NATFEN Awards Magazine Edition 5

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It's back, bigger and more inclusive than ever

GENERAL

CLIPPINGS AND MUSINGS BY HELEN DUVAL

As we launch ourselves into the beginning of another new business year, the #NFA team hopes that everyone had a wonderful break. No doubt, by now, everyone is geared and ready for new business opportunities. An occasional break from eve-ryday tasks can be extremely restorative and it does tend to bring a renewed en-thusiasm to business and the sector. The start of any new year creates an ideal opportunity to reflect on where we have been and where we are heading. That said, with the political arena being as turbulent as ever and the economy a constant source of discussion, we seem to be in for interesting times. As we look to develop trends and new markets, with construction continually evolving, the industry remains optimistic.

have laid a tremendous foundation, which others have recognised and we all can build upon their successes. Positive results in from the end of 2017 demonstrate a more buoyant market than some predicted. For those looking to stay ahead of the game, they may want to LEED by example, as green solutions become increasingly important to the building sector and this voluntary certification system becomes more prominent in the design and build sector. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification originated in the US and it is becoming popular globally regarding how compliant or eco-friendly a project will be in terms of its energy consumption, once it is completed. As a trend ‘green building’ is bound to become more important to builders, contractors and

The #NFAs have brought into focus some excellent companies and innovators, all of whom

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GENERAL

specifiers, particularly as recycling and reusing materials will be a focus for many end users and planners. BREEAM standards are more stringent regarding compliance while LEED certification is considered simpler, but there are some companies who are looking to gain certification with both camps in order to really substantiate their green credentials. One to watch. A large uptake in modular housing is predicted for 2018, with the world changing dramatically quickly and millennials leading the way in how to adapt to a fast paced lifestyle. Demand for affordable housing remains an issue and modular homes seem to be a popular solution to providing new, much needed, residential areas extremely quickly. The skilled labour shortage appears to remain a concern for the construction sec-tor and finding qualified, professionals is still challenging for many businesses. With the political arena set to be turbulent as BREXIT negotiations continue, this is a situation that could worsen during 2018. Team training and development will surely become a key issue for many building companies regarding this, with professional sub-contractors perhaps needing to branch out, diversify skillsets and be equipped with the right skills and qualifica- tions to keep growing their business. Planning will inevitably become increasingly important as more pressures and demands will be required by specifiers and plan-ners. Collaboration and communication will have to be high priorities on every-one’s agenda throughout 2018 it would seem.

Leaders in the industry, as always, are embracing new ways to innovate and be part of powerful conversations about the future of glazing, design and construc-tion. The introduction of a new Glazing Summit, to be held later this year, demon-strates more dedicated effort by the great and the good of the sector, looking to tackle challenges and engage in innovation as it develops. Comprehensive reviews of the market and its associated strategies to moving forward should make this an excellent platform for debate. It is certain that we are living in interesting times, with many forces of change be-ing launched that will redefine the sector as a whole. Revolutionary products are sure to evolve to create a greater landscape for everyone to enjoy. It will be ex- citing to see movers and shakers continuing to expand the market as design and performance become more inextricably linked. Glass continues to have that unique quality of providing so many advantages to a building’s design. Whether it is improved energy efficiency, dynamic design or im-proving soundproofing and adding light, the qualities appeal for both traditional and contemporary architectural projects. This sector continually needs innovation and it adapts exceptionally well when it is under pressure. As such, 2018 offers great promise and it would seem it will bring the chance of even greater accomplishments for those ready to take up the baton.

CONTENTS: MAIN EVENT SPONSORS ����������������������������������������������������������� 4 COOLWALL ������������������������������������������������������������������������������24 INDUSTRY NEWS ���������������������������������������������������������������������30

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KOLORSEAL SIGN UP TO BE MAIN SPONSORS

F ollowing the success of the 2016 National Fenestration Awards campaign and biggest ever Winners Event, industry leading colour specialists Kolorseal have signed on for yet another to support the 2017 National Fenestration Awards Winners Event as a main sponsor. This will see them back the awards for the third consecutive year as a main sponsor, and a main supporter of the #NAF17 Winners Event. Kolorseal, based in Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, is the industry’s leading UK fenestration colour specialists. With over a decade of experience, Kolorseal can spray PVCu and aluminium fenestration products in a huge array of colours from a variety of paint ranges. Not only that, they are a large Eurocell building supplies stockist, which gives them the unique ability to colour anything they are able to supply and deliver. Managing Director, Mark Westbrook comments: “The NFAs have grown substantially since the initial launch five years ago, and it is evident that the whole event reflects the exception-ally high standards of the best in the industry.

Speaking of their main sponsorship renewal for the #NFA17 Winners Event, co-founder Jason Grafton-Holt said: “it’s great to be able to say that Kolorseal are once again a main sponsor of the #NFA17 campaign Winners Event. They’re a high calibre company doing fantastic work in UK fenestration and it’s brilliant to be able to have quality companies like Kolorseal on board promoting the positive NFA message.” CEO of Kolorseal Debbie Hendry added “It’s great to be involved with the National Fenestration Awards again. As I have said before, I think it’s great that the nominees and votes are made by people within our industry” The 2017 National Fenestration Awards campaign reached it’s climax in December, with the annual Winners Week announcing all the campaign winners for 2017. You can find out who came out on top by clicking here. You can find out more about the awards, how to take part in 2018 by following this link: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk you can also keep up to date with all NFA news by following on Twitter: @NatFenAwards .

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SIMON CLARKE JOINS GLOBAL GLASS

S imon Clarke has been confirmed as the new General Manager of Global Glass, overseeing daily operations at their four UK based sites. Previously of Glass Systems Group, Simon joins the glass company owned by Synseal Group to replace Mark Cerrone, who has taken up a Director role at The Glass Machinery Company Ltd. In Simon’s role as General Manager, he will oversee the company’s four glass production facilities in Nottinghamshire, Blackburn, Wigan and Essex, reporting to Glass Managing Director Derren Gittins, who joined Global Glass last April. Since then, glass orders have increased by 40%, filling the additional capacity gained in the purchase of Global Glass Essex in December 2016. With more than 28 years’ experience in glass processing, Simon started his career as a plant engineer before spending two decades in domestic IGU manufacture as both an Operations Manager and General Manager at various businesses within

Pilkington. He has subsequently spent the last two years in the role of UK General Manager at Glass Systems Group. Commenting on his appointment, Simon said: “I am delighted to be joining the Global Glass team at Synseal Group. This is an industry and customer base that I know very well and I’m looking forward to using the expertise gained from many years at Pilkington and Glass Systems Group to help improve Synseal Group’s already impressive glass business, with the aim of giving our customers the very best possible quality and service across the whole of the UK.” Derren Gittins, Glass MD for Synseal Group, added: “Simon joins us at a very exciting time, following us winning Glass Company of the Year at the G17 Awards last year. He has a proven track record in the glass business of building and maintaining excellent operational standards and will help us in our campaign to become recognised as a world class manufacturer.”

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Perfect partnerships

In a bit of a PR pickle? We’d relish the opportunity to help.

T: 01904 610077 www.partners-group.co.uk

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DGB | 2017

WWW.DOUBLEGLAZINGBLOGGER.COM

DYNAMIC, SHARP, AND ENGAGING

WITH OVER 3000 PUBLISHED ARTICLES, 5850 COMMENTS AND OVER A MILLION PAGE VIEWS, THE GLAZING INDUSTRY'S FRESHEST, SHARPEST AND RELEVANT OPINION AND DISCUSSION IS ON DGB. During 2017 DGB is set to be read by over 170,000 people, with over 120,000 of those unique. They will generate over 225,000 page views this year alone. This year has also seen DGB surpass 1,000,000 page views in total. One of only a few, perhaps the only, UK glazing online publication to surpass this milestone. Join the industry's best conversation: www.doubleglazingblogger.com

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FRAMEXPRESS JOINS EXCELLENCE AS STANDARD F rameXpress, long-standing Profile 22 fabricator and one of the largest independent PVC-u fabricators of windows,

doors, conservatories and composite doors in the UK, has just become an Excellence as Standard member. Mark Westbrook, Director of FrameXpress, said: “For the last 20 years FrameXpress has built a reputation for excellence within the sector. The new initiative launched by Epwin substantiates the commitment both companies have to deliver only the highest standards and to help customers achieve greater potential. We are thrilled to be part of such a progressive industry development.” Gerald Allen, Epwin Window Systems’ Marketing Manager, said: “We are delighted to welcome FrameXpress to Excellence as Standard. It adds another dimension to a fabricator already renowned for the exceptional quality, service and support it offers.” Excellence as Standard (EAS) advocates excellence at every stage of a project – from manufacturing through to the physical installation in a consumer’s home. Being part of the EAS programme will help FrameXpress to drive quality in the industry by supporting its installer customers to become Excellence as Standard- accredited. By becoming members, installers can receive benefits including qualified leads via the lead generation programme, EAS branded marketing materials plus bespoke options, discounted NVQ training courses at Levels 2 and 3, access to video training, webinars and events via the Excellence Academy.

Westbrook, which means the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Since it was founded the company has grown from having four employees to over 60 and it now operates from a 30,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory in Telford, Shropshire. The company has grown so successfully thanks to a commitment to being a reliable, friendly and committed fabricator that looks to help customers grow their own business. It does this with exceptional service, marketing support and technical advice. Mark also credits Profile 22 and its Optima system, highlighting how well-respected the system is in the market and commenting on how fitter-friendly it is. Excellence as Standard is fast gaining a reputation for setting a benchmark for member programmes in the industry. It’s a reputation that can only be enhanced when a fabricator of the stature of FrameXpress joins.

FrameXpress was established in 1998 by well- known industry names Stuart Green and Mark

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COMMERCIAL EXCELLENCE FROM FRAMEXPRESS L eading window, door and conservatory fabricator, FrameXpress Ltd, was contracted to supply pvc-u curtain walling as well as casement windows on a commercial modernisationproject in Redditch. The project brought together the skills of the team, together with Gary Millership, Specification Manager at Epwin, who helped to advise the longstanding FrameXpress customeron the installation. The modernisation of the offices incorporated Profile 22’s curtain walling system with all windows for the project manufactured in the award winning Optima C Profile - a product recognised for its quality standards and trouble- free fitting benefits. For Dave Stearman, Business Development Manager at FrameXpress this project not only highlights the capabilities of the company’s range but also the strong, working partnership that is maintained between the two companies. He comments, “Whilst our customer was familiar with aluminium commercial projects, this was the first pvc-u curtain walling project he had undertaken. As such, it was essential that all technical queries could be clarified and discussed in the planning stages.” This latest project for frameXpress further strengthens the company’s corporate position within the commercial sector. As demand for the company’s products continues to steadily increase senior management consider that the range and support services are helping to reinforce the corporate position in the regeneration sector.

frameXpress management believes in forging strong working partnerships with customers and suppliers to provide the right solution every time. Being able to understand the industry and the challenges that face them in the current economic climate puts the company in a leading position with customers. The office modernisation highlights the very best standards in relation to modern architecture. Providing only the best in terms of materials and performance guarantees, the company excels in customer support, no matter how complicated the installation. Dave Stearman concludes, “Diversification is essential to succeed in today’s market as this project for our customer demonstrates. We are now firmly established as a company with vision that can and will provide the right solution on all sized projects. Meticulous attention to detail was placed on the design and specifications for this project by everyone. It was a great exercise in teamwork by all parties.” For more information on broad range of styles and ancillary products in the FrameXpress portfolio, please visit the website www.frameXpress.co.uk

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