Aug/Sep 2020

AUG/SEPT 2020

CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING

ALUMINIUM ROOF

LANTERN

“Being voted

Best Rooflight Supplier

is a reflection of how well

regarded Korniche Aluminium

Systems/Made For Trade is

amongst its customers and

the industry”

Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2020

>>> • GLASS • WINDOWS • DOORS • MACHINERY • HARDWARE • >>>

TOTAL Fabricator Cover - AUG/Sept 2020.indd 1 17/08/2020 12:47

We’re ready

Editor’s Comment

SOPHIE STEVENS

EDITOR

SOPHIESTEVENS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK

01892 732047

WWW.TOTAL-FABRICATOR.CO.UK


ALUMINIUM ROOF

LANTERN

With the Green Homes Grant scheme set to commence in September,

we’ve finally gained concrete clarification from the government: windows

(where single glazing is replaced with double) and energy efficient doors

will be included in the scheme, but only as a ‘secondary measure’.

Although not exactly a bombshell – as many in the sector had suspected the

eventual outcome before it was officially announced – the news has been

met with both disappointment and optimism. While the GGF laments that

the scheme offers ‘very little’ for the glazing sector, other industry voices are

tentatively positive about the opportunities it could create – especially for the

door market. Ultimately, as Emplas MD Ryan Johnson explains on page 32,

demand “will depend on the uptake of the scheme, where consumers put their

money and how much is left over after it has been spent on primary measures”

– but in Ryan’s opinion, “it has the potential to be big.”

Only time will tell if the Green Homes Grant turns out to be a damp squib or a

golden goose for the glazing sector, but in the meantime, there is plenty more

going on in the world of widows and doors...

On page 22 of this issue, Senior Architectural Systems’ James Keeling-Heane

explores how fabricators can secure work in the busy education sector, and

with ‘building back greener’ at the heart of the Prime Minister’s strategy to

rebuild Britain post-lockdown, Metal Technology’s Calvin Wilson talks to Total

Fabricator about the company’s extensive efforts to increase sustainability and

reduce its environmental impact on page 24.

Advertising:

“Being voted

Best Rooflight Supplier

is a reflection of how well

regarded Korniche Aluminium

Systems/Made For Trade is

amongst its customers and

the industry”

Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2020

Cover courtesy of Made For Trade. Find out more about their

award-winning Korniche roof lantern on page 12.

TOTAL Fabricator Cover - AUG/Sept 2020.indd 1 17/08/2020 12:47

CONNECTING THE WINDOW & DOOR FABRICATORS SUPPLY CHAIN

Publishing Director: Andy Dunn

DD: 01892 732 047

Mob: 07963 330777

Email: andydunn@media-now.co.uk

Commercial Manager: Jake Roxborough

DD: 01892 732 047

Mob: 07956 133314

Email: jakeroxborough@media-now.co.uk

Editorial Director: Matt Downs

DD: 01892 732 047

Mob: 07963 330774

Email: mattdowns@media-now.co.uk

The content of Total Fabricator magazine (and website) does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publishers and

are the views of its contributors and advertisers. The digital edition may include hyperlinks to third-party content, advertising,

or websites, provided for the sake of convenience and interest. The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising

from information in this publication and do not endorse any advertising or products available from external sources. No part

of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written consent of the publishers. All rights

reserved.

Read on for all of this and much more from the likes of Distinction Doors,

Elumatec, FIT Show, Smart Ready and Saint Gobain Glass to name a few...

I hope you enjoy the issue.

find us on facebook

Sophie

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CONTRACTOR NOW_66x190mm_Bifold 2020.indd 1 28/07/2020 11:43


AUG/SEPT 2020 TF 3

Contents

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

14

14 BLAZING A TRAIL

Total Fabricator hears how how one

manufacturer is responding to the skills crisis

22 SMART CHOICES

James Keeling-Heane of Senior Architectural

Systems explores the valuable opportunities

offerd by the education sector

48 AMAZING GLAZING

Jenni Young of Saint-Gobain Glass explains

why choosing the right type of glass is so

important when it comes to glazed extensions

FEATURES

18

18 SHAPING UP TO EXTRUDE?

Could the desire to put distance between themselves

and their competitors prompt more fabricators to put

down tooling and extrude their own products?

28 CARE AND CONNECTION

Distinction Doors’ Sarah Denham explains why it’s

important to maintain communication with colleagues

and customers in socially distanced times

22

34 CALM IN A CRISIS

Elumatec’s Neil Parton on why the machinery supplier

is a safe pair of hands in turbulent times

40 SMART SHOWING

Smart Ready gets set to wow at next year’s FIT Show

48

4 T F AUG/SEPT 2020 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

REGULARS

38 FIT SHOW UPDATE

FIT Show’s Nickie West provides her top five

reasons to exhibit in 2021

50 TALKING POINT

Dominic Dumville of Mercer & Hole, argues that

controversial pre-pack rescue deals can have

some redeeming features

38

SECTIONS:

WINDOWS

22

DOORS

28

MACHINERY

INDUSTRY NEWS

06 GREEN HOMES CLARITY

The government has confirmed that windows and

doors will be included in the Green Homes Grant scheme

as a ‘secondary measure’

08 NEW ACOUSTIC RATINGS

BFRC, the provider of energy ratings for windows and

doors, has launched the new noise reduction rating

scheme in response to homeowner demand

34

HARDWARE &

ACCESSORIES

40

GLAZED

EXTENSIONS

08

48


AUG/SEPT 2020 T F 5

Industry News

NEW INITIATIVE SET TO

FOLLOW GREEN HOMES

With the Green Homes Grant due to end

on March 31st 2021, the scheme is set

to be followed by further government

initiatives to increase the energy

efficiency of the UK’s housing stock.

Find more industry news at: www.total-fabricator.co.uk

CLARITY ON GREEN HOMES GRANT SCHEME

Speaking to Total Fabricator’s

sister title, Total Installer,

Jon Vanstone (left),

chair of Certass and

Certass TA revealed the

‘Home Upgrade Grant’ is

due to start in April next year.

With the government’s net zero emissions

targets designed to combat climate change,

Jon said: “This is the start of a journey to

2050; we need to upgrade over 20million

homes, so we know we’re a long way out

– they reckon there’ll be about 600,000

vouchers for [the Green Homes Grant], so

you’re upgrading 600,000 homes; that’s

just around 3% of those that need to be

upgraded so there’s got to be more to

follow... We’re not clear on the details for the

Home Upgrade Grant; it’s coming down the

road and over time we want to make sure

glazing is right and ready.”

With the Green Homes Grant scheme set to

commence in September, some details of its

implementation are yet to be confirmed by

the government [at the time of writing].

Discussing the inclusion of energy efficient

doors as a secondary measure, Jon said:

“We know it includes replacement of doors

pre-2002... But they haven’t quite worked out

what standards the replacement door needs

to meet – the issue is the fire rating of doors

following Grenfell. Just because a door is

energy efficient does not mean it is up to the

same fire resistance level as the one being

replaced. Further guidance is expected on this

as government will not want, especially in

flats, a reduction in fire resistance.”

The government confirmed this month

(August) that windows and doors will be

included in the Green Homes Grant scheme as

a ‘secondary measure’, bringing much-needed

clarity to the fenestration sector.

However, the scheme will only be applicable to

double or triple glazing where replacing single

glazing, or secondary glazing in addition to single

glazing. Upgrading to energy efficient doors will be

applicable as part of the scheme where replacing

doors installed prior to 2002.

Works included in the scheme are split into

‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ categories and

households will need to install at least one of the

primary measures – comprising insulation and

low carbon heat works – to be eligible to install

secondary measures as part of the scheme.

As well as windows and doors, further secondary

measures include draught proofing, heating

controls and further insulation measures.

Installers must register for TrustMark or

Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)

accreditation to take part in the scheme.

Commenting on the clarity achieved for the

fenestration sector, Mark Kelly, CEO at Eurocell,

said the initial confusion over glazing’s inclusion

in the scheme had been “a real setback to the

industry”, but now we “know exactly where we’re

at... fabricators and installers alike, can return

quickly to servicing the needs of our customers

and building the sector back up.”

Elsewhere, the Glass and Glazing Federation

(GGF) expressed disappointment at the

government’s clarification, with John Agnew, GGF

managing director, stating: “Now that the details

have been confirmed it is clear there is very

little in this [Green Homes Grant] scheme for the

glazing industry.”

In a similar vein, Chris Beedel, director of

membership for FENSA, said: “Frustratingly,

the Green Homes Grant scheme will be seen

as a missed opportunity by everyone across

the glazing industry... even the relatively few

homes to which the Green Homes window and

door grants will now apply, can only be installed

by companies who have additionally been

certificated against the PAS2030 standard,

when the opportunity should have gone to all

FENSA Approved Installers and other government

sponsored competent persons schemes.”

He added: “We firmly believe the glazing

industry has a major role to play in hitting energy

efficiency targets and FENSA will continue to

engage with the Department for Business, Energy

& Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to ensure that

government sees the positive contribution that

replacement windows and doors can make to the

energy efficiency of homes in the UK.”


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Industry News

REFORMS TO OVERHAUL

‘BARRIER TO BUILDING’

“An overhaul of the country’s outdated

planning system that will deliver the highquality,

sustainable homes communities

need” has been announced by Housing

Secretary, Robert Jenrick, as he launched

the Planning for the Future consultation.

Described as “the most significant reforms

to housing policy in decades”, a statement

from government explains that the “landmark

changes will transform a system that has

long been criticised for being too sluggish in

providing housing for families, key workers

and young people, and too ineffectual in

obligating developers to properly fund the

infrastructure – such as schools, roads and

GP surgeries – to support them.”

Billed as a major boost for SME builders

“currently cut off by the planning process”,

the reforms outlined in Planning for the

Future are designed to allow for more building

on brownfield land so valued green space

and green belt will continue to be protected,

with “local community agreement at the

centre of the proposals being put forward.”

NEW ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE RATINGS

Window and door manufacturers can now offer

customers increased confidence in the acoustic

performance of their windows and doors, thanks

to a new, independently verified noise reduction

rating scheme.

BFRC, the provider of energy ratings for windows

and doors, is launching the new noise reduction

rating scheme in response to homeowners who

are increasingly demanding higher levels of

quality assurance. Not only must new windows

and doors ‘look the part’, BFRC says homeowners

also expect features including proven noise

reduction performance.

The independently verified BFRC Noise Reduction

Scheme promises to be ‘a huge selling point’ for

manufacturers, who will be able to show their

customers how their windows and doors compare

to the competition. The labels provide an easy to

understand system for homeowners, and in turn

show a commitment to customer satisfaction,

guaranteeing the quality of a product and ensuring

it stands out from competitors.

New labels have been designed for the scheme,

using the BFRC’s label system, giving an instantly

recognisable comparison against another

product’s acoustic performance, and providing

installers and homeowners with evidence

that window and door products will deliver as

promised. Marketing materials have also been

designed and will be made available to customers.

Lis Clarke, BFRC’s operations director, said:

“There’s been a huge amount of work involved

in getting [the Noise Reduction Scheme] to

this stage and it’s very exciting to see how the

industry will take advantage of a new product

coming to market... Being able to prove the

acoustic performance of [BFRC customers’]

windows and doors, as well as proving energy

performance with BFRC ratings, is a huge boost

and provides a genuine USP as to why their

products should be used over those who make

unsubstantiated claims.”

GGF LAUNCHES TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION INITIATIVE

Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has

announced a new partnership with Total

Support Training to provide a ‘substantial

training resource’ for GGF members and the

wider industry.

The partnership includes, full course, short course

and bespoke and remote training, as well as

certification to NVQ level. Through Total Support

Training, the GGF under the brand ‘GGF Training’,

will offer courses that are open to all companies

and individuals in the industry, with GGF members

enjoying discounted rates.

Total Support is an approved GQA Centre which

has been providing courses and NVQs to the glass

and glazing industry for 11 years.

Sharon Alderton, managing director, Total Support

Training, added: “Our team look forward to

meeting and talking to members on how we can

support their business and training needs in these

challenging times.”

Visit: www.ggf.org.uk/training/ to see the range of

qualifications and courses available, or if you are

a GGF member and are interested in becoming a

trainer, email: training@ggf.org.uk

The GGF (with member input) and Total Support

will also work together to develop the current

range of training opportunities to help improve the

specialist skills and knowledge of those working in

the glass, glazing and fenestration industries.

The Total Support Training team celebrated a decade of training the glazing industry last year


This label is not a statutory requirement. It is a voluntary label provided as a customer service to allow consumers to make informed

decisions based on the noise reduction performance of competing products.

© Only to be reproduced by permission of British Fenestration Rating Council Ltd

This label is not a statutory requirement. It is a voluntary label provided as a customer service to allow consumers to make informed

decisions based on the noise reduction performance of competing products.

© Only to be reproduced by permission of British Fenestration Rating Council Ltd

the benefits with BFRC

Noise Reduction Ratings

Noise Reduction

Noise Reduction

Window

Company Name Ltd

PVC-U Casement Window

A Rated Windows

Noise Reduction (R w )

(In accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2 or

BS EN 14351.) Actual acoustic performance for a

specific application depends on: the type and

location of the external noise, the location of the

window or door, and how the elements or fabric of

the building perform.

A ++

A +

A

B

C

D

E

Correction for high frequency and low

frequency (C,C tr )

Licence No. 123456

A ++

Company Name Ltd

Composite Door

A Rated Doors

Review Date: 03/08/2020

51

(-1,-4)

To verify this licence please contact

enquiries@bfrc.org

Noise Reduction

Door

A ++

A +

A

Noise Reduction (R w )

B

C

D

E

(In accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2 or BS EN 14351.)

A ++

51

Licence No. 123456

Review Date: 01/01/2019

To verify this licence: enquiries@bfrc.org

British Fenestration Rating Council

Prove acoustic performance with BFRC ratings

BFRC Noise Reduction Ratings let you prove the

acoustic performance of your window and door

products with our highly recognised ‘rainbow’

rating label - independent, impartial, trusted.

Homeowners no longer select new windows and

doors simply based on price. They want to know

what they purchase will improve their home’s

comfort, so product performance is now a priority.

Find out more at bfrc.org

By using the renowned BFRC rating scale to

demonstrate the noise reduction properties of your

windows or doors, you can show installers and

consumers the quality of your products.

Your products will stand out from your competitors’

and you’ll be able to avoid a race to the bottom

on price. Sell using BFRC proven performance and

leave your customers in no doubt.

Industry News

FMB CALLS FOR

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Construction is bouncing back from

historically sluggish activity levels during

the coronavirus lockdown, but this

relative optimism must be converted into

long-term growth and jobs, according to

the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The latest UK construction PMI data shows

output rising for the second month in a row,

largely driven by house building, however, job

losses have begun, with 34% of respondents

reporting a fall in employment over the period.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB,

said: “The government must build on recent

support for construction by bringing forward

longer-term investment that will avoid

the industry falling off a cliff edge when

emergency measures to support the economy

come to an end early next year. With Help

to Buy, Stamp Duty holidays and the Green

Homes Grant all being wound down by the

second quarter of next year, it’s essential

to avoid a boom and bust cycle that further

risks job losses and more precarity.”

25 REDUNDANCIES ANNOUNCED AT VEKA

Burnley-based PVC-U window systems

David Jones, managing director of Veka plc,

company, Veka, has reported that 25 jobs have said: “Having started the process on Monday

been made redundant, having concluded its 15th June, establishing an employee elected

consultation process.

committee responsible for taking group redundancy

consultations, we have followed it to its conclusion.

The systems house had warned of potential job

Fortunately, throughout the process, working with

losses earlier this year, after a drop in sales

our committee, we were able to reduce the impact

forced a business review.

from an estimated redundancy of 78 roles to 25.

Having taken all available actions to ensure it This equates to 6.5% of our workforce and reflects

remains a ‘successful and sustainable business’, the new scale of the business.”

Veka says the coronavirus pandemic resulted in

He added: “Although I’m saddened that [Covid-19]

the failure of two important customers.

has resulted in losing valued employees, by adapting

This, Veka says, has had a substantial impact, and acting responsibly to ensure the sustainable

forcing a review of the company’s ongoing success of the business, Veka plc is not just here

requirements to reflect the loss of business. for now, but for the future and for life.”

VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE PREDICTS TOUGHER START TO 2021

The industry will continue to see high levels

of demand through to the end of the year

but should brace itself for tougher trading

conditions at the start of 2021, according to

participants in a recent virtual roundtable

conducted by fabricator, Emplas.

Panellists on the Covid-19 Emplas Roundtable

said that the boom seen in retail and new-build

had far exceeded their expectations.

While there was an expectation that high levels of

demand would continue through to the end of this

year, members of the forum warned of tougher

trading conditions at the start of 2021.

Ryan Johnson, managing director, Emplas,

said: “What is clear is that everyone has seen

exceptional demand over the summer and

with order books still very strong, there is an

expectation that this will continue through to the

end of the year.

“It’s what happens after that that remains less

certain,” he added.

In addition to Johnson, the event, held in July,

was attended by Clare O’Hara, managing director,

Epwin Window Systems; Thom Emerson, sales

and marketing director, Ideal Window Solutions;

Mark Pearce, managing director, KJM Group; and

representatives of industry media.

With topics of conversation including the Green

Homes Grant, Thom Emerson summed up the

mood when he compared it to the Green Deal and

another “missed opportunity”.

The boom the industry had seen at the easing of

lockdown was another subject of debate, with all

those in attendance reporting a major uplift in

demand.

This, however, was highlighted as putting

pressure on the supply chain, with the two

installers ‘in the room’, KJM Group and Ideal

Window Solutions, reporting extended lead times

and order books.

The uncertainty created by Covid-19 and the

risk of future localised lockdowns was a shared

concern, with KJM’s Mark Pearce highlighting the

importance of keeping customers and employees

safe going forward.

10 TF AUG/SEPT 2020 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

Find more industry news at: www.total-fabricator.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

•The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF)

annual conference has been reformatted

to an online event, to be held on 29th &

30th September and 1st October.

GGF Members’ Day incorporating the

annual general meeting was originally

scheduled for Manchester on 30th September

but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event

has been replaced with a new digital event

titled ‘Members’ Week’.

The three day event will include guest

speakers/panellists, presentations, webinars

and online forums covering a range of topics. To

book a place, visit: www.ggf.org.uk/membersweek-virtual-events-book-your-place-now/

• Despite industry outcry over the ‘damaging’

Green Homes Grant announcement (made

in early July), early signs indicate that the

scheme had a “minimal impact if any, on

homeowner purchasing decisions”.

In his headline analysis of the Business Pilot

Barometer, (Edition 7. May/June/July 2020),

Neil Cooper-Smith, senior analyst at Business

Pilot said: “We won’t see the full impact until

we have figures for August but the early signs

are that it has had a minimal impact, if any, on

homeowner purchasing decisions, or at least if

it has, other buyers have stepped in.”

•Mackenzie Glass has said it continues to

be able to offer a comprehensive product

range and remains ‘well supported’ by

its suppliers as the glass supply chain

‘creaks’ under the pressure of exponential

growth in demand for glass since the

easing of lockdown.

Mark Herbert, joint-MD, Mackenzie Glass,

said that while Mackenzie remains “in a

position of strength”, it is “clearly very tight out

there and shortages are a very real challenge.”

He added: “We don’t necessarily see that

changing this year” and the situation “could be

made worse in the early part of 2021.”

EUROCELL LOOKS FORWARD TO STRONG

WINDOW AND DOOR SECTOR POST-COVID

Eurocell says that it is in a strong position to

move forward from the Covid-19 lockdown

and ensure its fabricator partners can source

the products and services they need as the

industry gets back on its feet.

In its recent trading update, the manufacturer,

distributor and recycler of PVC-U window,

door, conservatory and roofline systems stated

that by the end of June, all bar one of its sites,

including manufacturing plants, branch network,

distribution and recycling operations, were open.

Eurocell says the speed at which it has returned to

operations means that it is well placed to support

the window and door industry as it recovers from

the lockdown. Since re-opening in May, Eurocell’s

branch network has been busy fulfilling orders, with

a 6% increase in sales in June compared to the

same period last year. The trade sector has been

exceptionally busy, with many fabricators reporting

order levels well above the seasonal average.

The trading update outlined that sales were very

much in line with expectations to the end of

March and despite the closure of operations for a

period, the company achieved £94 million for the

first six months of the year. The return to work in

May saw sales rising rapidly and the company

was able to take on additional business through

market share gains in the roof sector and the

introduction of new products including a range of

outdoor living solutions.

In order to further ensure that it can meet a

growing demand for its products, Eurocell is

continuing with plans to open a 260,000ft 2 ,

state-of-the-art warehouse in early 2021. This

warehouse will improve Eurocell’s capacity while

providing a number of operational efficiencies.

Ian Kemp, sales director at Eurocell, said: “In line

with the government’s guidance, we temporarily

closed plants, distribution and recycling

operations on 23rd March. When the guidance

changed in May we began a phased reopening

while taking care to maintain good health and

safety performance, with safe working practices

for Covid-19 implemented across the business.

We know that many people in the building industry

have been concerned about the reliable supply

of materials due to the disruption caused by the

Covid-19 pandemic. The actions we’ve taken to not

only reopen the business but actively grow it means

that we are well placed to work with fabricators and

our partners in the glazing industry to collectively

navigate a way back to normality.

“Our commitment to providing the industry with

what it needs goes further than just getting back

to the way things were at the beginning of the

year, as we’re also increasing our operations with

a new warehouse so that we can provide a better

service than ever before.”


AUG/SEPT 2020 TF 11

NOW IS THE TIME TO ADD THE KORNICHE

ALUMINIUM ROOF LANTERN TO YOUR PRODUCT

PORTFOLIO

Another huge success for Made for Trade and the

team at Korniche Aluminium Systems with the

announcement of ‘Best Rooflight Supplier’ 2020

from the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards.

This award really is the cherry on the top and

the latest in a string of awards that the Korniche

Lantern has picked up over the past two years.

The statement from Homebuilding & Renovating

sums this up: “This was an exceptionally strong

category with many great entrants. As such, being

voted Best Rooflight Supplier is a reflection of

how well regarded Korniche Aluminium Systems

/ Made for Trade is amongst its customers and

the industry.”

This success compliments the work and

marketing activities that Made for Trade have

carried out within both the consumer and trade

sectors. There is a significant benefit to Korniche

customers from having such high profile brand

activity that assists sales through a greater

product understanding at the consumer level.

Looking forward to 2021, Made for Trade have

new products in the pipeline that will sit within

the Korniche brand and a full diary of exhibitions

earmarked throughout the year to promote

them.

Looking forward to 2021, Made for Trade have new

Korniche products in the pipeline and a full diary

of exhibitions earmarked throughout the year to

promote the Korniche brand.

To celebrate the awards and update the consumer

marketing support on offer to their trade clients,

Made for Trade have re-designed their Korniche

Lantern brochure. Coupled with showroom offers

and additional marketing collateral - Now is the time

to be on board with the Korniche brand!

For more information and to pre-order the new

Korniche Aluminium Lantern Brochure email

marketing@madefortrade.co with your requirements

and following code: KS2020.

For more information and to keep up to date with all

Made for Trade products see their website:

www.madefortrade.co


ALUMINIUM ROOF

LANTERN

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with supply ?

Request a Made for

Trade quote today

and let’s get you

building...

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Skills & Recruitment

BLAZING A TRAIL FOR TRAINING

Covid-19 has been a distraction from another threat to business – the skills crisis. With new

controls on immigration coming into force from the end of this year, Total Fabricator finds

out how one manufacturer is preparing...

Brexit – do you remember it? It may seem

inconsequential now, but while we’ve been

focussed on keeping our collective ‘heads

above water’ during COVID-19, it hasn’t gone

away, and whichever side of the fence you sat on,

there are things you need to consider.

Emplas’s head of HR, Judith Chadwick

(pictured), says some specialist

fabrication roles are “difficult to recruit”

That’s because one thing we know for definite

is that in only a few months’ time, the UK will

switch to an Australian-style immigration points

system. Freedom of movement will end and

EU citizens will be treated in the same way as

migrants from the rest of the world, qualifying for

UK residency dependent on their skill set.

The challenge for the window and door industry

is that the lower skilled workers that it has

historically recruited to its factory floor are not

likely to qualify under the scheme.

Although it is expected that there will be a

‘transition period’, this creates a clear challenge

for window and door manufacturers. Homegrown

talent is thin on the ground – or at least in need

of some ‘persuasion’ to step into roles on the

factory floor.

Covid-19, may have contributed to higher

unemployment but this should not, according

to commentators, be seen as creating an

inexhaustible supply of low-cost labour.

“It is a challenge,” says Judith Chadwick, head of

HR at Emplas. “The government wants to reduce

reliance on low-skilled labour. That’s great but

the reality is that there are some businesses

which operate on a model which is actually

reliant on lower skilled labour.

“We aren’t immune. We have invested massively

in the automation of our business because it

allows us to have more control and deliver a

consistently higher quality product.

“That also equates to a more consistent level

of service. The trade-off is that while we have

some very highly skilled operatives, other

team members work in lower skilled roles and

recruiting them can be challenging.”

“Homegrown talent is

thin on the ground –

or at least in need of

some ‘persuasion’ to

step into roles on the

factory floor”

Emplas has invested more than £5m on its shop

floor since 2017, giving it increased capacity but

also flexibility with two fully automated window

lines and with 90% of products going through just

two Rotox 8-head welders.

This brings Emplas’ weekly capacity up to 4,200

frames across two shifts, relying on automation

of process to deliver product quality and volume.

“The machinery takes care of quality but product

still has to move through the factory, to be loaded

and unloaded, assembled – there is always a

requirement for some form of labour,” continues

Judith. “There are also specialist fabrication roles

which are also difficult to recruit to, for example

spray-booth operation, so we also need to get

people with the right skills for that.

“Recruiting specialists, people willing to step into

the industry at entry level but work and progress to

take on greater levels of responsibility isn’t easy.”

This set Emplas on a journey in partnership with

a number of other window and door businesses,

plus training providers, as a ‘trailblazer’ to

develop a new fabrication apprenticeship for

the window and door industry, under the new

Apprenticeships Standard.

With much of the work done in 2019, the

programme went live this August. It differs

from preceding schemes in that development is

explicitly employer-led, so that they can specify

exactly what’s required from an apprentice

in each specific job, creating a role-specific

standard and an assessment plan.


Above: Emplas has made apprenticeships a key element of its

recruitment strategy, with four apprenticeships currently ‘live’

and 11 former apprentices working within the business.

“Previous schemes weren’t always as rolespecific

and on that basis met with variable

levels of success,”continues Judith. “We were

able to work with other industry colleagues and

training providers such as GFTS to develop two

role-specific apprenticeships in window and

door fabrication, and a second in installation,

in addition to the office and administrative

apprenticeships we have in place.

“Recruiting new people into the industry is going

to be critical in meeting the demand for skills and

labour from next year and will be increasingly

important for us and the rest of the industry as

we move forward.”

Emplas has made apprenticeships a key

element of its recruitment strategy, with four

apprenticeships currently ‘live’ and 11 former

apprentices working within the business. As part

of the Apprenticeship Standard it will bring a

further eight apprentices into its team this year

and is currently recruiting for roles including:

sprayer/fabricator; maintenance technician;

purchasing coordinator; and IT Technician.

“One of the things that works well for us and

our team is that we can offer a career path. For

example, we’re recruiting for two fabricator roles,

one of which we see specialising in fabrication

and spray painting; the other we see focussed on

fabrication with the opportunity to move into a

team leadership role,” says Judith.

“It’s about highlighting the specialist skills that you

can develop working in the window and door industry

and the opportunities to progress your career.”

Youth unemployment is a key priority for

government. According to the Nuffield-funded

Resolution Foundation research, the current

economic crisis risks pushing an additional

600,000 18-24-year-olds into unemployment in

the coming year.

The prospects for the 800,000 young people

coming out of fulltime education this year appear

particularly stark, with evidence from previous

recessions showing that young people who’ve just

left full-time education are hit harder than other

age groups.

“It is going to be tough out there for a lot of young

people and that is something which may change

their attitude to a career,” says Judith. “That

may create an opportunity for us as employers to

address the skills deficit in this industry longer

term, which is a clear positive.

“Shorter-term, there are clear challenges in

recruitment, particularly to lower-skilled roles.

We aren’t putting our head in the sand and we

have been and will continue to work to develop

a recruitment strategy which is sustainable and

which supports our own and our customers’

future success.”

Contact Emplas:

01933 674880

www.emplas.co.uk

@EmplasWindows


AUG/SEPT 2020 T F 15

Defining spaces

in architectural

aluminium

Windows || Doors || Curtain Walling || Brise Soleil || Louvres

Horizon Heights, Student Accommodation || Liverpool

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Support

Technical design input

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Window Energy Rating software (WER)

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Life cycle analysis

Sustainable products

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metaltechnology.com

Aluminium Extrusion

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME?

Could the desire to put distance between themselves and their competitors prompt more

fabricators to put down tooling and extrude their own products? Total Fabricator explores the

offering from aluminium component specialist, Aluminium Shapes...

“I

t can cost as little as £1,000 to put down

your own tooling,” says Lee Marriott,

group business development director,

Anglo European. “And we [Aluminium Shapes],

can turn it around from as little as two weeks

from design to manufacture, and then another

week’s testing – things we do inhouse,” he adds.

Anglo European Group acquired

aluminium component specialist,

Aluminium Shapes, in July last

year. With its existing steel

manufacturing facilities

this gives Anglo European a

unique combined capability

in the UK to cold roll steel

and extrude aluminium. The

purchase was made as part of

a strategy at group level to expand

its offer across sectors to include not only

reinforcements, bay posts and couplers but also

to develop an ancillary product offer.

“We work across a stack of different areas,

shop fit-outs and interiors; to the handles on

fridge-freezers, the automotive industry. Windows

and doors account for about 30% of our overall

product mix but we plan to grow it and we believe

we can bring a lot of opportunities to fabricators

along the way,” continues Lee.

“This includes expanding our range of ancillary

products, which includes bay-poles, couplers,

cleats, trims and thresholds, which we already

manufacture and supply into the market.

“We’re also building our bespoke extrusion

business. We’re currently extruding aluminium

for two systems suppliers but we believe there is

capacity to grow that – and we believe demand

will also grow going forward.”

Aluminium

Shapes’ offer to

the window and

door industry bears

the hallmarks of its parent

group Anglo, with a focus on efficiency, lean

manufacture and UK manufacture.

Its major export into the window and door market,

is its universal Smartlink bay pole coupler and

jack system. Supplied through Anglo European

alongside its cut-to-size steel reinforcement offer,

it works across all PVC-U systems, reducing stock

holding and increasing manufacturing efficiencies.

Fully tested to loads of 10.6 tonnes, almost

double the level required, the system is backed

up by Anglo European’s full 10-year warranty,

in line with the reinforcement and component

specialist’s other products.

Shortages and under-capacity

Lee argues that recent shortages of components

coming out of lockdown have highlighted the

under-capacity within the market. This includes

limited manufacturing capability in the UK, which

combined with disruption to the global supply

chain, particularly products from China, led to

stock-outages in May and June.

“There were fabricators and installers who

couldn’t complete jobs because they couldn’t

get their hands on bay-poles. It shows you a

very clear gap in the component market and

with Covid-19 expected to cause continued

disruption – at the very least into the near future

– component product supply is something you

can’t take for granted.”

This made Anglo European’s launch of its bi-fold

corner cleat offer in June, timely. Manufactured

in the UK by Aluminium Shapes, in addition to

its unique ‘heart’ shape, it features an increased

wall thickness, while supplied at a purchase price

roughly half that of systems companies.

“It’s a case in point. We saw the opportunity, we

did the design work and put down the tooling,”

says Lee. “Aluminium extrusion is very different

to PVC-U. You can design dies and put down

tooling for a relatively modest cost, say around

£1,000 – and you can start extrusion.


“If there’s something which you can’t get your

systems company to address, which is costing

you hours and hours each week in production or

you see an opportunity – we can help you realise

it. That includes inhouse design and manufacture

of tooling; it’s accessible.”

Aluminium Shapes’ team of inhouse designers can

support manufacturers in developing their offer from

concept or sketch to extrusion, including 3D printing.

Manufacture is delivered through two dedicated

presses, depending on the extrusion. This includes

an indirect 900 tonne press for manufacture of

smaller, tight tolerance profiles of as little as 0.03kg

per metre; and a direct 1200 tonne press for the

manufacture of larger profiles up to 4kg per metre.

It heats dies and billet to approximately 500 degrees

Celsius before pushing the aluminium through the

dye under 1200 tonnes of hydraulic pressure.

Aluminium Shapes also operates an Emmegi

4Axis CNC, two 3Axis CNCs and an Emmegi triple

headed mitre saw.

“Component product

supply is something you

can’t take for granted”

Lee Marriott, Anglo European

There is no minimum order requirement

on extrusions, although Lee points out that

economies of scale will impact on unit costs.

It also offers a multitude of different finishes

from paint, anodising, colour anodising, anodic

paints, polishing, chemical brightening and more.

All extrusions are manufactured to BSEN755 as

standard and to BSEN 12020, dependent on design.

“It’s not only that we’re manufacturing in the UK

– our whole supply chain is UK-based; the raw

materials, the billet. With Anglo, it means we’re

one of only two companies in the UK with the

ability to extrude aluminium and roll steel – that

lends itself to the UK window industry.”

Contact Aluminium Shapes:

01536 262437

www.alishapes.co.uk

@AluminiumShapes

Aluminium Hardware PVCu Hardware Composite Door Hardware Tools & Consumables

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FINALIST



Keeping

with tradition

The REHAU Heritage vertical slider is designed to

incorporate all the desirable traditional features

of a timber sash window, with the additional

benefits and conveniences of modern PVCu and

offers an ‘A’ window energy rating.

With a stepped frame, three sashes, a deep

bottom rail and the choice of georgian bars and

sash horns, the REHAU Heritage window really is

the modern tradition.

Windows. Reinvented for modern life.

www.rehau.uk/windows

Article Education

SMART CHOICES FOR WINNING WORK

With the government recently announcing further investment in school buildings, James

Keeling-Heane, of Senior Architectural Systems, draws on the manufacturer’s expertise in

delivering education contracts to help fabricators secure work in this busy market.

There’s no denying the fact that the world

and the construction industry has changed

as a result of the disruption and devastation

caused by the coronavirus. For the fenestration

sector, this means that work that was all but

guaranteed may now be in serious question and

many fabricators may find themselves having to

compete for contracts that are outside of their

usual area of experience.

One market where construction has been able

to continue, albeit under heavy restrictions,

is education. Although work to build and

refurbish schools, colleges and universities

has understandably slowed down considerably,

contracts are still there for the taking and

fabricators need to be ready and able to hit the

ground running to secure these opportunities.

Teaming up with a supply chain partner like

Senior that has a proven track record of

successfully delivering education contracts is a

good place to start, but by brushing up on their

“Contracts are still there for the taking and

fabricators need to be ready and able to hit the

ground running to secure these opportunities”

knowledge of some of the key requirements of

this complex sector, fabricators and installers can

further improve their chances of winning work.

Design lessons

When it comes to specifying windows, doors and

curtain wall systems for education facilities,

the learning curve can be steep. Architects

and contractors working in this sector face

the challenge of creating educational facilities

that move away from a traditional reliance on

mechanical heating, ventilation and cooling

systems to reduce carbon emissions and lower

energy bill costs.

As a key aspect of the external envelope,

fenestration systems, and windows in particular,

have a huge impact on determining the overall

energy efficiency of a building as well as helping

to influence the internal environment. With

multiple boxes to tick, finding a system that

can provide the required U-values, acoustic

performance, aesthetics, safety, security,

durability and cost can be a challenge, and this

has greatly influenced the way that window

systems are both manufactured and specified.

Carbon savings

The need to reduce the carbon footprint of a

building is a challenge that has long faced

specifiers working in the education sector. Cost

constraints inevitably mean that this reduction

needs to be made, at least in part, before

renewable energy solutions are considered.

As a result, specifiers are increasingly looking at


ways that more traditional products can provide

better results. The development of aluminium

window systems, such as Senior’s own patented

PURe range, which offer low U-values but are

competitively priced, are providing the ideal

solution by enabling carbon savings across the

whole lifecycle of the building. Robust enough to

stand the test of time, aluminium windows also

offer cradle-to-cradle recyclability.

By cutting back on CO2 emissions through the

specification of low U-value windows, the project

team has the flexibility of looking at making

monetary savings in the overall build cost by

reducing the need for other, often more expensive,

sustainable features such as photovoltaic roof

panels or underfloor insulation.

Inspirational interiors

To help reduce the use of central heating systems

and air conditioning within schools, specifiers

must look at alternative solutions to control the

internal temperature of a room and create a

pleasant environment for both the students and

teachers to work. Thermal mass, which refers to

a building’s ability to absorb and store heat, is

now a key part of school building design and is

most effective when combined with appropriate

ventilation and shading.

Windows are an obvious way to maximise the

flow of natural light and fresh air and as summer

overheating is a common problem within schools,

night time ventilation and the use of trickle vents can

help remove any excess heat and carbon dioxide.

Flexible solutions

The unique requirements of a school environment

also influence the size, shape and positioning of

windows. For example, it is vital that all window

openings are both safe and secure, particularly at

low levels to prevent falls or trapped fingers.

Windows must also be of a significant size to

provide adequate daylight penetration to reduce

lighting costs but also need to be easily operated

and controlled by occupants, either via automatic

or manual controls, to avoid excessive solar gain.

The development of thermally-efficient aluminium

window systems has provided specifiers with the

additional advantage of having greater flexibility in

terms of the positioning of radiators. Traditionally,

radiators would be installed in the coldest part of

the room which would usually be along an exterior

wall where cold air would enter via the windows.

The use of more thermally-efficient windows

removes these limitations, allowing greater

freedom when planning interior layouts.

Benefits of aluminium

The characteristics of aluminium frame window

systems also make them ideally suited for use

in school environments. Robust and durable,

aluminium frames are easy to maintain and

are fully recyclable. High performance frames

that provide exceptional thermal performance

and require minimal maintenance can also be a

cost-effective alternative to using energy efficient

triple glazing which, when used in a high-traffic

environment such as school, has a higher risk of

breaking and would be more expensive to replace.

With the urgent and ongoing need to create more

effective educational establishments and provide

additional school places, designing and building

schools that are built to last has never been

more important. Fortunately, the new generation

of aluminium window systems provide a host

of flexible solutions to meet the sector’s often

inflexible design challenges.

Contact Senior Architectural Systems:

01709 772600

www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

@Senior_Systems



Sustainability

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

With ‘building back greener’ at the heart of the Prime Minister’s strategy to rebuild Britain

post-lockdown, Calvin Wilson, MD at Metal Technology, talks to Total Fabricator about the

company’s extensive efforts to increase sustainability and reduce its environmental impact.

How sustainable is aluminium?

As one of the most abundant elements on

earth, with its infinite recyclability, strength and

lightness, combined with aluminium’s durability

and low maintenance qualities, it’s one of the

most sustainable building materials available.

What percentage of the metal used in

Metal Technology products is recycled?

As part of the company’s agreed programme of

sustainability, approximately 70% of the extrusion

used in the production of Metal Technology’s

glazing profiles is recycled. This metal requires only

5% of the energy necessary for the production of

primary aluminium, with a consequent reduction

of 95% in the green house gases produced,

improving our environmental footprint.

Tell us about Metal Technology’s

commitment to waste reduction

The business is committed to minimising

all waste, both within the company and our

activities, as well as through the supply of our

range of window, door, curtain wall, brise soleil

and louvre systems. Through our ISO14001

environmental quality accreditation, we have

been able to reduce the impact of our operations

on the environment year on year and bench mark

ourselves on this basis.

What other related accreditations does

Metal Technology hold? What do they

demonstrate and how were they achieved?

We are also certified to BES6001 for responsible

sourcing of construction products. This enables

us to work within a framework which analyses

and assesses your supply chain, ensuring that

the products used in the manufacture of our

product range have been responsibly sourced with

traceability, using a documented environmental

and sustainable management system.

Above: Energy-efficient curtain walling and window configurations from Metal Technology have helped optimise the

sustainability of the award-winning DAERA HQ building. Inset: Calvin Wilson, MD at Metal Technology.

Tell us about Metal Technology’s

implementation of Environmental

Management Plans

Implementing environmental plans are not just

about seeking and securing accreditation. It has

to be an ethos in the business, from the recycling

of waste paper, to the use of solar energy, to the

packaging you use, the logistics methods you

implement to transport your goods to your energy

consumption as a business and as individuals.

What criteria does Metal Technology use

in developing its energy efficient products

and systems?

Over the past 25 years the thermal and acoustic

efficiency of aluminium window, door and façade

systems has increased fourfold. So thermal

efficiency is key to any new product development.

However, this must also be married with a design

which can be adapted while offering optimum

performance, while still maintaining a value

engineered solution. Our THERMAL range of

window and doors is testament to that philosophy.

Metal Technology glazing systems are

featured in the new headquarters of the

Department of Agriculture, Environment

and Rural Affairs (DAERA). How did the

system help to optimise the project’s

sustainability and energy efficiency?

We were asked to be involved at the early design

stage of the project. The overall build was

5175m 2 with bespoke brise soleil used on the

south facing elevation. The project was to achieve

a BREEAM rating of excellent and U-values of

.85 W/m 2 K. We were able to achieve this in

a combination of curtain walling and window

configurations, with the building picking up a

number of awards, winning CEF Construction

Excellence ‘Commercial Project of the Year’ in

2018 and the ‘Design through Innovation’ award

at the RICS NI Awards 2019.

Contact Metal Technology:

02894 487777

www.metaltechnology.com

@MetalTechAlumin


Window Updates

For further info on all these updates and more, visit www.total-fabricator.co.uk

FOILING UNDERWAY AT NEW PROFINE UK FACILITY

Profine UK has begun the foiling of Kömmerling 70 profiles at its new facility in

Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, along with the newly acquired PVC-U systems, which

include the Legend platform and the Evolve vertical sliding sash window.

With demand notably up on pre-Covid-19 levels, its integrated on-site foiling

operation has been fully utilised to cope with the significant increase in demand. From

an extrusion perspective, Profine UK will be looking to bring the Kömmerling 70 tools

over from the Pirmasens and Berlin facilities in Germany in the next couple of months,

with 32 tools in total transferred by the end of 2020.

Robert Long, production director, Profine UK, said: “With an extrusion facility that

includes a mixing plant and the post-extrusion process of foil lamination, we’re looking

to respond to immediate demand and also to reduce the lead-times on special orders in

the coming months.” www.profine-uk.com

SUPER SPACER T-SPACER IS NOW 'EVEN BETTER'

Edgetech has launched an ‘even better’ version of its celebrated Super Spacer T-Spacer.

Super Spacer T-Spacer SG is a metal-free, silicone-based warm edge spacer made of structural

foam with an integrated desiccant that’s been designed for the toughest commercial applications.

On demanding glazing projects using extra-large glass panes, its extremely durable edge seal

guarantees decades of exceptional performance and stability.

T-Spacer SG offers enhanced shape memory, which is critical for the long-term integrity of the edge

seal. Its elastic structural foam follows climate-related movements of the glass, relieving a large

proportion of the load from the butyl seal. This, says Edgetech, is a huge advantage in parts of the

world that experience fluctuating temperatures. www.edgetechig.co.uk

SMOOTH ANTHRACITE GREY FOIL AS STANDARD

Auplast has expanded its standard foil offering with the option for smooth anthracite grey on both

interior and exterior surfaces.

The new contemporary finish is available on the new Aluplast grey substrate, providing a strong

match to aluminium. It’s available across the German system leader’s complete PVC-U product range,

including Ideal 4000, Ideal 70, and the recently launched Smart-Slide patio door.

According to Ian Cocken, sales and marketing director, Aluplast, the new offer gives consumers “the

flexibility to match into aluminium with superior energy efficiency and performance and at a much

more attractive price point.” Aluplast’s foil range, which consists of 30-plus foils, is bolstered by

Aluskin, its unique aluminium external cladding system, and Woodec, the ‘next generation’ foil that is

designed to replicate both the aesthetics and feel of timber. www.aluplast.co.uk

REHAU: FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

Some 3,000 of Rehau’s Total70 fully-reversible white windows with lockable handles have been used for a

premium Scottish housing development, alongside 180 of Rehau’s French doors, all compliant with Part L of

the Building Regulations.

‘Seamless collaboration and a resilient supply chain’ involving partners Dessian, Rehau, and DP Windows and

Doors enabled Raith Developments to stick to its strict build schedule, for new-build development, Lochty Meadows.

Paul Crawford, director of DP Windows & Doors, said: “Having the best-looking windows was very important for

Lochty Meadows as first impressions count. However, at the same time, they needed to ensure they were the most

efficient and high-performing in order to include in the sales brochures. Having worked with Rehau profile for many

years, it was the obvious choice for the Lochty Meadows development.” www.rehau.uk/windows


AUG/SEPT T F 25

Advertorial

EQUINOX ECLIPSES THE COMPETITION

Eurocell, the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U building products,

has announced a raft of updates to its market-leading Equinox solid conservatory roof.

Launched in 2013 as an alternative to

replacement and new conservatory

polycarbonate and glass roofs, Equinox

offers the excellent thermal performance and

ventilation that allows conservatories to be used

all year round. Its accurate prefabrication and

easy-to-make and fit system design make it a

firm favourite with fabricators and installers.

Now Eurocell have made a series of updates and

improvements to ensure it continues to meet the

evolving needs of the trade and homeowners.

To meet end users’ desire for natural light as well

as a comfortable living environment, Eurocell

engineers have designed full height glazing panels

to feature in the system. Individual panels up to

one metre wide and three metres high of clear

glass allow lighter, sunlit conservatories, and

several panels can be accommodated that give an

impression of even more space. The new glazed

version is known as Equinox Vega, named after one

of the brightest stars in the northern hemisphere.

In terms of system design, the aluminium rafters

in the lightweight roof have been separated from

the deck, enlarging the air gap. This means that

Equinox is currently the only fully ventilated solid

roof solution available in the UK.

A new fixed pitch option increases installer choice

and helps make common pitch angles even easier

to fit, while the variable pitch option remains for

more complex roofs.

Other changes include the use of battens to

create the air gap necessary for better ventilation;

a switch from Polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation to

Styrene, which is 100% recyclable and contains

no harmful CFCs or HCFCs; and upgraded 18mm

OSB3 boarding to increase structural strength

in line with regulations for flat roofs with a

pitch of 10 degrees or less. OSB is also a more

sustainable choice than plywood because it is

produced from younger, faster growing trees.

Seamless finish

The innovative SlateSkin sheet tile system now

features a mechanism that provides a neater

vertical joint between 6m strips of tiles, resulting

in a seamless finish for roofs over 6m long. And a

new method for fitting the front row of tiles means

all fixing screws are completely hidden, providing

a neater look and better sightlines.

Eurocell has increased customer tile choice further

with the introduction of slate-effect envirotile

composite tiles as an option. Available in Grey,

Brown, Terracotta and Black and made from 75%

recycled materials, multiple tiles can be fitted

together, making envirotile more attractive to

installers than single-tile fit composite products.

Commenting on the updates to Equinox,

Conservatory Roofs Manager Sean Bunyan said:

“The latest version of our Equinox conservatory

roof shows how committed we are to continually

improving and developing our products. As styles

change, new regulations emerge and materials

technology evolves, installers know they can rely

on Eurocell to give them the products they need to

adapt and compete.”

What hasn’t changed, Eurocell are quick to

point out, are the quality assurance and service

support they have always provided. The complete

Equinox system is guaranteed for 10 years and

carries Local Authority Building Control (LABC)

and LABSS certification.

Kit quotation requests are turned around within

an hour, roofs are delivered in 6 working days,

and a dedicated technical support team means

help is always at hand. All components needed

to install a complete roof come as part of the

Equinox ‘one-box’ kit solution, including tile

sheets, hip end caps, ridge and hip top caps and

all fixings.

Contact Eurocell:

01773 837490

www.eurocell.co.uk

@eurocellplc


GARDEN MAKEOVERS

WITH EUROCELL

With summer well and truly in full swing, and

customers having spent months in lockdown or

working from home looking at their gardens, now

is the perfect opportunity to provide some well

needed inspiration and solutions.

kyube

GARDEN BUILDINGS

equinox ®

SOLID TILED ROOFS

DECKING

SOLID AND HOLLOW

FENCING

COMPOSITE FENCING

for more information visit

eurocell.co.uk/outdoor-living

or call us on 0800 988 7310

MADE & RECYCLED

IN THE UK

Customer Relations

DUE CARE AND CONNECTION

Sarah Denham, customer service manager at composite door supplier Distinction Doors,

explains why it’s important to maintain communication with colleagues and customers in

socially distanced times.

Distance has been the name of the game

for the past six months, but when it comes

to customers we must now be closer than

ever. The colossal disruption of the pandemic

has made an enduring impression on customers.

Like many, they have been rocked by uncertainty,

instability and change.

“The health and wellbeing

of your employees has a

direct impact on the care

and response they show

to a customer”

With video conferencing and telephone calls

replacing most face-to-face meetings, the

experienced and proven role of the customer

service advisor is going to be pivotal in the

months ahead. It is critical that this role is

central to progressive plans and developments.

Day-to-day they represent you and your business

and they are often the only customer interaction.

Considerate interactions

A customer interaction with a company can have a

lasting effect on his or her sense of trust and loyalty.

At a time when businesses are under

considerable pressure, particularly with the

current levels of demand, communication is

critical; every interaction must be managed and

handled to the very best ability.

At Distinction Doors, for example, we assign

a customer service representative to every

customer, this ensures they have a constant point

of contact. We find this approach is invaluable for

both parties – it helps develop a strong bond and

a safe space for open and honest dialogue.

Prioritise employees

The health and wellbeing of your employees has a

direct impact on the care and response they show

to a customer. In June, the Office for National

Statistics (ONS) revealed a sharp rise in the

number of people reporting high levels of anxiety

during the pandemic (3rd April – 10th May 2020).

While mental health is now openly discussed,

there’s no denying that the coronavirus outbreak

has severely tested the nation’s wellbeing.

While home schooling and working from home

both contributed to stress and anxiety levels,

it’s vital that we stay alert to the mental health

of those around us – employees, colleagues

and customers, as we return to normal working

environments.

Here at Distinction, we have an award-winning

team of Health & Wellbeing Champions who

are commited to improving the lives of their

colleagues. They provide a supportive outlet

at work for those that need one. Poor mental

and physical health can easily go unnoticed,

especially during times such as these. Our

Champions are there to make a conscious effort

to engage with staff to help ensure that this

doesn’t happen.

Deliver on your values

Customers are looking for brands they can trust.

Staying true to your company purpose and values

is more important than ever, either through direct

or indirect actions. Many businesses, across all

sectors, have contributed to the national effort

in helping to control the virus. In doing so, they

have demonstrated genuine care beyond their

immediate customer base. This, we believe

will help generate goodwill and build positive

customer relationships that will last long after the

crisis has ended.

Continued on page 30


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Reach out

It may seem unlikely but customer support goes

hand-in-hand with marketing. With a displaced

customer base it’s about meeting their needs in a

way that works for them. For now, being digitally

present is preferable to physical presence.

SMART AS STANDARD

Consider how you engage with your customers,

digitally. Do you provide digital brochures

and manuals; is your social media monitored

for mentions – best practice would be a

quick response; is your website up-to-date

– if products are out of stock, is this being

communicated? Could you add a call-to-action

for an email notification when it returns?

Above all else, maintain that human connection.

We’re all now well accustomed to video

conferencing tools so keep using them!

Be fluid

The business landscape has changed and

with it, the customer. Customer data gathered

pre-pandemic will need to be reviewed and

as such, is currently unreliable. Social media

provides a good barometer for measuring the

state of the nation. Use it to gain a quick insight

and read your customers – LinkedIn is proving

particularly powerful as people share business and

employment news, product and manufacturing

requirements, and comments on the state-of-play.

And so, as we all navigate a way through, be

there for your customers. Give your employees

the new tools, training and support they need to

enable them to deliver an outstanding customer

experience in the new world.

Contact Distinction Doors:

0345 2000 816

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

@DistinctionDrs

Door manufacturer, Hurst Doors, has teamed up

with Avantis, producer of state-of-the-art locks,

to offer the Avantis Kubu Equipped 750 Series

composite multipoint door lock as standard.

Designed and developed specifically for composite

doors, not only does the lock offer the largest

hooks and bolts in the market, the Kubu equipped

door lock is set for smart technology, offering

security conscious homeowners the ability to

check whether their door is locked or unlocked at

anytime from anywhere via their Smartphone.

Hurst composite doors will now be produced with

Avantis Kubu Equipped door locks as standard,

meaning its trade partners and their customers

can access a whole host of innovative features

and benefits.

Hurst says it is the largest dedicated composite

door manufacturer to standardise its doors to be

compatible with smart technology, a move which,

the company reports, has been well-received by

its customers.

Hayley Barker, marketing manager at Hurst Doors

explained: “Increasingly, homeowners are looking

to smart technology to enhance the security of their

home and to enjoy the peace of mind it brings. Our

new Avantis Kubu Equipped lock responds to that

demand and means that our trade partners can

offer their customers an innovative, future-proof

product that they can trust.”

Kubu locks offer the following features and benefits:

• Simple and affordable smart technology,

easy to install and easy to use

• Long-lasting and battery powered solution

(batteries lasting 12-18 months)

• No hardwiring required. Kubu is engineered

to be a neat and compact smart product

• Kubu is fully supported by an in-house team

of technical experts to take hassle away

from installers and fabricators

• Works with Amazon Alexa and other devices

• The Kubu App can be downloaded from

Google Play and App Store

• A Kubu Smart Lock doesn’t alter the

appearance of the door in any way

Mark Bromley, CEO of Avantis, said: “Hurst is a

trusted name in the industry so partnering with

them to embed our state-of-the-art technology in

their range felt like a natural fit. It’s great to see

an established, national company such as Hurst

leading the way by embracing innovation and

technology to elevate their range and enhance

their customer offer. Both Kubu and Hurst have

the highest standards in quality and security

at their heart, so we’re delighted to be working

together on creating stylish solutions for tech

savvy consumers.” www.hurstdoors.co.uk


We do things

differently

At Kestrel our approach to aluminium door and window

manufacture is a little different. Not only do we stock

an unrivalled range of sections in a wide variety of lengths,

we also supply standard, half and quarter lengths too. This

means the most economical option is invariably available

for your project.

Minimal waste and high sustainability in profiles of the

highest standard from a company with a 30 year pedigree.

For more information please call

0121 333 3575 or email

info@kestrelaluminium.co.uk

WINDOWS DOORS ROOFING SHOPFRONT CURTAIN WALL

BIRMINGHAM’S BEST KEPT SECRET

www.kestrelaluminium.co.uk

Tel: 0121 333 3575

Door Updates


EMPLAS: OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR DOORS

Emplas has said the Green Homes Grant has the

potential to create ‘substantial’ new demand for

door replacements.

While the inclusion of single to double glazing

as a secondary measure offers limited scope for

window replacements, the trade specialist has

highlighted the opportunities that the scheme

appears to offer for door replacements.

Ryan Johnson, managing director, Emplas, said:

“The opportunities for replacement windows are

limited because you need to be replacing a single

glazed product, and with 95% of the market

already on second time replacements, there aren’t

a lot of those to go at.”

Despite also being classified as a secondary

measure, doors, however, have the potential to

“drive future sales at volume” according to Ryan,

with funding available for the replacement of any

door fitted before 2002.

Ryan said: “Given the number of PVC-U panels

fitted pre-2002 that we know are still in

circulation, the market potential is substantial –

even as a secondary measure.”

Homeowners and landlords will be able to apply for

Green Homes Grant vouchers from September that

will cover at least two-thirds of the cost of updating

their property, up to £5,000 per household.

Ryan added: “There are so many pre-2002 PVC-U

panel doors out there. They account for a massive

proportion of the market and while a lot have been

replaced, many more, particularly back doors,

haven’t been. Even if half of the PVC-U panels

fitted in the decade before 2002 had been replaced

already, we would still be looking at a potential

market of anywhere between 2-3million doors.

“How big that market ultimately is depends on

uptake of the scheme, where consumers put their

money and how much is left over after it has been

spent on primary measures – but what is clear is

it has the potential to be big.” www.emplas.co.uk

VBH INTRODUCES NEW LIFT/SLIDE DOOR SYSTEM

Hardware company VBH has added the ClearLift hardware system for aluminium lift/slide patio doors

to its greenteQ range.

Lift/slide doors are gaining in popularity due to their ability to carry very large and very heavy sliders. They

also provide large glazed areas that allow uninterrupted views and maximise the natural light.

ClearLift can carry sashes weighing up to 300Kg and measuring up to 3.33m wide or 2.7m high, subject to the systems company’s recommendations. VBH

advises that stock holding is reduced as all door heights are achieved with just two gear heights.

The system has been cycle tested to 25,000 operations and is covered by Q-secure, VBH’s multi-brand consumer hardware guarantee.

Gary Gleeson, VBH marketing manager, explained: “Our greenteQ designers have gone to great lengths to make sure that ClearLift is a premium product,

fit for a premium ‘lifestyle’ door. Precision ball bearings in the bogies ensure a smooth and quiet sliding operation, as do the built-in brushes that sweep the

tracks clear of grit as the door slides. Sprung drive gears also make the initial lifting action very easy for the user, even on the heaviest doors.”

ClearLift joins the greenteQ Lifestyle product portfolio that already includes Clearspan bi-fold hardware, the Invisifold slide and fold door and window

system and the Aspire lift/slide handle range. Aspire handles are available in nine finishes to match or complement all door finishes. www.vbhgb.com

NEW PREMIUM PRODUCT RANGE

Extrudaseal has developed its new Premium product range with integrated fibre technology for anti-stretch

performance to help a fabricator customer who was struggling with stretching and shrinking issues on bubble gasket.

Chris Byers, managing director at the UK specialist manufacturer of seals and gaskets for windows, doors and industrial

applications, said: “Fabricators often ask us to help with specialist products and we create bespoke extrusions for them. The

issues the fabricator was having was on bubble gasket fitted on bi-fold doors on the factory floor. He told us there were issues

with shrinkage and stretching with the gasket they were using, so we went back to the drawing board to create a product that

stays in place. The new Premium product is designed with integrated fibre technology for anti-stretch performance. It’s the stable properties of the fibre

inside that keeps the gasket from moving, while still maintaining its flexibility to do its primary function as a seal; it’s a great combination. We wanted to

make sure it was spot on, so during the development stage we took samples to the fabricator for him to test on the factory floor. It’s really easy because

we manufacture everything at our West Midlands production facility. The fabricator is really pleased. He told us it is more stable and the issues they

were getting with shrinkage and stretching have gone... Our new Premium range includes a series of gaskets that are prone to stretching, and we are now

rolling them out to all customers.” www.extrudaseal.com


Viewpoint

KEEPING YOUR HEAD IN A CRISIS

Covid-19 has been damaging, but now is the time for positivity, sound choices

and actions says Neil Parton, MD at Elumatec UK...

There is no credibility in

glossing over the damage

that Covid-19 has done to

manufacturing. Few industries

have escaped, incomes have taken

a tumble and soul-searching has

become a national pastime.

This virus may be around for some

time and we need to develop

resilience to it and its impact as

soon as possible.

We can start by seeing this not as a

disaster but rather as a challenge to

be overcome. How big a challenge

depends on many factors, not least the state of the

operation before the virus hit. No doubt some will

find recovery a bigger mountain to climb than others.

Many operations which appeared sound just a few

weeks before the pandemic have been thrown into

disarray. Others have stalled, wondering when to

restart their production and at what levels. Yes

there are problems, but we shouldn’t ignore the

opportunities − and they are out there. This could

be an ideal time for a fundamental reappraisal of

an organisation’s structure and ambitions.

This crisis has exposed the perilous financial

state of companies that were household names,

and many individuals and families are indeed

struggling, but it’s still important to look at the

bigger picture and remember a key fact: before

this virus hit, the economy was healthy. It can be

in that state again and probably far sooner than

many commentators predict.

Unlike a slow decline in economic activity which

chips away at prosperity and erodes confidence

across the board, this crisis arrived when things

were on the up. What’s more, the impact has hit

different sectors in different ways and certain

industries have never been busier. With more

time on their hands, furloughed workers are

spending more on home improvements. The

housing market is healthy. Online sales are through

the roof. What’s more, because this was a crisis

that demanded drastic action, support has been

put in place which will protect livelihoods, jobs

and future prosperity. It’s not perfect but there

are foundations on which to rebuild.

Doom-laden voices are almost drowned out by

deep reserves of optimism. There’s a burning

desire to return to a positive pre-Covid state

and that desire will drive recovery. But there’s

an important caveat: recovery will be difficult if

we’re too tentative about cracking on. This isn’t

to say that this is a time for throwing caution to

the wind and taking bold leaps into the unknown,

but rather that we will be best served by blending

positivity with sound choices and actions.

An Elumatec SBZ 122/75 CNC machine

was used to make components to help

in the fight against Covid-19

“Yes there are problems,

but we shouldn’t ignore

the opportunities − and

they are out there”

One of the qualities valued in times

of crisis is a safe pair of hands.

When levels of uncertainty are high,

it makes perfect sense to eliminate

some of the unknowns.

That’s why we see people making

investment decisions based on

long-term quality rather than kneejerk

choices made on a tempting

headline offer. It’s why they revert

to dealing with people they can

trust, rather than falling for false

promises, smoke and mirrors.

At Elumatec, we’ve kept our heads

throughout this pandemic, and we’re going to

keep on doing that because it’s in our DNA. Our

approach is simple: stand firm, do our job, support

our customers, now and in the future − virus or

no virus. We’ve got the people and the systems

in place to support that. We’ve got a reputation

for competence that few can match, and our

engineering proves its value year after year. If

you’re firing up your production lines, building up

again, wanting to improve efficiency and precision,

we’re here to support you. If you’re thinking of a

bigger shake-up of your processes, you’d be hardpressed

to find a better team to help.

At the height of the crisis, one of the key

messages on social media was #staysafe. That

concept is cautious, but the words also imply

longevity: stay safe over the long-term. You do

that by choosing partners who are ready to stand

right by your side, whatever your ambitions and

whatever is happening in the world.

Contact Elumatec:

01908 580 800

www.elumatec.com

@elumatecUK


Machinery Updates

MACHINERY

For further info on all these updates visit www.total-fabricator.co.uk

SPECTRAL CHOOSES EMMEGI (UK) FOR LAUNCH

Emmegi (UK)’s ability to supply a brandnew

twin head saw right in the middle of the

lockdown confirmed to industry veteran Jason

Wilder that he had chosen the right machinery

partner for his new fabrication business,

Spectral Windows.

Working from home, the team from Emmegi (UK)

was able to source the Precision TS2 cutting centre

from its Italian HQ and arrange safe delivery direct

to Spectral’s East Midlands factory within just a few

days of the order being placed, making sure that

the company was ready to open its doors as soon

as lockdown was over.

Jason said: “The PVC-U saws we had bought and

paid for way back in January got well and truly

stuck with a different supplier during the lockdown,

but Emmegi (UK) pulled out all the stops for us and

got our saw to us within a week. That gave us a

real head start in terms of getting our aluminium

production up and running. And, as a result, when

it came to ordering the machining centre to work

alongside the new saw, there was no question that

we would choose Emmegi (UK) again and we went

for a Phantomatic M4 to complete our set up.”

The Precision TS2 and Phantomatic M4 are a

popular combination for fabricators because they

use the same software and operator interface.

The 3-axis Precision TS2 offers angled cutting to

45° inwards and 15° outwards, and a patented

innovation by Emmegi achieves both virtual

rotation of the cutting units on the saw and

absolute rigidity so that positioning and profile

blocking are always accurate.

The Phantomatic M4 is a 4-axis machining centre

featuring a high torque electro spindle which

continuously rotates from 0° to 180° to machine

on three sides of a section up to 170mm x

210mm. It can work with bars up to 4m long, with

a moving work plane which makes loading and

unloading easier.

Jason added: “I’ve got many years’ experience

in this industry and I know the quality of the

Emmegi machines is always first class. Spectral

Windows will be producing a quality product, so

it’s important that our production environment

reflects that.” www.emmegi.com

SEE FOR YOURSELF: LIVE DEMOS AT HAFFNER MURAT

Machinery expert Haffner Murat now offers live demonstrations of a range of its

machinery to potential customers from the company’s state-of-the-art showroom

in Staffordshire.

Dave Thomas, managing director of Haffner Murat, said: “We promote our machines

through various digital, video and offline platforms, but for potential customers to

truly appreciate how our machine technology makes a difference to the quality of their

fabrication businesses, there is no substitute for seeing the machines in action, and

this is something we now offer.”

A range of aluminium and PVC-U machinery from Haffner, Italmac and FOM are on

display at any one time. Currently on show is the popular TT405 PVC-U and aluminium

profile cutting centre. The impressive machine has been proving a popular choice with

fabricators due to its point to point cutting accuracy and automatic transom and short

cut facility, delivering superb automation. The double-cut saw is suitable for both

aluminium and PVC-u profiles up to 70mm and has the choice of USB data control or a secure network connection with touch screen technology.

Dave said: “Previously, potential customers would see our machines in action at either an existing customer’s premises or at exhibitions such as

the FIT Show and Fensterbau. But with exhibitions postponed and existing customers quite rightly limiting the number of non-essential visitors to their

premises, it made perfect sense to demonstrate our machines on our premises as we had always planned. We now have the space to do this effectively

while meeting all social distancing and health and safety protocols.” www.haffnermurat.com



Machinery Updates

MACHINERY

For further info on all these updates visit www.total-fabricator.co.uk

KALL KWIK: ON A MISSION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

With the introduction of a new face, a new brand and a new mission, window machinery expert Kall Kwik says it is providing customers with

an unprecedented level of support through every stage of the production process. With almost 20 years at machinery software

company, Business Micros, Chris Bailey has been enlisted as UK and Ireland business development manager, enabling

customers to benefit from his extensive industry experience.

Referring to the effects of Covid-19 and the lockdown, Chris said: “It’s no longer good enough to just make a sale, install the

equipment and then move on to the next potential customer. Fabricators need much greater support and service... Understanding

the end to end demands for a fabrication business, from supplier through to customer, is crucial to making the right choices in

machinery and that’s where my expertise comes into play.

“Kall Kwik are dedicated to building partnerships with our customers. If you want to find out more about how exactly we can work

with you to improve your operations, feel free to give me a call on 0161 486 1911 to discuss this in more detail.” www.kallkwik.uk.com

LATEST LOGIKAL PACKED WITH NEW FEATURES

BM Aluminium has released the latest update of its LogiKal software, which is ready for customers to

download and install now from their update accounts.

There are lots of new features included in this latest 11.4 version, designed to save time on processing and

make LogiKal even more intuitive to use. It now allows users building complex positions to import grids from

one position to another with just a few clicks, and automatically adds machinings to thresholds. In addition,

greater levels of customisation are now achievable, with users able to add in as many free articles as they

choose under their supplier option and standardise more hardware configurations for use as pre-sets.

Horizontal ventilation sashes have been added and new functions to process lift and slide door combinations

with 90° corners and 90°corner mullions with cover cap profiles in facades. www.bmaluminium.co.uk

DEDICATED MASK FACTORY

Haffner Murat is set to expand its face mask manufacture operation to meet growing global demand, having

secured a ‘10-digit £’ contract with the USA. The automation machinery specialist pivoted to manufacturing

face masks to help overcome a worldwide shortage at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company is opening a new dedicated factory in Istanbul and building 25 machines to fulfil growing order volumes.

Dave Thomas, managing director of Haffner Murat, said: “By opening a new facility to focus on face mask production,

we can maintain lead times for our core operation, which is automation machinery.”

Dave reports that demand for automation machinery is also on the rise since the Stafford-based company reopened

in June. He said: “Fabricators realise they are going to have to look at new ways of working to be able to operate

efficiently in the new normal. Automation machinery allows them to maintain social distancing without compromising

quality or efficiency and we are seeing increasing order volumes as a result.” www.haffnermurat.com

FLEXIBILITY AND SPEED WITH SBZ 140

When the team at Elumatec were approached by a company specialising in plastic

sheets, rooflight systems, polycarbonate and aluminium framing who were looking

for more flexibility, faster production and improved efficiency, the SBZ 140 CNC

machining centre was the ideal choice.

With two separate working zones enabling machining in a shuttle operation, coupled with an on-board tool magazine for rapid tool

changeover and continuously adjustable machining angles, the SBZ 140 would allow the production of either one or two components at a

time. This provides extra capacity while maintaining the ability to respond to changing needs.

The SBZ 140 is a 4-axis machine designed for economy and efficiency and perfect for the materials the company work with, according

to Elumatec. It’s powered by eluCam Software and has a familiar Windows operating system. www.elumatec.com


SMR-5

THE FASTEST AND MOST ACCURATE

WELDER ON THE MARKET TODAY!

1 x Quad Welder = 1 x Square every 2 minutes

Total per week = 1,200 squares

1 x SMR-5 Welder = 4 x Squares every 4 minutes

Total per week = 2,400 squares

1 x SMR-5 Welder = 1 Complete Window every 4 minutes

Total per week = 600 Windows

Sums it up nicely!

For fast precision manufacturing take a closer

look at the SMR-5 Welder from Haffner Murat today!

The Accolade Building,

Common Road, Stafford,

Staffordshire, ST16 3EQ

Tel 01785 222421

FIT Show 2021

IT'S ALL GO FOR THE FIT SHOW!

FIT Show Director Nickie West provides her top five reasons to exhibit at the FIT Show

2021, which promises to be the best FIT Show to date...

What’s the point in exhibiting at FIT Show 2021? Well, on the back of two record breaking sales

months, it seems a lot of brands don’t need convincing of the benefits of exhibiting at the UK’s

only dedicated event for the glass and glazing industry.

Our 2021 exhibitors are gearing up for what we are predicting will be the best FIT Show to date. We

might be biased, but with the fenestration industry in the midst of a 30 year peak, we would ask brands

if they can afford not to be part of FIT?

If you’re a fabricator of PVC, aluminium or timber products within the home improvement sector and you

are looking to connect your brand with window and door installers, builders and property developers,

architects and specifiers, fabricators or systems manufacturers, then FIT Show will help you to do just

that. Still need convincing? Here’s our our top reasons to exhibit at FIT Show 2021 next May:

1

UK’s Only Dedicated Event

FIT Show is the UK’s only dedicated event

for the glass and glazing industry. Exhibiting

at FIT Show will give you access to a projected

audience of almost 10,000 builders, property

developers, local authorities and installers

looking for additional product options to stay one

step ahead of their competition. Over 59% of

our visitors are reported to be decision makers

with buying power, from business owners and

directors through to CEOs.

2

Broadened Proposition

FIT Show has evolved to become much

more than a windows and doors event.

Alongside the show’s core UPVC, aluminium,

timber and hardware lineup, we’ve introduced

‘Visit Glass’, a dedicated ‘show within a show’

with flat glass and processing machinery on

display. We’ve broadened our proposition

specifically for installers and this is your chance

to get in front of them.

3

New Event Features

A whole host of new features have been

developed including our ‘New Talent Zone’

which will include showcases from brands

that are either newly established, or who have

been operating for less than three years. We

are introducing new product features such

as our ‘outdoor living zone’ which will feature

complementary products such as composite

decking, awnings, garden rooms and much more.

4

Don’t just take our word for it

Adrian Baraclough, chairman at Quickslide,

said: “FIT Show is paramount. Coming

here, it’s not just the event, it’s the evenings,

it’s spending 3 or 4 days with your staff, visiting

situations where people want to evolve, seeing

clients and competitors on a personal basis.”

Likewise, Sioned Roberts, AluK marketing

director, explained: “The FIT Show is important

for the whole industry – whether that’s

presenting new products, networking, learning

or just exploring new opportunities. It’s definitely

been an important element in AluK’s growth in

the trade market over recent years, and we want

to see it go from strength to strength.”

Above: Nickie West, FIT Show director

“The FIT Show is important for the whole industry

– whether that’s presenting new products,

networking, learning or just exploring new

opportunities” Sioned Roberts – AluK

5

Unleash the Power of Exhibitions

If you’re wondering what the value of

exhibiting might be, these stats should

help build your business case for exhibiting at

FIT Show 2021; it costs 22% less to contact

a potential buyer at a show than through

traditional channels; over 90% of attendees

plan to purchase in the next 12 - 15 months

of visiting a show; 86% of exhibition

attendees have not been seen before by your

sales force.

FIT Show, the UK’s number one event for the

glass, glazing, window, door, hardware and

components industry, will return to the NEC next

May 25th-27th. Will you be part of FIT?

Find out more about the FIT Show 2021:

0207 886 3100

www.fitshow.co.uk

@fitshow

38 T F AUG/SEPT2020 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

Smart Technology

HARDWARE & ACCESSORIES

FIT AND READY FOR 2021

Giovanni Laporta, inventor and innovator of Smart Ready, discusses the importance of

planning for the future, and talks to FIT Show event director, Nickie West, about why she’s

so excited to have Gio and his team on board for 2021 with not one, but two stands...

Over recent weeks, I’ve been talking to lots of

customers about how, as an industry, now

is the time to draw a line under lockdown

and set the reset button. For us, there is a no more

public way of showing that the button has been

hit, than to announce a commitment to having two

stands at FIT 2021 – which before we know it, will

be here and the NEC Birmingham doors will be

open and welcoming in visitors.

Why has nobody done this before?

The only mention I’m going to make of Covid

lockdown is to look back at it with a certain

amount of pride at the productive time my

innovation team spent working on some truly

ground-breaking and inspirational innovations,

including from SAC, a locking range that will

change the way fabricators do things forever.

I can’t go into too much detail at this point, but

let’s just say we can’t wait to see the look on

“I want people

to glimpse the

future at FIT 2021”

the visitors’ faces in person when they visit us

at FIT, with one question on their mind: why has

nobody done this before? And what better place to

launch something genuinely new than at FIT 2021?

Planning an awesome visitor experience

Our second stand – expect a more awesome

exhibitor experience than ever – will house SAC

in association with Smart Ready. Again, I can’t

say too much, but rest assured, alongside new

mechanical tech, smart tech will be centre stage

on a stand that would not be out of

place at the electronics show, CES,

in Las Vegas.

On the issue of smart, I really hope

that FIT 2021 will attract more brands

with a smart flavour to show just how

important this emerging sector is to us, in the

industry. I’m also expecting to see lots of Smart

Ready branded products throughout the show.

For everyone, FIT 2021 will be the climax of postlockdown

recovery and a chance for everyone

to show how they’ve spent the lost time of the

pandemic. As an innovator, I’ve been listening

to the universe and my instinct to drive belief

Continued on page 42

“Smart tech will be centre stage on a stand that

would not be out of place at CES in Las Vegas”


Fabricators

Grow Your Business!

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TI_FC0910.qxp_Layout 1 10/09/2019 16:09 Page 1


MAY/JUNE 2019

PRACTICALCONTENTFORTHEGLAZINGINSTALLER & HOMEIMPROVEMENTSPECIALIST

JULY/AUG 2019

PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST

SEPT/OCT 2019


TI Talk: Pro-Fitter

Product Updates

Business Focus

Top Tips: Bi-folds

Total Talk Q&A

Step by Steps

Product Updates

Total Talk Q&A

Business Talk

FEATURES

• FIT & FOCUSSED: WHAT’S IN STORE

FOR INSTALLERS AT FIT SHOW 2019?

• AVOID THE PAY GAPS: TOP TIPS TO

OVERCOME CASH FLOW PROBLEMS

• SMART STUFF: MAKE SURE YOU’RE

READY TO SELL SMART

FEATURES

• MONEY TALKS: CERTASS’ NEW

OFFERING MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE

• ON THE UP: UP-SELL WELL TO MAKE

THE MOST OF YOUR DOOR SALES

• HOT TOPIC: WARM WEATHER

WORKWEAR – STAY COMFY ON SITE

>>> • NEWS • ENTRANCEDOORS • HARDWARE • GARAGE AG

DOORS • WORKWEAR >>>

FEATURES

• COMPETENCY ENCY CLAIMS: SKILLS

AND THE FUTURE OF GLAZING

• COVER UP: INSURANCE ADVICE

FOR SELF-EMPLOYED INSTALLERS

• LIGHTING THE WAY: A GUIDE

TO INSTALLING LANTERNS

>>> • ROOFLINE • ENTRANCE DOORS • TOOLS & VEHICLES • WINDOW FIXINGS • >>>

>>> • WIDE EXPANSE DOORS • SMART HARDWARE • SOCIAL MEDIA ADVICE • >>>

Put your company in-front of 9,000 Glazing Installers for as little as £250

Total Installer is read exclusively by glazing installers including:

All CERTASS

Approved Installers

The Leading FENSA

Approved Installers

Contact Andy or Jake on 01892 732 047

Email: andydunn@media-now.co.uk or jakeroxborough@media-now.co.uk

And they will advise you on the best marketing package for your budget.

www.total-installer.co.uk

+ Distributed from

Trade Counters

throughout the UK

Smart Technology


Smart Ready made a “show-stopping

debut” at the FIT Show in 2019

...Continued from page 40

– and ultimately investment – into not only

refining current solutions, but developing new

products that I didn’t give one second of thought

to developing pre-Covid. I want people to glimpse

the future at FIT 2021.

Design is intelligence made visible

Nickie West, FIT Show’s event director, said of

Smart Ready’s return: “We are delighted to see

the return of Smart Ready to FIT Show 2021 after

their show-stopping debut in 2019.

“Gio and the team were so creative and forwardthinking

in their whole approach to exhibiting at

FIT – from marketing through to their physical

stand space. They started their campaign from

the moment they signed which allowed them

to completely capitalise on the wider FIT Show

campaign. Smart Ready set the bar extremely

high with their 2019 stand space, which made its

product technology the hero and culminated in the

most beautiful display.

“A number of industry figureheads have

highlighted their belief that FIT Show 2021 will

act as a barometer for staying power in business

and we’ve secured a number of the industry’s

brand leaders with over 50% of the space now

sold. To have Smart Ready’s support for 2021 is

both exciting and a real vote of confidence for the

market. Our visitors will not want to miss out on

seeing Smart Ready’s latest innovations.

“FIT Show will be a real showcase of the very

best that our industry has to offer, and a great

checklist of the best brands to do business with

for our visitors. We’re delighted that Smart Ready

will be at the forefront of this.”

I am genuinely looking forward to seeing how

everyone else has used the downtime, and to

explore what they bring to FIT 2021. I love all

great innovation from wherever it comes. Staying

power is the best way forward and we should all

now pledge and commit to a positive future.

Contact Smart Ready:

hello@smartready.com

smartready.com

42 TF AUG/SEPT 2020 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

IN UNCERTAIN TIMES YOU NEED

A PARTNER YOU CAN TRUST

Sometimes, you need a safe pair of hands to help you navigate your journey.

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Hardware Updates



BALANCING SECURITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

The new DC6113 slimline transom door closer from Assa Abloy Opening Solutions UK & Ireland promises ‘the perfect balance between safety and

security and the need to make buildings accessible for all users’.

With increasingly heavy doors, many people in Britain – especially the old, young and people with disabilities – struggle to access buildings. At the same time,

doors that open easily but do not close properly pose a security risk and do not comply with fire regulations. A balance of the two is therefore required to make

buildings safe and accessible for everyone.

The high-quality DC6113 enables fabricators to reassure their customers that they are specifying and fitting products that meet all relevant standards. This means

BS 8300-2:2018 – the British Standard setting out how buildings should be designed, constructed and maintained to create an accessible

and inclusive environment for all; Approved Document M, the building regulation for access to and

the use of buildings; and The Equality Act, the basis of anti-discrimination law in Great Britain.

Moreover, the DC6113 door closer is the only product on the market that achieves both BS 8300-

2:2018 and Approved Document M at EN power size 3. Many transom door closers only achieve these

standards at EN power size 2, and are therefore not compliant with heavier doors that require EN

power size 3. www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/dc6113

FIRST RATE FASTENER SUPPLIES DESPITE COVID-19

Despite reports of shortages of some raw materials in the window and door industry, Rapierstar says its deep UK stocks of specialist fasteners

and 30 years of sourcing and supply chain experience have enabled it to guarantee supplies of fasteners to its fabricator customers.

The company continues to hold £4m of window screw and fixings stock and more than one billion items at its 100,000ft 2 warehouse and distribution

centre in Cheshire, from where it serves window and door manufacturers across Great Britain and Ireland, as well as exports across mainland Europe.

By holding many months of stock, the warehouse absorbs the short-term impacts of disrupted

global trade of the kind caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

David Furness, MD of Rapierstar, said that while the Covid-19 pandemic “has rocked

global supply chains in every market” leaving some competitors to experience supply issues,

Rapierstar has been unaffected. He said: “We achieved 99.4% OTIF deliveries while smashing

our best ever monthly turnover in July (up 23% YOY) and August is also flying. Our long-term

manufacturing partners are located in Taiwan, so our supplies were never particularly under

threat even when the strict economic and social restrictions started. We continued to accept

and pay for pre-ordered monthly deliveries from our respected supply partners during the

Covid-19 shutdown, so our stocks have never been so healthy.” www.rapierstar.com

MAKING THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS

Yale has joined forces with Schneider Electric, Somfy and Danfoss to provide new solutions for

the modern home in an increasingly digital world.

The Connectivity Ecosystem is a partnership between Schneider Electric, Somfy, Danfoss and now

the Assa Abloy group, which Yale forms a part of.

With a combined vision of offering simple, safe and seamless solutions to homes across the globe,

the partnership aims to deliver a superior value proposition to homeowners, combining expertise in

‘comprehensive solutions to bring connectivity to the next level in this increasingly digital age’.

For occupants, property developers and managers, this means that having an even smarter home

ecosystem that combines smart access with features like energy saving, heating and blind management

has become a reality.

Thanks to interoperability of products, it will be possible for a Yale Smart Lock to work with other solutions and

create different scenarios which will simplify the lives of consumers.

As partners in the Connectivity Ecosystem, Yale is addressing specific touchpoints like door handles, access code panels and door entry systems to

create a completely touch-free solution, made possible with the newest Yale Smart Locks. www.yaledws.co.uk


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RAISING THE STANDARDS IN LIGHTWEIGHT ROOFING

Workwear

COOL AND SMART THIS SUMMER

Everyone needs to be cool, dry and safe at work

– to maintain wellbeing and efficiency on-site.

That’s why Snickers says its new Topwear will

make work ‘a real breeze’ this summer.

With brand new LiteWork trousers and shorts, plus

a special-offer 100% cotton t-shirt ‘two-pack’,

Snickers says there are three different easy-care

colour and design options to complement whatever

you’re wearing – at work or play.

There are also new hoodies, sweatshirts and hi-vis

ProtecWork protective wear in a range of styles and

colours that are super-light and quick-drying with

advanced ventilation to keep you cool when it’s warm.

They all feature body-mapping designs for what

Snickers describes as ‘an amazing fit, outstanding

functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day,

every day’.

www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

4-WAY STRETCH FOR MAXIMUM MOBILITY

Hi-tech fabrics and body-mapping designs in the new

multi-purpose AllRoundWork 4-Way Stretch Trousers from

Snickers Workwear ensure maximum working mobility

wherever you are.

Snickers says the four-way stretch fabrics integrated into these

work trousers deliver maximum freedom of movement for all

kinds of work, all year round, as well as improved ventilation

and overall comfort.

With ‘great fit and superb value for money’ they have a slimmer

tailored fit for better all-round looks and protection against

snagging. They also have reinforced stretch Cordura in the

certified KneeGuard system for greater flexibility, comfort and

durability. They’re specially designed to take the new D30

ERGO Craftsman Kneepad.

Check out all the Stretch Garments from Snickers Workwear

– billed as ‘the optimal choice for craftsmen and women who

need to get every job done comfortably and efficiently’.

www.snickersworkwear.co.uk


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Insight Data’s online platform, Salestracker TM , is designed

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Glass Options

GLAZED EXTENSIONS

THE GLASS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Jenni Young, market manager - Premium Residential and Design & Deco at Saint-Gobain

Glass, explains why choosing the right type of glass is so important when it comes to glazed

extensions, conservatories, orangeries or bi-fold doors...

Lockdown has seen homeowners gain a

new appreciation of their homes and an

increased appetite for home improvements.

Plus, the recent spell of good weather has

generated a renewed desire to bring the outdoors

in. With long haul holidays put on the back

burner for the time being, and more working from

home on the agenda, investment in the home is

certainly on the rise.

It’s no wonder that fabricators and their network

of installers will be experiencing high demand

for glazed extensions and bi-fold doors as

homeowners seek to create more practical and

comfortable living, entertainment and working

spaces in their homes.

It’s important that these new living areas do

not fall into the age-old trap of being too hot in

summer and too cold in winter, and therefore

become a costly, unusable space. The key to

getting it right is to use the right type of glass.

The choice of glass depends on issues such as

whether the property is north or south facing,

whether there is a busy road nearby that

the homeowners want to block out, and how

important security is.

It’s tempting to fabricate windows, doors and

glass roofs using the same glass throughout, but

you are doing your installers and their customers

a disservice – and also missing out on a profit

opportunity. Tailoring your choice of glass for each

project is essential, as is upselling premium, high

performance glazing where required. Saint-Gobain

Glass offers three types of glass for conservatory

side walls and glazed areas of extensions offering

different levels of light reflection, light transmission,

U-values and energy efficiency: Planitherm OneT,

Planitherm 4SII, and Cool-Lite SKN 176.

For lanterns, conservatories or glazed extensions

our choice of roof glass with low maintenance,

self-cleaning properties comprises Mariana,

Azura and Solara, while our self-cleaning glass

range with added solar control properties includes

Azura+, Aqua+ and Natura+. If security,

furniture fade and noise reduction are the priority

then upgrade the inner pane of the double-glazed

unit to laminated glass. Choose from Stadip or

Stadip Silence.

Thermal efficiency

Manufacturing sealed units and windows using our

range of glass creates double glazing that is 60%

more thermally efficient than a standard doubleglazed

unit and can significantly reduce energy

costs. The lower the U-value of the glazing, the

more thermally efficient the glazing is.

“It’s tempting to use

the same glass

throughout but you are

doing your installers

and their customers

a disservice”

Solar control

The heat from natural daylight can make rooms

uncomfortably hot on sunny days. Each of our

glazing options contains solar control properties,

with some specifically designed to encompass

even more technically advanced solar control

coatings to further reduce the amount of heat that

passes through the window.

48 T F AUG/SEPT 2020


GLAZED EXTENSIONS

The solar control coating is able to reflect the

heat from the sun back outside of the room,

significantly reducing the amount of heat that

can pass into the extension and resulting in a

more comfortable living space. It’s important

to remember that solar control coatings have a

neutral appearance and don’t interfere with the

clear views desired by the homeowner.

Self-cleaning glass

Conservatories and large glazed areas can be

difficult to clean or have hard to reach areas, so

coatings on the outer pane such as BIOCLEAN

which makes glass easier to clean and maintain

are a great option. Our self-cleaning products are

certified to EN 1096-5, the European Standard for

self-cleaning glass.

Laminated glass for UV protection

and enhanced security

Larger glazed areas create amazingly bright rooms

but with that comes the fading effects of sunlight

and UV rays on furniture, floor coverings, curtains

and other contents. Not all glass protects against

these damaging UV rays, but choosing a laminated

glass provides 99% UV reduction. The laminated

interlayer also provides enhanced security as it

makes the glass much tougher to break through

than standard, non-laminated glass. Used in an

approved window system, they’re designed to

meet the official police security initiative ‘Secured

by Design’ standard – a real selling point for your

installers and their customers.

For safety reasons, all glazing in and adjacent

to doors must include one pane of laminated

glass to a minimum thickness of 6.4mm and it

is to be securely fixed in accordance with the

manufacturer’s specifications. In order to meet

the Secured by Design standard the laminated

glass must be a minimum thickness of 6.8mm.

Acoustic glass

Upgrading the interlayer on your laminated glass

to an acoustic interlayer provides noise reducing

properties and will provide a 20% better noise

reduction than traditional double glazing. If

a property is on a busy road or close to other

disturbing sounds, acoustic control glazing should

be the classic upsell.

There are a number of considerations when it

comes to choosing the right type of glass for

each project. In the Saint-Gobain range for the

side walls the standard choice is Planitherm

OneT, for south facing windows we’d recommend

Planitherm 4SII, and for projects that require high

levels of solar control whilst allowing the highest

levels of sunlight to enter the room then Cool-Lite

SKN 176 should be your first choice.

One size does not fit all, but it’s reassuring

that you can certainly work with just one glass

supplier to meet all your needs.

Contact Saint Gobain Glass:

01977 666100

http://uk.saint-gobain-glass.com

@SaintGobainUK



Talking Point

PRE-PACK DEALS: FRIEND OR FOE?

With controversial ‘pre-pack’ adminstration deals rocking the glazing sector in recent

months, Dominic Dumville, corporate restructuring partner at accountant Mercer & Hole,

argues that, if carried out correctly, pre-packs can deliver ‘the best outcome for all’...

What is a pre-pack? To many it’s a term

synonymous with shady deals but this

does not do justice to a process that often

delivers the best outcome for all, including creditors.

In order to answer the question, it is first

necessary to appreciate the key characteristics of

an administration as you cannot do one without

the other. Unlike liquidation, when a company

enters administration it is not necessarily at the

end of its life. Trading can continue, value is

preserved, while the administrator formulates

their strategy.

Upon appointment, the administrator’s primary

goal, by law, is to rescue the company as a going

concern, i.e. get the company back on its feet.

If a rescue is not possible, taking advantage

of the fact that trading activity is ongoing, the

administrator must seek to achieve ‘a better

result for creditors as a whole than would be

achieved if the company were wound up’ and

put into liquidation. It is this requirement of

insolvency law that has made the pre-pack a

common component of corporate rescue culture

in the UK.

The Insolvency Practitioner (IP), with the

creditors’ interests in mind, will set about selling

the company’s business and assets for the

highest value possible. A pre-packaged sale is

one where the terms are negotiated and agreed

over a compressed timetable during the period

preceding the formal appointment and executed

soon after. In concluding that a pre-pack is the

right direction to take, the IP will have considered

the viability of alternatives. The decision may

have come down to the benefit vs cost associated

with a prolonged trading period and the

availability of the necessary working capital.

In preparing for a pre-pack the IP performs a

critical role to ensure best value is achieved,

conducting a discrete marketing process and

fielding as many bids as possible.

There is nothing in the law which prohibits

directors of the failing business, or others

connected with it, also making a bid to acquire

the trade and assets via a new corporate vehicle.

Indeed, with their detailed knowledge of the

business operations it is not uncommon for a

connected party bid to be the strongest; the bid

which constitutes the best result for creditors.

This is one of the most criticised elements of

pre-packs, the fact that those responsible for

the failure are able to carry on unscathed. While

the IP may sympathise with that view and may

comment to that effect in their report on directors’

conduct to the Insolvency Service, the IP’s duty is

to enhance the return to creditors; suppliers can

choose not to trade with the new entity but the IP

cannot turn down a better offer on a matter

of principle.

Dominic Dumville

“One of the most

criticised elements of

pre-packs is the fact

that those responsible

for the failure are able

to carry on unscathed”

Licensed insolvency practitioners operate in a

highly regulated environment with far more at

risk than disapproval and criticism. Any IP selling

a business back to directors should have taken

time to explain the decision as being in the best

interests of the creditors. Indeed, each time a

business is sold back to connected parties, the

IP’s report justifying that decision is reviewed by

their regulator.

A widely praised requirement of a business

sale out of administration is the treatment of

employees; the purchaser cannot pick and choose

individuals or departments but must take on

all employees associated with the division of

the business they are buying. Furthermore, the

employees’ existing rights transfer with them to

the new employer, including length of service. An

employee of a business in administration should

never come out in a worse position than had the

company immediately entered liquidation.

Like many schemes designed to promote success

in the economy, pre-packs are vulnerable to

abuse. Rest assured however, the minority

who do take advantage are not untouchable.

Insolvency practitioners have tremendous powers

to investigate and bring claims against directors

who have breached their duty to the company. It

is a continuing goal of mine to educate boards of

directors: creditors have a say, an administration

can be followed by a liquidation, and the creditors

choose the liquidator. I have seen circumstances

where the creditors have forced a change of

IP when the company exits administration into

liquidation with a view to the new IP investigating

the conduct of the director and if appropriate,

bringing legal proceedings.

Contact Mercer & Hole:

www.mercerhole.co.uk


Fabricators

Grow Your Business!


TI_FC0910.qxp_Layout 1 10/09/2019 16:09 Page 1


MAY/JUNE 2019

PRACTICALCONTENTFORTHEGLAZINGINSTALLER & HOMEIMPROVEMENTSPECIALIST

JULY/AUG 2019


SEPT/OCT 2019


TI Talk: Pro-Fitter

Product Updates

Business Focus

Top Tips: Bi-folds

Total Talk Q&A

Step by Steps

Product Updates

Total Talk Q&A

Business Talk

FEATURES

• FIT & FOCUSSED: WHAT’S IN STORE

FOR INSTALLERS AT FIT SHOW 2019?

• AVOID THE PAY GAPS: TOP TIPS TO

OVERCOME CASH FLOW PROBLEMS

• SMART STUFF: MAKE SURE YOU’RE

READY TO SELL SMART

FEATURES

• MONEY TALKS: CERTASS’ NEW

OFFERING MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE

• ON THE UP: UP-SELL WELL TO MAKE

THE MOST OF YOUR DOOR SALES

• HOT TOPIC: WARM WEATHER

WORKWEAR – STAY COMFY ON SITE

>>> • NEWS • ENTRANCEDOORS • HARDWARE • GARAGE AG

DOORS • WORKWEAR >>>

FEATURES

• COMPETENCY ENCY CLAIMS: SKILLS

AND THE FUTURE OF GLAZING

• COVER UP: INSURANCE ADVICE

FOR SELF-EMPLOYED INSTALLERS

• LIGHTING THE WAY: A GUIDE

TO INSTALLING LANTERNS

>>> • ROOFLINE • ENTRANCE DOORS • TOOLS & VEHICLES • WINDOW FIXINGS • >>>

>>> • WIDE EXPANSE DOORS • SMART HARDWARE • SOCIAL MEDIA ADVICE • >>>

Put your company in-front of 9,000 Glazing Installers for as little as £250

Total Installer is read exclusively by glazing installers including:

All CERTASS

Approved Installers

The Leading FENSA

Approved Installers

Contact Andy or Jake on 01892 732 047

Email: andydunn@media-now.co.uk or jakeroxborough@media-now.co.uk

And they will advise you on the best marketing package for your budget.

www.total-installer.co.uk

+ Distributed from

Trade Counters

throughout the UK

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