ve put our passion, expertise and agility into developing our new lantern – this piece of engineering excellence has all the characteristics you expect of an Atlas roof, but it’s even better. “Delivering on all fronts, it’s a new breed of lantern that’s a league ahead of everything else out there and we know that homeowners and installers will be hankering for it. You could say the best just got better!” As well as introducing a host of advances to improve the appearance and performance of the lantern, Atlas has also ensured that it simplifies the installation process for the fitter. The new ringbeam is now in one piece to do away with on-site assembly and make for a quicker and more straightforward

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DGB | 2019

DGB

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WITH OVER 3600 PUBLISHED ARTICLES, 6150 COMMENTS AND WELL OVER A MILLION PAGE VIEWS, THE GLAZING INDUSTRY'S FRESHEST, SHARPEST AND RELEVANT OPINION AND DISCUSSION IS ON DGB. During 2019 DGB is set to be read by over 250,000 people, with over 170,000 of those unique. They will generate over 350,000 page views this year alone. DGB continues to grow and expand, covering even more of the diverse sector that is UK fenestration. Join the industry's best conversation: www.doubleglazingblogger.com

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Why is this important? In the reports to come out of the first phase of the investigation, they damned the fire doors that were in the building. There were a number of problems reported after testing of the doors left in the building. It led to some serious soul-searching and even some companies taking fire doors off the market until they felt comfortable that the products were capable of doing the job. The starting of the inquiry again is going to bring back into focus fire doors and questions over their true ability to get the job done. As it happens, I saw on Twitter today that after a Freedom Of Information request it has been found that over 25,000 doors that have been installed into social housing are one of the five types of fire doors that failed tests. This is an issue that is not going to go away, and the restart of the Grenfell Inquiry at the end of this year will be another significant moment. ANTI-PLASTIC SENTIMENT This is another year-long moment, but one we cannot afford to ignore, and that is the rise of anti- plastic sentiment among consumers. We saw it break ground in 2018 with campaigns from various people and broadcasters rightly bringing it into the public domain. Single-use plastics are a scourge on society and do immense damage to our environment. remains the single most important window and door material in the residential sector. As the public continues to ditch plastic in 2019, what we need to be sharp on is ensuring that home owners know that PVCu can be used in a sustainable manner. That it can be recycled up to ten times, giving it a life span of hundreds of years. During the course of this year, the industry needs to be talking up PVCu, else risk it being caught up in the anti-plastic movement. However, that doesn’t mean we need to be writing off the material either. PVCu, although unplasticised,

on the day this was published was voted through Parliament which aims to force Government to get Parliamentary approval for a no-deal Brexit. At this moment in time no one actually knows what is going to happen after January 15th. That will be a big moment in itself. But it is March 29th that is the truly major moment for everyone and every industry in this country. Will we keep our heads and get on with getting on? Will hysteria take over? Will we see public disorder if a portion of the population doesn’t feel like it got what it wanted? From where I see it, if things get any more fractured, we could see genuine disorder in the lead up to Brexit day. We could see business levels drop off in the weeks leading up to Brexit day. Home owners will put aside major spending decisions until they feel like they know what is going to happen in the near term. The whole of March could be a really rocky month for the window and door industry THE SKILLS GAP Consider this your year-long moment. We’re going to be hearing lots more about the skills gap as we head towards the FIT Show in May, but we all know that our industry continues to be crippled by a severe shortage of skilled workers. We’re in our quiet period right now. Fast forward to Spring and Summer however, when we’re all in peak season and running around like headless chickens, that skills gap is going to be even worse. We’ll all be talking about it. We’ll all be frustrated by it. Building Our Skills is attempting to garner support from across the industry. The way I see it, we either back it and get behind the effort, or resign ourselves to an industry that is going to lose a quarter of it’s people in the next ten years. GRENFELL INQUIRY TO RESTART The second phase of the Grenfell Inquiry is due to start at the end of 2019. There is no specific date for this from what I can gleam online, but the end of 2019 is touted as the start date.

5 BIG INDUSTRY MOMENTS COMING IN 2019

Yesterday it was my top 5 products to watch in 2019, which you can read by clicking here. Today I want to look at 5 big moments that will happen to the window industry this year and what effects they could have. These moments could be singular one-day things, moments that span a number of days, or something a bit longer. FIT SHOW 2019 In May of this year the industry will once again get together at the NEC in Birmingham for three days of new products, seminars and meetings. It will be the only three days of the year where a large part of the industry will all be together in the same halls. It won’t happen again until 2021, and we have some pretty serious things to talk about. By the time we get to the exhibition we will be two months deep in our new future outside the European Union. No doubt that the dust will be settling still. What will be the effects? We can predict, but until it happens we won’t actually know until it happens.

Will there be material shortages? Will there be labour shortages? Will home owners stop spending? We will all be digesting the after affects, assuming it still happens, and what we can do to navigate the risks. What I fear however is that it will overshadow another incredibly important issue and that is the skills shortage. We need to use the FiT Show to talk about and then implement ideas to attempt to reverse the skills drain that has ravaged our sector for a decade. Building Our Skills will be there, which is pretty much the only industry initiative trying to tackle the problem. But if Brexit is still in the headlines and our industry is having to deal with real-world effects, then I think this could be pushed onto the back foot. BREXIT Then there is Brexit itself. We’re coming up to the meaningful vote on Theresa May’s deal on January 15th, which is widely expected to be voted down. No one really knows what happens there. An amendment from Castleford MP Yvette Cooper

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