MyTradeTV Glazing Digital Magazine May 2014

May 2014 | www.mytrade.tv | 1
NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
GLASS & GLAZINGMay 2014 | Issue 13 | Email us at info@mytrade.tv
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Yo
ur
o
nlin
e
publi
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tio
n The future of
industry news!

2 | May 2014 | www.mytrade.tv
NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

GLASS & GLAZING
Welcome!
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We hope you enjoy our thirteenth edition of the Glass & Glazing interactive magazine.
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Lee & Michael
MAY 2014
GLASS & GLAZING May 2014 | www.mytrade.tv | 3
Contents
Office
MyTradeTV
The Lockey Suite, The Nostell Estate,
Nostell, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
WF4 1AB
Managing Director
Lee Clarke
lee@mytrade.tv
SEO & Internet Marketing
Director
Michael Greenwood
info@mytrade.tv
EDITOR
Michael Gannon
T: 020 7385 8123 | M: 07730 335 375
editor@mytrade.tv
Sales & Marketing MANAGER
Dean Piacentini
sales@mytrade.tv
Sales & marketing executive
Mick Riley
mick.riley@mytrade.tv
Video production
Nick Padley
T: 01924 847875
nick.padley@mytrade.tv
Accounts
Diane Clarke
T: 01924 847 875
info@mytrade.tv
Administration & content
Michael Riley Jnr
admin@mytrade.tv
General Enquiries
T: 0800 875 8011 / 01924 847 875
info@mytrade.tv
4 Editor’s Corner
6 New
26 Conservatories
28 Warm Edge / Spacer
Bar
32 FIT Show
42 Marketing
44 Fabricators & Installers
58 Machinery
62 Hardware
68 Colour Coating
70 Glass Processing
77 Doors
84 Aluminium
86 Charity News
89 Classified
The contents of MyTradeTV virtual magazine are provided only for general information and/or use and do not constitute general advice. Whilst every
effort is made to ensure accuracy, MyTradeTV ltd does not accept liability for errors in the publications. Views expressed by outside contributors are
not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. MyTradeTV ltd accepts no liability whatsoever for content on external links provided by third parties.
The future of
industry news!

EDITOR’S CORNER
GLASS & GLAZING
The heading above
must seem to the
reader a moment of
editorial madness.
How can we even
consider such a
proposition? Doesn’t
our industry depend
on its production,
processing and
installation?
The suggestion comes from
a respected architect who
was part of a team at Foster &
Partners, that designed what
popularly became known as
London’s Gherkin.
Of all the recent skyscraper
buildings this, along with
the Shard on the other side
of the Thames, is the most
recognised. Yet, the man
who helped design it – Ken
Shuttleworth – believes
that the glass skyscraper is
obsolescent.
His argument is one that
might make those in the
sector cringe; glass heats
up buildings, making them
unpleasant for those inside.
Energy consumption can
be enormous, where air
conditioning is needed in
sweltering conditions, or
heating in cold ones. Their
impact can be overbearing
and in some instances,
damaging. Think of the so-
called Walkie-Talkie building
in the City of London, where
the shape of the structure
and glass used, damaged
other places and vehicles
nearby. The developer, Land
Securities, ended up having
to shell out a hefty sum with a
permanent brise soleil.
Yet, this belief of glass
having its day may itself
be as poorly conceived
as is the option of having
masses of glass everywhere.
Professionals visiting
exhibitions, like glasstec* in
Düsseldorf, Germany, will
see for themselves the way
advanced types of glass not
only cope with problems
like solar gain but also use
energy to create comfortable
and environmentally friendly
working and living conditions.
PVs built into the fabric of
buildings mean that we have
structures that are seamless,
without jutting solar panel
eyesores.
On top of that, sensible
design can obviate the
problems with solar gain.
Greater use of other
materials, like wood, could be
considered more but we are
probably going through the
usual trend of redressing what
has been a disproportionate
overuse of glass, especially in
commercial buildings.
A stroll through London
Docklands can seem as if
brutalism has triumphed with
very little sense of proportion,
or sense of humanity.
Having stated that, the
last thing one wants to be
accused of is having a Prince
Charles’ approach. His
alternatives have dullness and
the feeling of the passé all
over them; perhaps reflecting
his own ‘qualities’.
A visit to glasstec this
October, might be worthwhile
to those who are considering
how to use glass both
creatively and commercially.
It hasn’t fared too well
as an exhibition in recent
years, unlike fensterbau in
Nuremberg which appears to
go from strength to strength.
The recession has damaged
it but although it has shrunk,
it still remains the world’s
biggest exhibition for glass
and glass processing.
We are often encouraged with
the concept of diversity these
days and maybe the answer
lies in a balance of what to
use and where in the built
environment. At the moment,
the priorities don’t seem to,
dare one say, reflect that
alternative.
Michael Gannon
Editor, MyTradeTV
Should
We Pass
on the
Glass? glasstec 2014 will have many novel ideas on display.
A visit to glasstec this October, might be worthwhile to those who are
considering how to use glass both creatively and commercially. It hasn’t
fared too well as an exhibition in recent years, unlike fensterbau in
Nuremberg which appears to go from strength to strength.”

EDITOR’S CORNER
GLASS & GLAZING
Following
almost universal
condemnation for
its bureaucracy and
cost, the government
has had to attempt to
entice homeowners
to look again at the
Green Deal.
Households carrying
out energy efficiency
improvements on their home
can now get more money
back to offset the cost of
having the work done. F
rom June, people in England
and Wales will be able to get
up to £7,600 back through
a new Green Deal Home
Improvement Fund (GDHIF).
It also argues that it helps
answer the criticism relating
to how the scheme was
weighted against smaller
businesses in the energy
efficiency sector. The
government is urging Green
Deal Installers and Providers
that they should register with
the scheme now.
Department of Energy and
Climate Change Secretary, Ed
Davey, commented: “Faulty
boilers, draughty windows
and insufficient insulation,
all cause properties to leak
hundreds of pounds every
year. But advice and support
through the Green Deal can
help put a stop to this.”
The average annual bill
saving from installing major
measures, such as solid wall
insulation in a three-bed semi-
detached house is £270, while
the government argues that
savings from other measures,
like upgrading a boiler can
knock around £100 off a
customer’s bill.
Under the new incentive
scheme, which is available
from June, domestic energy
customers can get:
• Up to £1,000 for installing
two measures from an
approved list; and/or up to
£6,000 for installing solid
wall insulation.
• Up to £100 refunded for their
Green Deal Assessment.
The scheme also entitles
those who have bought a
property in the 12 months
prior to application to qualify
for up to an additional £500
if they carry out energy
efficiency improvements.
In December 2013 the
government announced
a £540 million three year
energy efficiency package
to make Britain’s homes and
public buildings more energy
efficient.
The GDHIF also applies to
private or social landlords,
who can benefit if they
undertake to improve the
property and are paying the
costs themselves.
Green Deal gets Boost
Ed Davey, Energy Secretary –
additional funding will help answer the
critics of the Green Deal.

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
Just last month we
helped out a young
couple who live close
to our West Yorkshire
headquarters after
they’d lost a host of
treasured possessions
following a lock-
snapping attack on
their home. Having
read their story in
the local newspaper,
we got in touch with
Mark Davies and
Ruth Harrison, who
incidentally had had
Ruth’s car – a Mini
Cooper that matched
her hair colour – stolen
from their drive as
part of the attack, and
offered to upgrade
their locks to our ABS
snap secure solution
free of charge.
At the time, Mark politely
declined on the basis that
his insurance company had
agreed to replace the locks,
but sadly all was not as
it seemed. The insurance
company stating that it would
only replace the snapped
locks with like-for-like
replacements – meaning his
and Ruth’s home would be
left as at risk as it was before
the burglary.
Unfortunately, this is the
case with the vast majority
of insurance companies; a
situation that plays directly
into the hands of burglars,
who know that homes they’ve
entered by lock-snapping are
more than likely to be left as
vulnerable after the break-in
as they were before.
And when you consider the
prevalence of lock-snapping
as a means of forced entry
– with some Police forces
unofficially stating that well
over half of all burglaries
can now be attributed to
it – it seems, at best, remiss,
at worse negligent, of the
insurance industry not to be
offering their customers a
safer alternative; especially
when the effectiveness of
some snap-secure locks
are proven beyond any
reasonable doubt.
Take for example our TS007
3-star rated and Sold Secured
Diamond accredited ABS
snap-secure locks. During
2012 West Yorkshire Police
fitted 10,000 of our locks in
homes across East Leeds
– an area of the city where
burglary has traditionally been
very high. This widespread
programme was carried out
in conjunction with a number
of other crime reduction
strategies and the end
result was truly astonishing
– a 36 per cent reduction in
burglaries in the area in just
one year.
This figure equated to 3,200
fewer victims of crime. And
remember, that reduction
took place in just one area of
one city over one 12-month
period. So just imagine
what a UK-wide programme
supported by the insurance
industry could achieve.
Not only would the number of
victims of crime be slashed,
but insurance pay-outs
would subsequently drop and
premiums could potentially be
reduced. All of which seems
to be positive for everyone
involved.
Of course, encouraging the
insurance industry to change
its practice after a lock-
snapping attack is all well and
good, but to me prevention
seems a far better answer
than cure. And so I’d call
on the insurance industry to
help the UK public to take a
major step in preventing lock-
snapping burglary by offering
premium discounts to homes
with the right level of snap-
secure locks fitted on their
doors.
Burglary is perhaps the most
invasive of crimes, leaving
victims like Mark Davies
and Ruth Harrison not only
shaken by the intrusion
into their homes and their
lives, but out of pocket and
without possessions they truly
treasured. Therefore, let’s fight
back and stop the burglars
in their tracks. And if that
means the insurance industry
rewarding those who protect
themselves, then why not?
It’s far better than continually
rewarding those who break
the law and cause so much
heartache by acknowledging
homes are easy to break into,
but doing nothing about it.
For more information about
lock-snapping and Avocet’s
solutions to it call 01484
711700 or visit www.avocet-
hardware.co.uk.
INSURANCE SHAM
Raymond Pearce, Avocet Hardware’s head of UK sales (ABS snap-secure locks).

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
Freefoam, a leading
manufacturer of a wide range
of innovative products for the
building industry in UK, Ireland
and Mainland Europe, has
recently seen an increase in
enquiries and opportunities for
installers and stockists of its
Fortex cladding range.
Demand and knowledge for home
improvement products is increasingly
being driven by consumers who now
have easy instant online access to
products and information. Freefoam has
seen a significant increase in searches
for the Fortex range with cladding terms
fast becoming one its most popular
search terms. This interest and increase
in traffic is also converting in to stock and
installation enquiries.
Ricky Lovell from Precision Roofline,
supplied by Prestige Plastics in Evesham
commented “As Freefoam Registered
Installers we recently picked up on a
Freefoam enquiry with a brief to replace
traditional hanging tiles for a more
contemporary look using the Fortex
cladding. We found the product easy
to fit, light to handle and it certainly
transformed the frontage of the clients
home. The work has opened up a new
side to our roofline business and we’ve
subsequently carried out several more
similar projects for other residents in
the area who like the look and can see
the benefits of using a hard wearing
low maintenance cladding. We are now
actively promoting the range to existing
and new customers, using the product to
grow our business”
Fortex® cladding features an attractive
textured wood effect and comes in a
range of subtle contemporary colours,
available in weatherboard and double
plank formats. Designed to make storing,
handling and fitting quick and easy,
the weatherboard cladding weighs just
3.15kg per 5 metre board - four times
lighter than cement fibre board. Fortex
also comes with significant environmental
credentials with the Building Research
Establishment’s (BRE) ‘Green Guide To
Specification’ giving PVC cladding an A+
rating when fitted with standard insulation
products.
Colin St John, General Manger
commented “Manufacturing new
innovative products is what Freefoam is
all about. The Fortex cladding range is
a good example of how stockists and
installers can easily increase their product
offering and extend their business to
meet new consumer demands.”
www.freefoam.com
FREEFOAM CLADDING DRIVES NEW
OPPORTUNITES FOR INSTALLERS
Before. After.
The Flamstead Group, owners
of the Liniar brand of windows,
doors and conservatory roofs,
has today announced the
acquisition of the assets of
Wegoma GB Ltd. The company
will be merged with its own
machinery sales division
to form a new subsidiary
company, Wegoma Machinery
Sales Ltd.
Gary Mayer is transferring to run the new
business from Wegoma GB as Managing
Director, alongside co-directors Roger
Hartshorn, Dave Watts and Fenya Mayer.
Liniar has been working with Wegoma
for the last 18 months to develop the
Supercut 5 and Supercut 6 machine and
cutting centres along with Wegomas
proven range of welders and fabrication
machinery.
Roger Hartshorn, Managing Director
of the Flamstead Group comments:
ìWegoma is a well-established and
trusted brand, so it made sense for us to
work with them on the Supercut project.
Wegoma machinery utilises German
electronics and German motors, together
with bespoke software and cabinets, and
has a good fit with Liniarís reputation for
quality and service.
ìIt was therefore a natural progression
to purchase Wegoma ñ with Liniarís
resources we can take the business
forward, give customers a better service
and provide the industry with a different
approach to window machinery by having
machines available from stock.î
The Wegoma machines will be displayed
at the FIT Show in Telford in Hall 1,
Stand 180, with the Supercut machine
demonstrated on the Liniar Stand in Hall
3, Stand 350.
For more information about Wegoma
please telephone 01332 883910 or visit
www.wegoma.co.uk.
FLAMSTEAD GROUP BUYS WEGOMA GB

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
The recent win
for TuffX Brand
ambassador,
David Price, has
placed the former
British heavyweight
champion back in the
top ten ranking.
David, who has 17 wins to
his record including 15 Knock
Outs stopped Euro level
heavyweight Ondrej Pala (33-
5, 23 KO’s) on 12th April 2014
at the Blue Water Dokken,
Esbjerg, in Denmark.
Initially, David was caught off
balance when Pala threw one
of his few power shots of the
fight, but he fought back and
came on strong in the second
round by landing a couple of
strong right hand punches
which sent Pala dropping to
the canvas. After a second
knockdown, referee Freddy
Rafn halted the fight at 0:33
of the third round. Graham
Price, Managing Director at
TuffX states that there has
been a very positive response
to the company’s sponsorship
of David, by the industry in
general.
He comments, “I have been
very surprised. I had not
realised how many people
followed the sport, however
many customers have been
giving us very positive
feedback.”
The TuffX brand ambassador
will be back in the ring next
month to face 39-year-old
Yaroslav Zavorotnyi (16-6, 14
KO’s) from the Ukraine in a
scheduled 8 round fight at the
Sport and Congress Center,
Schwerin, Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern, Germany on
June 7th.
The sponsorship of David
Price has already proved
positive for the leading
glass processing specialist
company, with an excellent
response across the industry
regarding the official backing.
“For some customers this is
adding a new dimension to
their sales pitch,” Graham
Price comments.
David Price, as British
heavyweight, believes he is
back to his best thanks to
the experience he has gained
in his last two fights, which
has increased his confidence
as he continues with his
challenges for various title
belts.
‘’I feel like I have really benefited
from fighting away from home,
I can’t wait to get back into the
mix with all the big names in
the heavyweight division.”
David states: “I’m in great
shape and I am confident
that I am going to get the job
done.’’
Graham Price comments,
“We share the same
principles of commitment
to quality and performance.
Positive promotion is helping
us to target wider consumer
audiences and reaping
rewards. As David gains
ground in the national and
international boxing arenas,
the positive results are giving
the entire TuffX team a boost
and we are proud to be
supporting him.”
Tel: 0845 3 400 200
A CHAMPION’S WIN FOR TUFFX

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
Brighouse-based Avocet Hardware has come
to the rescue of a Mirfield couple after their
insurance company stated it would only replace
locks that had been snapped by burglars with
like-for-like replacements – a settlement that
meant their home would have been left at as
much risk as it was before the burglary.
Mark Davies and Ruth Harrison had their home broken into and
ransacked by burglars using the increasingly popular lock-
snapping form of forced entry on Saturday 22nd March and a
host of prized possessions stolen, including Ruth’s £8,000 Mini
Cooper.
Avocet, which is actively campaigning for the scale of the
lock-snapping problem in the UK to be officially recognised
and properly tackled, read of Mark and Ruth’s plight in the
Huddersfield Daily Examiner and quickly offered to upgrade their
home to its ABS snap-secure locks.
At the time Mark was dealing with his insurance company and
assumed the settlement would see their home being fitted with
locks that would withstand any future lock-snapping attack.
“Ruth and I knew next to nothing about lock-snapping before the
burglary, but did our research straight afterwards and we were
staggered to discover the sheer scale of the problem,” he said.
“I was even more astonished when our insurance company said
the locks they would fit would be the exact same ones that the
burglars had snapped so easily in the first place.”
Lock-snapping is now one of the most popular means of forced
entry into UK homes, with some police forces estimating that it
accounts for over 50 per cent of all break-ins.
The problem, according to Raymond Pearce of Avocet Hardware
is that not enough people are aware of the issue and so millions
of homes across the UK are unwittingly at risk of a lock-
snapping attack.
“Lock-snapping simply hasn’t been given the kind of prominence
it needs to bring it to the public’s attention and so burglars have
been making hay while the vast majority of us have been left in
the dark,” he said.
“Thankfully, things are changing, as can be seen by recent
features about the topic on ITV1’s This Morning and BBC1’s
Watchdog Test House, but this alone won’t turn the tide.”
“We need a concerted campaign, involving the police, the
national media, insurance companies and politicians, to inform
the British public of the danger and let everyone decide for
themselves if they want to take steps to properly secure their
homes.”
Raymond went on to explain that there is currently a host of
snap-secure locks on the market, but that many don’t meet
either of the recognised standards that ensure a product can
claim to be snap-secure.
“Homeowners seeking a snap-secure lock for their home need
to ensure the lock they are buying has, at the bare minimum,
a BSI TS007 3-star rating. Although we would advise them to
look for products that meet Sold Secure’s SS312 Diamond
accreditation – this is the toughest and most frequently updated
lock-snapping standard and a product that has passed it will
stand-up to lock-snapping attack.”
Mark added: “I’m extremely angry that it took our home being
burgled and our possessions stolen for us to find out the truth
about lock-snapping and only hope that our story can prevent
others falling victim to this kind of burglary.
Mark and Ruth’s locks were upgraded to Avocet’s ABS snap-
secure lock by Andy Townend of Huddersfield-based, Doortique
and Sean Hellawell of Huddersfield Lock & Key Centre.
To find out more about lock-snapping and how to securely
upgrade your home visit www.homesecurityandsafety.co.uk.
Raymond Pearce, Avocet Hardware with Mark Davies of Mirfield, West Yorkshire –
the Brighouse company upgraded Mark’s locks to ABS for free after his insurance
company only offered like-for-like replacements following a lock-snapping burglary
on his home in March.
AVOCET
SECURES
MIRFIELD
COUPLE’S
HOME
AFTER INSURANCE
COMPANY LET DOWN

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
GGF Training has recently updated its
website www.ggftraining.com with the
FENSA Homepage on the site now linking
customers to the FENSA registration page
on www.fensa.org.uk and subsequently re-
directing customers to the Minimal Technical
Competency (MTC) registration page.
Once registered, customers will then be able to use GGF
Training to become fully compliant.
With this development of the GGF Training website,
customers will now be able to:
• Register and pay for their required re-sits
• Register onto a newly launched Continued Professional
Development (CPD) route of MTC compliance which is
available to any Installer or Surveyor who has achieved a
Fenestration NVQ over 5 years ago. For more information
on this route please visit: http://www.ggftraining.com/
mtc/routes-to-compliance.
Jon Vanstone, GGF Training Managing Director commented
“This online development will make MTC training and
compliance much easier for customers.”
“With the 6th June deadline fast approaching, I’d urge every
company to act fast and ensure they are operating legally by
becoming MTC compliant.”
For more information on GGF Training and MTC please visit
http://ggftraining.com/mtc.
GGF Training
Website
Updated
Fourteen years after he originally opened
Cairngorm Windows’ HQ, former Scotland
football manager, Craig Brown was back to
open the Swish Window and Door Systems
fabricator’s £300,000 extension to its Inverness
showroom.
Cairngorm Windows has a long standing relationship with retail
product brand, Swish Window and Door Systems who were at
the opening event to support its customer.
David Dowling, managing director of Cairngorm Windows says:
“Our new showroom is the latest phase of our expansion and
has created 12 new jobs. It is already proving to be a big draw
for local homeowners. One hundred invited guests joined us at
the official opening ceremony and over 400 customers visited
the showroom on the first day.
“The launch event was a great success and everyone had a
good time. We had a clown on hand to entertain the children
with balloon animals and lucky customer, Maureen Suttie
managed to crack the code on our prize draw vault to win
£1,000 in cash. Working with Swish Window and Door Systems
really works for us. Homeowners recognise Swish branded
products and the name really inspires confidence.”
Jon Skinner, commercial director at Swish Window and Door
Systems says: “It was great to support Cairngorm Windows’
at the opening of its new showroom which looks fantastic. Our
relationship with Cairngorm Windows is an excellent example
of how Swish adds value to well-established and successful
installation companies. Homeowners already feel comfortable
with the Swish brand and we’re currently investing in even more
ways to support installation companies to sell more.”
Cairngorm
Windows gets
a Swish new
showroom

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
Investment in training by
period window specialist,
Ventrolla, has seen staff achieve
qualifications and develop skills
ranging from joinery and glazing
to safety at work.
The company offers a nationwide
bespoke renovation service for timber
sliding sash and casement windows as
well as for timber doors.
It sees itself as committed to having a
highly skilled and motivated workforce,
which will benefit customers as well as
the business, making it an employer of
choice. “Our investment in staff training is
essential to the business,” explained David
Greaves, Managing Director, Ventrolla.
“This means that all our staff have the best
training and experience which will mean
they are better qualified and allowing them
to progress further in the trade.”
Mark Wademan, Steve Cameron and
Dan Bullen successfully completed a
Managing Safely course with the Institute
of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
The course is designed for managers and
supervisors and will help ensure that best
practices are carried out by Ventrolla staff
in the workshop and on site.
Mark Wademan, a Technical Surveyor at
Ventrolla, stated: “It has been great to
learn new skills whilst being in a job and
this qualification will help me to achieve
more in my role.”
Through Leeds College of Building,
Simon Taylor and Damien Cameron, from
the joinery workshop, have completed
an NVQ Level II in Bench Joinery and
Industrial Finishing respectively. A further
nine members of the surveying and
installation teams are completing an
NVQ Level III in Glass and Glazing. As of
June this year installers and surveyors
of replacement windows and doors in
domestic properties will need to meet
a new standard of minimum technical
competency (MTC) introduced by the
government.
Home owners will be able to confirm the
experience and ability of contractors by
asking to see their FENSA (Fenestration
Self-Assessment Scheme) MTC card,
which all Ventrolla installers will carry.
Getting a fill of
Training Skill
Mark Wademan, a Technical Surveyor at Ventrolla,
has benefited from the company’s approach to
training – “this qualification will help me to achieve
more in my role”.
Synseal Extrusions, the leading
UK-owned systems supplier,
has joined the GGF and at
a recent GGF Window and
Door Group meeting, Head of
Marketing Mark Schlotel was
presented with their framed
Membership Certificate by
Brian Baker, GGF President
and Nigel Rees, GGF Group
Chief Executive.
Nigel Rees commented, “We are delighted
to welcome Synseal into Membership. As
a major supplier of PVC-U windows and
doors profiles and insulating glass units
along with their conservatory and orangery
roof businesses they will offer valuable
input to the Federation’s technical groups
and discussions.”
Synseal is also delighted to be joining the
GGF and CEO David Leng comments;
“We had been invited to attend a couple
of GGF meetings as a guest and we were
impressed by the excellent work that the
association is carrying out on behalf of its
Members, particularly the ongoing efforts
to lobby Parliament to ensure that the new
emerging Consumer Rights legislation
provides a fair deal for all. It is important
that the Bill protects the rights of
consumers whilst offering sensible levels
of assurance for good, honest tradesmen
retailing home improvement products.”
More than 650 fabricators manufacture
using Synseal’s profiles and, according
to Insight Data research, well over 3,600
installers regularly purchase and fit
Synseal products including their Global
and K2 roofs.
David continues, “Naturally, we will
be encouraging everyone in the wider
Synseal network to acknowledge the
productive work of the GGF and consider
the practical support that the Federation
can offer – the latest challenges facing
our retailing partners involving Minimum
Technical Compliance (MTC) are a
great example of this. And of course,
at Synseal we are also interested in
contributing to the GGF Groups such
as the Window and Door Group and the
Conservatory Association. I am positive
that we can offer insights that should
help guide the GGF as it champions
the industry issues and develops the
technical standards.”
Nigel Rees adds, “With the GGF
Membership growing in both quality and
quantity, it’s great to have a company of
Synseal’s standing join the Federation
at a time when the industry is facing so
many changes and key issues. The GGF
exists for Members but it’s our Members
that make the Federation the leading
authority in the industry.”
For further information go to:
www.ggf.org.uk.
Synseal Joins the GGF

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
To ensure Alpro hardware stays
at the forefront of new product
design and innovation, the
company has launched the
Vortex range, a new generation
of face to face electromagnets.
The magnets are smaller than a standard
slimline magnet, but combine higher
holding forces of 1500kgs with lower
current draw than standard magnets,
making them both more efficient and
ecologically friendly.
The magnets unique design embodies a
conical aperture with a strong armature
pin, which combines both magnetic and
mechanical holding force to give better
strength capabilities and which, allow the
magnet to release under 100Kgs of side
loading. Independent tests have shown
this unique feature to provide 1,500kgs
(15,000N’s) of genuine holding force. The
magnet is dual voltage (12/24vDC) and draws
240mA at 12vDC and 120mA at 24vDC.
The smaller dimensions of the unit
(218mm long x 35mm high x 30mm deep),
mean for practical purposes the units will
also fit smaller type doors and frames.
Combined with a weight of 450kgs the
overall design clearly shows how much
new and improved technology has been
incorporated in to the range whilst taking
the needs of the end user into account.
Additional features built into the units
include dual monitoring, locking and door
position and a large built in LED to allow
visual status. The magnet is also fitted
with pressure sensors to provide an early
warning system. If the unit is alerted to
force, as in the situation of illegal entry,
the magnet sends an alarm to pre-warn
that access is being breached.
The units are available with a full range of
accessories and mounting brackets and
the product has been patented to protect
the new and innovative features. Backed
up by a 10 year warranty this new range
of magnets is a major development
in face to face magnet design and
technology.
Keith Parry, Alpro’s Divisional Manager
commented “This new range of magnets
illustrates Alpro’s stated aim of giving the
customer what they want. This product
is not only more efficient and ecologically
friendly, but is also competitively priced
and stronger than the current products
offered by competitors. The high holding
force, which has been independently
shown to be superior to anything
currently in the market place for face to
face magnets, ensures that this range of
products will be the first item an end user
will want to install”.
Alpro products are available in the UK
from IEC Limited and through all major
security product distributors.
Alpro launch the new
VORTEX magnet range
With the ever increasing
emphasis on safety and security
for employees in the business
environment, access control
plays an ever increasingly
important role in controlling the
flow of individuals to certain
areas of activity.
Along with more secure doors, door
hardware has played an important role
in achieving this controlled ingress
and egress. A popular method of
implementing access control is the use of
an electric strike.
Easy to install the Alpro Architectural
Hardware range of electric strikes
comprises the AL110 (an ANSI style
footprint) strike, along with the AL2000
series of monitored strikes and the AL150
range of rim strikes, all the products
within the range have been independently
tested and test information on the high
holding forces is available on request.
Available as both fail safe and fail secure
and both AC compatible (using the
RM1 rectifier) and DC along with 12/24v
facilities, the range boasts an innovative
changeover of function from fail safe to
fail secure. The features built into the
strikes, allow the Alpro range to be used
in a variety of applications.
The strikes are available with a long
and short stainless steel faceplate,
and 15mm, 25mm, 50mm and 75mm
extension lips as required. The strike
is complete with a comprehensive
fixing kit, affording the customer ease
of installation. The strikes are fully CE
marked.
Keith Parry, Alpro’s Divisional Sales
Manager says “The comprehensive
performance specification of the units,
coupled with the overall quality and
innovation, enable us to offer a versatile
product at a competitive price. Illustrating
once again Alpro’s stated aim of offering
quality and service to the industry in
general.
It’s as simple as this, if you want an AC
strike; it’s the Alpro range, if you want a
DC strike it’s the Alpro range. If you want
both fail safe and fail secure, it’s the Alpro
range If you want excellent service it’s the
Alpro range. With this product offering
the customer has a convenient “one stop
shop”. Backed by a no quibble 6 year
warranty, this truly is a market leading
product range, from a market leading
company”.
ELECTRIC STRIKES

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
alpro®
Commitment to Excellence
New Range of
Electric Strikes
312/24v selectable
3Easily reversible – Fail Open(PTL)/ Fail Secure (PTO)
– no loose pins or springs
3High holding force
3IP56 Protection
3ANSI short and long styles with shallow body
= easy retrofit
3AC compatability with Rectifier Sounder Module
3Full range of accessories
3Rugged construction with stainless steel faceplates
3Very competitive prices
3 Holding force - 1,500kg
3 Dual Voltage 12/24v DC
3 Dimensions 218 (L) x 35 (W)
x 30mm (D)
3 Dual monitoring - locking and
door position
Vortex Magnet
First Choice for Locking Solutions
01202 676262 01202 680101
info@alpro.co.uk www.alpro.co.uk
T F
E W
No wonder we’re
First Choice!

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
A Chesterfield-woman has won
a nationwide competition to
have the locks on her house
upgraded to make them secure
against lock-snapping attack.
Veronica Bradbury from Linden Drive,
Hasland is a Neighbourhood & Homes
Watch Network (NHWN) member and
won a competition that was open to
all members of the Home Office and
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
supported crime prevention network.
“As a Neighbourhood Watch member I
am only too aware of the kind of steps
that need to be taken to protect your
property and the Avocet Hardware ABS
locks that I’ve had fitted will certainly help
to do that,” said Mrs Bradbury.
Lock-snapping as a means of forced
entry has come to prevalence in recent
years as a result of the rising use of uPVC
and other double glazed doors. Some
police forces now estimate that over half
of all burglaries in the UK can be blamed
on it.
Avocet’s ABS locks were fitted in Mrs
Bradbury’s home by Chesterfield-based,
Hawkins Locksmiths – a family owned
business that has been providing peace
of mind to its customers since 1993.
“I’ve come across numerous break-
ins that were due to the snapping
vulnerability of the euro cylinder locks,
which are fitted to 90 per cent of homes,
but amazingly people are still unaware
that these incidences can simply be
avoided,” said Ian Hawkins, owner of
Hawkins Locksmiths.
“Avocet’s ABS Euro Cylinder is the only
lock on the market that has achieved the
new 3 Star TS007 British Standard, Sold
Secure SS312 Diamond Accreditation
and the official police initiative Secured
By Design, and is the only lock that I
would currently recommend,” he added.
Avocet Hardware is NHWN’s primary
sponsor for security products.
For additional information visit
www.avocet-hardware.co.uk or
call or call 01484 725601.
Snap-secure winner – Veronica Bradbury of Linden
Drive, Hasland, gets her locks upgrade and doors
secured by Ian Hawkins, owner of Chesterfield-
based, Hawkins Locksmiths.
CHESTERFIELD WOMAN WINS
SNAP-SECURE LOCK UPGRADE
IN NATIONWIDE COMPETITION
Freefoam Building
Products, a leading
manufacturer of PVC
building products
for the Irish, UK and
Mainland European
markets extend range
of Irish Oak woodgrain
fascia, soffit and
matching accessories.
A wide range of full
replacement fascia,
standard and hollow
soffit, architraves,
window boards and
coloured pins and
nails is now available.
With the increasing popularity
of woodgrain windows and
doors Freefoam has reacted
to market trends offering this
extended range to enable
window supplies and fitters
to meet consumer demand.
Produced using Renoit
Exofol foil featuring built in
Solar Shield Technology all
products are designed to
offer a long lasting, durable
solution, guaranteed for ten
years.
Freefoam produce marketing
leading PVC-U roofline
products. A fully integrated
range of components
providing a complete roofline
solution based around
products that are designed
to work together. Freefoam
products are designed
to stand the test of time.
Having had many years of
trouble-free performance in
all weathers, from Scotland
to the South of France, with
its lead-free formulations,
Colormax® technology and
extra TiO2 UV protection,
Freefoam manufacture
products that are proven to
last. Freefoam produce a
sustainable range of products
that are 100% lead free from
core to skin, manufactured to
the exacting ISO 14001: 2008
standard at its Northampton
plant.
Colin St John, UK General
Manager comments “Our
customers have seen
increasing numbers of
requests from installers for
full replacement boards and
matching fixing pins enabling
them to match roofline to
windows and doors. Our
product offering is constantly
evolving, and this addition will
make a valuable addition to
our woodgrain range.”
www.freefoam.com
FREEFOAM EXTEND IRISH
OAK WOODGRAIN RANGE

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
Click below to watch the video!

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
With the incoming
Consumer Rights
Directive coming into
force on 13th June
2014, every Company
must change their
contract of terms and
conditions by 13th
June 2014. To help
companies cope with
the new legislation
the Glass and Glazing
Federation (GGF)
has now published
revised Model Terms
and Conditions
of Contract, plus
Guidance on
implementation of the
EU Consumer Rights
Directive for both GGF
Members and non-
Members.
The EU Consumer Rights
Directive (CRD) is being
implemented in the UK on
the 13th June 2014. This is
entirely separate legislation
from the Consumer Rights
Bill which is now due to be
implemented in Summer
2015. The Government signed
up to the CRD over three
years ago.
The Directive is being
implemented via legislation
known as The Consumer
Contracts (Information,
Cancellation and Additional
Charges) Regulations 2013.
The main issues are:-
• The cooling-off period for
goods and services sold by
distance or by off-premises
selling will be harmonised
across the EU to 14 days
from date of delivery of the
products
• There are some important
exemptions, one of
which is for products
“made to the consumer’s
specification” – this will
include such products as
made-to-measure windows
made to a consumer’s
specific requirements;
another is for urgent
repairs and maintenance
when a consumer invites a
trader to their home
• There is a long list of
pre-contract information
which must be provided
to consumers before a
contract is made, including
advising cancellation rights
and if a trader belongs
to a code of conduct,
for example the GGF
Consumer Code of Good
Practice. Failure to provide
certain items will give a
consumer a cooling-off
period of up to 379 days,
and the trader would be
liable to a fine of up to
£5,000
The GGF has advised its
Members of these upcoming
changes for over a year now,
following meetings between
the GGF with the Department
of Business, Innovation and
Skills (BIS) in 2012. GGF
Members have voted to retain
the current 7 days cooling-off
period from date of contract
in the GGF Consumer Code
of Good Practice in addition
to the requirements of the
new legislation.
The GGF has produced a
revised set of Model Terms
and Conditions of Contract
for its Members and also
produced Guidance to the
CRD specifically for the
glazing, home improvements
and renewable energy sector.
These documents are now
available via the Members
area of the GGF website for
Members to download free of
charge.
The GGF has also produced
a revised set of Model Terms
and Conditions for non-
member companies which
reflects changes necessary
due to the implementation
of the Directive. These
Model Terms and the GGF’s
Guidance to the CRD can be
purchased by non-members
at a combined cost of just
£75. Purchasers will also
receive a voucher to the value
of £75 if they decide to join
the GGF before the end of
June 2015.
If a company wishes to buy
the Model Terms and GGF
Guidance on the CRD, please
email modelcontract@ggf.
org.uk with your details.
If you are thinking of joining
the GGF to keep ahead of the
game regarding upcoming
legislation and to benefit
from over 50 membership
benefits (including full and
free access to all GGF
publications) please email the
GGF Membership department
membership@ggf.org.uk or
fill out our online enquiry form
on the GGF website, www.
ggf.org.uk/join. Annual
membership starts from just
£315 + VAT.
Brian Smith, GGF Director
of Home Improvement, will
be presenting about the
Consumer Rights Directive
and the upcoming Consumer
Rights Bill at the FIT Show
seminars, on each day of the
show (10-12 June) at 1.30pm.
All companies are welcome
to attend but must register
via the FIT Show website.
Please visit book there place.
http://www.fitshow.co.uk/
seminars.
ALL CONTRACTS MUST
CHANGE BY 13th JUNE

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
The Double Glazing and
Conservatory Ombudsman
Scheme (DGCOS) is delighted
that all domestic installation
guarantees must have financial
backing from 6th June.
“This legislation from the DCLG is long-
overdue,” explains DGCOS CEO Richard
Christie. “However, DGCOS since its
inception has mandated its members
to issue every retail customer with an
Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG).”
“The existing system of ‘offering IBGs’
can lead to worrying problems for
consumers,” continues Richard.
“Often where an IBG is offered it isn’t
always taken up – in my experience very
few consumers offered an IBG after
installation do so. Not least because
consumers have to pay for IBGs
themselves at this stage. Add to this the
fact that it can be easy for consumers
to mess up the paperwork, with many
– if not most - forgetting to complete
and return the forms, and it’s obvious
that more needed to be done to protect
consumers.”
Richard adds: “A word of warning though:
all IBGs aren’t equal – they can be
confusing and full of get-out clauses. Even
so, compulsory protection is a step in the
right direction. The new rules should help
improve the reputation of the industry and
protect consumers if things go wrong.”
David Herman’s Consumer Protection
Report, commissioned by DGCOS,
includes a comparison of IBGs offered
by organisations in the industry, available
here: http://www.dgcos.org.uk/assets/
Consumer_Protection_Report_3rd_
Edition.pdf.
For more information on the DGCOS visit
www.dgcos.org.uk.
Richard Christie, CEO of DGCOS.
Compulsory
IBGs welcomed
by DGCOS
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GLAZING INDUSTRY

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
Jack Aluminium
Systems new TD68
Pivot Anti-Panic
Door has achieved
the stringent PAS 24
security standard.
The new PAS 24 Pivot
Anti-Panic door has been
designed by Jack Aluminium
and is based on its successful
thermally efficient Jack
Door TD68. The new door
features a unique rebated
low threshold and lock strike
plate. The rebate prevents
tampering of the internal
panic device from a wire
under or over the door leaf.
Strike plate supports the lock
during an attack.
The commercial aluminium
escape door incorporates
the Adams Rite Sentinel M
3 Point Anti-panic Lock with
3 star security cylinder. It
enables the door to be locked
internally to ensure it is secure
on the outside, but can still be
opened in an emergency from
the inside using a standard
panic door exit device. This
makes it the ideal emergency
exit door for schools,
hospitals, hotels, offices or any
building where external doors
are vulnerable to forced entry.
Achieving PAS 24 and
certification means that
fabricators can now achieve
the requirements set out by
Secured by Design with the
TD68 Pivot Anti-panic doorset
from Jack Aluminium.
Jeff Pearson, sales director
at Jack Aluminium says:
“Emergency access,
escape and panic doors are
notoriously difficult to secure
from the outside. By their
nature they need to be quick
to release but this can make
them vulnerable to attack.
We developed the aluminium
TD68 Pivot Anti-panic Door to
provide a safe, highly secure
and cost effective solution.
“We chose the Sentinel M 3
Point lock because it offers
three points of trusted locking
whilst allowing for a quick
and easy egress. This helped
us to develop a commercial
anti-panic door with excellent
security as well as high thermal
efficiency,” continues Jeff.
Tim Almond, Business
Development Manager
for ASSA ABLOY Security
Solutions says: “We’re
pleased to have worked
closely with Jack Aluminium
in achieving the rigorous
PAS 24 test for their new
anti-panic door. It is the
perimeter of commercial and
public buildings that have
the most immediate security
requirements. Providing
an emergency exit door
that has been proven to
resist the latest methods of
attack is important for these
applications”
Tel: 024 7646 7449
www.jackaluminium.co.uk
Jack Aluminium commercial Panic
Door achieves PAS 24 security
Edgetech UK, a Quanex
company, launches TruPlas
SDL. This is a new Simulated
Divided Lite system that gives
more choice and greater
rigidity.
“The unique I-beam is designed to
eliminate any potential twisting within
the largest units,” says Alan Fielder,
Edgetech’s Director of Sales and
Marketing. “We knew this can be a
problem with other box section or duplex
systems so we engineered TruPlas SDL
to overcome this issue.”
The new TruPlas SDL system is available
in three colours: black, grey and white.
And there’s a full range of connecting
keys. The cruciform clip anchors the
I-beams in place to prevent rattling.
TruPlas SDL also comes in two widths
18mm and 23mm to suit both 12mm and
16mm glass unit cavities.
“This revolutionary design is compatible
will all rigid and flexible spacer bars.
Because it comes in 2.5m lengths there is
less wastage and easier handling.
“We‘ve created a nifty sample box to
show the unique design of the TruPlas
SDL bars and clips in all three colours
and sizes.”
Over the next few months more products
will be added to Edgetech’s growing
range of solutions for IGU manufacturers.
More information on TruPlas SDL is
available on www.edgetechig.co.uk.
Edgetech UK launches TruPlas SDL

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING
Click below to watch the video!

CONSERVATORIES
GLASS & GLAZING
The trend
continues to extend
and renovate
homes and add
value through
conservatories and
orangeries, with
insulation playing
its part, reports
Panel Systems.
Styrofloor is manufactured
from Styrofoam extruded
polystyrene (XPS)
insulation, which is
bonded to a moisture
resistant chipboard
finish. Contractors appear
to be attracted to this
insulation because of its
time saving benefits; as it
is a dry-fix system, floor
finishes can be applied
directly to the surface of
the chipboard.
Not only is it easy to
work with, Styrofloor is
claimed to be a thermally
efficient insulation option
that suitable for floors
in conservatories or
extensions.
Danny Phelan, Sales
Manager at Panel
Systems, explained:
“Conservatory companies
are recognising the
benefits of this speedy,
efficient, insulated
flooring. With time
at a premium, when
it comes to the busy
Spring/Summer season,
Styrofloor is a popular
choice for creating well
insulated conservatories.”
With up to 15% of heat
lost through poorly
insulated floors, effective
floor insulation is vitally
important. Danny Phelan
reported that Styrofloor
can address this heat loss
by achieving ‘U’ values as
low as 0.11W/m2K. It is
also available in a range of
thicknesses to suit project
requirements.
Minimal floor preparation
is required to fit Styrofloor
insulation boards as the
boards can be laid directly
on a solid, timber or beam
and block floor without
the need for a damp proof
membrane. The tongue
and groove joints in the
chipboard are then glued
together with a PVA wood
adhesive. This creates a
highly effective jointing
system which allows
for natural movement at
different temperatures.
Styrofloor boards are
supplied in sizes 2,400
x 600mm. No specialist
equipment is required to
fit the lightweight boards,
which can be easily cut
on site.
Its closed-cell structure
that makes it resistant
to moisture which helps
prevent the material
from rotting, or allow the
development of fungi or
mildew. The chipboard
surface has a moisture
resistant coating that is
used extensively in new
build and refurbishment
projects.
“Styrofloor’s energy
efficiency, combined with
its durability and cost
effectiveness is making it
a compelling choice with
builders and contractors
alike,” insisted Mr Phelan.
For further information,
visit the website:
www.styrofloor.co.uk.
Insulation on the Rise
for Conservatories
“Styrofloor’s
energy efficiency,
combined with its
durability and
cost effectiveness
is making it a
compelling choice.”
David Leng, Chief Executive of
Synseal, issued a fun Go-Karting
Challenge to guests at an
orangery workshop conducted
on behalf of the Conservatory
Outlet Dealer Network, which
was attended by 19 dealer
companies and jointly hosted by
Greg Kane, Managing Director of
Conservatory Outlet on 21st May.
Following a series of technical
presentations detailing Synseal’s range of
structural orangery solutions, the event
venue switched to the nearby Kurburgring
Go-Kart racing circuit, which is located
close to Synseal’s 35-acre headquarters
in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire. With
training on race track safety procedures,
basic kart driving skills and competition
rules duly completed, all drivers were
issued with overalls, gloves and helmets
and with a heady mix of noisy engines,
screeching tyres and the smell of petrol
fumes in the air, a strong sense of
competitive spirit soon took grip.
Eight teams of six competed in a team
event and there was also a chance to
win personal glory. Three experienced
motorsport guest racers achieved lap times
of under 29 seconds – the winning driver
was Edward Westbury of 5-Star Windows
& Conservatories with a swift lap time of
28.001 seconds, who closely pipped his
5-Star colleague Richard Manser into 2nd
place while Alan Pain of County took 3rd
place ahead of Synseal’s best-performing
driver Phil Parry, Head of R&D, who clocked
a very respectable 28.861 seconds.
Speaking at the evening dinner, David
Leng, Synseal’s Chief Executive, was
pleased to hand out the well-earned prizes
and commented: “I knew the Go-Kart
racing would be exciting and competitive,
but I never expected so many of you
to beat me. I’ll have to think of an even
tougher sporting challenge for next time.”
SYNSEAL’S
GO-KARTING
CHALLENGE IS
A WINNER!

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

WARM EDGE / SPACER BAR
GLASS & GLAZING
Birmingham-based Glass
Express Midlands Limited has
purchased additional equipment
to increase its capacity to gas fill
insulated glass (IG) sealed units
to meet the growing demand
for more thermally efficient
double and triple glazing.
Managing Director Bill Singh explains:
“Having already purchased an NM3
Multigas Filler from Thermoseal Group,
we purchased an additional NM2 Argon
Fast-fill machine. We currently gas fill
approximately 75% of our units and now
have further capacity to gas fill all units
with both Argon and other gases as
customers require.
“We pride ourselves in offering a full
package of products including warm
edge and gas filled units with many
Georgian options, as well as units with
integrated blinds. We offer a wide range
of options to ensure that we remain
competitive in the market and with a
greater emphasis on thermal efficiency
we are always striving to achieve these
changing targets.
“Our warm edge option is Thermobar
which we chose due to its excellent
thermal values as well as its handling
advantages. Our customers also like the
look of the finished product.
“The UK market is generally a tough
market where it seems that many of
our competitors are driving down the
margin we can make on sealed units.
It is our approach to keep our edge by
investing in new innovation, equipment
and staff to offer a full service of products
concentrating on quality and as our
business name suggests – speedy or
‘express’ delivery.
“Our current capacity is approximately
800 units per day. We now have
approximately 30,000 Sq. Ft. of
manufacturing space located in two
adjoining factories and following an
investment of around £2 million worth
of equipment we can meet a range of
customer requirements.”
For further information, please contact Glass
Express Midlands, Unit 9 Anglo African
Industrial Estate, Off Union Road, Oldbury
B69 3EX. Tel: 0121 5527616. E-mail:
sales@glassexpressmidlands.co.uk or
visit www.glass-expressions.co.uk.
Glass Express
Midlands Limited
Increases its Capacity
to Gas Fill IG Units
2014 is set to be another record year for
SWISSPACER. The company reports sales in
the first quarter up 8% on 2013.
SWISSPACER launched in the UK in 2008 and quickly grew to
become the market leader in 2011. It offers the best thermal
performance and is tried and tested to give long-lasting results.
SWISSPACER is available in a choice of 17 colours and is ideal
for triple glazing.
SWISSPACER Marketing & Sales Manager, Vic De Costa says:
“We are very pleased with SWISSPACER sales so far this year.
They are even higher than 2013, which was itself a record year!
“Most large sealed unit makers use SWISSPACER because
it does not require any additional investment and can be
used on existing machinery. Fabricators and installers ask for
SWISSPACER because it’s the best performing warm edge
spacer bar in the world and lasts for decades. It is the only warm
edge spacer bar that can be substituted for any other.
“Find out more about the UK and Ireland’s favourite spacer bar by
visiting us at the FIT Show from 10th-12th June on Stand 322.”
Visit www.swisspacer.com, call 0845 601 1265 or follow
SWISSPACER on Twitter @Ultimate_Spacer.
SWISSPACER 1st quarter
sales up 8%
Vic De Costa, SWISSPACER Marketing & Sales Manager.

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

With over 30 years’ experience of working with sealed unit
manufacturers, Thermoseal Group has developed warm edge
spacers highly rated in every way including: Energy Efficiency;
Manufacturability; Aesthetics and Overall Performance. As the
largest specialist insulated glass component manufacturer and
distributor in the UK, we are also the only UK supplier testing
to EN1279 standards in-house; and are active members of
the GGF and BF. With over £2m invested in our very own
Innovation Centre, we are totally dedicated to developing and
testing high quality IG products for the future. We also design
and build IG manufacturing machinery.
So whether you’re a sealed unit manufacturer, an installer or a
fabricator it’ll pay you to talk to Thermoseal Group today on
0845 331 3950 or visit www.thermosealgroup.com
THEY BOTH COME HIGHLY RATED

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

32 | May 2014 | www.mytrade.tv GLASS & GLAZING
Located centrally and just
15 minutes off the M6, over
1,500 car parking spaces
are available immediately
adjacent to the Telford
International Centre venue.
It is also situated less than half a
mile from Telford Central Station and
has a direct rail link to Birmingham
International Airport.
Address
The International Centre, St Quentin
Gate, Telford, Shropshire TF3 4JH.
OPENING HOURS
Tuesday 10th
10.00-17.00
Wednesday 11th
10.00-17.00
Thursday 12th
10.00-16.00
GETTING
THERE
FIT delivered in 2013 and looks set
to repeat its success this year.
FIT SHOW
Balls2 Marketing, specialist
PR and marketing agency with
its foundations in glazing and
construction launches its new
dedicated social media service
at FIT Show 2014. It will host
an informative social media
seminar as part of the FIT for
Business Seminar Programme.
“Social media has been part of our core
services for more than a year now, along
with Public Relations, Events, Online
Marketing and Strategy,” says Sarah
Ball, communications director at Balls2
Marketing. “Traditionally we supported
clients in managing their accounts and
contributed content from the PR we did
for them. But we knew there was much
more we could do to for customers on
social media to help them grow their
business and reach a much bigger
audience.
“We had phenomenal success with the
social media campaign that we created
and managed for The Triple Glazing
Question adding to the debate and
encouraging people to the event.”
Balls2 Marketing is exhibiting on stand
157 in Hall 1 and is hosting its ‘How
Social Media Could Transform Your
Business’ seminar on Wednesday 11
June at 12:30pm in the FIT Seminar
Theatre.
Andy Ball, managing director at Balls2
Marketing says: “It’s our in-depth
knowledge of the industry combined
with good quality of writing that sets us
apart from other agencies. We’re focused
on results and we look at things from a
different angle to create interesting and
engaging messages that bring more
business to customers.
“Fast changing online media is a
challenge for companies but getting
it right can have a real benefit to your
bottom line.
“Many customers are visiting The FIT
Show as well this year, that’s why we’ve
created an area on our stand where
they can meet with the press and their
customers. We’ve also created a range of
marketing packages specifically tailored
for installers, fabricators, manufacturers
and retailers to help them grow and take
advantage of the strengthening market.
We look forward to seeing you there.”
Balls2 Marketing
at FIT Show

FIT SHOW
GLASS & GLAZING
TRIPLE GLAZING
QUESTION
With the organisers of The FIT Show
staging an early discussion on the
potential for Triple Glazing during
the last GlassTalk around three years
ago, there is a keen, personal interest
in the subject. Thus, following the
superbly produced and balanced
presentations of the Triple Glazing
Question when it was staged at The
Ricoh Arena Coventry in April, we are
delighted to now welcome the event
to The FIT Show.
Visitors to The FIT Show can
now listen to a series of experts,
who gather from a wide range of
backgrounds, to draw their own
conclusions about the future of
triple glazing and, more importantly,
whether it is right for them. Entry is
free of charge but, after the success
of the initial event when around 600
attended, we believe that all sessions
will be popular so turn up early.
Sessions taking place on stand 162:
11.00-12.00pm
Technical Focus on Triple Glazing
This session will feature speakers
from glass and systems companies
on some of the technical aspects
of triple glazing, briefly covering the
questions raised at the event but
moving on from that to discuss the
solutions available to maximise the
benefits of triple glazing.
2.00-3.00pm
How to Increase Your Margin
Through Triple Glazing
We will discuss the benefits of triple
glazing, how this can be promoted
by installers and fabricators to the
consumer and also how to ensure
sales of triple glazing are profitable
by analysing the true cost to
businesses.
FIT Show Seminars
+ The Triple Glazing Question
TUESDAY 10 JUNE
FIT FOR BUSINESS
PROGRAMME
11.15 - 12.15
How to convert 8 in every
10 of your conservatory
leads
Paul Clifton
12:30 - 13:15
CE Marking – a
replacement for third
party certification?
Simon Beer & Adam
Osborn, Senior Managers
BM TRADA Building &
Product Services
13.30 - 14.15
Consumer Rights
Changes - June 2014! Are
you Ready?
of Home Improvement
14.30 - 15.15
The Right Sell - Sales
can be won or lost based
upon your knowledge &
choice of hardware
Tony Bymolen,
Commercial Manager &
Petita Wiles, Marketing
Coordinator, MACO Door
and Window Hardware
(U.K.) Ltd
15.30 - 16.15
All your MTC compliance
questions answered
Mr Tim Lowin, FENSA
Inspector
Wednesday 11 June
11:15 - 12:15
leads
Paul Clifton
12:30 - 13:15
How Social Media Could
Transform Your Business
Balls2 Marketing
13:30 - 14:15
Consumer Rights
you Ready?
of Home Improvement
14:30 - 15:15
A+ and after: the future of
energy efficiency
1. Dr Benjamin Krick,
Green Technology
Expert at the Passivhaus
Institute, Germany 2.
Roy Frost, Managing
Director, Deceuninck UK
Ltd 3. Richard Sellman,
European Sales Manager
Window, H.B. Fuller
4. Susan Lambeth,
Marketing Manager, Saint-
Gobain Glass UK Ltd 5.
Karl-Theo Roes, Market
Development Manager,
SWISSPACER
15:30 - 16:15
All your Transition
to Certified Installer
questions answered
Mr Tim Lowin, FENSA
Inspector
15:30 - 16:15
All you transition
to certified installer
questions answered
Mr Tim Lowin, FENSA
Inspector
THURSDAY 12 JUNE
11:15 - 12:15
leads
Paul Clifton
12.30 - 13.15
Making Money - Avoiding
Jail. The Importance of
Third Party Certification
for Installers
Ian Woodhouse,
Associate Director
Certification, IFC Group
13.30 - 14.15
Consumer Rights
you Ready?
of Home Improvement
14.30 - 15.15
All your MTC compliance
questions answered
Mr Tim Lowin, FENSA
Inspector

FIT SHOW
GLASS & GLAZING
The VEKA UK Group is sending its most
tenacious team of troubleshooters to this year’s
FIT Show to speak to visitors about building a
more successful business.
Pay a visit to stand 150 to meet ‘Colin’s Angels’ and benefit
from their advice on everything from marvellous marketing to
successful sales and commercial contracts.
Sales and Marketing Director Colin Torley explains: “Here at
The VEKA UK Group, we’re incredibly proud of the products we
provide - but we also offer an extremely high level of service.
We’re keen to help and advise on all sorts of topics to help
customers (old and new) build their businesses even further
with The VEKA UK Group. We thought it would be a bit of fun to
introduce the team in a ‘Charlie’s Angels’ style to illustrate that
they really are proactive problem-solvers!”
Name: Rebecca Clegg
Department: Marketing
Position: Brand Manager
She might have gone from ‘Mayhew’ to ‘Clegg’ but she’ll always
be our Little Miss Mayhem. Rebecca will be happy to discuss
how you can get more out of your marketing. Ask how The
VEKA UK Group supports its customers with PR, personalised
marketing and much more.
Name: Amy Grundy
Department: Installer Support
Position: National Sales Manager
Amy wants to talk to fabricators and installers about becoming
‘Approved’. Are you an installer looking for a way to set yourself
apart from the competition? Or a fabricator looking for a route
to more repeat business? We can help. If you can catch her that
is - you’ll have to be on your toes to keep up with this marathon-
running Angel.
Name: Collette Hunter
Department: Commercial Sales
Position: Sales Executive
When she’s not trekking across the Lake District or enjoying a
glass of fine wine, disco-loving Collette capably handles our
commercial projects. Do you want to move into the commercial
sector, or offer even more perfect products for this market?
Collette can advise on every aspect of commercial work, from
marketing to this sector to completing bespoke contracts.
Name: Shivani Kattri
Department: Fabricator Profile Sales
Position: Account Manager
Her friends might think of her as a rosé-drinking princess,
but she’s our ‘Angel of the South’. Shivani handles sales for
Southern England, working with fabricators to ensure they have
everything they need. Like the other Angels, Shivani will help you
build your business on the sterling reputation of The VEKA UK
Group’s products.
Name: Colin Torley
Department: Marketing
Position: Sales and Marketing Director
Colin has been with VEKA for 26 years, before which he fronted
a Bay City Rollers-style band called Mr Bojangles (yes, really).
When you’ve finished laughing, ask Colin anything you like about
The VEKA UK Group and how we can work together to develop
your business. Our highly-experienced Sales and Marketing
Director really knows his stuff.
We’ll look forward to seeing you at The FIT Show, Stand 150.
Tel: 01282 716611
www.vekauk.com
Hair flicks, high kicks and... valuable advice on building a better business!
Meet ‘Colin’s Angels’
at this year’s FIT Show
“HereatTheVEKAUKGroup,we’reincredibly
proudoftheproductsweprovide-butwealso
offeranextremelyhighlevelofservice.We’rekeen
tohelpandadviseonallsortsoftopicstohelp
customers(oldandnew)buildtheirbusinesses
evenfurtherwithTheVEKAUKGroup.”

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

FIT SHOW
GLASS & GLAZING
Hardware giant MACO has re-
stated its total commitment to
the UK through a further outing
at The FIT Show. UK Managing
Director Kevin Whiting explains
the company’s thought
processes.
Austrian-based Mayer & Company –
better known to its customers in the UK
at least, as MACO - is one of Europe’s
largest hardware manufacturers. With
subsidiaries in most European countries
MACO steadfastly maintains design,
development and production of its
products within its own factories. Control,
in the pursuit of perfection, is a key part
of MACO’s corporate psyche.
The company’s UK Headquarters at
Sittingbourne in Kent offers an impressive
visual analogy for MACO’s commitment
to engineering excellence: the steel-
clad monolith towers impressively as
the visitor approaches and the legend
continues as one enters the building and
continues through its interior. Wide-
open areas, high ceilings and much use
of steel either as structural elements
or decorative hue abound. Constantly
evolving in design and innovative features
one hopes the science fiction-esque
atmosphere is not lost in its execution.
MACO is highly structured throughout the
organisation, that is clear. And yet much
of the corporate discipline is assumed,
‘felt’ by its management and staff: “The
corporate ID is key,” explained Kevin
Whiting, managing director of MACO UK.
“The DNA of the Group and its values
are very important but we are able to
approach the local market in our own way.
We have a great deal of freedom to serve
our market as appropriate, what is best
for our customers, within a common set
of principles. The values of the Group are
ingrained - simply because they work.”
One assumes that autonomy has been
earned however. The UK is one of
MACO’s key markets and Kevin and his
team have enjoyed backing for a massive
investment during the past three years
in product development for a range that
has been developed specifically for the
UK market; not adaptations but products,
such as the new PROTECT door locks
that are fully designed and based upon
input from MACO’s UK customers. That
autonomy also included backing for the
company to take a stand at the first FIT
Show that took place in April: “It was a
great success,” explained Kevin. “Every
product was new and the door lock
was especially important for us. We told
people it was coming and invited them
to The FIT Show to see and try it for
themselves. It was also an opportunity for
us to work with our key customers with
our products fitted to theirs on our stand.
They included PVC-U, aluminium, timber
and composite and it worked very well
indeed.”
Kevin does not appear to be a man that
does anything on a whim and so the
company’s early booking of a further
large stand at The FIT Show 2014 must
be taken seriously, that he and his team
have fully evaluated their next move: “We
had a great show in Hall 4 (redesignated
as ‘1a’ for 2014) and we were happy to
be there. That location was not available
to us again when we decided to book
for 2014 and the opportunity for a large
stand in Hall 1 came up and we took the
decision early to secure it.”
Appearing at The FIT Show 2014 puts
MACO at two major trade shows next
year. The Group’s resources are heavily
focused on Fensterbau in its biennial
cycle and an important focus for its
pan-European customers. To a degree
however the UK company’s participation
in The FIT Show is a little at odds with
Group policy. Kevin explains: “Fensterbau
is a tradition for MACO and it is usually
the only show the company participates
in during that year; we thought that would
be the case again. But we discussed
our desire to be at The FIT Show next
year with the board and they backed
us to take part again. It is a measure of
the importance MACO places on the
UK market and our customers here that
the board decided to take part in both
shows. We have a huge investment in
new products and infrastructure, people
and every part of the UK business.
Our new products are UK driven and
specific and we need the FIT Show to
communicate this.”
The FIT Show appearance is also an
acknowledgement that despite the power
and pull of Fensterbau few travel from
the UK to the event; it remains very much
a European mainland showcase. The
first-time UK visitor is inevitably bemused
by the stark contrast in the approach
by most major exhibitors at Fensterbau
compared with UK trade shows generally,
with many ‘stands’ taking the form of
large bars and restaurant areas often
catering for hundreds of visitors at a
time. Unlike the MACO Group which
places exceptionally high importance on
displaying new products with over half
of the stand space dedicated to product
launches, many other stands have little
if any product on display, the primary
objective being customer retention in the
highly competitive mainland European
arena. Being a European and Worldwide
expo, new products for central European
markets can get lost within the overall
theme of the exhibition.
MACO will also repeat a strategy
that they employed for 2013, that of
immersing most of the company’s UK
staff in the event: “We took almost all of
our staff up to Telford,” said Kevin. “It
was a great experience and opportunity
to get them out to a different environment
and to meet our customers. Most of our
33 staff made the journey and it was very
successful and something we will repeat
for 2014.”
Kevin is proud of the obvious respect
that he and his team in the UK
command from the Austrian board and
the freedom they enjoy as a result to
shape their own destiny. Many travelled
from the company’s Head Office to
experience MACO’s foray into The FIT
Show for themselves, an experience
that apparently shored up their
confidence: “The feedback from Austria
was very positive,” said Kevin, “very
complimentary. They see a lot of shows
and they were very impressed with the
overall event.”
Praise indeed, for both MACO and The
FIT Show. 2014 promises to cement the
future for both brands.
See us Hall 1, stand 136.
MACO: FIT FOR BRITAIN

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

FIT SHOW
GLASS & GLAZING
The GGF Group is “fit and
ready” to make the most of
the best UK trade show for
the Glass and Glazing Industry
– The FIT Show in Telford
International Centre 1012 June.
At the show the GGF Group
will have an 85m2 space in Hall
2, Stand No. 264.
On the GGF Group Stand, the GGF
and its subsidiary companies will be
represented including; FENSA, GGFi,
BFRC and the new GGF Training Ltd.
For the second successive year, FENSA
will be sponsoring the Masterfitter
Competition and their section of the GGF
Group stand will be directly opposite to
the Competition Area.
The GGF Group will also be involved in
the FIT Show Seminar Programme with
both GGF and FENSA planning unique
presentations every day of the show.
The titles of the seminars are:
GGF presentation – “Consumer Rights
Changes – June 2014! Are You Ready?”
Speaker: Brian Smith, GGF Director of
Home Improvement
Tues 10 June 13:30-14:15 Coping with
the impact of the incoming Consumer
Rights legislation
Wed 11 June 13:30-14:15 Coping with
Rights legislation
Thu. 12 June 13:30-14:15 Coping with
Rights legislation
To book your place please visit http://
www.fitshow.co.uk/seminars.
FENSA presentation – “A Guide to
Compliance”
Speaker – Mr Tim Lowin, FENSA
Inspector
Tues 10 June 15:30-16:15 All your MTC
compliance questions answered
Wed 11 June 15:30-16:15 All your
Transition to Certified Installer questions
answered
Thu. 12 June 14:30-15:15 All your MTC
compliance questions answered
To book your place please visit http://
www.fitshow.co.uk/seminars.
In addition, the GGF will also have an
exclusive Café area where GGF members
can relax, enjoy refreshments and
network with other GGF Members.
On the stand there will also be
competitions and prize draws, including
the chance to win an iPad with GGF
Training’s fun football quiz. It promises to
be a great show for all connected to the
GGF Group!
For more information on the FIT Show
please visit http://www.fitshow.co.uk/.
GGF Group FIT & Ready!
Following the phenomenal
success of The Triple Glazing
Question at the Ricoh Arena in
April, Edgetech UK, a Quanex
company, is bringing an
impressive line-up of speakers
and seminars to FIT Show.
Andy Jones, managing director at
Edgetech UK, says: "We knew we
wouldn't be able to answer all the
questions out there on the day of The
Triple Glazing Question and that the event
would raise even more questions. So it
makes sense to give visitors to FIT Show
the opportunity continue the debate and
ask questions to the experts.
"The Triple Glazing Question made
information about triple glazing widely
available to the industry so they could
make their own decisions about it. The
event attracted more than 600 registered
attendees but we also wanted to give
people who couldn't make it a chance
hear some of the factual information and
answers to prominent questions that
were covered on the day."
Edgetech will be hosting two Triple
Glazing Question seminars every day
of the FIT Show event. The morning
session, from 11.00am to 12.00pm, will
feature guest speakers from glass and
systems companies on the technical
aspects of triple glazing. And in the
afternoon, from 2.00pm to 3.00pm, focus
of the session will be on selling and
enhancing margins through triple glazing.
The Triple Glazing Question seminars will
be held on stand 162. As well as the TGQ
stand, visitors to the show will also find 'The
Triple Glazing Question Expert' symbols
on selected stands throughout the show
where they can go for further information
about solutions for triple glazing.
Tel: 08700 566844
Speakers at FIT
for Triple Glazing Question
“The Triple Glazing Question made information about triple
glazing widely available to the industry so they could make
their own decisions about it..”

FIT SHOW
GLASS & GLAZING
In just a few weeks, we will have the second
Fabricator, Installer and Trade (FIT) Show at
Telford.
It defied the cynics that laughed at the notion of an event in this
sector succeeding in Telford. The cynics were proved wrong and
the organisers – Paul Godwin and Matthew Glover – proved their
case.
But how will the second show fare? The organisers have declared
that after this year, FIT will become a biannual event. MyTradeTV
Editor, Michael Gannon, asked Paul Godwin for his views.
Editor: The FIT Show last year surprised many
people (if not you) by delivering what it said it
would. What do you put this down to?
Godwin: I am not sure that there were that many sceptics. What
we had from exhibitors from very early on was commitment
– they expressed their belief by booking more than £500,000
worth of stands, even before the event was formally launched
– and it continued until we sold every metre. Any doubts did
not come from the exhibitors and in due course, none from
visitors either. Having said that, our hearts were in our mouths
until visitors began turning up; one can never really guarantee
these things, no matter how well prepared. We were never over-
confident but that is the way it worked out.
Editor: Will this year be a case of "If it ain't
broke, don't fix it", or do you feel an exhibition
shouldn't stand still?
Godwin: We have followed a similar format; it was successful
in most respects. We have, therefore, fine tuned, changed and
improved things that could have been better of course. There
is substantially more car parking, for example, for exhibitors
and visitors, the FIT for Business seminars have been refined,
visitor entrances and registration procedures tweaked. As we
go forward, we will always review as a matter of course, make it
more fun and provide a better return for exhibitors and visitors.
For 2014, I hope that the people that could not attend last year
will now have got the buzz from those that did. We are pulling all
the stops out to make sure everyone knows about The FIT Show
this year. There will be a gap of almost two years until the next
FIT Show in 2016 and of course, we will review everything after
this year’s event, and make changes where necessary to make
sure it’s fresh.
Editor: As you have just said, you have decided
that FIT will be two-yearly. Is this a case that
you don't want to be seen as greedy like the
organiser was with Glassex and Interbuild, or
a realistic assessment that a UK show for this
industry isn't viable as an annual event?
Godwin: It is nothing to do with anything other than what the
industry has told us. Exhibitors were quite clear overall that
they wanted biennial, although visitor research was slightly in
favour of annual. We have put shows back to back for 2013/14
by demand also, with demand to do so coming from companies
that wanted to exhibit last year but were unable to make it,
for one reason or another. Of course, many others wanted to
come back again after having such a great show last year. But
thereafter, biennial is the right idea.
Editor: I gather you're launching a more general
building show? If so, what are going to be the
main reasons and objectives and where will it
be?
Godwin: Yes we are. We are launching The Build Show which
will take place at the NEC on 28-30 of April 2015. We have
contracted Halls 3, 3a and 4 and are presently pre-selling,
checking the pulse of the big brands in the building and
construction sector and are receiving not only a positive
reception, but contracts too. The building and construction
industries were devastated by the recession but now demand
is growing rapidly, the market is very positive. We hope that The
Build Show, just like The FIT Show, will be the ‘right thing at the
right time’. It looks that way.
No matter what the fortunes of these three shows this year, one
thing is certain. Those Cassandras who talked about the death
of exhibitions in the internet age, have got it wrong. People
still see events like these as the most direct and human way
of keeping in touch with the market they serve. There is no
substitute for bumping into people you haven’t seen for a while
and finding out there still are aspects and interests to share; let
alone meeting new faces and concepts.
FIT Show: 10-12 June, Telford International Centre
(www.fitshow.co.uk).
FIT for
Purpose
Paul Godwin, joint organiser, FIT Show – “I hope that the people that could not
attend last year will now have got the buzz from those that did.”

The eight finalists of the FIT
Show Master Fitter Challenge,
organised in association
with FENSA, have been
chosen. Following a long and
testing process undertaken
by the assessors of GQA
Qualifications, eight fitting
teams have been selected from
dozens of hopefuls to take part
in the live finals on the first two
days of The FIT Show, which
takes place on 10th, 11th, 12th
June, International Centre,
Telford.
Competing on a specially constructed
Pavilion four finalists each day will each
be expected replace a bay window,
install a residential composite door and
fault-find a further resi-door under the
strict scrutiny of a panel of GQA judges.
Finalists will be marked up or down for
their installation skills of course, but
also a wide range of criteria such as
health and safety and customer care
considerations.
The finalists include first time entrants
David Pullford and Jack Elm from
Everest; David Keats and Jonathan
Mountford from DK Windows; and Steven
Price from Conwy Valley Windows and
Conservatories. Those entering for a
second time in the hope of taking home
some of the £10,000 prize money and
the kudos of the title are: Karl Kinsey
and Paul Casbolt from Yes Glazing;
Dave Eagles and colleague from Xavier
Windows; Scott Higgs and colleague
from Walkers Windows; and Craig
Hanson from Pennine Trade and Retail.
Turning up the heat is last year’s winner
Arron Clegg who, with a colleague from
Eco-Sash, will be seeking to keep his
crown.
“The standards set by these people
are very high indeed,” said GQA’s Andy
Carrington, who led the assessors
throughout the process. “It was a very
difficult task to separate eight from many
of the other contestants as the standard
overall has been excellent. These guys
set standards that others should follow.”
Paul Godwin, for The FIT Show said: “The
purpose of the Master Fitter Challenge
is to recognize and reward excellence
amongst the people at the sharp end
of the window, door and conservatory
industry, those upon whom its reputation
and well-being greatly depends This
competition promises to be incredibly
exciting and I urge visitors to make sure
they come along and cheer the entrants
on.”
A first prize of £5,000 will be presented to
the winner at the FIT Show Gala Dinner,
which is taking place at the International
Centre, Telford on the Wednesday night
shortly after the conclusion of the finals.
Further prizes of £3,000 and £2,000 will
be presented to the second and third
placed finalists of the competition, which
has been organised in association with
FENSA and with the support of sponsors
Liniar, Truedor, Rapierstar and The
Independent Ratings Company.
Further information on The FIT Show,
including the Master Fitter Challenge and
Gala Dinner may be found at
www.fitshow.co.uk.
FIT SHOWMASTER FITTER CHALLENGE
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!
Arron Clegg took home the title and a cheque
for £5,000 at last year's FIT Show Master Fitter
Challenege.
FIT SHOW
GLASS & GLAZING
“The purpose of the Master Fitter Challenge is to recognize
and reward excellence amongst the people at the sharp end of
the window, door and conservatory industry, those upon whom
its reputation and well-being greatly depends This competition
promises to be incredibly exciting and I urge visitors to make
sure they come along and cheer the entrants on.”

FIT SHOW
GLASS & GLAZING
Locksmiths and
installers are to benefit
following a distribution
deal between Avocet
Hardware and Duffells,
one of the UKs leading
distributors of locks.
The addition of Duffells, as
a new distributor, means
that minimum orders are no
longer required and orders
placed before 6.00pm will
be delivered the next day.
Furthermore Duffells provide
free delivery on orders
over £100. This means that
installers across the UK will
have access to ABS, the only
door cylinder lock that is
genuinely snap secure without
the need for additional
security devices such as
cylinder clamps, guards and
security handles, all of which
require machining of the door
to fit, without the need to buy
more than they need.
Speaking about the new deal
Derrick Purvis, marketing
manager of Avocet Hardware
said, “We are sure that
installers will be delighted with
the tie up we have made with
Duffells and we are delighted
they will be exhibiting ABS
locks at the FIT show at the
Telford International Centre
in Hall 1, Stand 117. ABS is
proven to be the best on the
market but until now minimum
orders meant that some
installers were precluded from
buying them as they did not
want to have to pay for lots of
them up front, when they only
wanted a few to complete a
job. Now they can order just
the right amount for the job,
and have them delivered the
next day, rather than having to
hold them in stock.”
Avocet Hardware
manufactures the ABS snap-
secure lock system – the only
retro-fit lock currently on the
UK market that is SS312 Sold
Secure Diamond rated, TS007
3-star rated and has the
Secured By Design – Police
preferred specification. For
additional information call
01484 725 601 or visit www.
avocet-hardware.co.uk.
Visitors to the FIT show at the
Telford International Centre
will be able to see ABS on
the Duffells stand – Hall 1,
Stand 117. In the meantime,
those wishing to purchase
via Duffells can place orders
via0208 662 4010 or online at
www.duffells.com. Duffells
are also open Saturday from
9.00am to 1.00pm.
GREAT NEWS FOR INSTALLERS AS
AVOCET SIGNS DEAL WITH DUFFELLS
“We are sure that installers will be delighted
with the tie up we have made with Duffells
and we are delighted they will be exhibiting
ABS locks at the F IT show.”

FIT SHOW MARKETING
GLASS & GLAZING
GQAGQA, the Awarding
Organisation with over
20 years’ experience
of writing and offering
quality work based
qualifications to the
Glass, Construction,
Print and Coatings
industry, will be
providing qualification
information and advice
at the FIT Show with
Approved Centres,
IPS International,
PM Training, The
Vocational College
and West Suffolk
College.
The "Excellence in
Qualifications" partnership
offers GQA's fenestration
and fabrication qualifications,
and competence cards, on
Stand 255, Hall 2. GQA will
be promoting awareness of
qualifications and the benefits
of implementing them
throughout the fenestration
and glass related industries.
With the introduction of
MTC’s by the Government,
qualifications and onsite
assessments have a big
role to play in progressing
our industry. The need for
effective qualifications has
never been greater and
with a UK wide network
of Approved Centres,
GQA, as the Fenestration
Industry’s specialist Awarding
Organisation, are well placed
to provide advice, support,
guidance and the right
solution – always look for the
Big Green Q.
Following the success of
Master Fitter Challenge 2013,
GQA will also once again
manage the competition in
2014, again to be held over
days one and two of the
FIT Show in Telford. GQA
qualified Assessors will be
casting their expert eye over
the eight finalists as they
battle it out for the prestigious
title of Master Fitter 2014.
Come down and see the
competition in Hall 2 as
the finalists showcase their
talents.
Specialist home
improvement and
glazing marketing
and design company
Motionlab have
increased their team
to 36 by setting up a
dedicated PR division
headed by Jessica
Hardisty.
Motionlab who are well known
in the glass and glazing
industry for their work with
Solidor, Conservatory Outlet,
the FIT Show, Residence
9, the GGF, Swissspacer,
Planitherm and many more
saw a gap in the market for
innovative PR strategies.
Simon Iredale CEO of
Motionlab says "Currently
the traditional methodology
for PR is the old school
press release way, whereas
with today's multi-channel
marketing solutions we have
to think bigger and more
inventive. Press releases are
essential but only a tiny part
of the content marketing mix.
We aim to do what we have
done in the industry with
digital marketing with our
new PR/Content Marketing
division, it will be bold and
brave and very engaging..."
People are engaging with
brand led content on many
devices, we have to make
sure the content is rich,
rewarding and creates interest
for the viewer. This needs to
be a mix of content on every
platform delivered in several
different ways and by having
dedicated teams in web, ppc,
seo, mobile, social, press and
PR we can ensure the results
are seamless.
If you think your current PR is
dull and uninspiring, give us a
call. You will be amazed what
you can do.
Simon Iredale - 01772 655540
Motionlab

FABRICATORS & INSTALLERS
GLASS & GLAZING
Romford’s Crystal Windows is
one of the South East’s largest
manufacturers and installers of
PVCu windows and doors.
The company has been trading since
1995, and in that time has built a strong
reputation for great value and exceptional
service within the M25 area. Since
changing over to Liniar systems for its
profile, the team at Crystal has seen
business soar. A coincidence? Tony
Morris, Crystal’s Operations Manager,
thinks not.
“We’ve already a built a very successful
business – sales have increased to £30m
in the last year in spite of the recession –
but since getting on board with the Liniar
system at the end of 2013 we’ve seen a
significant uplift in our revenue based on
last year’s results, and look to be heading
towards a record year,” Tony explains.
“The Liniar system has so many benefits
over other window systems – as the
newest system around it’s been designed
from scratch with a whole range of
fabrication and installation benefits
– and the finished product gives the
homeowner better thermal efficiency,
a wide range of colour options and a
choice of matching products such as the
innovative ModLok™ patio and bi-fold
doors and the Liniar Zoom conservatory
roof. Crystal’s customers have responded
well to the new range and our current
sales – and profit - results back that up.”
Tony continues, “One of the main
reasons we looked at the Liniar system
was because we have dealt with both
Roger Hartshorn (Liniar’s MD) and Martin
Saunders (Sales Director) for many years
and trusted them. We knew that any
system Roger and his team had designed
would be the best, and now we’re using
it we can confirm that. The changeover
went well and it’s a decision we’re glad
we made – we haven’t looked back.”
Crystal provides work for around 500
people Essex and the surrounding
areas, with around 140 fully-trained
installers located in Essex, Hertfordshire,
Surrey, Kent and Berkshire. With
60,000 window frames installed in 2013
and sales growing by the week, this
company is proving that innovation
and energy efficiency are key factors
when consumers choose their new or
replacement windows.
For more information about Liniar’s
energy efficient product range, visit
www.liniar.co.uk or call the team on
01332 883900.
CRYSTAL SEES BUSINESS SOAR
SINCE CHOOSING LINIAR
Tony Morris (Crystal) and Martin Saunders (Liniar) shake hands on the Crystal
contract.
Liniar makes a delivery to Crystal in Romford.

GLASS & GLAZING
Deceuninck is holding a series
of Customer Days with its
business-hungry ambitious
fabricators. The events bring
Deceuninck and its customers
together with their customers
and prospects.
The first Customer Day took place in
London and, most recently in Hampshire,
with Deceuninck fabricator Connaught
Windows. More than 100 fabricators and
installers attended the two events. More
are planned in the coming months.
Roy Frost, Deceuninck’s UK Managing
Director, explains: “Relationships are
the most important things in business.
Money can’t buy good chemistry and
long-lasting relationships. It's all about
mutual respect and finding people who
believe in you, your products or services.
It’s like creating an army to help you push
a boulder up a hill. It’s much easier and
more rewarding when everyone works
together. You develop relationships with
people who don't just understand your
particular expertise, product or service,
but who are excited and buzzing about
what you do. You stay connected with
them and give them value, and they'll tell
others who can benefit your business.
And that’s exactly what our Customer
Days are all about.”
Roy adds: “With a packed programme
covering Deceuninck’s latest innovations,
tailored marketing support and
opportunities to get hands-on with our
latest products, feedback from both
events has been dynamite.”
Linda Witczak, Director of Connaught
Windows says: “Customer feedback
was overwhelmingly positive. Our
longstanding customers said the
day strongly reinforced their existing
confidence in us as their supplier. It also
had a significant impact on prospect
customers’ future intentions. Many
prospects told me they will swap their
supplier in the near future and are
looking forward to building long term
relationships with us.”
Have you ever asked how customer
relationships drive your business?
Relationships – true partnering - is just
one of the many things that makes
Deceuninck different. If you’d like to
attend a Deceuninck Customer Day in
your area to see what a difference it can
make to your installation business call
Carol Hearn on 01249 816969.
“Dynamite feedback”
on Deceuninck Customer Days
Full house at Deceuninck’s recent customer day.
North West based fabricator, Lancashire Trade
Frames know that to keep ahead in the industry,
they have to offer top quality products and make
consumer choice a priority.
They are, therefore, really excited to announce that they are now
producing a range of aluminium bi-folding doors.
Having researched potential system suppliers, they have chosen
to work with Smart Architectural Aluminium. Over the last 30
years Smart has grown to become one of the UK’s leading
suppliers of bespoke extruded aluminium. They have a great
reputation for innovation, fantastic design, technical expertise
and quality. In addition, their green credentials will stand up to
anyone’s scrutiny. Alex Walton, Area Sales Manager from Smart
Aluminium, commenting on the move, said “Lancashire Trade
Frames are exactly the kind of partner we want to work with:
successful, family run businesses who have demonstrated year
on year growth. We are delighted to have them in our fabricator
portfolio. Aluminium bi-folds continue to gain market share;
we are confident that we have one of the very best products
available and that LTF have made the right choice.”
The bi-folding doors that Lancashire Trade Frames fabricate
are suitable for all sorts of premises. They can be installed in
commercial, retail, or public buildings – even new build and
residential. All offer superb technical features including high
security, excellent weather performance and come in a choice of
colours and finishes.
LTF Managing Director, Mark Rowland, says, “It’s a fabulous new
line for us. We have spent a long time picking the best possible
supplier of aluminium systems and, having done our homework,
we know that we’ve made the right decision. We’re delighted to
be offering yet another brilliant product to our customers.’’
For more information please email John Anthony at john@
lancashiretradeframes.co.uk.
Lancashire Trade Frames
make a Smart choice
for Bi-Folding doors

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

GLASS & GLAZING
Bison Frames has just
seen sales growth of
40% compared to the
same period last year.
For Mark Tetley, one
of the reasons for the
sales growth is simple:
strong sales and
marketing messages.
“We put together compelling
marketing messages that
clearly highlight what makes
our products different.
These make it easy to sell
our products to our market
because people can see
at-a-glance what makes our
products so special.”
A key part of Bison’s portfolio
is the Genesis Vertical Slider
and is the perfect example of
a product that has something
genuinely different to offer.
Mark says, “The Genesis
vertical slider is a PVCu
window that has already
been accepted for use in
Grade II listed buildings
and conservation zones.
It lets homeowners enjoy
elegant heritage aesthetics
and the low maintenance,
energy efficient benefits
of PVCu.” The attention
to detail is what sets the
window apart. The Genesis
VS incorporates traditional
timber jointing methods to
every joint rather than usual
PVCu welds. Complemented
by run-through sash horns
and a deep bottom sash rail
as standard Genesis is a
stunning piece of engineering
and a product that adds
tremendous value to any
portfolio.
Another opportunity to sell the
difference comes in Bison’s
latest product, the New Wave
Swing and Slide Door, which
is manufactured by Bison in
conjunction with New Wave.
Unlike a standard bi-fold,
each door moves and locates
independently. The unique
operation gives the customer
the option of opening the
door in any position they
choose so that it can be also
utilised as a partition. The
doors offer a truly stunning
design statement and the
cleanest sightlines on the
market because there’s
virtually no visible hardware.
Mark concludes, “In a
world of ‘me-too’ products,
genuinely innovative
products such as Genesis
and New Wave offer a
fantastic opportunity to sell
something totally different to
the homeowner and add a
truly unique dimension to any
retailer or installer portfolio.”
Tel: 0800 138 3838
www.bisonframes.co.uk
Highlighting the differences is the key
to the sale of value-added products

NEWS
GLASS & GLAZING

MyTradeTV Glazing Digital Magazine May 2014

MyTradeTV Glazing Digital Magazine May 2014

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MyTradeTV Glazing Digital Magazine May 2014