Company News ANDY JONES JOINS MFT MFT’s Bradley Gaunt, Andy Jones and Chris Wann Andy Jones has joined Made For Trade (MFT) as commercial director, forming part of the company’s strategy to ‘expand out of the SME arena to become a larger enterprise’. As MFT continues to build on the success of its award-winning Korniche lantern, while also ramping-up production of its new Korniche aluminium bi-folding doors, the new appointment rounds off another ‘bumper’ year of growth. Andy joins MFT following an ‘exceptional 18 months’ for the business, during which time the company has managed ‘to keep delivering on promised dates’ and increased its manufacturing resource by 15%, creating around 35 new jobs amid challenging industry conditions. Andy said: “I am really looking forward to working alongside Brad, Chris and the wider MFT team. I have known MFT and its directors for many years and have always admired their attention to detail in product design and engineering... They are already the UK’s largest manufacturer of aluminium lantern roofs and bi-folding doors, and I look forward to increasing this position over the coming months and years and taking the Korniche brand to the next level.” DRAWING PATENT IS ‘ICING ON THE CAKE’ Quoting software provider, Tommy Trinder, has been granted a patent for its unique interface, which allows users to free draw windows and doors with their finger (or a mouse), as part of its Framepoint platform. Chris Brunsdon, founder and CEO of Tommy Trinder, said: “Installers want quoting software that is easy to use, and it doesn’t get any simpler than free-sketching your windows and doors. There’s a real ‘wow’ moment for homeowners when they see it in action too. We’re so chuffed this ground-breaking technology has finally been recognised with a patent.” Chief technology officer, Robert Franks, said:“We started developing our free-drawing technology a little over eight years ago... New technology to WHITESALES ACQUIRES LAREINE ENGINEERING Whitesales and Lareine Engineering, two companies in the flat rooflight, roof glazing and daylighting market, have come together in an acquisition deal. On 5 <strong>November</strong> <strong>2021</strong>, Lareine became a wholly owned subsidiary of Whitesales and will continue to operate from its base in West Lothian. Tom Bates, managing director at Lareine, said: “This is a really exciting new chapter for Lareine. We are joining forces with a refreshing and dynamic business in the daylighting market which shares our values and is committed to investing in our future. That’s a huge positive and the news has been warmly welcomed by the whole team.” Chester White, Whitesales’ managing director, For more company news visit www.total-installer.co.uk render shapes and images via the web was just emerging at that time, and we moved quickly to leverage this to develop our interface for handdrawing windows and doors. I’m really proud of what we managed to deliver – the images are super-fast and photo-realistic throughout the system. Getting the patent is the icing on the cake!” The Tommy Trinder team with the patent says that the move is good news for both businesses. He explained: “For Lareine, it secures the long-term future of the business as a major supplier of engineered daylight solutions to key markets in Scotland and the North of England, and establishes the West Lothian facility as our UK manufacturing hub. It brings guaranteed investment in new facilities, technologies, and processes as we are looking to increase volumes right across our ranges, and in continuous rooflights in particular. “For Whitesales, which is already the UK leader in this market, it gives us additional manufacturing capacity in line with our plans for continued rapid growth and gives us vital control over our UKbased supply chain.” VBH SCOOPS 2 NFA AWARDS IN DONCASTER Hardware company, VBH, has been successful in two categories – and finished as runner-up in three more – at the recent National Fenestration Awards (NFAs). The company won Best Digital Marketing Campaign for its promotion of the Q-secure consumer hardware guarantee, which will pay out up to £8,000 in the event of a break in, and regional sales manager, Tyler Shutts, shared the Young Person of the Year award to follow up her outright win in 2020. Marketing manager, Gary Gleeson, said: “It’s great to be recognised in this way by the industry and we really appreciate every vote cast our way. We see all awards success, regardless of category, as a giant pat-on-the-back for the whole team and everyone at VBH is thrilled to bits... Above: The VBH team travelled to Doncaster Races for the awards ceremony. Far right: Tyler Shutts with her award. “For Tyler to get the nod two years in a row in her individual category shows just how highly rated she is by her customers in the North, and is testament to the great service that she and her customer service co-ordinators provide.” 8 T I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER <strong>2021</strong> PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
ROOF LANTERN FITTED IN MINUTES SUPPLY & INSTALL THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING ALUMINIUM LANTERN 10% NEW CUSTOMER DISCOUNT QUOTE CODE TI-K01 FASTER Average installation under 30 mins STRONGER 3m x 2.5m possible with no mid rafters Premium seals, class leading thermals SLIMMER Uninterrupted SLIMMER Sight Lines Seamless joints and cappings SUPPORT The best trade lantern www.madefortrade.co Tel: 01642 610799 WARMER Easy installation Competitive pricing, reliable, fast lead times & delivery find us on facebook * Discount applies to new trade customers and first, single item purchase only of the Korniche Roof Lantern.