May June 2023

News Roundup
A RECORD MONTH
BATTLING THE
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, SAYS
DECEUNINCK ALUMINIUM...
Anyone supplying windows and doors into new
build – including home extensions – has only
days to meet tougher standards of thermal
performance.
Nigel Headford
The Part L new build transition period comes to
an end on the 15th of June 2023.
A Freedom of Information request to
the British Business Bank by Purbeck
Personal Guarantee Insurance has
revealed the current level of debt and
arrears associated with the Bounce
Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), The
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
Scheme (CBILS) and the Recovery Loan
Scheme (RLS).
Purbeck’s analysis shows that over
145,000 BBL loans worth £3.8bn are in
default as businesses continue to battle
economic headwinds.
The findings come as latest estimates
show that of £47 billion paid out in
Bounceback Loans, £17 billion is already
expected to be lost, £4.9 billion of that -
over 10% of the loans - to fraud.
9% of Bounce Back Loans are currently
in default, down fractionally from 12% in
July 2022 with the average loan in default
standing at £26,571.
The analysis has also uncovered that
businesses are typically borrowing £210k
under the Recovery Loan Scheme which
is open for applications until June 2024,
and the average personal guarantee
commitment made by business owners
to secure a loan under the Scheme is
£472k.
www.purbeckinsurance.co.uk
Unless a project breaks ground before the transition
period ends, all windows and doors supplied to site
need to meet the higher standards of performance
introduced in last year’s update to Part L.
Coming into force almost exactly a year
ago (June 2022) revised Part L building regs
introduced a new notional U-value requirement
for new build windows and doors of 1.2W/m 2 K –
but with a 12-month stay of execution.
Nigel Headford, Director, Deceuninck Aluminium,
said that the end of the transition period could
force manufacturers of legacy aluminium systems
out of new build.
“There are a frightening number of older
aluminium systems which can’t get down to
U-values of 1.2W/m 2 K without using triple-glazed
units, which comes with increased cost and
weight, impacting on handling and hardware.
London-based investment firm RDCP Group
has made a major investment and acquired
98% of Somerset-based window, door, and
conservatory manufacturer Majestic Group.
After a record year, celebrating circa £8m in
turnover and £2m in operating profits, boasting
a 25% profit margin, Majestic says it is now
targeting significant growth in the years ahead.
Majestic Group consists of the manufacturing
company Majestic Window Designs (MWD) and
its sister retailing and installation company
Majestic Designs (UK). Based in Cheddar, the
business manufactures all its windows, doors,
and conservatories from its factories.
“It also has ramifications for home improvement
because under the regulations extensions are
classed as new build, so the implications are
significant.”
To combat the upcoming changes, Deceuninck
Aluminium continued with the rapid expansion of
its product offer, with the launch of the new ultraenergy
efficient Decalu88 Flush Casement Window.
Nigel added: “The new Decalu88 Flush
Casement makes compliance simple with
U-values of 1.2W/m 2 K with a standard doubleglazed
unit and none of the complexity for either
installers or the fabricators supplying them.”
https://deceuninckaluminium.co.uk
INVESTMENT GROUP PURCHASE
Majestic has been in operation for over 20
years after being established by Steve Harris and
employs over 60 staff members.
Steve Harris recently sold the business to RDCP
following his decision to retire and spend more
time with his family.
www.rdcpgroup.com
6 TF MAY / JUNE 2023 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN