June/July 2021

JUNE/JULY 2021 

CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN 

Innovation 

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Get ready.. 

Another game changing 

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is on the horizon 

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>>> • TRICKLE VENT HEADACHES • CRACKS IN GLASS SUPPLY • FIT SHOW FOCUS • >>> 

Total Installer Cover May/June 2021.indd 1 27/04/2021 07:10

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Editor’s Comment 

SOPHIE STEVENS 

EDITOR 

SOPHIESTEVENS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK 

WWW.TOTAL-FABRICATOR.CO.UK 

Innovation 

unlocked 

Get ready.. 

Another game changing 

product from Made for Trade 

is on the horizon 

As staffing issues, material shortages and rising prices continue 

to challenge the fenestration sector, Veka’s technical director, Paul 

Kennington, has highlighted “the continuing saga of the trickle vent” as 

another significant stumbling block. 

While “in theory [trickle vents] make sense” says Paul, “in practice, they’ve 

become an unwelcome addition to doors and windows, disliked in equal 

measure by fabricators, installers and homeowners”. So much so, that 

he is calling for an alternative way of addressing the ventilation issue, as 

consultations around the Government’s new Future Buildings Standard draw 

to a close (see page 6). 

Elsewhere in this issue, with just a few short months to go until the FIT Show, 

event director Nickie West tells Total Fabricator about the new attractions 

that are helping build record levels of support for September’s outing (see 

page 12); Carl F Groupco explains why hardware is the unsung hero of door 

fabrication (see page 26); and Doorco asks if grey has had its day when it 

comes to colour trends (see page 28). 

Meanwhile, in this issue’s Automation section, Promac’s Joe Hague explains 

why Rishi Sunak’s ‘super deduction’ tax cut means there’s never been a 

better time to buy new machinery (see page 34), and over in the realm of 

glass, Cornwall Glass’ Mark Norcliffe looks at the changing landscape of IGU 

supply (see page 52). 

Read on for all of this and much, much more.... 

I hope you enjoy the issue. 

Sophie 

ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS 

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

Korniche bi-fold on page 30. www.madefortrade.co 

Total Installer Cover May/June 2021.indd 1 27/04/2021 07:10 

CONNECTING THE WINDOW & DOOR FABRICATORS SUPPLY CHAIN 

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Publishing Director: Andy Dunn 

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Editorial Director: Matt Downs 

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JUNE/JULY 2021 TF 3

Contents 

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS 

50 

14 TIME FOR TIMBER? 

The BWF explores the opportunities for 

woodworking and joinery businesses 

34 TAX CUT BOOST 

Promac explains why now is the perfect 

time to invest in new machinery 

50 FRAGILE GLASS 

UK float glass supply is creaking under the 

pressure of demand, but could it have longer term 

ramifications for supply? 

FEATURES 

12 GROWING APPETITE 

FIT Show’s Nickie West tells Total Fabricator about the 

many new attractions that are helping build record 

levels of support for September’s show 

16 CHOOSE WISELY 

Finding a PVC-U profile supplier can be overwhelming. 

Liniar outlines some important considerations to help you 

make the right choice 

18 EASY ALUMINIUM 

Decalu from Deceuninck Aluminium offers a simple 

solution in a period of exceptionally high demand 

26 THE UNSUNG HERO? 

Carl F Groupco explains the vital role of door hardware 

in extending capability, transforming aesthetics and 

creating added-value opportunities 

46 SMART SENSE 

26 

ERA explains how advances in connected home 

technology are creating new business opportunities for 

fabricators 

52 GLASS DEVOLUTION? 

Glass supply in the UK is changing. Total Fabricator 

speaks to Cornwall Glass’ Mark Norcliffe about what’s 

happening and why... 

4 T F JUNE/JULY 2021 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

REGULARS 

28 THE DOORCO COLUMN 

When it comes to composite door colours, 

Doorco thinks that white’s alright, but has grey 

had its day? 

44 WINDOW WARE SHARES 

Window Ware marks a milestone year for Rob 

Vaughan, as he celebrates 15 years with the 

hardware distributor 

56 WORKWEAR 

 

The latest Snickers garms to ensure you stay 

cool at work this summer 

SECTIONS: 

SYSTEMS 

16 

DOORS 

26 

58 PEOPLE POSTS 

 

Andy Jones steps down from Victorian Sliders in 

our roundup of ‘industry people’ news 

NEWS ROUNDUP 

06 TRICKLE VENT ‘HEADACHE’ 

As consultations around the Future Buildings Standard 

draw to a close, Veka’s Paul Kennington believes trickle 

vents are the industry’s biggest stumbling block 

10 CASHFLOW ‘CASUALTIES’ 

Business Pilot warns that cashflow pressures could lead 

to ‘casualties’ in window and door fabrication 

despite retail sector growth 

AUTOMATION 

34 

HARDWARE & 

ACCESSORIES 

44 

10 

GLASS & 

SEALED UNITS 

50 


JUNE/JULY 2021 T F 5

News Roundup 

GLAZIERS IN DECLINE 

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

TRICKLE VENTS POSE ‘BIGGEST HEADACHE’ 

A new report has revealed a decline in the 

number of glaziers, window fabricators 

and fitters since 2004, amounting to a 

predicted fall of 83% by 2049, if the decline 

continues at its current rate. 

The trade trends report 2021 released by Skills 

Training Group has analysed 16 years worth of 

data from the Office for National Statistics to 

assess the state of the UK workforce. 

In the report, it revealed multiple key trades 

on the decline. Glaziers, window fabricators 

and fitters fell by 36.41% between 2004 and 

2020 from 54,100 to 34,400, while plumbers 

and heating and ventilating engineers fell by 

4.19% (157,400 to 150,800), groundsman 

and groundskeepers by 25.85% (32,500 

to 24,100) and painters and decorators by 

17.80% (138,200 – 113,600). 

Steel erectors took the largest hit of all trades 

analysed. Between 2004 and 2020, workers 

fell by 47.93% from 12,100 workers to 6,300. 

Using the data, the team at Skills Training 

Group were able to forecast ahead to reveal 

what the future may look like for these trades if 

the average decline continues. They projected a 

decrease of more than 83% in glaziers, window 

fabricators and fitters by 2049. 

Mark McShane, managing director at Skills 

Training Group said that businesses in the 

industry need to engage with young people, 

“sharing their success stories to encourage a 

new workforce”. 

Urging companies to “make noise, engage with 

social media and shout about what makes their 

trades great”, he said: “While many young 

people may enter into a skilled trade through 

college and apprenticeships, a missed 

opportunity may be those that have opted 

to continue studying for A-Levels. For these 

students, the general direction is to head off 

to university, so it’s no surprise that many may 

not have even considered a career in specific 

trades – this is where recruitment outside of the 

usual routes can prove fruitful.” 

Veka’s technical director, Paul Kennington, 

believes that trickle vents “pose more of a 

headache to the fenestration industry than any 

other single issue at the moment”, and is urging 

the sector to “find an alternative”. 

As consultations around the Government’s new 

Future Buildings Standard close, Paul applauds 

plans to make homes more energy efficient but 

expresses concerns over ventilation. 

With new legislation to improve the energy 

performance of new homes expected by June 

2022, as part of the UK’s commitment to achieve 

net zero emissions by 2050, existing homes 

will also be subject to higher standards, with 

replacements and repairs designed to make 

homes warmer and reduce bills. 

“The big issue, however”, says Paul, “is likely 

to be ventilation, and the continuing saga of the 

trickle vent.” 

‘Disliked in equal measure’ 

Describing the vents as “an unwelcome addition 

to doors and windows, disliked in equal measure 

by fabricators, installers and homeowners”, Paul 

explains: “the problem is that as homes have 

become better insulated, they have also become 

less ventilated. Drafts have become a thing of the 

past, cutting off the natural flow of air that once 

moved on odours, pollutants and condensation. 

“It was an issue once solved by leaving a window 

open, something people are now less likely to do 

for security reasons. As a result, trickle vents have 

been seen as the answer. Apart from the fact that 

aesthetically they’re not great, they also mean that 

after decades of working to improve the U-value of 

Veka’s Paul Kennington 

says “we need to find an 

alternative” to trickle vents 

windows, we are now being asked to install them 

with a hole in; not great when you’re trying to make 

homes more energy efficient. 

“The thermal properties of windows are 

calculated as a whole unit, without taking into 

account the effects of trickle ventilators. So, for 

example, while a window can claim a value of 

1.4, its performance is actually below this level 

because of the vent. Although new windows will 

have better performance when it comes to issues 

such as air leakage, the improvement over an 

existing window may only be marginal because of 

the ventilator... 

“In new-build homes, there are already 

requirements to provide a certain amount of 

ventilation, and the easiest and cheapest way 

to do this is through a vent in a window. But 

the legislation could now move on to include 

replacement windows too... 

“There are also questions around increased costs, 

with the Government suggesting that including trickle 

vents as standard on a new window would add just 

£2, yet our own conservative estimate puts the true 

cost at closer to £25. Hopefully the Government’s 

response will provide some clarification. 

“I truly believe that trickle vents pose more of a 

headache to the fenestration industry than any 

other single issue at the moment, from aesthetics 

to cost, customer satisfaction to manufacturing 

modifications. We need to find an alternative, 

and come up with a smarter way of creating 

the optimum environment inside a building; the 

Government will soon let us know how quickly we 

need to do this.” 

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News Roundup 

RECRUITMENT 

COLLABORATION 

Brighouse-based window and door 

fabricator, Quickslide, has collaborated 

with Building Our Skills (BOS) and GFTS to 

help recruit new talent. 

After contacting BOS, Quickslide was 

connected with GFTS, an organisation that 

specialises in providing training within the 

fenestration and construction industries. 

Working with the head of Quickslide’s Human 

Resources team, Rachael Doran, GFTS is 

providing guidance on apprenticeship schemes 

and strategies for recruitment and training. 

The organisation will also work with Quickslide 

to find suitable candidates, carry out initial 

vetting and assistance with interviews. 


CHARITY CHUCKLES WITH WIDGETS JOKES 

As part of its 21st birthday celebrations, 

Window Widgets has launched a charity 

campaign to help collate content for its ‘Little 

Pink Book of Jokes’. 

Everyone across the industry is encouraged to 

submit jokes for the Little Pink Book by emailing 

jokes@windowwidgets.co.uk, visiting www. 

windowwidgets.co.uk/widgetscomedy or via 

social media using the #WidgetsComedy hashtag. 

In addition to the main publication, there will 

be a separate children’s activity and joke book 

available, where new Window Widgets superhero 

brand icons will be introduced. These will be charities, with all production and publication 

distributed to local schools and can also be costs being covered in full by Window Widgets. 

requested for other children and schools across 

Jo Trotman, marketing manager of Window 

the UK. Both books will be published and 

Widgets, commented: “The Little Pink Book of 

available later in the year. 

Jokes is our way of not only celebrating our 21st 

All proceeds from this campaign will be split business anniversary, but also putting something 

equally between two very special charities, GM back into the industry and hopefully making 

Fundraising and We Mind & Kelly Matters. The people smile too, especially after a particularly 

goal is to raise £21,000 throughout the year challenging 15 months for everyone. The aim is 

and this will be achieved by offering supporting to have a little fun on the way, share our humour 

companies the opportunity to be a main sponsor and raise much needed funds for two very worthy 

of one of the books, sponsor a joke, or a full page. charities. So please support them and us with 

All monies raised will go direct to the named this distinctly pink and fun-led campaign.” 

KORNICHE SHORTLISTED FOR 

BEST ROOF LANTERN SUPPLIER 

Made For Trade (MFT) has announced that Korniche has been 

shortlisted for the Homebuilding & Renovating Show Awards 

2021, in the category of Best Roof Lantern Supplier. 

Having won in 2020, MFT says it’s ‘amazing’ to be shortlisted in 

consecutive years and the recognition demonstrates the significant 

impact of the Korniche lantern. According to MFT, the product’s 

engineering, design and aesthetics have ‘great appeal’ for both the 

trade installer and the homeowner. 

Voting opened on the 24th May and can be found on the 

Homebuilding & Renovating Awards website. 

The Korniche team are back at the Homebuilding & Renovating 

Shows this year, starting on the 8th July at the NEC. MFT is 

encouraging its trade customers to come along to the unveiling 

of its new Korniche aluminium bi-folding doors. 


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News Roundup 

VEKA VIRTUAL TOUR 

Veka has introduced a virtual tour 

allowing fabricators to view its factory, 

including the new lamination building, 

from anywhere in the world. 

The site in Burnley, Lancashire, covers 

400,000ft 2 and spans two postcodes. It 

employs 350 people and produces more than 

30 million metres of profile every year. The 

virtual tour, which works in a similar way 

to Google Street View, allows customers to 

‘walk’ through the Veka site from the comfort 

of their own home or office. 

Dawn Stockell, Veka marketing director, said: 

“Although we prefer to welcome our visitors 

with a brew and biscuits, the quality of the 

virtual tour provides the next best thing.” 


GGF LAUNCHES NEW TECHNICAL HUB 

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) 

has launched a new Technical Hub, housing 

all the technical services and products the 

federation delivers. 

The aim of the new hub is to provide a more 

informative service, primarily for GGF members 

but also to highlight to non-members and the 

wider industry such as architects, specifiers and 

building designers, the many technical services 

the GGF offers. 

the GGF website can find all aspects of the GGF’s 

The GGF Technical Hub provides a full range of technical resource. The new Technical Hub will 

technical support and covers core operations provide a much more immersive experience.” 

such as consultancy, technical consultations and 

In addition, the Technical Hub offers the latest 

publications such as GGF datasheets, guides and 

technical news and access to an events and 

other technical documents. 

meetings calendar, which includes details of GGF 

David Borland (pictured), GGF senior technical group meetings, technical webinars and online 

officer and the ‘driving force’ behind this new forums. It also houses relevant information and 

online development, said: “Rather than simply links to Government and trade information, such 

update the generic technical information page, we as consultations that may impact on members’ 

wanted to create an online home where visitors to business. www.ggf.org.uk/technical-hub/ 

RISK OF CASHFLOW ‘CASUALTIES’ DESPITE RETAIL GROWTH 

The “underlying trend points firmly towards 

growth” in the window and door retail 

sector, but cashflow pressures “could lead 

to casualties, particularly in fabrication”, 

according to Neil Cooper-Smith, senior analyst 

at Business Pilot. 

In his headline analysis of the latest Business Pilot 

Barometer, Edition 17: March/April/May 2021, 

Cooper-Smith said: 

“Average window and door sales dropped last 

month [May] by 12%. Leads were down by 14% 

compared to April, although conversions were 

marginally up (4%). 

“Does this point to an easing of retail demand 

as the economy opens in line with the easing of 

lockdown restrictions? We don’t think so. 

“A drop in leads of 14% month-on-month is 

significant in isolation but the underlying trend 

points firmly towards growth as it has done 

throughout the year. 

“The housing market remains buoyant. The latest 

government figures show housing transactions 

in April 2021 reached almost 118,000 – that’s 

179.5% higher than this time last year. 

“Property website Zoopla – which claims to have 

the largest underlying data sample of any UK house 

price index – said its projections indicated that 

home sales would reach 1.52m in 2021 – a rise of 

45% on 2020. 

“If its forecasts are right, it would mean the UK 

housing market would record its highest level of 

activity since 2007, making 2021 one of the top 10 

busiest years for the housing market since 1959. 

“With the Government calling time on the 

extension of the Stamp Duty holiday at the end 

of this month [June], we don’t see any let up in 

demand anytime soon and believe the industry 

can look forward to sustained demand right the 

way through to the autumn. 

“The bigger question is, can it fulfil it? Shortages 

are impacting the entire construction supply chain. 

Closer to home, glass, resin, steel and hardware 

shortages are causing significant disruption to 

window and door manufacture. 

“That has potential to delay projects, putting 

pressure on cashflow, something which we think 

could lead to casualties, particularly in fabrication, 

but also retail.” www.businesspilot.co.uk 


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FIT Show 

A GROWING APPETITE 

With less than four months to go until the industry is reunited at Birmingham’s NEC for 

the FIT Show 2021, Nickie West, event director, tells Total Fabricator about the many new 

attractions that are helping build record levels of support for September’s show.... 

W 

e’ve just gone live with our visitor preregistration 

figures – a move that we 

would not usually make until slightly 

later in our campaign. However, we’re operating 

in different times, and I think the massive 

uplift that we have observed to our early preregistration 

figures demonstrates the appetite to 

get back to live events and, more specifically, get 

back to FIT. 

Alongside the uplift in pre-reg data, we’ve also 

seen an increase in enquiries from prospective 

exhibitors – including a higher proportion of 

completely new brands. Companies who will be 

making their FIT Show debut include: Exlabesa, 

Rockdoor, Solar Calibre Doors, Prosale, AB 

Initio Systems, Aston Lynch Building Supplies, 

Rebar, Heka, Storm Building products, UK Doors 

Online, Allports, Central Extrusions, AT Precision 

Engineering, Gardengate, UAB Fenestrum, Dako 

and The Sempre Group. 

We’re working with a new digital marketing 

agency, DigitalKOG, to make sure that we are 

reaching every corner of the market. We’re 

also working hard to cleanse and build our 

database, working with the likes of Insight Data, 

Glenigan and Barbour ABI. We have received 

a huge amount of support from the key trade 

associations within the industry which, in 

turn, helps us reach their members and raise 

awareness of the benefits of attending FIT Show. 

We’re at an exciting point in our campaign and 

we are anticipating that the appetite for FIT Show 

will continue to grow as ‘normal life’ continues to 

resume in line with the UK Government’s roadmap. 

For the first time ever, FIT Show will open on a 

Sunday and I believe that this is proving to be a 

big pull for installers who might be struggling to 

take time off the tools due to the current high levels 

of consumer demand for home improvements. 

Amongst those who have registered to visit are 

brands such as: Roto-Frank, Meridian Homes, 

Anglian, Everest, Which? Trusted Traders, Sika, 

Mila Ireland, Wurth UK, Crittall Windows, Schueco, 

Kestral Aluminium and Eurocell. 

We’ve added to our business development team, 

bringing on board two new members in the last 

couple of months. We are working hard to broaden 

our proposition in what is a very vast market and 

have expanded the team to support this. 

A broader product range 

There will be a much broader range of products 

on display thanks to the introduction of new 

Nickie West 

“Our pre-registration 

figures demonstrate 

the appetite to get 

back to the FIT Show” 

content such as our ‘Outdoor Living’ feature. We’ll 

be showcasing complementary products that 

will help the installer to expand their portfolios to 

meet the expanding needs of homeowners. This 

feature will include replacement roofing solutions, 

garden rooms, home offices, awnings, decking, 

fencing and much more. 

Other exciting features that our audience can 

look forward to are the Purplex Marketing & 

Insight Data ‘Marketing Village’ which will include 

a range of expert speakers who will arm our 

visitors with the tools to promote their businesses 

through marketing. Our full learning programme, 

which is once again being curated by 12th Man 

Solutions, will include live product demos from 

the industry’s leading tool and product suppliers. 

Our speakers will be tackling all of the key 

industry issues such as managing an effective 

supply chain and attracting and retaining talent. 

We’re committed to increasing the shelf-life of 

FIT Show above and beyond the three physical 

days of the event and will be making exciting 

announcements about this in the coming weeks. 

FIT Show is going to be the first real opportunity 

for people to see, touch and compare all of the 

latest products on the market. It will also be one 

of the first opportunities to reconnect the market 

after an extended period of restricted face-toface 

business. We are looking forward to making 

a triumphant return to the NEC in September, and 

cannot wait to see all of the brands, and people 

behind them, when we open the doors to FIT 

Show 2021. 

FIT Show is the UK’s number one, award-winning 

showcase for the glass, glazing, window, door, 

hardware and components industry. FIT Show will 

return to the NEC from 26 - 28 September 2021. 

Contact FIT Show: 

0207 886 3100 

fitshow.co.uk 

@fitshow 


Timber 

BUILDING BACK BETTER 

With the construction industry on track to recover from the challenges of the pandemic, 

Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), explores the challenges 

and opportunities for the wood manufacturing sector. 

With the Government’s roadmap for 

post-pandemic recovery and measures 

outlined in the Queen’s Speech, such 

as the lifetime skills guarantee, there are exciting 

opportunities on the horizon for the woodworking 

and joinery manufacturing sector. From the BWF’s 

perspective there are two key major focus areas 

that, as a sector, we must act on now in order to 

achieve and maintain healthy growth. 

Home renovations providing opportunities 

Within the renovation, maintenance and 

improvement (RMI) market there are significant 

opportunities for our sector throughout 2021 and 

into early 2022. The BWF’s Home Improvement 

Index report (available to BWF members at www. 

bwf.org.uk) showed that over half of homeowners 

are either planning or considering home 

renovations in the next 12 months. 

When we look at homeowners’ decisions to use 

certain types of products, as explored in our 

report, there is a distinct opportunity for the 

woodworking and joinery manufacturing sector 

as well as those within the fabrication sector. 

Almost a quarter of renovations will require 

windows to be replaced and more than a third will 

require new internal or external doors. In addition 

to plans to replace features such as windows 

and doors, 14% of homeowners intend to build 

a property extension and one in ten to build a 

conservatory as part of their home renovation. 

For more than half of homeowners, it is important 

to know that the products they are using to 

renovate their homes have been sourced and 

manufactured in an environmentally friendly 

way. It is crucial that as a sector we are ready to 

discuss the benefits of timber products compared 

to alternative materials, to make homeowners 

aware of timber’s sustainable credentials and 

performance qualities. Paramount to this is 

Helen Hewitt 

ensuring that there are incentives in place for 

homeowners to make choices that positively impact 

the environment. This is a focus for the BWF, and one 

we will continue to advocate for our membership. 

While the outlook from an RMI demand 

perspective is highly positive, we are aware that 

material shortages are affecting our members 

and the wider industry. The BWF will continue to 

work across the supply chain to provide support 

to our members and ensure their concerns are 

heard at a national level. 

Investing for future growth 

If our sector is to grow, and capitalise on high 

demand for products and services, it needs to 

maintain and develop a talented and driven 

workforce. The pandemic has had a detrimental 

impact on talent recruitment and development in 

our sector – affecting, for example, companies’ 

ability to take on apprentices. For this reason, the 

BWF will continue to place a major focus on skills, 

and we welcome the new Government funding for 

high quality traineeships and increased incentives 

for employers to offer apprenticeships. 

The pandemic has also highlighted the need for 

industry training to be accessible and fit-forpurpose. 

To meet the requirement for robust 

and sustainable methods of learning, the BWF 

has launched a new e-learning course: ‘An 

Introduction to Fire Doors’, which is designed 

specifically for members involved with the 

specification, installation and maintenance of 

timber fire doors. 

This course provides essential insight and 

knowledge for those entering the fire door 

manufacturing sector, as well as being a 

valuable source of information for the broader 

fire safety sector and stakeholders throughout 

the fire door supply chain. It is particularly 

relevant considering the much-needed focus on 

competency and training addressed in the new 

Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Bill. 

Training and skills development within our 

sector is key for our growth this year, and we will 

continue to support our members with access to 

quality training provision to help develop the next 

generation of talented professionals. 

Advocating for our sector 

It is clear that there are major opportunities for 

woodworking and joinery businesses and the 

broader fabrication sector this year, in part due 

to the RMI market, and we can expect demand 

to continue across the spectrum of products and 

services offered by our members. 

At the BWF we will continue to highlight the 

role and benefits of timber as a sustainable 

and durable building material to maximise 

opportunities for our members. This, combined 

with our ongoing focus on training, skills and best 

practice, will help ensure our sector plays a key 

role in the UK building back better and greener. 

Contact the BWF: 

0207 637 2646 

www.bwf.org.uk 

@BritWoodFed 


System 26 Hi/Hi+ 

High Performance 

Enhanced 

Bi-Fold Door 

Metal Technology’s high insulation 

System 26 Hi/Hi+ Bi-Fold Door has 

been developed to offer exceptionally 

low U-values while at the same time 

offering high levels of natural ventilation. 

Slimline profiles maximise the daylight 

into your living space, and with options 

from a single door to seven opening 

panes and up to 6 metres in width, 

design flexibility is guaranteed. 

Door U-values as low as 1.4 W/m 2 K with 

double glazing and 1.0W/m 2 K with triple glazing. 

Stock finishes - 9016 White Semi Gloss, 7016 Grey Matt 

and 9005 Black Matt reducing profile lead times to 48 hours. 

Severe weather tested to BS 6375 Parts 1 and 2. 

PAS 24 Security tested options to comply 

with Secure by Design criteria. 

Glass units 28mm DG - 50mm TG. 

Door energy rating DER A+. 

Sash weights up to 100kgs. 

Sash heights up to 2500mm. 

LogiKal estimating and production software 

for manufacturing, glass and U-value calculations. 

metaltechnology.com 

Bespoke punch tooling / jigs to assist with rapid manufacture.

PVC-U 

CHOOSE WISELY 

SYSTEMS 

Whether you’re a well-established fabricator or you’re just entering the industry, finding a 

PVC-U profile supplier to partner with can be overwhelming. Liniar outlines some important 

considerations to help you make the right choice. 

Innovation 

What kind of window and door fabricator do 

you want to be? Are you looking to offer cuttingedge 

products which are energy efficient and 

environmentally friendly? If so, it’s important 

that you align with a PVC-U profile supplier 

that embodies innovation. Ask them how many 

registered designs and patents they hold and 

whether they have a dedicated design and 

development team. 

Product innovation is critical as we move into the 

future. Homeowners want beautiful, thermallysound 

fenestration products which offer noise 

reduction and suit the style they’re seeking for 

their properties – and legislation around energy 

efficiency will continue to raise the bar. 

Customer-focused 

The easiest way to find out if a PVC-U profile 

company is customer-focused is to see what their 

current or past customers say about them. The 

internet has made it very easy to find out how a 

company is performing – but it isn’t the only way. 

Ask your potential PVC-U profile supplier whether 

they carry out customer satisfaction surveys – 

and if so, what the most recent results are. 

Customer focus also includes offering easy, 

convenient ways to order, lead generation and 

tender opportunities and receiving regular 

communication to help you manage lead times and 

keep your own supply chain informed. Working with 

a customer-focused PVC-U profile supplier can 

help take your business to the next level. 

Products 

Every systems company offers a range of 

windows and doors, but look beyond the surface. 

Have they won awards for product innovation 

or manufacturing excellence? Do they offer 

additional products which could allow you to 

“An extensive product 

range beyond simply 

windows and doors 

is a boon for new and 

growing fabricators” 

provide more choice to your customers? Do they 

offer a wide choice of coloured profiles? 

Whilst awards may not be at the top of your 

questions list, the answer could provide insight 

into other areas of the business. Award-winning 

companies often offer long-term benefits for their 

customers, including stability, sustainability, 

quality assurance and after-sales care. 

An extensive product range beyond simply 

windows and doors is a boon for new and growing 

fabricators. A fully-matching range of windows, 

doors, conservatories, roofs, building products 

and outdoor products means increased sales 

opportunities, a single point of guarantee and 

the ability to provide homeowners with fully 

matching products – for example, a conservatory 

with stunning windows, a bi-fold door and low 

maintenance decking. 

Colour is all the rage and continues to grow 

substantially. This year, all the shades of grey are 

the most sought-after by homeowners – but if 

you’re working with a PVC-U profile supplier that 

boasts an in-house lamination and foiling facility 

and a growing range of colours, that means you’ll 

be at the forefront of all the ‘popular’ colours 

homeowners want in the future. 

Marketing 

Do you need help when it comes to marketing 

the products you fabricate to the wider market? 

Ask potential suppliers whether they have an inhouse 

marketing and PR team and whether you’ll 

have access to a media library. 

An in-house PR and marketing team can 

work hand in hand with fabricators and their 

customers, writing, producing and publishing 

case studies, arranging photography and video 

shoots, suggesting website content and creating 

social media posts to share. If they offer instant 

access to a media library with photos and video, 

you’ll be able to select exactly what you need 

to get started. This will help maximise your own 

marketing efforts when producing literature and 

digital content. 

These questions have only scratched the surface. 

If you’re in the process of choosing your first 

PVC-U profile company or you’re thinking of 

switching to a new provider, check out Liniar’s 

comprehensive ‘Making the Change’ guide (www. 

liniar.co.uk/making-the-change/). It will help 

you ask in-depth questions which will help ensure 

the PVC-U systems company you choose is the 

right one for your business. 

Contact Liniar: 

01332 883 900 

www.liniar.co.uk 

@Liniarprofiles 


Grow business 

together 

Introducing REHAU Connect - the online 

platform that will revolutionise the way Installers 

communicate with the Fabricator and Client. 

This simple, quick and easy to use platform will 

enable you to present the perfect visual to your 

client and produce professional personalised 

quotations. 

Find out more at connect.rehau.com 

Windows. Reinvented for modern life.

Aluminium 

ALUMINIUM MADE EASY 

Combining industry leading manufacturing efficiencies with ease of installation, Decalu from 

Deceuninck Aluminium offers a simple solution in a period of exceptionally high demand, 

according to technical manager, Wayne Richards. Total Fabricator reports... 

“It is an exceptionally challenging time 

for the industry,” says Wayne Richards, 

technical manager, Deceuninck 

Aluminium. “On the one hand, we are 

experiencing huge levels of demand, fuelled 

predominately by retail, and by record-breaking 

activity in the property sector. 

“Any concerns that sales would tail off, that the 

home improvement boom would fizzle out in 

2021, have so far failed to materialise. 

“And while this is a positive outlook, it is offset 

by continuing issues with material supply, a 

problem that surfaced in the latter half of 2020 and 

which has since intensified,” he continues. “It is 

particularly acute in PVC supply – and for glass and 

hardware – but aluminium is far from immune. 

“It’s frustrating for fabricators who have long order 

books but are facing obstacles when it comes to 

getting product out of the door quickly enough.” 

Decalu, from Deceuninck Aluminium, presents 

a unique opportunity for fabricators to mitigate 

Deceuninck Aluminium’s 

Wayne Richards 

“For fabricators, we wanted to bring PVC-U 

thinking to aluminium system manufacture, to 

make it as simple as possible” 

against current high levels of demand and 

pressure on lead times. 

It does this by using a single outer frame and 

sash with an identical middle section, which 

means where most aluminium systems are 

comprised of eight frame and sash components, 

Decalu has just three. This modular approach 

helps to reduce the amount of stock holding 

required and contributes to overall manufacturing 

efficiencies of up to 40%. 

“Decalu is the result of decades of R&D into 

aluminium system supply, it was designed from 

scratch to appeal to fabricators, installers and 

consumers in equal measure,” explains Wayne. 

“For fabricators, we wanted to bring PVC-U 

thinking to aluminium system manufacture, 

to make it as simple as possible. If you take a 

Decalu casement for example, you just need three 

things – the frame, the sash and the glass, then 

your hardware. If you compare that to the 11 or 

12 steps that would normally be involved in a 

standard aluminium window, it’s a big difference. 

“If you’re used to other aluminium systems you 

will definitely notice it, but because it’s so easy to 

manufacture, Decalu provides a strong incentive 

for PVC fabricators who might have previously 

outsourced aluminium, to bring manufacture inhouse,” 

he continues. 

Very little outlay 

“For starters, you only need four cassettes and 

one punch station, and you can make the bi-fold, 

the lift-and-slide, the windows and the residential 

door, so there’s very little outlay required on 

machinery. The difference in profit margin at the 

end of the month, however, will be considerable!” 

Another stand out feature of the Decalu system 

is its co-extruded, pre-assembled gasket. 

Contributing to overall manufacturing efficiencies 

by eliminating the requirement to insert it during 

fabrication, it is also a major selling point to fitters. 

Backed by rigid PVC-U, to prevent shrinkage, 

there is no need to apply gasket during 

installation and that means the glazing time per 

unit is reduced to just minutes. 

“Manufacturers who are fabricating with Decalu 

certainly appreciate not having to deal with 


SYSTEMS 

gaskets, but installers absolutely love it,” says 

Wayne. “In the past, it was standard practice 

to put a day aside to fit a set of bi-folds, but 

with the Decalu88, it’s possible to complete two 

jobs in a day. That time saving has proved to be 

transformative, installers are now actively asking 

for Decalu as a result. 

“Another added benefit is that it comes with a 

16mm Eurogroove, which means that it accepts 

standard PVC-U hardware, so if you’re running a 

PVC-U line, you won’t have to buy and then stock 

separate aluminium hardware. It also 

means that homeowners can 

exactly match the hardware 

on their PVC-U windows, 

to a feature aluminium 

bi-fold or lift-andslide, 

when sold as a 

combined offer.” 

Decalu was launched at 

the start of 2020 with the 

Decalu88 bi-folding door. With 

“Decalu provides a strong incentive for PVC 

fabricators who might have previously outsourced 

aluminium, to bring manufacture in-house” 

U-values of 0.68W/m 2 k triple-glazed or 1.4/m 2 k 

double glazed, it is offered with dual colour and a 

marine grade finish as standard. Accommodating 

individual sash weights of up to 200kg and 3m in 

height, it also features two 7mm adjustable jams 

and 14mm of tolerance for out of square 

brickwork. 

The Decalu88 was joined by 

the Decalu163 lift-andslide 

later in the year. 

With identical colour and 

finish options, it can 

be specified to fill a 4m 

by 7m opening on a twin 

track with sash weights of up 

to 400kg, and is now available 

alongside options for French and residential 

doors, plus a range of casements. 

“Decalu delivers the contemporary aesthetics 

and quality of finish that consumers want, and it 

is designed from the ground up to be as easy as 

possible to manufacture and install,” concludes 

Wayne. “That brings with it efficiencies that 

have a direct, positive impact on bottom line, but 

which are also proving to be beneficial in facing 

the challenges created by an extended period of 

exceptional high demand.” 

Contact Deceuninck for further info on Decalu: 

01249 816 969 

www.deceuninck.co.uk 

@Decalu_UK 



Aluminium 

Kevin Warner, sales director at Exlabesa Building Systems UK, talks us through the 

company’s extensive and ever-growing product range – and the foundations behind it. 

SYSTEMS 

'A SYSTEM FOR EVERY PURPOSE' 

After many years of investing, developing 

and manufacturing in Doncaster, South 

Yorkshire, Exlabesa has a lot to be proud of, 

but I think our greatest achievement is probably 

the breadth and versatility of our range. 

Constant R&D and invaluable input and 

feedback from fabricators around Britain have 

allowed us to offer one of the widest selections 

of quality aluminium window and door systems 

you’ll find anywhere. 

The combination of local insight and the expertise 

we’ve gleaned from extruding aluminium for 

architecture, automotive, transportation and 

infrastructure applications around the world 

mean we can offer a system for every purpose. 

Classic casements 

While sleek and stylish high-end home 

improvement products like bi-folds and 

balustrades have taken off over recent years, 

the vast majority of fenestration products sold in 

Britain are still casement windows. 

At Exlabesa, we’ve got no less than three firstclass 

casement window systems. 

First, the KC51 casement window is a technically 

advanced product with slim sightlines, fabricated 

using a mechanical corner cleat 

which ensures easy and fast 

fabrication times. 

Second is the KC75 casement 

window, featuring security 

and energy saving, with a 

depth of 75mm to ensure good 

insulation. 

The open-out KS59 system, 

meanwhile, was designed 

to mimic steel windows, 

combining performance and 

practicality with a fashionable 

industrial look. 

Doors galore 

We also offer an extensive selection of quality 

doors – like the KLS lift and slide patio door, with 

capacity rollers capable of handling glass panes 

up to 400kg in weight. 

A more recent addition to the range is our Xlaslide 

patio door. Delivering sought-after slim sightlines 

with an affordable price-tag, the twin or tripletracked 

Xlaslide door can support panes up to 

200kg in weight, and offers a perfectly smooth 

action thanks to its heavy-duty adjustable rollers. 

Its extremely slim 32mm interlock section 

delivers unobstructed views, and its conventional 

beading allows for on-site glazing, making 

replacing broken units quicker, and generally 

making installers’ lives easier. 

What’s more, despite its large panes, it offers 

good thermal efficiency, typically achieving 

U-values of 1.5 with a 1.0 centre pane value. 

Like many Exlabesa products, Xlaslide also suites 

with other offerings in the company’s range – it 

can be easily coupled with 75mm systems to 

provide fixed or opening sidelights, for example, 

and uses beads and gaskets from the 75 and 51 

ranges to help reduce stockholding. 

Offering similar slimline aesthetics 

and ultra-smooth performance is the 

Xlafold bi-fold – a stylish, versatile 

and easy to fabricate product available 

in any RAL colour, squared or curved 

sash options and a choice of open-in or 

open-out configurations. 

First-class support 

But the best products in the world 

wouldn’t mean much if they weren’t 

backed with quality service. 

Our dedicated technical team based in 

Doncaster has decades of experience and is on 

Kevin Warner 

hand to train fabricators in new products, offer 

advice and support, and troubleshoot any issues 

our customers have. 

What’s more, our Support Hub contains a 

whole host of useful information, like technical 

specifications, fabrication manuals and CAD 

details, and can help customers with U-value 

calculations, inertia calculations, software and 

much more. 

It’s this combination of top-of-the-line products 

and first-class service that we think makes us 

one of the best aluminium systems companies in 

the world. 

“The best products 

in the world wouldn’t 

mean much if they 

weren’t backed with 

quality service” 

Contact Exlabesa: 

01302 762500 

www.exlabesa.co.uk 

@exlabesaBS_UK 


Smart-Slide. The next 

generation patio door 

Available in aludec and woodec 

foils, the NEW premium 

aluminium and natural timber 

effect finishes from aluplast. 

• 4.5m span in two panes! 

• Locks on all four sides of 

the sliding door. PAS24-2016. 

• ‘Part-open’ sliding door locking. 

aluplast PVC-U window 

and door systems 

Call 01684 273401 or 

email info@aluplast.co.uk 

to find out more. 

www.aluplast.co.uk 

AN INDUSTRY LEADING 

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Customer Support 

READY, SET, GROW! 

With homeowners chomping at the bit to upgrade their properties, Guardian Building 

Systems explains its ‘all-encompassing’ support package for fabricators in the midst of 

challenges such as red tape, rising material costs and soaring demand. 

Over the last year, it has become evident 

that homeowners are raring to go when it 

comes to improving their homes; they just 

need the opportunity and the knowledge of how to 

achieve what they want. 

“We are here to support our fabricators when 

they need it and how they need it” 

Ross Darcy, Guardian Building Systems 

Research shows that UK residents wanting to 

move to a bigger home in the next year have 

increased by 25%, while 57% of residents 

want to make changes to be more eco-friendly, 

including making energy-efficient improvements 

to their homes. 

Whether it is to increase their living spaces to 

cater for more time spent at home, to increase 

their property appeal and value, or to generally 

cut down energy costs, there is no shortage of 

scope. However, a key problem for companies 

in this sector - specifically fabricators - is how 

to resonate with homeowners in order to stay 

relevant and stand apart from the competition. 

With added strain from external factors such as 

soaring material costs, it is becoming increasingly 

harder to find new prospects and grow as a 

business, while also maintaining profit and 

retaining customers. 

Fabricators need to be ahead of the growing 

market demand for home improvements with an 

arsenal of quality systems, and the assurance of 

capable installers, ready to deliver an exceptional 

service that will suit homeowners’ evolving needs. 

Pioneer in home improvements 

Guardian Building systems presents an allencompassing 

solution for fabricators in the 

midst of these industry demands. 

As the founder of the conservatory roof 

conversion market with Guardian Warm Roof, 

and equipped with more than 20 years of 

experience, Guardian Building Systems continues 

to expand on its expertise with extensive research 

and development in creating quality assured, 

contemporary living spaces. 

Keeping ahead of the market and establishing 

systems before homeowners even know they need 

them caveats the unreliability of demand driven 

manufacturing. Incorporating expert software 

and invaluable collaborations with multi-sector 

leaders such as Velux and the LABC, Guardian 

Building Systems provides an unrivalled service 

that delivers the full package – from variety of 

products, to support, to growth – throughout its 

range of systems. 

Each build is bespoke to the homeowner’s needs, 

and can be manufactured easily with the highest 

quality and performance. Once on site, usually 

different systems can take a varying amount of 

time to complete installation, and as everyone 

knows, time is money. Which is why all Guardian 

Building Systems solutions are developed to 

maximise installation speed, and minimise time 

on site, with the original Guardian Warm Roof 

system only taking a matter of days to complete. 

Red Tape 

A common setback among home improvement 

building systems is the requirement for planning 

approval and Building Regulation compliance, and 

while important, it can be a very arduous process. 

Guardian Building Systems cuts through the red 

tape for you, with Guardian Warm Roof being 

pre-approved with the LABC, ready to fabricate 


SYSTEMS 

and go straight to site to be installed. Taking the 

hassle out of this process further optimises time 

and asset demands, giving fabricators more 

resources to put into expanding their business. 

New certified installer scheme 

As a long-standing market leader, Guardian 

Building Systems has launched a brand new 

certified installer scheme, training installers to 

exceptional standards, delivering bespoke home 

improvements to homeowners with efficient, 

high-quality systems and trustworthy service. 

Homeowner promise 

As homeowner demand for conservatory 

conversions or demolition continues to rise and 

with extra availability of options on the market, 

it is harder for homeowners to find trustworthy 

systems and installers. 

As part of the Certified Installer scheme, 

installers register with the Guardian Warm Roof 

homeowner promise. This promise guarantees 

homeowners that the Guardian Certified 

Installer has been expertly trained to install 

their living solution to the highest standard. It 

also guarantees that they are getting the best 

systems and products, with 10-year product and 

workmanship warranties. 

In extreme cases where expectations may not be 

met, there are clear routes set in place to resolve 

issues, by independent bodies where necessary, 

further strengthening this promise. 

Certified fabricator support 

The Certified Installer scheme not only gives 

homeowners reassurance, it equips installers 

with industry credibility. It also gives fabricators 

access to a valuable network of expertly trained 

installers in their area who are screened and 

matched appropriately by a dedicated team. 

“We are here to support our fabricators when 

they need it and how they need it” explains Ross 

Darcy, director at Guardian Building Systems. 

“This new scheme has been designed to relieve 

them of admin and the stress of finding suitable 

installers and leads, so they can allocate more 

resources into growing their business.” 

Alongside the software and system partner 

support, the in-house team will be on hand to 

help fabricators’ best interests. 

“We never compete against our fabricators, and 

every homeowner lead we receive is processed 

directly through our Certified Installer network,” 

adds Ross. 

Assisting with brand awareness, lead generation, 

and installer matching, Guardian Building 

Systems give fabricators the best foot forward 

so they are able to grow their business in 

confidence. 

Be a leader in the market and grow your business 

with Guardian Building Systems. 

Contact Guardian Building Systems: 

E 

0800 066 5832 

www.guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk 

customerservice@guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk 



Updates 

ALUK LAUNCHES NEW COLOURS 

SYSTEMS 

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

AluK is transforming its colour offering with the launch of a brand-new colour collection which it says will 

help trade customers win more business with stronger, more sustainable margins. 

Working with paint supplier Akzo Nobel, AluK has identified the key trends dominating the retail and commercial 

markets at the moment and put together four distinct, highly durable colour ranges in response. 

Branded Elements, Homestead, Spectrum and Urbane, they are available on all of AluK’s products on competitively short 

lead times, and are designed to give customers a ‘huge advantage’ when it comes to their own sales and logistics operations. 

Elements and Homestead are AluK’s powdercoated colour ranges for the retail market. Elements features 17 vibrant 

RAL options in a smooth finish, while Homestead includes 13 classic, warm RAL options in a textured finish. 

For the commercial market, AluK’s Spectrum and Urbane ranges combine additional durability with enhanced variations in 

finish to suit both volume and high-end specifications. There are 21 contemporary textured metallic colours within Spectrum, 

while Urbane features 14 bolder colours in a smooth anodic metal finish which offers a ‘simple and cost-effective alternative to anodising’. www.alukgb.com/colour 

'NEXT GENERATION' SHEERLINE S1 ROOF LANTERN 

Sheerline continues to expand its range of aluminium products with the launch of a ‘next 

generation’ aluminium roof lantern. It combines sleek, low-level styling and ‘cutting-edge’ 

performance to create what Sheerline claims is ‘one of the most secure, thermally efficient and 

beautiful lanterns on the market’. 

Designed from scratch by Garnalex’s expert team, S1 is available in three stocked colours across 10 

different styles, with two and four-way options designed around 28mm glazing. 

Sheerline says its S1 ‘redefines the product category’s security expectations’ with a number of 

‘unique innovations’, including an interlocking eaves beam which means that the glass cannot be 

removed from the outside, and a patent-pending glass lock. www.sheerline.com 

BLOWN AWAY BY KAWNEER SYSTEMS 

High-performance building façade products manufactured by UK manufacturer, Kawneer, were specified to handle 

the challenging wind loads on Birmingham’s tallest exclusively residential tower block. 

Kawneer’s AA 100 zone-drained and capped curtain walling, complemented by AA 720 top-hung ventilator windows on 

the first to top floors, with AA 190 TB entrance doors on the ground floor, were specified by Glancy Nicholls Architects for the 

£30m, 33-storey Left Bank 2 tower. 

Glancy Nicholls’ marketing co-ordinator, Sophie Casewell, said: “We specified the Kawneer systems for their system 

performance, particularly in relation to wind loads. The curtain wall system delivered the required performance to deal 

with the challenging wind loads on the 33-storey tower, with the site also elevated geographically within Birmingham. The 

aesthetics of the system also delivered upon the desired design intent.” www.kawneer.co.uk 

LINIAR SMASHES CLIMATE CHANGE TARGET BY 54% 

The latest audit of Liniar’s ISO 14001 accreditation shows that the company is 53.95% ahead of 

its Climate Change Agreement (CCA) target for Q1, 2021, saving 20,410 metric tonnes of carbon. 

Liniar signed a Climate Change Agreement with the Environment Agency in 2018 as part of the 

Government’s Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme, implementing a comprehensive Environmental 

Management Policy and achieving ISO 14001 accreditation that same year. 

Group MD, Martin Thurley, said: “We’re extremely proud of the audit results and have even more 

plans in place to continue our good work in the future. Our progress to date has been a team effort 

and we look forward to making more adjustments to further limit the carbon emissions from our 

manufacturing operations.” www.liniar.co.uk/sustainability 


Door Hardware 

HARDWARE: THE UNSUNG HERO 

To many, door hardware is merely a necessity that facilitates functionality. However, as 

hardware distributor Carl F Groupco explains, the right fittings are an important factor for 

extended capability, transformed aesthetics and added-value opportunities. 

1The space race: 

As homeowners persevered through 

the pandemic, many properties were 

reassessed, with people looking to maximise 

indoor space, creating more room, aiding 

accessibility and merging indoor areas with 

gardens through the use of French doors, bi-fold 

products and lift & slide hardware. 

Carl F Groupco has a long standing relationship 

with Siegenia, and HS Portal lift & slide 

technology is a sophisticated solution which 

can operate sash weights for timber, PVC-U and 

aluminium doors up to 400kg safely, conveniently 

and effortlessly. 

Design simplicity is combined with sophistication 

– the HS Portal gearing enables a lift & slide door 

to be operated with just one finger. 

The performance of the HS Portal was further 

enhanced with Siegenia’s introduction of the 

Eco Pass, which provides a highly efficient 

and completely barrier-free opening, with only 

the running rail raised above the threshold of 

5mm. Featuring a sophisticated 10-chamber 

profile designed to provide outstanding thermal 

insulation, the Eco Pass threshold complies with 

the principles of green building. The product’s 

single-piece construction, with integrated 

reinforcements, ensures total stability and 

significantly reduces manufacturing times. 

Catering for the bi-fold market is Siegenia’s FS 

Portal Plus system, which meets the needs of 

aluminium, PVC-U and timber profiles, and caters 

for homeowners’ increasing desire for innovative 

door designs. 

2 

A technological edge: 

Technology is another important topic with 

considerable customer appeal. Access and 

monitoring capabilities are becoming increasingly 

critical, particularly in multiple-occupancy 

buildings – Carl F Groupco’s SmartSecure brand 

specialises in hardware which meets this need, 

providing advanced technology for entrance doors. 

Offering intuitive hardware solutions, 

SmartSecure’s electronic door locking and access 

control options include SmartConnect. Designed 

for easy door opening using a smartphone, this 

WLAN-based system offers keyless operation 

and monitoring. SmartTouch is a second variant: 

activated by movement of a fob, like smart 

car technology, the solution allows a door to 

be unlocked with simple touch control. Radiobased 

access control systems are also available 

including a radio keypad, transponder and 

fingerprint scanner for keyless biometric access 

management. The Fuhr electromechanical door 

locks incorporated in SmartSecure maximise 

project flexibility as they are compatible with 

most access and building control systems. 

John Mitchell, technical manager at Carl F Groupco, with the Fuhr 881, which is at the 

heart of the company’s SmartSecure electronic locking and access control technology 

“As we emerge from the 

corona crisis, upselling 

door technology access 

control capability is at 

its most compelling” 


Siegenia’s HS Portal featuring ‘attractive aesthetics’ is available from Carl F Groupco 

As we emerge from the corona crisis, upselling door 

technology access control capability is at its most 

compelling, and the style, simplicity and track record 

of SmartSecure is a persuasive combination. 

3 

Peace of mind 

Providing tested and accredited hardware 

that gives peace of mind to the end-user is 

another strong attraction for purchasers. It should 

never be assumed that security accreditation 

is a given with all hardware, and a product’s 

security appeal is significantly enhanced with 

endorsements such as PAS 24 and Secured 

by Design (SBD) – the national police crime 

prevention campaign that delivers a wide range of 

crime prevention initiatives. Significant products 

in Carl F Groupco’s catalogue that are endorsed 

by SBD include the Fuhr 881 multitronic lock, 

which is at the heart of SmartSecure. 

4 

Functional factors 

Increased functionality through specialist 

hardware, such as automatic locking 

“Hardware is often the unsung hero of door 

fabrication but fittings offer a number of facets 

that offer potential to enhance a sale” 

products and stable door solutions, catch the eye 

of end-users. 

One example of a popular product supplied by 

Carl F Groupco is a Fuhr stable door gearing that 

comprises two locking mechanisms which can 

operate independently or in tandem. The gearing 

is a simple addition which opens up options and 

enhancements for end-users that they may not 

previously have been aware of. 

5 

Safety matters 

Safety is of paramount importance to all 

end-users, whether in the residential or 

commercial sector. Hardware with protective 

features will therefore help to increase the appeal 

of a door and it shouldn’t be assumed that safety 

attributes will be a known quantity. 

Fuhr 870 gearing, for example, offers fully 

concealed multipoint locking while offering 

options for EN 179 emergency escape or EN 1125 

for panic exit compliance; this gives commercial 

fabricators scope to offer extended options for 

door types suitable for an installation. 

In conclusion, Carl F Groupco observes that 

hardware is often the unsung hero of door 

fabrication, but fittings offer a number of facets 

that offer potential to enhance a sale with added 

features, functionality and value. 

Contact Carl F Groupco: 

01733 393330 

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk 

@Carl_F_Groupco 



The Doorco Column 

HAS GREY HAD ITS DAY? 

In his latest exploration of composite door trends, Ben Aspinall, Doorco’s IT & marketing 

manager, suggests that while grey still dominates in the colour stakes, earthy tones are 

emerging, while white is one to watch... 

It’s been a busy couple of months at Doorco 

since our last column. We’ve launched our own 

solid core composite door that’s engineered 

with Gripcore technology, and we’ve announced 

that we’re now offering our very own glazing 

cassette system called FLiP. 

On top of that, door sales are flying! More 

challenging, in parallel, as I’m sure everyone is 

well aware, the supply chain is struggling. Not 

just because of the relentless demand for home 

improvements, but also because of a global 

shipping crisis and turbulent raw material costs. 

We’re grateful that our independently-owned 

status means we can move quickly to do what 

needs to be done to steady the ship. But just as 

importantly, we’re keeping an eye on the future 

and continuing to invest from growing our team to 

extending our manufacturing facility. 

Even against these challenges, door sales remain 

buoyant and we’ve seen an overall increase in 

sales with consistent demand for the Doorco 

brand and the extensive range of products this 

now encompasses. Let’s take a look at some of 

the door trends reflected in those sales, with a 

focus on colour: 

Style and colour choices 

When it comes to design, there aren’t really any 

significant changes to the ‘new-normal’, the rise 

in the popularity of modern door styles and slabs. 

Nearly a quarter of all doors sold are our more 

modern/designer slabs 

and we are seeing more 

contemporary choices 

applied to traditional 

styles such as Carnoustie, 

Lytham, Farmhouse and 

Gleneagles. The choice 

and combination of colour, 

glass design and hardware 

style really transform a 

door into a whole different 

design category. 

This is reflected in the 

colour stats alone: around a 

third of all the Carnoustie’s 

we’ve prepped or painted 

are grey and half of the 

Farmhouse range too. 

Looking outside the box, the popularity of our 

new designer colour range Patina is steadily 

increasing. This colour range, which is exclusive 

to Monza II and has been specifically designed 

to enhance the door’s book-matched woodgrain 

texture, is really stunning and unrivalled in the 

market at the moment. 

A different shade of grey 

Overall, grey is king. Over a third of all doors sold 

in this period were grey in a mixture of standard 

Anthracite, popular shades like Slate, patinas, 

or special RALs. But is its reign nearly over? 

Style gurus suggest that more honey, earthy and 

warmer tones are emerging this year, so watch 

this space. 

Back to basics 

Something that recently caught our eye in the 

colour stakes was the sharp increase in white/ 

white door sales. White is a clean colour, 

classical, but often more suited to the commercial 

Contact Doorco: 

01625 428955 

www.door-co.com 

@DOORCO_Official 

door sector. Dress it with 

modern black hardware and 

you suddenly have something 

very sharp. And, according to 

Alexa, there are “technically 

unlimited shades of white”, 

so you can potentially create 

something totally bespoke. 

As with many fashions, what 

was once deemed boring 

is suddenly cool again. 

Furthermore, it’s often the 

case that door trends closely 

follow interior design trends, 

and white walls are definitely 

a thing for 2021. 

Ideal Homes magazine says 

in a recent blog: “White has 

to be the most popular paint shade for our walls. 

It provides a blank canvas that brightens dark 

spaces and makes even the smallest rooms feel 

spacious and airy.” 

In this time of cleanliness, it seems the starkness 

of white is a comfort. 

“It’s often the case that 

door trends closely 

follow interior design 

trends, and white walls 

are definitely a thing 

for 2021” 


Innovation comes built-in 

Find out more at 

NEC BIRMINGHAM 

26-28 SEPTEMBER 2021 

WE’RE POSITIVE YOU’LL 

LOVE THE NEW SV 

Exclusive to Morley Glass, the SV+ is a completely symmetrical version 

of the highly popular ScreenLine SV (sliding venetian) Uni-Blind system 

thanks to the addition of a slim dummy rail on the opposite side to the 

sliding operating system. 

Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd 

Unit 3 

Leeds 27 Industrial Estate 

Bruntcliffe Way 

Leeds LS27 0HH 

morleyglass.co.uk 

0113 277 8722 sales@morleyglass.co.uk

Aluminium Bi-Folds 

STELLAR GROWTH 

Trade and domestic fabricator, Bifold Local, 

started manufacturing the Stellar aluminium 

system from Epwin Window Systems in 

February 2021 and is already reporting 

‘significant growth’ on the back of the decision. 

In fact, the company says that demand for the 

Stellar aluminium bi-fold door in particular 

means it’s having to invest in new automated 

fabrication machinery to keep pace with demand. 

Liam Duffy, director at Bifold Local, said: “Stellar 

has the slim profiles that are so popular with 

consumers and the bi-fold door has real appeal. 

It’s allowing us to capitalise on the strong 

demand for this style of door.” 

Sashes can be as large as 1,200mm wide and 

2,500mm high, with a maximum height plus 

width of 3,500mm, adding further appeal. 

www.stellaraluminium.co.uk 

INNOVATION UNLOCKED 

Made For Trade asks: Does the Korniche bi-fold hold the key to our hearts? 

Made For Trade (MFT), the company 

behind the design and manufacture of 

the award-winning Korniche lantern roof 

system, says it is bringing a ‘big USP’ into the bifolding 

door arena with the Korniche bi-fold. 

Pre-gasketed aluminium clip bead 

Anyone that has spent any time on-site fitting 

an aluminium bi-fold door, says MFT, ‘will be all 

Due to the way it is manufactured with a 

too familiar with the struggles associated with 

polymer backing, it cannot shrink. The new 

fitting, cutting and installing wedge gasket’. 

system is simple, fool-proof and truly upholds 

According to MFT, it is probably one of the most 

our ‘glazed in seconds’ promise” 

time-consuming parts of the install, and once 

it’s in, the longevity of the install can depend Minimal assembly 

heavily on the experience of the installer. We’ve MFT maintains that all its bi-folding door 

all seen shrunken gaskets! 

quotes include delivery and unless you ask 

specifically for kit form, all doors will arrive 

Ashley Gaunt, technical director at MFT, 

fully assembled. Once everything is onsite, 

MFT says it should simply be a case 

said: “For installers, the big innovation on 

the Korniche bi-fold door is our patented 

of ‘screwing in the frame, offering up and 

pre-gasketed clip bead. We have paired 

packing the glass units and then “clipping” in 

an aluminium bead profile with a rolled in 

the bead. Job done.’ 

polyamide clip. Aluminium and polyamide 

behave in a very similar way under temperature The Korniche bi-folding door will feature in the 

changes, and this is an important factor when National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, NEC, 

designing a composite bead. We have also Birmingham, from 8-11 July. Links for tickets and 

designed a custom bead gasket that is factory product updates can be found at: 

fitted to the bead before it’s delivered. 

www.madefortrade.co and www.korniche.co.uk 

THE LOGIKAL CHOICE FOR DECALU MANUFACTURE 

Deceuninck Aluminium’s Decalu88 bi-folding 

door has been added to BM Aluminium’s 

Logikal database, simplifying manufacture of 

the company’s flagship product offering. 

Nigel Headford, Deceuninck Aluminium’s business 

development director, said: “The vast majority 

of fabricators use Logikal, it offers integration of 

process from estimation to manufacture. With the 

majority of our products already on it, bringing the 

Decalu88 bi-fold inline puts everything into place, 

simplifying manufacture for our existing customers 

and also speeding up set-up as we bring new 

fabricators on board.” 

The Decalu88 bi-fold has gained a significant 

following among installers based on ease of 

installation. This includes glazing of each sash 

in as little as five minutes through the use of a 

co-extruded pre-inserted gasket, and two fully 

adjustable jambs, each offering up to 7mm 

tolerance, simplifying door squaring and setting. 

U-values are as low as 0.68W/m 2 , with each sash 

able to accommodate weights of 200kg and up 

to 3m in height, it also offers impressive design 

flexibility, while guaranteeing ultra-smooth running. 

www.deceuninck.co.uk 


VISOGLIDE PLUS 

SLIDING DOORS 

NEW 

SAVE 

GET A 

PRICE 

COMPARISON 

10% 

NEW 1st ORDER 

INTRODUCTORY 

DISCOUNT 

FROM 

QUOTE CODE 

TI-VG01 

THERMALLY BROKEN ALUMINIUM 

Slim profile, Lipped outer frame, Sobinco locks 

INDUSTRY LEADING CUSTOMER SERVICE 

Comprehensive install guide & support 

LARGE SASH WIDTHS 

Up to 6.5m wide in 2 panes. 2-4 panes available 


Tel: 01642 610799 

SLIMMER 

Uninterrupted Sight Lines 

STOCK COLOUR CHOICE 

White, Anthacite Grey & Black, Dual Colour 

FROM 

SUPPORT 


2 WEEK LEAD TIMES 

Reliable safe site delivery 


* Per leaf price is unglazed and may vary depending on size and specification of the door. Lead time is based on a standard colour. Postcode restrictions apply 

* Discount applies to new trade customers and first, single item purchase only of the Smart Visoglide Plus Sliding Doors | Image for representation ony

Updates 


FLIP: 'ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES FOR DOOR DESIGN' 

Composite door supplier, Doorco, says it is set 

to transform the market with the introduction 

of FLiP, the company’s own ‘revolutionary’ 

cassette system. FLiP has a unique Foam in 

Place technology that promises to deliver 

‘a superior seal’, and three design options 

that include clean, modern profiles through 

to traditional bevels, offering what Doorco 

describes as ‘aesthetic freedom never seen’ 

Dan Sullivan, Doorco’s MD, said: “FLiP is the new 

glazing cassette system developed by Doorco and 

made in the UK. Not only does it offer us greater 

control over the supply chain and guarantees 

for our customers, it also unlocks endless 

possibilities for door design. 

“Contemporary homes reflect the architecture 

of today. Even in renovation there is a massive 

shift in demand towards clean lines and stark 

minimalism. When it comes to doors, Doorco are 

trailblazers in this arena with designer-led doors 

such as Monza II and Links. But to date, the lack 

of contemporary glazing options has restricted 

opportunity for further product development. 

“Working with innovative UK-based designers 

and drawing on the Doorco team’s experience 

and knowledge of the sector, we set about a 

considered and conscientious development 

process that has resulted in a range of door 

glazing cassettes that are more flexible, more 

practical and aesthetically pleasing. 

“FLiP offers the freedom to choose the design, 

finish and colour to suit any style of house and 

make a unique statement. The three design 

options include clean, modern profiles through to 

traditional bevels, all with a low profile to fit nicely 

with the overall design of the door.” 

www.flipuk.com 

DECALU163: 'AN INSTANT WIN FOR FABRICATORS' 

Deceuninck Aluminium has added a slim-interlock option to its ultra-energy 

efficient Decalu163 lift-and-slide aluminium patio door. 

The heavy-weight system can accommodate individual sash weights of as much as 

400kg and achieves U-values of as low as 0.8 W/m 2 K triple glazed. 

Now available with a slim 53mm interlock, Nigel Headford, Deceuninck Aluminium’s 

business development director, said the Decalu163 was primed to support 

fabricators and installers in capitalising on the boom in home improvement. 

“Lift-and-slide products are seeing resurgent demand as part of the lockdown-driven 

boom in home improvement,” he said. “Straightforward to manufacture, with only 

minimal investment in tooling required, and easy to install, the Decalu163 is now 

available with a slim 53mm interlock option increasing homeowner appeal, making it 

an instant win for fabricators and installers.” www.deceuninck.co.uk 

DISTINCTION DOORS GRANTED SBD STATUS 

Distinction Doors says it is the first stockist and distributor of glass reinforced polyester (GRP) door 

blanks in the UK to be granted Secured by Design (SBD) status. 

The company has gained approval for both standard and fire entrance door blanks. Its 44.5mm nxt-gen blank 

range, 44.5mm Signature blank range and 45mm FD30 GRP composite door blank have proven specification 

requirements to meet the certification of PAS 24: 2016. SBD is a police security initiative operated by the UK 

Police Service and provides a recognised standard for all security products that deter and reduce crime – the 

Police Preferred Specification. All the products listed have been subject to rigorous testing and are certificated by 

an independent, third-party certification body accredited by UKAS. 

Dave Walker, technical director for Distinction, said: “In providing door blanks which meet the Police Preferred 

Specification, we are supporting SBD approved door fabricators in manufacturing the ultimate enhanced security doorset 

and helping to keep residents safer and reduce the likelihood of opportunist crime.” www.distinctiondoors.co.uk 


OOF LANTERN 

THE NEXT GENERATION 

OF ALUMINIUM LANTERN 

O R Y R O O F S 

1.0 U-value 

28mm glazing 

with 

technology that prevents cold 

bridging and features our unique 

co-extruded perimeter seal 

*Centre pane U-value 

subject to spec 

is also the most secure ‘non-bonded’ lantern available, 

with anti-tamper screws, enclosed anti-tamper glazing and a 

unique high security radius end, all coupled to beautiful ultra 

low line aesthetics. Sheerline – redefining expectations in 

aluminium lanterns and available in both kit and bar length. 

secure | sustainable | stylish 

Performance through innovation 

TO FABRICATE OR INSTALL CALL 

01332 883960 

sheerline.com | info@sheerline.com

Machinery 

THE TIME IS NOW 

AUTOMATION 

The government has introduced an unprecedented £25bn business tax cut to help kick-start 

the economic recovery. Joe Hague, managing director at Promac, explains why that makes 

it the perfect time to invest in new equipment. 

M 

any businesses will be looking to keep 

a tight control over spending as we face 

a potentially uncertain few years in the 

aftermath of the pandemic. However, due to the 

recent announcement of a tax super deduction, 

there’s never been a better time to buy new 

machinery. 

In April, Rishi Sunak introduced a new 130% 

capital allowance for businesses investing in 

qualifying plant and machinery. Combined with 

a 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special 

rate assets, the Chancellor has called it the 

biggest business tax cut in modern times. 

This news couldn’t come at a better time for our 

industry. Fenestration bounced back from the 

lockdown in a very healthy fashion, although 

the widespread issues over supply didn’t help 

as fabricators attempted to clear the inevitable 

backlog of orders created by the downtime. 

With those issues now largely dealt with, and 

factories adapted to cater for social distancing 

rules and enhanced safety regulations, 

fabricators and IGU manufacturers are slowly 

returning to pre-lockdown production levels, while 

product demand in our sector is showing no signs 

of slowing down anytime soon. 

As we know, downtime is the biggest enemy to 

productivity and Covid-19 has proved to be the 

ultimate adversary. However, one positive to take 

from the first lockdown was that it provided the 

opportunity and the time to think. It’s easy to get 

lost in the day-to-day business and it can be 

difficult to take a step back to see the 

wood from the trees. 

With manufacturing grinding 

to a temporary standstill, it 

gave business owners, ops 

directors and factory managers the 

chance to really consider 

how efficiency could 

be improved and what 

machinery would help to 

achieve this. 

Whether it’s a small 

addition to your production 

line to plug a gap and 

improve throughput, or 

you’re looking at ways that 

you can future-proof your 

business and integrate 

a higher level of automation, this massive tax 

incentive from the government means that now is 

an ideal time to put those plans into place. 

Tax bills cut 

Investment has always been key to improving 

efficiency and profitability. This new super 

deduction will cut companies’ tax bills by 25p for 

every pound that they invest in new equipment. 

For example, under the existing rules, a fabricator 

investing £1m in new machinery could reduce 

their taxable income in the year they invest by 

£260,000. With this super deduction, they can 

now reduce it by £1.3m! 

This provides an unprecedented opportunity for 

fabricators and IGU manufacturers to make major 

improvements to their facilities over the next two 

years, while this incentive is in place. The key 

to making the right improvements and investing 

wisely 

is working with the right 

Promac can offer expert advice on the 

right machinery and software to invest in 

machinery partner. 

“This super deduction 

will cut companies’ tax 

bills by 25p for every 

pound that they invest 

in new equipment” 

After more than 40 years in the industry, we 

thought we’d seen it all. Although 2020 has 

proved that isn’t quite the case, our long legacy 

does mean that we have the knowledge to give 

expert advice on the right machinery and software 

to invest in. 

We work in factories; we understand how they 

work and the issues you face on a daily basis. We 

can provide fresh eyes and a different perspective 

on how you can streamline your processes and 

what machinery will work best to achieve this. 

By working in partnership with Promac, we can 

take care of all your machinery matters. 

Contact Promac: 

01788 577 577 

promacgroup.co.uk 

@PromacToday 


AT THE HEART OF 

YOUR BUSINESS 

www.promacgroup.co.uk | 01788 577 577

Machinery 

A HOLISTIC APPROACH 

AUTOMATION 

Neil Parton, managing director at machinery provider Elumatec, says that supply is only part 

of the picture when it comes to good customer service. 

F 

ew things are as frustrating as seeing 

potential business slip out of your 

grasp. It’s especially disappointing 

when the reasons are nothing to do with 

your competence, quality or pricing. 

A couple of years ago, we were approached 

by a business that, on the face of it, had 

everything going for it. A leading force 

in cladding and façades with a superb 

reputation, they were finding themselves 

missing out on orders. The reason was 

nothing to do with their expertise, their design 

capabilities, technical ability or fabrication skills. 

In fact, many buyers stated that if it weren’t for 

one specific issue, they would have secured the 

deal. That issue was the outsourcing of part of 

their fabrication process. 

No one was saying that the outsourced 

components weren’t up to scratch. The supplier 

of the sub-structures had been carefully 

chosen. Quality standards were high and had 

no significant impact on the finished cladding or 

façade installation. Instead, the issue was the 

perceived loss of control or continuity. A trusted 

provider was introducing an ‘unknown’ third party 

into the supply chain. That single fact, however 

well the outsourcing was managed, was sufficient 

to make some buyers go elsewhere. 

The decision to move fabrication of the subcomponents 

in-house was part of a wider 

strategy. The business had identified that control 

of their entire process was essential for them 

going forward. Reliance on outsourcing had to 

stop. But naturally, that meant that significant 

investment in new production assets would be 

required. Workflows would need to be changed 

and the layout of the shop floor amended. It 

also meant staff would need extra training, 

skills development work and that new quality 

procedures would need to be introduced. 

As you would expect from a highly professional 

organisation, planning was a key part of the 

project. Having been identified as a possible 

machinery supplier, we soon found ourselves part 

of the plan. It was immediately clear to us that, 

from the outset, nothing less than outstanding 

service would meet the grade, and our team 

made that a priority. 

People hold the power 

Even though Elumatec is a machinery supplier 

with an impressive product portfolio, it’s our 

people that really hold the power to transform 

the operations of our customers. We set about 

the project just as we’d expect, gaining an 

understanding of what was required and what 

issues were critical. 

We found a business that wanted to talk and to 

listen. Discussions about their market, existing 

fabrication equipment, the various options, 

solutions and set-up were frank and open. What’s 

more, this team was on our wavelength. They 

had experts with lots of ideas, but they retained 

both curiosity and an open mind. I believe that 

the ability to look at the wider picture – not 

to be fixed on a certain solution – is a key 

characteristic of a successful business. Happily, 

the customer was of the same mind and together, 

we were able to pinpoint the precise machinery 

configuration required. 

The customer is now the proud owner of an 

SBZ122/71 CNC machine and its associated 

software. This is a machining centre that 

is ideally suited to working aluminium and 

thin wall steel profiles. It’s fast but stable 

and easy to adjust for bespoke fabrication 

work. It incorporates ergonomic design and 

safety features and is frugal in its power 

consumption. It’s based on a user-friendly 

Windows operating system, uses our 

trusted eluCam software and can even be 

programmed during operation. 

There’s no doubt that the machining centre can 

perform. The engineering is proven, but again, 

it’s the commitment and expertise of the project 

team that ensures a successful outcome. The 

training we delivered was thorough and tailored, 

enabling the workforce to get up to speed as soon 

as possible. 

In this case, we managed to combine all the 

essentials on the customer’s wish list alongside 

efficient and economical operation. This puts 

the customer in the best possible position to 

challenge its competitors, and those orders 

that were going elsewhere can now be secured. 

The business can quote with confidence and is 

gaining business that they might otherwise have 

lost on price. 

By understanding the challenges our customers 

are facing, we can help to find both solutions 

and opportunities. We can help to create the firm 

foundations from which a business can grow. 

Our approach is holistic and although we make 

brilliant equipment, supplying a machine is only 

part of the picture. 

Contact Elumatec: 

01908 580 800 

www.elumatec.com 

@elumatecUK 


Do the maths! 

Co-extruded 

pre-inserted gasket. 

Glaze leaves in as little 

as 5-minutes per unit 

x2 fully adjustable 

jambs offer up to 14mm 

tolerance for out of 

square brickwork 

Heavy duty rollers. 

Individual sash 

weights of up to 200kg 

Marine grade finish. 

Textured and dual 

colour options 

Win more business. Fit and glaze 

2hrs! 

doors start to finish, in less than 

Decalu by Deceuninck Aluminium 

Call 01249 816 969 or email info@deceuninck.co.uk to find out more. 

DUAL 

COLOUR 

AS STANDARD 

FAST 

FIT 

PRE-INSERTEDGASKETINFRAME,VENTANDGLAZING BEADS 

Deceuninck Aluminium 

Stanier Road • Porte Marsh • Calne • Wiltshire SN11 9PX 

T +44 (0)1249 816 969 • F +44 (0)1249 815 234 

info@deceuninck.co.uk • www.deceuninck.com 

FUTURE: 

Seamless welded 

corner joint 

PAST: 

Typical knifed off 

corner joint 

The 

Future, today.... 

Seamless Welding. 

PICTURED: 

Kaban MD 3020 

Seamless 

Quad Welder 

Call: 0121 707 4343 Email: sales@evolution-machinery.co.uk Visit: www.evolution-machinery.co.uk 

99 SPRING ROAD, TYSELEY, BIRMINGHAM B11 3DJ 



Machinery 

'EVERYTHING WE NEED' 

AUTOMATION 

As business booms, fabricator Douglas Commercial has upgraded to the latest Comet X6HP 

CNC machining centre from Emmegi, to help manage its busiest order book ever. 

S 

ixteen years after Douglas Commercial took 

delivery of its first Emmegi CNC machining 

centre, the company has just taken delivery 

of its third – a state-of-the-art Comet X6HP 4-axis 

7000mm model, fully enclosed and soundproofed. 

Managing director Howard Douglas is the first to 

admit that he was sceptical about the payback 

when he invested in that first Phantomatic T5 

3-axis 7000mm CNC back in 2005; but the 

speed and performance of the machine meant he 

was converted within months. He subsequently 

purchased an Emmegi Comet T6I 4-axis 7000mm 

machine and had no hesitation in upgrading to 

the very latest Emmegi model when demand 

peaked this year. 

He says: “We do a mix of subcontract and 

supply only work and our reputation rests on the 

outstanding quality of the windows and doors 

we produce. Customers come back to us time 

and time again because they know the value 

of what we deliver in terms of precision, speed 

and service. For that, we have to have the very 

best quality machines at competitive prices and 

Emmegi has always been our first choice. 

“The machines give us everything we need in terms 

of consistent quality, and we also know we can rely 

on the expertise of their engineering team to ensure 

a smooth installation and ongoing servicing.” 

Before Douglas Commercial placed the order 

for its Comet X6HP, the team made the short 

20-mile trip from Cannock to the factory of H&H 

Architectural Systems in Rowley Regis where the 

very first of these models was installed in the 

Summer of 2020. 

Nothing but praise 

H&H had nothing but praise for the performance 

and flexibility of the machine, which can machine 

on profile edges and on complex shapes, making 

it suitable for large curtain walling profiles as well 

as for window and door fabrication. 

With a pendular mode and two independent work 

areas, it allows fabricators to potentially work on 

four separate large and small dimension pieces 

at the same time, maximising efficiency. 

Howard Douglas added: “There was no risk for 

us in choosing the new X6HP because we had 

already seen it in operation and heard directly 

from H&H just how impressive they had found it. 

“We looked at machines from other machinery 

suppliers but didn’t feel that any of them could 

match the capability and ease of use of the X6HP, 

or offer the same level of UK-based support.” 

Alongside the new CNC machining centre, Douglas 

Commercial has also recently added another 

Emmegi Combi twin head saw to its factory set up. 

This has a bigger cutting capacity than the saws it 

already has, making it ideal for patio doors where 

demand is continuing to increase, but with the 

flexibility to cut windows as well. 

Contact Emmegi: 

02476 676192 

www.emmegi.com 

@emmegiuk 


THE ALUMINIUM 

REVOLUTION 

The new RIM EVER Theta 4-Head Crimping Machine 

Being the largest, longest and most successful UK supplier of FOM Group’s 

machinery for the aluminium window industry, PROMAC are proud to be 

offering a UK ‘industry first’ - a fully CNC operated 4-head crimping machine 

that actually works! 

We have already successfully installed this pioneering machine in multiple 

locations across the UK - customers benefit from: 

• Reduces crimp cycle time to as little as 2½ minutes 

• Operates across 21 CNC axes to ensure perfectly square symmetry 

• Delivers a highly accurate, smooth and repeatable crimp 

• No mechanical set up required for different profiles 

www.promacgroup.co.uk | 01788 577 577

Article Updates 

AUTOMATION 


INVESTING IN COLOUR 

Deceuninck has increased its capacity for foiled product with an 

additional Luna R automatic profile lamination machine at its Calne 

extrusion facility. 

The state-of-the-art Luna R machine is the latest in a series of six figure 

investments in manufacturing capacity by Deceuninck – which includes 

two new extrusion lines. Capable of processing highly complex profiles, 

the Luna R is at ‘the cutting edge’ of lamination technology. Delivering 

exceptional quality of finished product, it enhances Deceuninck’s colour 

offering, providing the systems company with additional flexibility to 

respond to increasing levels of demand for foils. www.deceuninck.co.uk 

NEW LOGIKAL PLUG-INS 

BM Aluminium has added two new plug-ins to its 

LogiKal aluminium design and processing software 

to make it easier for commercial fabricators to 

collaborate with architects and designers. 

LogiKal CAD Suite 2D licence holders can now install 

an AutoCAD plug-in and add a LogiKal toolbar directly to their AutoCAD set 

up. From there, they can access the LogiKal positions and cross section 

functions, and transfer elements directly into AutoCAD using a simplified 

export mode. 

For fabricators working with architects using BIM modelling, a new BIM 

interface in LogiKal allows for window and door sizes and positions to be 

imported into LogiKal from within Autodesk Revit Version 2017. Users can 

then create a new project as normal and return the finished data directly 

to the architect’s BIM model, making collaboration much easier. 

Both plug-ins are available for LogiKal customers with the appropriate 

licences to trial for free – all they need to do is get in touch with the BM 

Aluminium team, directly or via the website: www.bmaluminium.co.uk 

HAFFNER AND GRAF SYNERGY MAKE SUPPLY DEAL 

Machinery supplier, Haffner, has arranged an exclusive supply partnership with Italian-machine innovator, 

Graf Synergy. According to Haffner, the new partnership will create the most comprehensive machine 

portfolio in the industry and further consolidate Graf Synergy’s presence in the UK fenestration market. 

Speaking on the new exclusive partnership, Dave Thomas, Haffner’s managing director, said: “Graf Synergy offers 

state-of-the-art automated machinery at every level. By working with Graf Synergy, we’ll be able to offer even more 

choice to fabricators and further cement our position as the go-to machinery experts.” 

Graf Synergy delivers a range of machines for both aluminium and PVC-U fabrication, offering ‘world class’ 

seamless welding technology to deliver increased fabrication efficiencies and ‘superior’ product quality. 

BIG RESPONSE TO FUSION 

A video of Emmegi’s new Fusion 4H 

PVC-U Quad Welder being installed at 

O’Grady UPVC’s factory in Kiltormer, 

Galway, is racking up views on 

LinkedIn, demonstrating a high 

level of interest in the automatically 

adjustable, fully digital CNC machine. 

With reduced cycle times and a weld restriction adjustable from 0.2 to 

2mm depending on the top and bottom profile colour, the Fusion offers 

manual loading and automatic unloading and a fully programmable, 

variable cycle to carry out the heating and welding automatically. 

Built-in LEDs on the welder heads show the status of the machine at 

any given moment and cycle to alert the operator of any actions required. 

There is full digital control of the axis and exceptional precision in the 

welding head movements. This allows for incremental adjustment of the 

counterblocks to deliver weld restrictions down to 0.2mm, simplifying 

and shortening the subsequent machining cycle. www.emmegi.com 

AN ACE NEW WEBSITE 

Kall Kwik, the supplier of Urban and Schirmer window machinery, has 

launched a new website showcasing its extensive range of machinery, 

as well as the customer support it can provide. 

This includes Kall Kwik’s ACE partner scheme, which offers fabricators 

‘Advice, Care and Engineering’ throughout the entire production process, 

‘to help get the most out of their machinery’. 

“We do things differently at Kall Kwik, placing a greater emphasis on support 

and after-care, which is why we set up our ACE partner scheme,” said 

Chris Bailey, Kall Kwik’s UK and Ireland business development manager. 

“We’re pleased that our new website is up and running so that 

fabricators can read more about our ACE scheme and how they can 

benefit from being a partner. 

“We’re committed to making life 

easier for our customers and our 

new-look website, which can be 

found at www.kallkwik.uk.com, is an 

ideal place to show this.” 


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For more information on how to exhibit at 

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Hear how REHAU’s investment 

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Window Ware Shares 

HEIGHTENED DEMAND? BRING IT ON! 

Window Ware celebrates a milestone year for Rob Vaughan, as he celebrates 15 years 

with the leading hardware distributor – and a promotion to product manager – in 

challenging times. Total Fabricator finds out more... 

T 

his year marks the culmination of a 15-year 

journey of growth and personal development 

for Window Ware’s Rob Vaughn, made 

possible by our commitment to developing what we 

believe is the most talented team in the industry. 

Continually building the capabilities and expertise 

of employees is a key strategy for every company 

which, like Window Ware, belongs to the Arran 

Isle Group – led by the belief that a strong, 

customer-focussed workforce takes better care of 

customers. Rob’s career progression is just one of 

many success stories to come out of this ongoing 

dedication to staff development. 

Rob first joined Window Ware in 2006 working in 

the Goods-in department. Following his career 

dream of becoming a website designer, he left 

briefly and returned to his former job working as 

a chef while he trained in web design. Just six 

months later, however, he was back at Window 

Ware as technical assistant and keen to gain 

experience of working in an office environment. 

The rest, as they say, is history and Rob has 

thrived at Window Ware ever since. 

“As technical assistant, I worked on a range of 

projects led by the technical manager. My main 

responsibility was providing crucial product and 

technical support directly to our customer base, 

but also to our area sales managers out on the 

road. I essentially provided a helpdesk function. 

“Rob plays a pivotal 

role in managing our 

product range and I 

look forward to the next 

stage of his journey as 

product manager” 

Rob Vaughan 

Know the products 

“That meant I had to know the products inside 

out – which included the brand-new ranges 

coming in, as well as our existing hardware 

offering – and be able to advise on their proper 

application and fitting. It was also important 

I had a thorough understanding of all the 

regulations governing the fenestration industry 

so I could specify products to meet customer 

requirements,” explained Rob. 

Thanks to the support, training and development 

provided by the Window Ware team, Rob climbed the 

career ladder to technical manager. Then, at the start 

of 2021, he was promoted to product manager. 

“My job has undoubtedly evolved over the years. 

Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work 

with and learn from some brilliant people, such 

“We’ve proven we can 

increase our capacity 

to meet heightened 

demand. So, for as 

long as the upturn 

continues, bring it on!” 

as our commercial director Richard Bryant, who is 

totally tuned in to the way the industry is moving. 

Together, we brought in new ranges to match 

market needs. 

“It was during this product onboarding process and 

by visiting fabricators across the country – as well 

as through the strong relationships we have with 

our brand partners – that I really got to expand my 

product knowledge and build my understanding of 

how the hardware is used to become an expert in 

my field,” said Rob. 

“I like dealing both with the product and the 

people side of things; I can visualise the product 

lines and know instinctively which ones will help 

each customer best. I enjoy finding them the 

perfect solution, no matter how challenging! 

“Communication is a key aspect of my role; I 

have to work cross-departmentally to make 

things happen, so having a friendly and open 

team is hugely helpful when it comes to 

coordinating efforts and actioning plans. 

“Knowing I’ve worked my way up to earn the 

respect and recognition of my colleagues makes 

my new role all the more gratifying.” 

Richard Bryant, Window Ware’s commercial 

director, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working 

with Rob for the past 15 years and supporting 

his career development within Window Ware. 


HARDWARE & ACCESSORIES 

Rob plays a pivotal role in managing our product 

range and providing first-class technical support, 

and I look forward to the next stage of his journey 

as product manager.” 

Sam Nuckey, Window Ware’s MD, said: “Rob 

has been a real asset to Window Ware during his 

incredible 15-year stint and it’s great to see him 

step into his new role as product manager. Our 

team contributes massively to our success and, 

with our product range expanding all the time, 

Rob has a vital role to play within our organisation 

to help drive the business forward with unrivalled 

customer service and focus.” 

Shifting demands 

Rob added: “Having the right hardware range for our 

customers is crucial. We must work closely with 

our brand partners to introduce new and innovative 

products capable of always meeting shifting market 

demand. As a leading hardware distributor, this is 

something we do incredibly well.” 

Unusually high demand for hardware, coupled 

with supply disruptions, have made for a 

challenging year for Window Ware, but Rob has 

seen first-hand how the company has managed 

to step up and adapt. 

“The industry is thriving, and we’ve experienced 

some of our busiest sales months ever. Despite 

the relentless pace and the increased pressure 

on stock levels, we’re continuing to support our 

customers with a combination of great customer 

service and complete honesty. That means, 

whenever we can’t fulfil an order because a 

product is out of stock, we’ll let the customer 

know straight away and offer an alternative 

solution if they can’t wait. 

“It’s great that business is booming and, over 

the last six months or so, we’ve proven we can 

increase our capacity to meet this heightened 

demand. So, for as long as the upturn continues, 

bring it on!” declares Rob. 

Contact Window Ware: 

01234 242 724 

www.windowware.co.uk 

@WindowWare 

INVALUABLE PARTNERSHIP 

Rapierstar’s 20-year partnership with 

distributor Window Ware has proved 

invaluable in ensuring fastener supplies to its 

fabricator customers have continued reliably 

– and consistently – throughout the home 

improvement boom of the past 12 months. 

Reflecting the value both companies place 

on long-term supply partnerships, Window 

Ware and specialist fastener supplier 

Rapierstar have worked together for more 

than two decades to develop what Rapierstar 

describes as ‘a deep understanding of each 

other’s businesses, for the ultimate benefit of 

fabricators and installers’. 

Thanks to Window Ware’s extensive 

experience of supplying its loyal customer 

base and Rapierstar’s ability to increase 

supply to accommodate peaks in demand, 

the partnership has been able to accurately 

forecast customer requirements and maintain 

a high level of service. This has provided 

customers with much-needed supply 

dependability and peace of mind – just what 

busy firms need to help them meet increased 

levels of manufacturing and installation. 

Established in 1987, Window Ware stocks 

more than 5,000 lines, including Rapierstar 

branded fasteners such as the complete 

range of StarPVCU screws for window and 

door manufacturing, StarFix frame fixings and 

StarTurn decking screws. 

Sam Nuckey, Window Ware’s managing 

director, said: “The home improvement boom 

of the past 12 months has tested building 

product supply chains across the board, but 

we’ve been able to protect our customers 

from major issues by having the right supply 

partners in place – like Rapierstar – who we 

can rely on to deliver. 

“They also support us with specialist technical 

and product training, and provide guidance 

(L-R) Rapierstar’s technical consultant Mark Calpin with 

Richard Bryant, commercial director of Window Ware. 

on all kinds of key topics including how the 

right fastener can support PAS24 testing. 

With Rapierstar’s help, our teams are always 

sharpening their knowledge and delivering sound 

advice so customers can be sure they’re using 

the right screw for the application every time. 

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a 

noticeable growth in the number of customers 

manufacturing premium systems and products, 

such as mechanically jointed PVC-U windows, 

or upgrading the spec of their handles and 

other hardware. Rapierstar’s support has 

been invaluable here too, giving our customers 

confidence in selecting the correct fasteners 

for these innovative products, so they deliver a 

superior quality finished window or door.” 

Mark Calpin, technical consultant at Rapierstar, 

said: “Window Ware shares our goal of 

ensuring manufacturers and installers have 

access to the technical information, resources 

and products they need to make the right 

decisions about the fasteners they use. It is 

important to realise that even though fasteners 

make up only a tiny proportion of the cost 

of a finished window, they can make a huge 

difference to the long-term performance of 

the product. That is why it is imperative to get 

these components right from the very outset.” 

www.rapierstar.com 



Smart Technology 


MAKING SENSE OF SMART TECH 

Kerry Blackford, head of Product for ERA, discusses how advances in connected home 

technology are helping fabricators meet increasing consumer demand for smart home 

systems and creating new business opportunities. 

S 

mart devices have evolved significantly 

over recent years. Now commonplace, 

voice-controlled smart speakers such as 

Amazon Echo and Google Home are being used by 

households to control an ever-expanding portfolio 

of smart systems that are ingeniously designed to 

help individuals streamline their daily routines. 

Homeowners are becoming increasingly 

comfortable with managing different aspects 

of their property via an app or by simply asking 

Alexa, whether it’s controlling heating, scheduling 

lighting, or setting their security alarm. Across 

more and more product categories, householders 

are expecting to see smart home functionality 

that makes their lives easier, more convenient 

and providing the freedom and peace of mind to 

manage their property from their phone. 

With regard to security in particular, 

developments in the Internet of Things (IoT) 

are creating new opportunities for fabricators 

to stand apart from competitors and meet this 

growing demand for home automation with smart 

hardware options. 

By bolstering their existing door and window 

offerings with new wireless security systems, 

fabricators can meet the needs of customers 

who are either looking to add more connected 

technology to their homes, or those who are 

making the first step into the smart home world. 

For the latter group in particular, there is the 

potential for fabricators to create new revenue 

streams if the smart hardware forms part of a 

wider eco-system of app-controlled security 

products, which they can also offer to customers. 

Wireless, smart hardware can be fabricated into 

the door or window at the point of manufacture, 

allowing the customer flexibility on when to 

activate the technology and integrate it into a 

wider smart home system to suit their lifestyle, 

budget or home renovation timetable. 

For example, smart window sensors, such as 

ERA’s WindowSense, can be discreetly fabricated 

into the eurogroove of a wide range of PVC-U 

profiles, yet the technology can be activated once 

the homeowner is ready, whether at installation 

or a later date. 

Once activated, the integrated window sensors 

provide customers with the ability to remotely 

check the status of their windows in real time via 

an app, giving them peace of mind 

when they are away from 

their property. 

Smart window 

sensors can also alert 

homeowners of any 

attempts made by intruders 

to gain entry to their property via 

the windows, as the sensor is wirelessly 

connected to the smart alarm hub of ERA’s smart 

security offering, ERA Protect. This automatically 

triggers the alarm system and sends notifications 

direct via the app if the link between the window 

sensor and the accompanying contact is broken. 

Window security technology like this brings 

traditional hardware right up to date, delivering 

advanced security but with added convenience 

and real-time notifications that can deliver 

greater peace of mind. 

The level of protection can be enhanced even 

further when window sensors are used to form 

part of a wider smart security eco-system 

that includes devices such as video doorbells 

and indoor and outdoor cameras. Many 

higher-end smart home systems are modular, 

giving homeowners the option to customise 

the system, adding new devices to suit their 

needs and budgets. This flexibility is beneficial 

for fabricators too, as they can not only 

recommend smart window sensors at the point of 

manufacture, they can also cross-sell the wider 

eco-system as part of a window replacement 

programme or at a later date. 

Connected home revolution 

Offering smart hardware gives fabricators the 

opportunity to benefit from the connected home 

revolution in a way that fits neatly into existing 

manufacturing processes, with the potential to 

expand into wider smart home security too. 

Part of the growing ERA Protect eco-system 

of app-controlled security products, 

WindowSense is a wireless 

integrated sensor that 

alerts homeowners to 

any attempts made by 

intruders to gain entry to their 

property via the windows, when 

connected to the ERA Protect alarm hub. 

Contact ERA: 

01922 490 000 

www.eraeverywhere.com 

@ERASecurity 


Aluminium Hardware PVCu Hardware Composite Door Hardware Tools & Consumables 

OUR NEW WEBSITE HAS LANDED 

You talked. We listened. 

20 

YEARS 

OF OUR 

ONLINE STORE 

Now we’ve made it even faster and simpler to find 

the hardware you need! 

Visit windowware.co.uk now 

FINALIST 

Call 01234 242724 

E: sales@windowware.co.uk 

W: windowware.co.uk 

Experts in 

Hardware 

“ We’ve steadily increased the 

range of hardware we buy from 

Carl F Groupco over the last 

16 years. Their product range, 

service level and support 

has proven them to be our 

preferred hardware supplier…” 

Julie Warner 

Product Manager 

Carl F Groupco 

Get in touch 

and speak to 

one of our 

experts today: 

t. Peterborough: 

01733 393330 

t. Cumbernauld: 

01236 721557 

e. sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk 

w. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk 

Scott Dowling 

Cairngorm Group 



Updates 

KENRICK JOINS JOINERY NETWORK 

Hardware supplier, Kenrick, has joined the Joinery Network as an affiliated partner. The West Bromwichbased 

firm is among a ‘select few’ businesses to join the network, which was established to give 

independent joiners and joinery firms all the resources they need to manufacture genuine Document Q 

certified timber windows and doors. 

Joiners manufacturing the Joinery Network’s Lignum flush sash timber casement window will now be able to 

deliver the highest levels of security with the addition of Kenrick’s flagship Excalibur multipoint window lock, which 

has been specially modified to help the window meet the requirements of PAS24: 2016. 

A Secured by Design licensed product, Kenrick says Excalibur offers ‘unique security features, yet is simple to 

install on a timber window’. This ‘durable and reliable’ multipoint locking system benefits from steel shoot bolts, a 

robust unhanded die-cast gearbox and bi-directional die-cast claws. It also features a specially developed lock and 

keep set which fits the Lignum flush sash casement timber window. www.kenricks.co.uk 

FORGED RANGE SUITS TRADITIONAL PROPERTIES 

ERA has expanded its premium Fab&Fix collection of suited door hardware with the launch of a new 

Forged range of finishes and handles, which are ideal for period and traditional properties. 

Expertly designed to replicate traditional forged iron hardware, combined with the benefits of state-of-the-art 

manufacturing, the Forged range is available in two new finishes, Forged Black and Aged Hardex Pewter, across 

both existing and new furniture. 

This includes newly designed external door handles in Regal, Noble and Monkey Tail styles, in addition to a 

Spire door knocker, which adds a real statement to timber and composite entrance doors. 

The range also includes Fab&Fix’s established Balmoral, Windsor and Heritage door handles, Architectural and 

Nu Mail letterplates, and its popular Bull Ring knocker and Decorative door knob. www.eraeverywhere.com 

AUTOTRONIC JOINS SMARTSECURE 

The Fuhr autotronic 834 lock has been added to Carl F Groupco’s suite of SmartSecure electronic door 

locking and access control solutions. 

Described as one of the most important additions to Carl F Groupco’s upcoming 2021 catalogue, the ‘highly 

versatile’ hybrid product provides a combination of automatic locking and electronic motor driven unlocking. This 

‘appealing option’ is fully compatible with all existing SmartSecure locking and access control variants. 

The autotronic offers a practical solution for multiple occupancy buildings and is also advantageous for 

properties that require the security and convenience of an automatic lock, plus the advanced functionality of an 

electromechanical lock with access control options. According to Carl F Groupco, the autotronic is set to have ‘major 

impact’ as it supports the growing electronic door locking and smart access control market. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk 

NOVA GROUP PARTERS WITH RAPIERSTAR 

(L-R) Simon Felstein, managing director at Nova Group 

with Paul Balfe, technical consultant at Rapierstar 

Window and door manufacturer for the retail and commercial sectors, Nova Group, has partnered with 

fastener systems specialist, Rapierstar, to strengthen the quality and performance of its PVC-U windows 

and doors, and introduce ‘an assured fire rated door solution’. 

The addition of a 30-minute fire rated, dual certified composite door range – utilising the Winkhaus FireFrame 

– to Nova Group’s portfolio provided an opportunity for Nova Group to partner with Rapierstar for the first time. 

Rapierstar’s StarPVCU fasteners are used throughout the FireFrame fire and security door set, including screws 

for attaching lock keeps, thresholds and toplights, and its StarFix frame fixings are supplied for installation 

along with very specific fitting guidance. The fire door collaboration has inspired Nova Group to explore how it 

can use different types of fasteners across its PVC-U window and door assemblies. www.rapierstar.com 



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

VBH RECEIVES BSI KITEMARK RECOGNITION 

Hardware specialist VBH has been awarded the new BSI Kitemark in respect of building hardware used in 

windows and doorsets, and is among the very first companies to have achieved this certification. 

To achieve the hardware Kitemark VBH submitted various window and door samples to BSI for testing to all the 

relevant UK quality standards. 

The hardware covered includes products for the manufacture of outward opening and tilt & turn windows, 

residential doors, bi-fold doors, lift slide doors, inline sliding patio doors and the greenteQ Invisifold slide & fold 

door system. As well as the company’s own greenteQ hardware, the Kitemark hardware schedule also covers 

products from many of VBH’s partner brands including AGB, Yale and Roto. 

VBH business development manager, Rob Norman, said: “Naturally, it takes a lot to achieve this Kitemark but the benefits to us and our customers are 

many. Not only is the Kitemark a badge of quality for our products but it also gives added credence to our Q-secure consumer guarantee, as all the hardware 

on our Kitemark schedule is also on our Q-secure Approved Hardware list.” www.vbhgb.com 

ULTION LOCKS USED IN SAFER STREETS INITIATIVE 

Ultion, Brisant Secure’s premium lock, is helping to secure vulnerable homes in at-risk areas as part of 

the Safer Streets police initiative. 

The Safer Streets scheme provides funding for Police Crime Commissioners across Britain to make safe hotspot 

areas that are disproportionately affected by neighbourhood and acquisitive crimes, such as burglary and vehicle 

theft. The initiative helps secure homes in vulnerable streets through preventative measures designed to protect 

people and communities, such as improved street lighting, enhanced home security and CCTV. 

As part of the Safer Streets initiative in West Yorkshire, Brisant Secure worked with West Yorkshire Police in 

crime reduction efforts that were identified as being at highest risk from crime. Police purchased 1,000 Ultion 

cylinders to upgrade existing locks to make homes more secure against burglary. www.brisant-secure.com 

'CURATED COLLECTIONS' SIMPLIFY ONLINE BUYING 

Hardware specialist Mila says it has spent lots of time and money since the start of the first 

lockdown making sure that its web presence ‘does exactly what busy customers need it to do’. 

Updated navigation using user-friendly drop-down menus helps customers find the products they 

need, a simple click to book service lets them arrange a sales call, video meet or socially distanced 

visit, and there’s a dedicated download section for them to access test certificates, declarations 

of performance and literature. The latest feature is what Mila is calling its ‘curated collections’ 

– simple, online edits which bring together into one section of the website all the information on 

families of products which customers regularly buy together. Customers can view the collections 

online, download a PDF for easy reference or click to request a quote. www.mila.co.uk 

NINE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH SECURED BY DESIGN 

Home security and fenestration component provider, ERA, has renewed its membership with 

Secured by Design, the official police security initiative, for a ninth consecutive year. 

ERA says the long-term partnership reflects its ‘continued commitment to providing its extensive 

professional and domestic customer base with the highest standards in security, performance and 

certification across its comprehensive product offering’. 

More than 40 of ERA’s lock, hardware and mail delivery solutions are accredited by SBD’s Police 

Preferred Specification scheme, which provides a recognised standard for all security products that 

have been proven to effectively deter and reduce crime. This includes its range of nightlatches, Fortress 

cylinders and Balmoral door handles. www.eraeverywhere.com 



Glass 

GLASS HALF FULL? 

UK float glass supply is creaking under the pressure of demand, but could it have longer 

term ramifications for supply? TF speaks to Mackenzie Glass’ Mark Herbert. 

The UK glass sector isn’t alone in feeling the 

pinch of rapid growth in demand coupled 

with disruption to supply. The construction 

press is spilling over with stories about the 

availability – or more accurately the lack of it – of 

everything from cladding and roofing materials, to 

steel and cement. 

The net effect has been the increase in prices 

seen throughout the building products sector, 

leading some analysts to suggest that building 

material costs will see price inflation hit as much 

as 5% by 2025. 

So, is this representative of a fundamental 

readjustment in material costs and what are 

the ramifications for glass processors and IGU 

manufacturers longer term? 

“In glass we need to talk long and short-term, 

because I think we’re looking at two very different 

scenarios,” says Mark Herbert (pictured), joint 

managing director, Mackenzie Glass. 

“Today it’s about availability and price increases. 

That doesn’t define where we’re going long-term, but 

it will still contribute to a change in the landscape.” 

He argues that while the glass sector has been 

hit by the same exponential growth in demand as 

the rest of the building products and construction 

sectors, it has faced a unique set of challenges. 

Namely these are the cold maintenance 

programmes pre-committed to by Guardian and 

Saint Gobain for this spring and summer, which 

have compounded Covid disruption. 

“Cold maintenance programmes run for 12-20 

weeks and we’re only at the start of that process. 

It’s led to a significant reduction in capacity. 

Allocations were already tight. As we see reduced 

output meet sustained demand, that’s going to 

put a lot more pressure on supply through to the 

summer,” Mark says. 

“We’re only just starting to feel the impact, and in my 

opinion it’s going to get worse before it gets better.” 

This has been compounded by specific pressure 

on supply of laminates. Disruption to global 

shipping combined with lower availability in the 

supply of PVB resin culminating in shortages also 

by association, of other more specialist products, 

as Mark explains. 

“The IGU sector is swallowing up masses of 

glass, particularly laminates but also soft coats. 

Float glass manufacturers are trying to keep IGU 

“We’re only just starting 

to feel the impact, and 

in my opinion it’s going 

to get worse before it 

gets better” 


GLASS PROCESSING & SEALED UNITS 

manufacturers fed, and that in turn is disrupting 

supply of other products, for example tints or 

mirrors. Float glass manufacturers don’t want to 

disrupt their core campaigns. 

“With resurgent demand in the US swallowing up 

product from China, plus freight costs, we’re also 

seeing some very significant pressures on price, 

and expect some further movement in the market 

very shortly.” 

Mackenzie holds more than 200 products in 

stock. This includes a wide range of laminates 

including standard stock sheets of 3.2m X 2.5m 

in 4.4mm to 14.8mm laminates, plus over-sized 

4,500m X 3,210mm 8.8,10.8, 11.5 and 13.5mm 

laminates, which it added to its range in response 

to demand from commercial suppliers last year. 

Its mirror range is even broader including more 

than 25 different products, ranging from standard 

3mm to 6mm silvered; safety-backed products; 

greys, bronzes, pinks, golds, champagne, black 

tints; Italian antique and LED options. 

“Our supply chain is holding-up – but the 

allocations we’re on are tight and we’re working 

very hard to source product,” Mark continues. 

“Relationships and 

partnership are proving 

to be invaluable” 

“Our focus is on those customers who we have an 

established relationship with.” 

Shortages in supply in general mean one thing – 

price increases, but Mark is optimistic that this is a 

shorter-term challenge. “There is product there to 

buy, but we’re having to pay more for it,” he says. 

“That’s a reflection of the specific set of 

circumstances that we’re seeing in the market 

now. While it would also be nice to think that going 

forward prices to a point will hold up and we can 

build a little more margin into our models, I don’t 

see them staying where they are for the long-term. 

“Glass supply is under very specific pressures 

– in addition to high levels of demand seen by 

construction in general. As that demand slows 

and float glass production capacity comes back 

online after the cold repairs that are currently 

being undertaken, those challenges won’t be so 

pressing, and we should see a normalisation in 

the supply chain.” 

This does not mean, however, that he believes 

the current challenges won’t have a legacy 

impact, and some of these may be for the better. 

“Relationships and partnership are proving to be 

invaluable,” Mark says. 

“A lot of people who have maybe jumped 

around for supply have caught a cold because 

they haven’t had established relationships 

with suppliers and those suppliers have been 

prioritising those customers who do. 

“Covid-19 has demonstrated two things, a 

fragility in the supply chain, particularly global 

supply, but also the strength of partnership and 

the contribution it can make to your business. 

“I personally hope that provides a foundation for 

a far more sustainable model of doing business in 

the glass sector going forward.” 

Contact Mackenzie Glass: 

01179 473 200 

www.mackenzieglass.co.uk 



Glass 

“I 

don’t know if it’s been the product of 

a review of their operating models that 

coincided with Covid-19 and disruption 

to supply, or a direct consequence of it, but what 

I can say with absolute certainty, is that this 

spring, the very big IGU manufacturers started 

to shed customers,” says Mark Norcliffe, joint 

managing director, Cornwall Glass Manufacturing. 

He continues: “We know because at that point we 

became inundated with new supply requests from 

business which had, up until then, been buying 

from them.” 

Processing glass and manufacturing IGUs 

across all three sites in St Austell, Plymouth and 

Highbridge, Cornwall Glass Manufacturing is a 

division of Cornwall Group. With the majority of its 

customers drawn from the South West, Southern 

England and South East Wales, it operates firmly 

on a regional model. 

“A lot of people were struggling. They were cut 

loose by their IGU and glass suppliers at a time 

at which the pressure on the supply chain was 

starting to bite,” Mark says. “We were able to 

help some, but not everyone out. 

“We, like everyone else, have had to prioritise our 

existing customers, while in common with the rest 

of the industry we were and still are, on allocation 

from our own suppliers. It’s been very difficult for 

a lot of people,” he adds. 

Pressures on glass and particularly IGU supply, 

have dogged the industry for much of this year. 


DEVOLUTION? 

Glass supply in the UK is changing. TF speaks to Cornwall 

Glass’ Mark Norcliffe about what’s happening, and why. 

While Covid-19 has certainly done little to help, 

their cause has been more widely attributed to 

cold repairs by two of the UK’s three float glass 

manufacturers this spring and summer. 

The industry has also seen additional pressure on 

supply of laminates, in this case attributed to the 

availability of PVB resin, this time attributed to 

disruption at a manufacturing site in the US. With 

further disruption to global shipping, this has led 

to a perfect storm of challenges. 

“As I said, there was a lot of business to take but 

given the constraints on supply, we’ve been very 

conscious of not over-trading,” continues Mark. 

“It’s been tight, we’ve had to extend our lead 

times but by and large, we’ve delivered. We don’t 

operate on the massive scale of the big IGU 

manufacturers which has perhaps given us more 

resilience during this period and we haven’t had 

to make the decision to cut customers – even 

though for a period we have not been able to 

bring as many as we would have liked to, on. 

“I think as we come out of the current period of 

flux, the decisions that were made during it have 

reshaped the market. The model of very largescale 

IGU supply will still be here but it will look 

less appealing for a lot of customers.” 

Cornwall Glass announced plans to further expand 

its operational capability in March with a pledge 

to commit £6m to its Highbridge operation. This 

will include the ability to manufacture over-sized 

units at a second facility, heat soak capability and 

specialist glass processing operations. 

“We see an opportunity,” says Mark. “We operate 

across three sites and are investing in all three 

and developing increased specialism to handle 

and supply over-sized product with a pre-existing 

large-scale capability in Plymouth, and going 

forward, Highbridge. 

“That model is firmly built around regional supply 

in the South West and more widely into southern 

“The model 

of very largescale 

IGU 

supply will still 

be here but it 

will look less appealing 

for a lot of customers” 

and central Southern England. We’re also 

investing in our fleet and our distribution network, 

but our focus remains firmly on regional supply.” 

Mark argues that new border controls have also 

made the UK a less attractive prospect to EUbased 

IGU suppliers. “It wasn’t only the big UKbased 

suppliers who were dropping customers. 

Some of the big European exporters have also 

pulled back their operations. 

“Increased paperwork, disruption at the 

ports appears to have made a lot of suppliers 

reconsider the viability of some of their drops.” 

Combined with the restructures seen in 

March and April, the evidence suggests that 

the landscape for IGU supply has changed 

significantly in the past six-months. So, will it 

stay that way? 

“For me, there has been a question mark over 

the viability of some of the drops that big IGU 

suppliers were making, and we’ve seen those 

cut,” Mark says. 

“What we’ve seen on top of that is additional 

value in service and partnership. That’s very 

difficult to achieve if you’re supplying customers 

nationwide or from outside of the UK.” 

Contact Cornwall Glass: 

01726 66325 

www.cornwallglass.co.uk 

@CornwallGlass 


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Updates 



GLASS RESEARCH FACILITY WINS PLANNING PERMISSION 

St Helens Borough Council Planning Committee has granted planning permission for the delivery of a £54m global 

glass research and innovation facility located at Saints Retail Park. 

The planning application was prepared and submitted by developer and landowner, Network Space, on behalf of not-for-profit 

research and technology organisation Glass Futures, to build the 160,000ft 2 Global Centre of Excellence. This planning consent 

moves the delivery of the state-of-the-art facility, together with the world’s first openly accessible test and trial furnace 

operation a step closer. 

The facility will be used to deliver industry and government backed R&D projects focused on decarbonising glass production, 

and also providing a platform for industry to test and trial their own commercial ideas on a state-of-the-art line, both 

collaboratively and individually. 

Construction company, Bowmer + Kirkland, has been appointed to build the Global Centre of Excellence following an open procurement process through the 

North West Construction Hub. Work is expected to begin on site in July this year and will complete by December 2022. www.glass-futures.org 

EDGETECH AND QUANEX CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 

Spacer manufacturer, Edgetech, is marking 10 years since it became part of billion-dollar building 

products group Quanex. 

Back in 2011, Edgetech says it was already ‘a leading spacer supplier, and one of fenestration’s most 

forward-thinking companies’. It was that ‘legacy of innovation and product excellence’, says Edgetech, 

that caught the attention of Quanex, which had grown from humble beginnings in South Lyon, Michigan to 

become a New York Stock Exchange-listed building ‘products powerhouse’. 

Edgetech MD, Chris Alderson, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank George, our CEO, and the 

rest of the Quanex executive leadership for all their support and encouragement over the last decade, and 

we’re extremely excited to see what we can achieve together in the years ahead.” www.edgetechig.co.uk 

PILKINGTON STRUCTURAL GLAZING RAISES THE ROOF 

The prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) has created a new performance space by 

enclosing an outdoor courtyard using a large rooflight, structurally glazed with Pilkington Planar. 

The rooflight was created using the Pilkington Planar structural glazing system, employing a series of four 

toughened and laminated glass fins to transfer the weight of the glass to the surrounding structures. 

In order to deliver the required structural strength and energy performance, the roof glazing itself was made up 

of double glazed units featuring 10mm thick Pilkington Suncool 66/33THS outer pane, with a 16 mm wide airfilled 

cavity and an inner pane of 13.5 mm-thick laminated glass. 

For extra safety, all the glass was toughened and heat-soak tested (THS). The horizontal fins are made from 

the Planar | SentryGlas system, which offers increased strength and durability. www.pilkington.co.uk 

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS MAKES £30M UK INVESTMENT 

Saint-Gobain Glass has commenced a £30m investment in its glass manufacturing factory in 

Eggborough, East Yorkshire. 

The company is carrying out a major construction programme to completely re-build and install a new 

state-of the-art float glass furnace, as well as upgrade other areas of the factory, which will secure the 

long-term supply of consistently high-quality, high-performance glass in the UK. 

The project represents the largest industrial investment in the UK by the Saint-Gobain Group since the 

Eggborough plant was built in 2000. Due to be completed by late summer, the installation of the new furnace will 

help the company to optimise manufacturing efficiency, increase production capacity, and ‘further enhance Saint- 

Gobain’s environmental and sustainability credentials’. https://uk.saint-gobain-building-glass.com/en-gb 


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MAKING LIGHT WORK 

OF WARM WEATHER 

Snickers says the 2021 LiteWork clothing range delivers ‘great thermal 

comfort in warmer months with light, quick-drying fabrics that will keep 

you cool and comfortable all day’. 

The new range of ‘Rip Stop’ shirts are stretchy and breathable, offering 

UPF50+ sun protection for tradespeople who work long hours outdoors. 

In addition, 37.5 fabric technology in the mid-and base-layer garments 

have features for efficient ventilation and moisture transport ‘to keep you 

comfortable all day’. 

The ergonomic, body-mapping trousers, shirts, shorts, jackets and 

windproofers have all the comfort and functionality of other Snickers Workwear 

stretch garments delivering extra freedom of movement and improved 

performance on site. 

Snickers says that ‘just like high-performance sportswear, they’ll also keep 

you feeling cool and looking smart whatever you’re doing and wherever you are 

on site this summer’. 

www.snickersworkwear.co.uk 

KEEP COOL AND STAY SUSTAINABLE WITH SNICKERS 

Snickers Workwear has integrated improved 

37.5 fabric technology and ‘verifiable 

sustainability’ into its t-shirts and polo-shirts, 

helping workers to stay cool, comfortable 

‘and to do their bit for saving the planet’, 

this summer. 

The new AllroundWork styles are made from 

‘highly functional’ waffle-structured 37.5 fabric 

for optimal ventilation, cooling and ‘moisture 

transport’, to keep the wearer ‘feeling fresh for 

longer’. And, with the aim of ‘being at the forefront 

of sustainability in workwear’, the new lightweight 

polo and t-shirts are made of 100% recycled 

polyester with a bio-based, anti-odour finish and 

smooth texture. 

Snickers says the garments can also offer ‘streetsmart’ 

body-mapping designs for an ‘amazing fit, 

outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort 

– all day, every day’. 

www.snickersworkwear.co.uk 


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People Posts 


ANDY JONES STEPS DOWN AS VICTORIAN SLIDERS GROUP MD 

Victorian Sliders has announced that Andy 

Jones has stepped down as group managing 

director in order ‘to pursue new opportunities’. 

“However, the nature of the role and location 

requires a regular 500 mile round-trip, and so 

it is time for me to explore new challenges and 

Andy Jones 

opportunities. I leave the business in great shape 

It follows a period of rapid growth for the PVC-U 

and on a rapid growth trajectory.” 

sash window supplier, which has recently added 

more than 50 new staff to cope with demand for 

its EcoSlide sash window. 

Andy commented: “Since my appointment as 

Victorian Sliders is a vertically integrated PVC-U 

sash manufacturer with in-house extrusion, 

glass processing, manufacturing and recycling, 

operating from a state-of-the-art 250,000ft 

group MD in 2019, we have embarked on an 

site in South Wales and a number of major 

investment strategy that has enabled us to 

business and been instrumental in our recent 

distribution hubs across the UK and Ireland. 

scale the business rapidly. We have seen a real 

growth. We would like to thank him for his 

transformation during that time and we’re on 

track for 70% growth. 

Founder, Scot Starkey, said: “Andy has brought 

a great deal of management expertise to the 

contribution to our company and we wish him 

well as he pursues new opportunities.” 

DECADE OF DRIVING 

Andy Burns 

Andy Burns is set to celebrate 10 years as 

a driver for Veka Recycling in July. 

Based in Burnley, Andy joined the company 

on 4th July 2011, making collections of 

PVC-U windows for recycling from customers 

throughout Scotland and the North East. 

Described as ‘a well-known face’ on his 

regular route, Veka Recycling says Andy has 

built up a real rapport with his customers – 

who probably know him best for ribbing them 

about the football while sharing a cup of tea! 

Andy has been at home on the road for a long 

time, having been a lorry driver for the past 

33 years. 

Andy said: “Veka has been the best company 

I’ve worked for and working there really is like 

being part of a family.” 

Veka Recycling’s MD, Simon Scholes, said: 

“Andy is a great asset to our business and we 

all congratulate him on reaching this 10-year 

milestone.” 

MICHAEL WILLIAMS APPOINTED ALUK MD 

Michael Williams has been appointed 

managing director at AluK. He 

joins the business with extensive 

construction industry experience, after 

more than 30 years at Kone, one of the 

biggest global names in lifts and escalators. 

Michael said: “As a start, I will be looking inwards 

at AluK and identifying ways in which we can 

continue to improve our product and service delivery 

to customers and strengthen our partnerships with 

them. However, my focus will largely be outwards, 

with the ambition of listening to and engaging broadly 

Central Window Systems has 

strengthened its senior management 

team with the appointment of a new 

operations director. 

With qualifications in engineering and lean 

project management, Matthew Kelly (pictured) 

joins the Midlands-based fabricator with 15 years 

of strategic management, operational expertise 

and sales experience behind him. 

Before joining Central, he spent seven years as 

the executive plant manager at Pollard Windows in 

Ontario, Canada, a window fabricator making up to 

4,000 frames and 6,000 glass sealed units per week. 

with our customers and moving aluminium 

windows, doors and curtain walling 

systems further up the value chain in both 

the retail and commercial markets. That 

means even more investment in sustainable 

product development and process efficiencies, 

but also in end-user and specifier engagement. 

“AluK is clearly already a really good business with 

incredible facilities and reputation; but with the 

hugely talented and experienced team here and the 

backing we have from the rest of the group, I am 

confident that we can be even better.” 

CENTRAL APPOINTS NEW OPS DIRECTOR 

Now an integral part of Central’s senior 

management team, Matthew is in charge 

of overseeing the company’s PVC-U 

division, ensuring smooth operation 

and a seamless transition from order to 

delivery. He has also played a ‘vital role’ 

in implementing Central’s additional work shift, 

which has created a ‘significant’ increase in 

capacity, shorter lead times and greater customer 

satisfaction, according to Central. 

Central’s CEO, Gary Morton, said: “Matthew has 

been a great addition to the senior management 

team and his sense of humour also fits into the 

management style we enjoy here at Central.” 


Fabricators 

Grow Your Business! 

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01_TI0519.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 15:47 Page 1 

MAY/JUNE 2019 

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