FENDIGITAL MAGAZINE APRIL

FENDIGITAL MAGAZINE APRIL

GQA Qualifications is a multi-industry awarding body writing vocational based qualifications to support a wide range of career paths.

Accredited training leading to qualifications

If you are looking to retrain for a new career, or looking to develop your skills to open up opportunities why not consider practical training in window and door installation Learn about Building Regulations, working safely on site, how to remove windows and doors from buildings and replace with new ones All courses fully accredited and could contribute towards NVQ Qualifications With further assessment and achievement, successful candidates can go forward to achieve CSCS Cards to enable them to work safely on site Training delivered in Sheffield in a fully Covid secure environment For more information on training contact [email protected] For more information on vocational qualifications and CSCS cards contact [email protected]

www.gqaqualifications.com

• FENEX VIDEOS • HEGLA • LINIAR • BUILDING OUR SKILLS • KOLORSEAL • MORLEY GLASS’ GREENVISION FUND • WINREM • MASTERFRAME•

E D I T I O N 2 5

32 YEARS OF SASH WINDOW EXPERIENCE – AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER

This might be the very first time you are considering changing your sash window supplier. Or, perhaps you just want to try an alternative award winning sash window specialist to offer your customers a wider choice. Either way, we would like to help you to increase your VS sales. With 32 years focussed on manufacturing high quality timber alternative sash windows, we are true specialists and confident that our products will impress your customers. We have also earned a sound reputation for always providing an exceptional level of personal service and our entire team are committed to delivering this. Our new specification launched in 2019 featuring exclusive new Masterframe Systems, standard with patented Timberweld ® technology and we would welcome the opportunity to take you through the improved product offering and delighted to quote. No matter the size or design of a home or project, if sash windows are required then we can help. If a specialist solution is needed for a conservation area, modern development, school or historic building our sash windows add the right amount of authentic styling to either fit seamlessly into original settings or set the property apart from other new developments.

Designed for those who appreciate authentic detailing

To see the choices, including patented Timberweld ® corner design, download our new brochures here. Some of the advantages we offer as standard: 10 year guarantee for peace of mind Made in Britain for continuity BBA Approval on standard window sizes for longevity Energy Savings Trust recommended for energy efficiency Specialist solutions for challenging projects that require matching new to original designs Free and safe UK mainland delivery Quotes with non-priced customer proposal CAD drawings where required Expert technical support Free 47 page professional conservation guide Free product training Call our friendly sales team on 01376 510410 or email for a quote here.

Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US ANY TIME! Tel: 01376 510410 email: [email protected] Join us on LinkedIn

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CONTENTS APRIL EDITION

THIS MONTHS KEY ARTICLES...

PAGE 4 - CLIPPINGS AND MUSINGS Technology and digitisation are growing in various industries at a phenomenal rate. PAGE 19 - BUILDING OUR SKILLS CONFIRMATION The funding provided for skills training is unaffected by the cancellation of the Green Homes Voucher Scheme. PAGE 24 - ONSITE 7 MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Onsite 7, the new cloud-based job management software designed for the trade by the trade can deliver considerable savings for installers. PAGE 38 - SAFE. SECURE. FENEX OFFERS MORE POSSIBILITIES It is evident that in-person events have altered. Even if person-to-person events are safe to visit in the future, the landscape has changed. PAGE 46 - OPEN LETTER: DECEUNINCK Supply chain security, surcharges and end-user demand. There’s pressure on every part of the supply chain, from glass to hardware and profile. PAGE 50 - GOOGLE TREND SEARCH - DEMAND HIGHER THAN EVER You thought it was busy in 2020? It appears 2021 is trying very hard to make last year look like a breeze. PAGE 53 - DECEUNINCK HAS REPORTED GROWTH OF 40% Following high levels of activity in the retail sector and strong demand for premium products including flush casements, colour and finish. PAGE 58 - LASER GLASS FINISHING FROM HEGLABORAIDENT Laser finishing can be used to produce custom, functional and decorative glass products. PAGE 61 - GM FUNDRAISING LAUNCH ‘GMF 100’ CYCLING CHALLENGE Industry charity fundraiser GM Fundraising has just launched a new team cycling challenge, which will be held on Sunday 8th August 2021.

APRIL EDITION 03

CLIPPINGS &

What a rollercoaster these last few weeks have been. Religious observances have dominated the month, with Easter, Holi, Ramadan and Yom HaShoah all featuring in the calendar.

The country and Royal Family is now in mourning with the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. His life and public service covered over 70 years of our history, so he will naturally be a national loss. From traumatic childhood, to his naval service in WWII and subsequent encouragement to younger generations with schemes such as the introduction of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, he has led an extraordinary life. As a support for the Queen during both national and personal crises, demonstrates he had a life much less ordinary than most but a selfless one. Beyond this sad news, the country has now taken a huge step towards unlocking restrictions this month as pubs, restaurants and hairdressers once again re-opened. Thanks to a very successful vaccine rollout, this has enabled a faster shift towards ‘normality’ despite doubts about the safety of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. So, we are now emerging from one of the toughest lockdowns this country has ever seen, and I am sure we are all hopeful that we really are beginning to see the permanent end of virus restrictions. Although the UK suffered a near-vertical rise in Covid cases at the end of last year, people have been prioritised dependent on age and existing medical conditions, and it has had very positive results. Despite the nay-sayers and fear-mongers, the vaccinations have caused a significant drop in cases. It can’t be ignored that the lockdowns have caused the darkest recession in 300 years, but we are resilient and new businesses are rising through the ashes. As a country we have amassed over £180 bn in savings, so there is hope that we can get the economy heading back towards previous levels by the beginning of 2022. CHANGES AHEAD Looking to the rest of the year there are still plenty of positive things to consider. Technology and digitisation are growing in various industries at a phenomenal rate. It is interesting to see that what began as entertainment with computer games, is now evolving into technical methods that help our everyday lives. Drones, for example, are being used in a variety of industries. Incredibly, they are working alongside bees in detecting hidden landmines. The bees can locate the scent of explosives with their antennae. After many years of research, teams from Croatia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina have discovered a way to monitor bees and use them as landmine locators. Using drones, footage is captured of the bees and later analysed to show where landmines may be hidden. So, a force for good there I think. Also, drone racing caught my attention. This niche sport is growing into big business, with ‘pilots’ wearing headsets that show a live stream from the drone. Organisations and governing bodies now organise FPV drone racing events across the globe at premium stadiums, with the most high- profile being the Drone Racing League.

FENESTRATION DIGITAL 04

MUSINGS

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2021

How does this affect business? Well, things that start as hobbies or sports tend to become big business arenas. So now consider drone usage within large storage areas for suppliers of multiple, small products. Also, local small deliveries - the technology will no doubt be adapted to improve working lives. HELP YOURSELF In Sweden, mini supermarkets are now being opened without staff, for people in hard to reach locations. These can be accessed 24/7 and bring a whole new meaning to the term ‘Self-service’. They offer a broad range of groceries including fresh fruit and vegetables to everyday items such as bread, butter and milk. However, there are no staff or checkouts. Doors are opened via the shop’s app which works together with a Bank identity. (In Sweden a national identification app is used by all banks). Food barcode labels can be scanned with a smartphone with the amount automatically charged to a registered bank card. The Stockholm-based company launched in 2018 to provide remote communities with shopping options. Already in Asia a number of companies are testing staff-less stores in quieter, urban areas. Amazon has opened a number of similar supermarkets in the US, with the first UK version opening in Ealing, London this month. The company is looking to provide a more “frictionless” shopping experience. Entry is gained by scanning a smartphone then shoppers simply place goods into a bag, or carry it out and sensors will work out what has been purchased. Even self-scanning has been removed here.During lockdown we have all been encouraged to limit social contact, so this makes an ideal, technological solution for the future. Looking closer still to this sector and logistics, we may yet be on course for a seismic change. Around 12 companies globally are looking at developing autonomous trucking. Already companies including HEGLA, are providing small remote vehicles for transporting goods around a manufacturing facility (insert HEGLA AGV link here). These companies have seen very positive signs with larger trucks now in their sights. Tu-Simple, a California-based self-driving truck business, has prototypes in Arizona and New Mexico. Delivery runs are handled by automated trucks, that have human supervision, which run between depots. Similarly, Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, is now testing autonomous technology and has announced a partnership with Daimler to deploy fully driverless trucks. According to recent research >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68

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