News Roundup DGCOS TO OFFER 6 AND 2-YEAR REG OPTIONS To support the changing market, The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) is introducing shorter six and two-year registration options for members, in addition to its current standard of 10 years, allowing members to offer more relevant protection on installations and replacements. Faisal Hussain, DGCOS Chief Executive, said: “Did you know that under Competent Person Scheme requirements installers must provide six years’ financial protection for consumers when replacing windows and doors? And, that some Competent Person Schemes also only require six years’ consumer protection too? As an industry, we have always offered 10 years as standard, and this could be an unnecessary expense. "We want to give our members the option to provide either a new standard six-year registration or a 10-year ‘added value’ registration. Consumers would still have free access to all our services under the six and two year options, which includes our advice line, mediation and access to the Ombudsman. “The new two-year registration level is specifically designed for smaller jobs such as replacement handles, locks or individual units, where a 10-year guarantee is neither needed nor required. “By offering different registration levels, we are reducing the financial burden on installers at a time when companies have to compete for every penny earned, and when costs are increasing. “As I have spoken about before, overdelivering on consumer rights by having 10 year guarantees in place adds to the wider cost for all of us across the industry. More information will be provided when the new registration options go live, which is expected to be in <strong>2024</strong>.” installers.dgcos.org.uk AFFORDABLE MARKS 30 YEARS OF SUCCESS One of the largest trade manufacturers in the UK, Affordable Windows Group, is celebrating three decades in the industry. Emerging from a national window installation company set up in the 1970s, Affordable Window Systems began as a dedicated supply-only fabricator catering to local trade businesses. The company's initial success then led to supplying customers further afield in Kent, Surrey, Essex and Scotland. Over the last 30 years there have been many significant developments, the first being a network of modern trade outlets, which fall under the 21st Century Window Centres brand. Following this, Affordable Aluminium began manufacturing the Smarts range of windows, doors and bi-folds, along with the Reynaers CP 130 Lift and Slide patio door. More recently, the popular Timberlook range has brought heritage flush sash PVC-U windows and doors to the market. VBH SCOOPS MEDWAY BUSINESS AWARD Hardware manufacturer VBH has been successful at the recent Medway Business Awards, winning the Product Innovation category. The award was given for VBH’s work with its greenteQ 'smart' products, initially with the Q-Smart fingerprint/app operated door handle, and with the more recent development of the greenteQ iQ range of security window locks and multipoint door locks. On a visit to VBH House in September, VBH says the judges were impressed by how greenteQ iQ locks can be quickly upgraded by the simple addition of a sensor to work with Kubu to link windows and entrance doors to a smart home network. Benefits to the end-user include a quick check on the open/closed and locked/unlocked statuses of windows and doors via the Kubu app, security and comfort alerts etc. Products fitted with greenteQ iQ locks can also be linked to other elements of the network, such as heating, lighting etc. The Medway award comes hot on the heels of the greenteQ iQ security window lock receiving the For more news and the latest updates, visit www.total-installer.co.uk Reflecting on the company's anniversary, Sales Director Phil Myers said: "Of course, 30 years of history is great, but it's the future we are now concentrating on. Collaborations with Tommy Trinder, the Ultraframe Hup! System and continuing our development of Timberlook and our aluminium systems, including Smarts Heritage windows and doors, are the main focus now. We need to concentrate on what the public and our trade customers want to order and not simply what we want to sell – that's always been the Affordable difference." www.timberlook.com Best Window Component award at the National Fenestration Awards in October 2023. Gary Gleeson, Marketing Manager at VBH (GB), said: “Installers who offer the greenteQ iQ/Kubu concept are reaping the rewards of homeowners' hearty appetite for upgrading their new installation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. If greenteQ iQ locks are fitted to windows and doors as standard, it is a very simple and inexpensive process to link them to a smart network at any time if the customer wishes. VBH has been very successful in recent years, and one of the keys to that success is the constant stream of new innovations that we are bringing to market, including our new ‘smart’ products.” sales@vbhgb.com 14 TI JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
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