Glassex 2004: Day Three is Busiest Yet
Today's show was the busiest yet, with most exhibitors reporting good levels of enquiries and potential business. Promac, for example, after two days of generating under 100 leads, appeared to hit their stride with 145 leads registered today.A strong bias towards installers saw the Ultraframe Uzone Roadshow awarding prizes for the fastest fitting teams, while today's winner of the Glassex Installer Challenge was Heritage Glass. The GGF has announced that it will be explaining the latest on Approved Doc L and Conservatories and Building Regs at its forthcoming Conference in June, while WRAP has issued guidance for window installers about how to recycle window waste. Another main event today was the announcement of the collaboration between Bohle and Ritec which will see the two companies sharing marketing, R&D and other company functions.
(Left)
Heritage Glass won today's Installer Challenge; (Right) Bohle and Ritec
announce a joint venture
With a slightly smaller show than in previous years, the Glassex organisers
never expected a huge rise in visitor numbers. What we have ended up with
is a decidedly 'business-like' show with few frills from the exhibitors
(no Marilyn Monroe lookalikes, no famous footballers - mind you, I did
spot Geoff Capes at one point), but more innovation from the organisers.
The Glassex Installer of the Year Competition, in which teams vie against
each other, the clock and a team of expert judges to install windows,
doors and a conservatory, drew big crowds throughout the first two days'
heats. Equipped with an impressive array of identical tools provided by
DeWalt, each team was marked by the judging team supplied by industry
training specialists The Essential Support Team, better known as T.E.S.T.
Phil Thomas, who is leading the judges, was impressed by the team skills
and enthusiasm shown by all taking part: 'Our judging criteria is strict
and to the highest industry standards. Nonetheless the quality of work
has been very good, although I suspect that these conditions are a lot
tougher than they would be even with an anxious homeowner looking over
their shoulders.
The really great news is that there are no losers, as everyone taking part is given a DeWalt power driver, with the daily winner also awarded one of the company’s bench saws. The overall winners of the event will enjoy a fabulous track day at one of Britain’s top motor circuits, plus of course the accolade of being voted The Glassex Installer of the Year. Come and cheer the teams on!
The
noise and excitement of the Glassex Installer of the Year competition
is in complete contrast with another brand new feature event, The Glassex
Conservatory Design Competition. The twenty plus finalists are all on
display at the opposite end of the hall and visitors can see if they agree
with the judges’ decisions in relaxed tranquillity. Member of the
judging panel Gary Richards, Managing Director of Midlands-based roof
makers Conservatory Roof Craft, believes that the quality of entry is
exceptional: 'This event shows just what the industry is capable of. A
competition of this type can only be good for the market, especially with
the results being shown at Glassex, as others can then aspire to the lead
these companies have set.'
With three halls of specialist suppliers and literally thousands of new
products on show in addition to these features make sure you leave time
for a full day – or two – at this year’s Glassex.
Glassex
2004: They Came, They Saw, and They Shopped Around
After the first day of Glassex, the general consensus was that the content
of the show was good and a testament to the effort put into the event
by the exhibitors. 'What you get out of a show is directly related to
how much you put into it' explained Stephen Redman, event organiser. We
spoke to a few of the key players, including Synseal, Planet, Bohle, and
Windowlink and took a few pictures, which you can see below
The
Gl@zine stand has become an oasis for weary visitors wanting a brief respite
from the rigours of marching around the show, or in the case of those
pictured here - Lesley Hancock of Grenehurst PR and Mike Piqueur of Roto
- an excuse to just sit around drinking all day
Nick Dutton, sales and marketing director of Synseal was in no doubt about
whether to rebook for next year - as long as he could hang on to the prime
site at the main entrance. 'When the doors opened, we were flooded with
visitors. While this could have posed a problem, we were staffed up to
handle the rush and as far as problems go, having too many visitors on
my stand is the kind of problem I can live with', he says.
The Exhibitor's
Reception proved the old adage that if there is one thing guaranteed to
draw a crowd in the window industry it's free beer.
Dean St John of Planet came to Glassex after a year's absence hoping to
reinforce his message to conservatory installers looking to take advantage
of the company's 'Win-Win' franchise scheme. With only 35 postcodes left
to be taken up, Dean did not expect immediate results, but was happy enough
to take away 9 good quality potential leads out of 30 interested parties.
The company also announced plans to open a new 15,000 sq ft showroom in
Birmingham.
Dean said: 'This strategically positioned showroom will be our largest
to date and will include 10 fully built lifestyle themed conservatories.
The Midlands is key to our future growth and the Birmingham showroom will
enable Planet to drive its expansion throughout the UK.
Barrie Ryan, Commercial Director of Windowlink (above) said: 'We had a
very good response in the first day. Visitors were really showing interest
in pricing software and buying it there and then after seeing our demo
- people really have to see software in action to see what it does and
Glassex is the ideal place. Potential customers are going round the show
to see what's available and then coming back to Windowlink to buy'.
Steve
Byers from Ritec reports that nearly 100 Silicone Eater SE-550 samples
were given out on the first day. 'Visitors were queueing to get their
samples. Many vistors today were installers, and they all use silicone,
so there has been a great deal of interest in the product'.
Gary Dean of Bohle reports that a Glass Belt Grinding Machine was sold
on the stand within the first two hours or the show opening, to Milton
Glass of Portsmouth. The products on the Bohle stand at this show have
been tailored to suit the requirements of the window industry and there
are continuous demonstrations of the Scratch Away system and UV bonding
(pictured below).
