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Cost Efficient A Rating from Rapid Frame Ltd

The first cost effective A rated window has been manufactured by Walsall-based Rapid Frame Ltd using Edgetech's leading warm edge technology, aluplast profile and Pilkington K Glass™. This latest A rating has brought together a combination of Super Spacer® sealed units from AG Glass, aluplast's IDEAL 70 UPVC casement window system, 4mm Pilkington Optiwhite™ and 4mm Pilkington K Glass™ with 16mm argon gas filling. The result is an A rated window which incurs minimal extra costs on a houseful of windows.

Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager of Edgetech UK, says:

'We believe this to be the first cost effective A rated window and are naturally delighted to have been involved. Although this is the 17th A rated window, this latest rating is particularly significant because of its cost effectiveness, and thus highly marketable attributes.

'Many companies are already reaping the benefits of offering a C rated window as standard. But with such a significant reduction in the premium on an A rated window there is no reason why this window shouldn't be the new benchmark. The payback on installing a houseful of the highest rated windows could take as little as six to 12 months.'

Rapid Frame Sales Manager Barry Parker is excited at the prospect of increased sales for Rapid Frame and its customers as a result of their A rating: 'We are proud to be leading the field by having achieved the first cost effective A rating with our 'Formula One Energy Rated Window'.

'This will obviously provide real opportunities for both present and future Rapid Frame customers and is a welcome extension to the Formula One range. We are grateful to our systems supplier aluplast for driving this project forward and are also grateful for the encouragement, support and co-operation of our other partners in the project: Edgetech, Pilkington and AG Glass, all of whom have played an important role in its successful outcome.'

Andy McDowell, Float and Coated Products Manager at Pilkington Building Products UK, comments: 'Pilkington is at the cutting edge of energy efficiency design and this is another example of how we can help create the most innovative A rated windows.'

John Spiby, Managing Director of AG Glass, says: 'We are delighted to have been involved in this exciting development. Until recently, A rated windows have required many costly components to achieve top-tier performance. But with continued innovative development we can now bring the first cost effective A rated window to the market.'

Mark Barsby, Technical Manager at aluplast (UK) is justifiably proud of this achievement and says:

'Where A rated windows to date have required the use of either triple glazing or special profile inserts or krypton filled insulating glass units; all of which have fairly serious implications with regard to cost and practicality, our Ideal 70 AKA configuration certainly breaks the mould.

'Using standard profiles with no extras or special fabrication techniques, and including a double glazed unit incorporating Edgetech's Super Spacer, Pilkington K Glass™ inside and Pilkington Optiwhite™ low iron glass outside with 90% argon fill, aluplast fabricators can achieve the A rating. At last A rated windows that are practical and cost effective. The Ideal 70 system ensures that they are beautiful too!'

http://www.superspacer.com

New Report Finds Strong Contrasts in Social Housing

The 2006 edition of the report on the Market for Replacement Windows & Entrance Doors in Social Sector Housing, by Palmer Market Research, finds that the rise of the entrance door market in social housing seems unstoppable. 2005 was the fifth consecutive year to see double digit growth - up 11.5% to 380,000. This 2005 figure is remarkable given that government statistics show all repair maintenance and improvement work actually declined by 1.5%. The door market has more than doubled in six years.

Composites lead with 14% growth and now hold nearly three fifths of the market. But the overall growth masks two different trends, with GRP faced products surging ahead and PVC faced products now in decline. Timber engineered doors are also growing strongly in the sector. ‘Security is an important issue in this market and the newer products such as composites and timber engineered are best suited for this’ says Palmer.

The report includes installations in both local authority and housing association properties as the social sector market. To lever in private as well as public cash into local authorities, the government has encouraged local authorities to set up arms length management organisations (ALMOs). To date there are 56 which manage a total of 800,000 properties. Housing associations can already raise private finance.

Of real interest to suppliers is that there are no signs, yet, of saturation. So continuing strong growth (up to 10% per year) is forecast for the entrance door market up to 2010.The same cannot be said for the window market, where saturation, once just a worry for private sector home improvements, is now imminent in social housing, particularly since the replacement rate (1.5 million frames in 2005) has been so high.

Over three quarters of windows in local authority properties have already been replaced. ‘We are increasingly finding large local authorities who have completed their window replacement programmes’ says Palmer, ‘so we expect this part of the market to start declining.’ And this will hardly be made up by stronger growth in the smaller housing association sector where saturation is a more distant prospect.

This anticipated slowing of the market is underscored by the decline in importance in 2006 that specifiers put on window replacements compared with other building element upgrades. It now lies in fourth position behind kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems.

‘While Wood is often the frame material of choice among social housing specifiers, price is also an important issue,’ Palmer notes, ‘Thus PVC-U has continued to increase share to 85%. By contrast wood in this market declined by 10%.’

Overall, in installed value terms, the market for replacement windows and entrance doors grew by 8% in 2005 to £507 million.

Report Format
* Palmer's latest reports are designed for easy analysis with:
o Executive summary
o Charts adjacent to the commentary text to which they refer for easy assimilation.
o Tables grouped at the end of each report section

* This Report comprises:-
* 88 pages
* Five sections
* 38 tables of numeric and statistical data,
* 22 charts illustrating the trends and comparisons.

How do I get hold of it?
Price £2,000 + VAT which includes 3 report copies, direct from:

Palmer Market Research
Tel: 020 8390 8131
Fax: 020 8390 9833
Email: info@palmermarketresearch.co.uk

A pdf version of the report is also available as an alternative to hard copy. Please mark on the order form which version you want.

http://www.palmermarketresearch.co.uk

Bostik is to dramatically enhance the existing insulating glass sealant production facility at its Leicester site in an investment plan totalling approximately £3m.

The investment will involve a new computerised plant dedicated to the production of hot melt butyl perimeter sealants.

Richard Sellman, marketing manager at Bostik, commented: 'Bostik is a long-established and trusted name within the IGU market. manufacturers rely on our products because they know we are committed to delivering the highest qualoty. The new IG hot melt sealant plant is a tangible demonstration of this.'

The investment is the latest project in a series of planned developments by the global sealants and adhesives firm.
Tel: 01785 272727.

After 12 successful years helping to build the Shepley Group of Companies from its starting point in Dukinfield in Manchester to a major player in the PVCU window fabrication market Gary has decided to move on to fresh challenges, says chairman Robin Pugh.

Gary's professional and friendly approach has gained much admiration from his colleagues, customers, and suppliers and has won him many friends throughout the Industry.

The Shepley businesses wish Gary every success in the future and thank him for his commitment and drive over the past 12 years.

Gary has left behind a team that is determined to take the businesses on and continue the success story.

The team is committed to continuing to supply our customers with the widest range of quality products underpinned by proactive customer service, each time every time.

The Shepley businesses will continue to develop under the senior management team of Robin Pugh (Chairman) and the Directors Tim Walker, Tony Fry, Mark Buckley and Steve Connor.

Sheerframe specialist new-build window fabricator H Jarvis Ltd has the capacity to double its manufacturing output following a £100,000 investment programme, which has delivered manufacturing efficiencies and improved existing facilities.

H Jarvis Ltd has been working with systems company L.B. Plastics for the past 11 years fabricating and installing Sheerframe windows, doors, curtain walling, and the Sheerlite conservatory roof system for some of the country's biggest house builders. The business improvement programme - which includes the installation of Sheerframe 6000 windows into the refurbished factory - has also introduced a second production line to enable output to double from 1000 to 2000 units per shift per week.

(L-R) Nick Burgin, Leading Operative, Dave Glendinning, Managing Director and Shaun Tooth, Leading Operative

Cleveland-based H Jarvis Ltd has also launched a new logo and website to reflect it's more cost efficient and more competitive manufacturing status –http://www.hjarvis.co.uk.

David Glendinning, Director of H Jarvis Ltd comments, ‘This investment reinforces our long term partnership with L.B. Plastics and our commitment to the increasingly competitive new-build window industry. We have worked with Durham University and the DTI manufacturing advisory service to review our production capability and we are now in a position to effectively, mass produce, bespoke windows. The new technology and manufacturing processes mean that we can efficiently produce anything from a single window to all the windows for a large scale new homes development.’

Synseal Makes it Through to the Finals of the CMA Awards

Synseal has made it through to the finals of the Construction Marketing Awards. Defending its title from last year as winner of the Best Campaign £25,000 and under category, Synseal says that it is delighted to be nominated for this award again. ‘We enjoy the challenge of producing great results with imagination,’ says Nick Dutton, Synseal's Sales and Marketing Director. ‘For the entry last year we only spent £480, and it produced an annualised income of £2.3 million! We spent a little more this year on the Three Day Roof campaign, but we were still well under the £25,000 limit at £2,336. Marketing is about knowing which expenditure gets results, so it's great to be recognised for the small budget campaigns.’

Synseal has also been short listed for two other Construction Marketing Awards. These prestigious awards cover marketing activities for the whole of the construction industry. And competition is stronger than ever with more companies being short listed than in previous years.

The presentation will be held on 30th November at London's New Connaught Rooms.

Edgetech Short Listed for Construction Marketing Awards

Edgetech has been short listed for Best Use of Events and Exhibitions by the Construction Marketing Awards 2006. These prestigious awards are supported by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group. Edgetech reached the finals for its highly successful 'Increase Your Profits: Energy Efficiency in Focus' seminar at Coventry's Ricoh Arena in May. The awards are recognised as a unique and highly regarded measure of marketing and business development excellence in construction. The winners will be announced at The CMA Awards Dinner on November 30th at The New Connaught Rooms, London.

Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager of Edgetech UK, comments: ‘I am delighted to have reached the finals. Energy efficiency and climate change are crucial issues, and we are all now ready to acknowledge that we will have to rely on technology and innovation to make the huge savings in energy use that will help us reduce carbon dioxide emissions and halt global warming. Our advanced and innovative Super Spacer® technology is at the heart of most energy efficient windows, whether PVC-U, timber or aluminium. We won Energy Efficiency Initiative of the Year and Specialist of the Year at the G06 Awards this year, but this is recognition of our achievements from the broader construction industry.’

The 'Increase Your Profits: Energy Efficiency in Focus' seminar was attended by 223 highly influential delegates from across the industry. It was one of the largest attended industry seminars ever, and covered topics such as cutting VAT on Energy Saving Recommended windows, gas loss and longevity of sealed units. Guest speakers included John Palmer of FaberMaunsell, Dr Robin Kent of the BFRC and Frances Galvanoni of the Energy Saving Trust.

Tel: 02476 705570

MRA Shortlisted For CMA Awards

Michael Rigby Associates short listed for the Construction Marketing Awards' finals for both Market Research, and Agency of the Year.

Fact-based marketing agency Michael Rigby Associates (MRA) has reached the finals of two categories at the Construction Marketing Awards 2006, for Market Research and Agency of the Year. The awards are organised by EMAP Construction Network and supported by CIMCIG (Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group). Michael Rigby Associates won the award for Agency of the Year in 2004.

The award for Market Research is for any company, who is able to show clear objectives for the research, along with a structured and disciplined approach to data capture and analysis. The research is required to be cost effective and have timely execution producing tangible results with evidence. 'Our focus is on actionable research, and on providing information and insight with strong, clear recommendations to make customers' marketing more effective,' explains Lucia Di Stazio, who heads up Rigby Research, a division of Michael Rigby Associates. 'We are delighted to be short listed.'

The award for Agency of the Year is for any agency, whether advertising, business development or PR, that has performed for clients, changed perceptions and made a measurable difference. 'We are results oriented and help companies grow,' commented Fiona Lund, Director and General Manager of Michael Rigby Associates. 'Our PR customers grow faster than their markets, usually much faster, and they see our PR as boosting their growth. That's why we won the award two years ago.'

Andy Jones, Sales Director and General Manager, Edgetech UK adds: 'Michael Rigby Associates has been an integral part of Edgetech's success over the last three years. Unlike other PR agencies, MRA has helped develop our marketing strategy as well as our PR. Working on the two in tandem has ensured our success. MRA positioned us via excellent PR, as one of the voices of the industry. Since we've been working together Edgetech's turnover has grown by 250%, no small feat in a marketplace that has declined 25%. We started with 1.5% of the market and are now on target to take in excess of 10% by the end of 2007. MRA has enabled us to reach a wider audience, including local authorities and local government, and achieved column inches for us in trade journals and in The Times. Edgetech doesn't see MRA as a PR agency, much more an extension of our company.'

The winners will be announced at The CMA Awards Dinner held on Thursday 30th November at The New Connaught Rooms in London.

Second Factory for Swish Building Products

As demand for cellular PVC profiles from Swish Building Products reaches the highest level ever recorded during the company's 35 year history, plans to open a second factory in March 2007 have been unveiled.

The new factory, which can house 10 large extrusion lines, will be built beside the existing factory, bringing the total number of lines to 35. This is the fourth move in a five part strategy to keep Swish as a market leading manufacturer of cellular PVC.

* In 2005, a new purpose built warehouse and distribution centre was opened, one of the largest indoor storage facilities dedicated to cellular PVC roofline and cladding in the country. At this time, Swish implemented a new IT infrastructure which integrated all aspects of its business, providing a powerful tool for customer service enhancements.
* In 2006 the company renewed and expanded its delivery fleet.
* In September 2006 the 25th extrusion line was installed in the existing factory. In addition, equipment was fitted to extract and recycle PVC dust from all cutting saws, virtually eliminating factory waste.
* In March 2007 the new factory will be opened.
* 2008 - the fifth part of the growth strategy will be revealed and implemented.

Ken Simpson, Managing Director of Swish Building Products, explains: ‘This investment programme has been put into action to keep lead times to a minimum and to maintain high levels of customer service.

‘Swish has always been committed to producing the highest quality products and has been at the forefront of production methods and product innovation and development.

‘Recent growth particularly reflects our work in the social housing and newbuild markets where many major contracts have been secured on behalf of the Swish Stockist Network.
‘In a market that is still flourishing, we will continue to provide the best service available in the industry to our customers and their clients,’ concludes Ken.

Swish Building Products supplies a comprehensive range of cellular PVC products to the public and private sectors and the home improvement market. For more information please visit: http://www.swishbp.co.uk.

Installer Conference Ignites Sarnafil Success

Sarnafil Roof Assured has just held two Registered Installer conferences to introduce a number of new initiatives and to gain valuable feedback from its installer network.

The attendees at the conferences, held at Charnock Richard and Oxford, heard a number of presentations from key members of the Roof Assured team, insurance provider HomePro and McInnes Communications. The vast majority of attendees were window and conservatory installers who've embraced the low-maintenance Sarnafil Roof Assured flat roofing system as another home improvement product to add to their portfolio.

Max Williams, managing Director of Climax Windows attended the Oxford conference and commented: ‘Embracing new products is a must for the window and conservatory installer. We've been very successful with the Sarnafil Roof Assured flat roofing system and it will form an important part of our future. The conference has given us added confidence.’

These comments were echoed by Robin Holland-Smith of Goodlife Windows who added: ‘The conference was extremely rewarding for all attendees and just re-emphasised the importance of offering a product that is in its early stages of growth. I believe the product and market has significant potential.’

For Sarnafil and its network of Registered Installers the two conferences proved a success and highlighted the opportunity to capitalise on the expansion of the quality flat roofing market.

Fabricators Flock to Profile 22 Development Day

Representatives from over 40 window and door fabrication businesses packed out the first in a series of Profile 22 Business Development Workshops last week, as part of the systems company's ongoing commitment to deliver continuous professional development for its customers.

With experts on hand throughout the day to give industry insight and answer questions on subjects as diverse as 'an introduction to the commercial market' to 'pricing for profit', delegates were given the opportunity to learn practical and useful tactics to help develop and grow their businesses.

Profile 22's sales and marketing director, Rob McGlennon, said: ‘Profile 22 has always been committed to delivering not only the very best products and services to customers, but also the tools to better market products and increase profitable sales.

‘The landscape of our industry is changing beyond recognition, and we see it as our duty to help our customers navigate the changes ahead and remain competitive, professional and profitable - that's why events like these are so important.’

On arrival, delegates were given an overview of the latest revisions to the Building Regulations from Profile 22's Specification Engineer Gary Millership, followed by an insight into the marketing opportunities presented by the new Window Energy Ratings (WERs) from Head of Marketing Andy Ball. A presentation on the future of glazing from Pilkington Glass' Andy McDowell rounded off the morning's events.

The afternoon session consisted of four seminars, hosted by renowned industry experts, aimed at promoting best practice, improving marketing techniques, entering new markets, increasing trade sales and protecting profits.

One of the attendees, Sarah Price of KEB Fabrications, said: ‘This was the second Profile 22 business development workshop I have attended and I found it both useful and informative, with a programme covering many subjects that are extremely important for us as a business. In today's industry it's crucial to keep up to date with legislative changes, like the latest revisions to the building regulations, so events like this are much appreciated.’

For more information on how Profile 22 could help you grow and develop your fabrication or installation business please contact Tel: 01952 290910

Spectus Changes the Tape

As part of its commitment to quality control and brand promotion Spectus is changing the protective tape it uses for its foiled products.

The new thicker tape provides greater protection for the profile during transit and storage and its ‘low tack’ makes removal quick and easy.

The new tape has a black back and features the Spectus branding prominently on the front face. Using this new tape brings the woodgrain products in line with the rest of Spectus' profile range.

Says Dave Mulholland, Sales and Marketing Director, Spectus:

‘The introduction of the new tape is just part of our on-going commitment to increasing quality generally across all our products.

'Equally important is the contribution the tape will make to raising the profile of the brand, it looks so much more attractive and professional than the old clear tape.'

PatioMaster Casts its Net(work) even Wider

The PatioMaster national network of specialist manufacturer distributors has grown. Two new members have been taken on board to supply fabricators with inline sliding patio doors, saving them the trouble and cost of making them themselves.

PatioMaster Anglia South, based at Chelmsford in Essex, supplies South East of the Anglia region. Directors Peter Rowlands, Steve Baker and David Green are pleased with the company's progress, reporting a growing customer base in the area.

‘Our customers can expect a high quality product, packaged carefully and distributed in our own vehicles wherever and whenever required,’ explains Peter Rowlands.

‘The PatioMaster division of our business is operated by a dedicated team under the watchful eye of Operations Manager, Martin Devlin, and in this way we can be sure of delivering the highest quality product backed by excellent service, with a quick turnaround time.’

The Managing Director of PatioMaster Anglia North, Stuart Blunden, is happy to report a high demand for patio doors in East Anglia. The factory in Woodbridge, Suffolk, is being expanded to cope with increasing business.

‘The PatioMaster name is a real advantage,’ he explains. ‘It is synonymous with quality at a competitive price and we anticipate a rosy future for the business, hence the need to increase the size of the factory.’

The PatioMaster network offers a fast and efficient local service to fabricators so they can concentrate on other areas of their business. It is easier and cheaper for them to buy in readymade doors manufactured by patio door experts, rather than tie up resources in extra stock, machinery and training for this specialist product.

Members of the network have the advantage of a dedicated support team that offers a maintained database and direct mailing service. And PatioMaster operates a programme of continual investment in product development to ensure fabricators always have a state-of-the-art product to offer customers.

This year has seen the introduction of a new low threshold, an impressive new six-hook lock with shootbolts and a new range of handles.

To find your nearest PatioMaster manufacturer distributor or for more information on the network, please visit http://www.patiomaster.co.uk or telephone 01952 210850.

River Windows Exonerated by ASA in Complaint about Pricing

An industry complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) about a low price offer from River Windows of Bexhill, East Sussex, was not upheld, according to recently published information from the ASA.

A regional press ad for River Windows claimed 'Up to 55% Off Price List'. East Sussex Trading Standards challenged whether the advertised discount was genuine.

The complaint was not upheld:
'River Windows said their pricing policy was honest and correct. They sent us copies of two pages from their price book for windows and French doors which they said showed the undiscounted figures. River Windows sent us examples of customer invoices, sales worksheets and contracts from December 2005 to show the advertised discount was genuine.

The ASA acknowledged that the sales worksheets showed that customers had received discounts of up to 55% off the price book costs and that some customers who had not received a discount had paid the full price. We concluded that River Windows had substantiated the claim and the advertised discount was genuine.

The ASA investigated the ad under CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation), 6.1 (Honesty) and 7.1 (Truthfulness) but did not find it in breach.

AG Glass Launches Partnership Programme for ERWs

The energy rated window is the hot topic in the glass and glazing market and AG Glass has just launched a partnership programme to support fabricators wanting to develop their own rated products.

AG Glass has already worked with a number of leading fabricators to develop solutions that will enable fabricators such as Lister Trade Frames to offer an 'A', 'B' or 'C' rated window.

This new partnership programme will ensure that fabricators can develop their own solutions quickly and effectively at a time when many of the leading fabricators in the UK look to exploit the opportunity of offering energy rated windows.

John Spiby, managing director of AG Glass explains:

‘Having already helped develop solutions for a number of fabricators we have now put a programme in place to ensure a quick and effective approval process. Fabricators considering offering these products should come and speak to us, it's an important development in the industry that they can't afford to ignore.’

Many of the first companies to adopt the energy rated window have experienced sales growth, increased customer retention and improved margins. With AG Glass one of only a handful of companies in the UK with a fully automated Super Spacer™ line, fabricators are assured of the latest technology to offer tomorrows' energy rated window solutions.

Tel: 01226 356500
Email: john.spiby@ag-glass.co.uk

Conservatory Outlet Dealers’ Sales Treble

Conservatory Outlet, the bolt-on brand for small to medium sized companies looking to add or increase sales in conservatories, has seen strong growth since the start of 2006 as its latest Q3 sales results testify. The brand's supportive approach and tailor-made marketing has helped its dealers nationwide - including West Yorkshire Windows, Orion, Prime and Visual Effect - increase conservatory sales by 30% from the first to the third quarter of 2006. Frame sales across the group were up 18.7% in July to September hitting a quarterly high of 6,120 frames, and overall frame production growth is over 50% over the period when sales to new dealers are included.

Conservatory Outlet's Managing Director Matthew Glover comments: ‘These latest results are great news for everyone involved in the Conservatory Outlet network. All of our dealers have experienced quarter-on-quarter growth during 2006, some up as much as 38%. Looking ahead, orders are currently very strong which would suggest that the final quarter of the year is likely to be positive too. Our focus is on helping our dealers grow and these figures show that is exactly what we are doing. Put simply, you grow, we grow. It's a win: win relationship.’

Tel: 08700 802380

The Glassex Conservatory Design Competition goes Online

Now moving into its fourth consecutive year, and available online , the Glassex Conservatory Design Competition has proven to be a hit feature amongst industry professionals wanting to showcase their talents and abilities in conservatory design, manufacture and installation. After seeing the number of submissions dramatically grow year on year, and receiving such a high level of entries both in quality and quantity for the 2006 show, Glassex is changing tack to receive all entries for 2007's show online.

With this feature continuing to grow in reputation, the organisers of Glassex were looking to receive the vast number of entries more efficiently, moving away from the traditional bulky A3 card submissions that were previously required. But this is not the only thing to have gone electronic...all promotional activities surrounding the event will now be conducted through the Glassex website and the judging process performed online.

The same rules still apply as in previous years whereby entries are required to include sketches, pictures of build in progress and upon completion, dimensions, measurements and technical specifications. Entrants can include any other relevant information such as customer testimonials, energy saving statistics, or anything else they feel may impress the judges. Entries will be judged on aesthetics, structural calculations & integrity, and innovation.

Commenting on the decision to change the submission format, Glassex Marketing Manager Claire Shilling said: ‘This was something that had to be done out of necessity. The Conservatory Design Competition has been greatly received by the industry and has become one of the main features of the Glassex exhibition, and with the number of entries we receive growing every year, the move to take things online seemed to be the natural progression that would benefit everyone involved. Nothing has changed to the way the overall competition runs and we at Glassex are truly looking forward to receiving the first batch of entries.’

For more information on how to enter 2007's competition go to: http://www.glassex.com.

Masterdor - the Only Choice for Lincoln Council

Over 2,200 made to measure Masterdor composite timber doors have so far been installed for City of Lincoln Council, in an effort to meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010 and the council's own 'Lincoln Standard' by 2016.

Unhappy with an alternative door-set it had been using for the first year of its door replacement programme and after entering a partnership with Kier of Sheffield, Lincoln Council selected the Masterdor to meet its requirements and expectations.

Dave Fillingham, maintenance officer at the City of Lincoln Council, comments: ‘We particularly liked the fact that a Masterdor could be repaired by a member of our own repairs section at a reasonable cost if attacked or damaged, rather than a need to purchase a whole new door-set or leaf.

‘We have installed a number of Masterdor door-sets throughout the city so far and we have made the decision to continue using Masterdors for our 8000 doors.

‘One of our tenants, Mr J.K Barrett, was so impressed with his new door, he sent a thank you card to the council for his 'great, new, securely-fitted, perfect door'!’

As well as being suitable for large-scale refurbishment projects, Manse Masterdor ltd can supply one off solutions to access problems in line with the requirements set out by the DDA, including fully Part M compliant doors to fit into existing standard brick openings of 927mm. This means that openings do not have to be widened to accommodate the 800mm clear opening width required by the DDA for disabled access, and allow residents to remain in their homes.

Masterdors are Secured by Design and Sold Secure certified, exceed PAS23/24 BSi tests, and fire-check versions have also been successfully tested, and achieved BS476 Part 22.

Window Store - Number One for Plastic

Window Store can fulfil the roofline and cladding requirements of housebuilders, contractors, installers and local authorities across Southern England and South Wales. These include a comprehensive range of competitively priced Swish cellular PVC fascias, soffits and cladding and Plaslyne rainwater goods.

The 15 branches provide an excellent support network, and can also offer specification advice, a scheduling service and convenient delivery to site for any size of project.

Window Store has developed an understanding of the needs of its customers during its 30-year history. The company says that each branch is manned by dedicated, knowledgeable staff who are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure total customer satisfaction.

Products include windows, doors, conservatories, roofline, cladding and rainwater goods, and all the tools, fixings and sealants to ensure every job can be completed to a professional standard. Made-to-measure products can be supplied quickly and a free CAD design drawing service is offered.

To find out more about products and services or for a competitive quote, telephone Window Store on 01273 500 820 or visit http://www.windowstoreplastics.com to find your local branch.

Sliding Diplomacy in Central America

45 vertical sliding sash windows by aluplast have been installed to the new United States ambassador's residence in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Central America.

The profiles for the vertical sliding sash windows were extruded by aluplast (UK) at Lutterworth and were sent via parent company aluplast GmbH in Karlsruhe to Guatemala where the windows were fabricated and installed by aluplast's Guatemalan customer Ventanas Alemanas.

The contract was completed to schedule, the windows are performing very well and the embassy personnel, including the ambassador himself, are very pleased with the windows and the workmanship of Ventanas Alemanas.

For further details call Alan Fielder on 07771 856928

Email: info@aluplastuk.com

Glass Inserts Signs Agreement with Novatech Inc

Glass Inserts - the decorative three dimensional glass technology launched at Glassex 2006 - is coming to the market in a big way. Two major manufacturing deals have been signed to serve both UK / Europe and the North American market.

This new product allows manufacturers and suppliers to offer customers beautiful, intricate glass designs at low cost - a whole array of glass effects from cut / bevelled glass right through to top-end fused glass textures used in architectural applications, that would be prohibitively expensive using conventional production methods, can now be supplied at low cost.

As a result of the interest in this glass at Glassex and since the launch, two major manufacturing deals have been signed to serve both UK / Europe and the hugely important North American market.

Glass Inserts has signed a technology / manufacturing licence agreement with Novatech Inc to manufacture a range of products from decorative doorlites, fanlights and transoms to point of sale / advertising products, and supply these into the USA and Canadian markets and specific European customers from world class manufacturing facilities in Montreal.

Novatech (was established in 1982 and is now a leading player in the North American Door and Decorative Glass markets. The company has offices in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Houston, Texas serving both the Canadian and US markets, as well as exporting to Europe. Novatech employs some 350 people in its 250,000 square feet of ISO 9001 manufacturing facilities.

Novatech Inc President, Raymond Oulette, commented ‘I recognised the huge potential of the Glass Inserts system upon first meeting with the team at the UK Glassex exhibition in March. It was clear to me that the GI manufacturing process could provide us with a great opportunity to develop and strengthen our decorative glass offer, helping us to increase our market share and providing us with the means to compete with the flood of low cost Chinese imports. We aim to launch the GI / Novatech product range at the Windor exhibition later this year and work closely with the team in England to ensure the product becomes a North American market leader’.

In addition to this a new manufacturing facility at Neath, South Wales, has been set up by World Glass Designs Ltd to manufacture and supply the full Glass Inserts product range into the UK and Mainland European Markets. Richard Hopkin (MD) of World Glass Designs comments ‘We are very excited to be beginning production of the GI product here in Wales. We have set up a cutting edge manufacturing facility, incorporating the latest technology to ensure seamless, high volume production of the glass panels. These new facilities will not only allow us to fully service our customer requirements but will also provide the means to continue developing the product, to explore new opportunities and expand into new markets’.

A full scale sales and marketing campaign is now under way in the UK to promote the Glass Inserts product range with a series of initiatives already in hand.

A Marketing & Distribution Agreement has been finalised with Brenda Gillespie of Northern Decorative Glass to supply the product to Manufacturers, Fabricators, Distributors and others in the door/ window/ conservatory markets of the Midlands, North and Scotland. Operating as Northern Glass Inserts, Brenda is exceptionally well placed to bring this designer glass technology to the wider market.

Brenda has been working in the glass processing industry for 30 years and her previous company was a pioneer in the development of DGU spacer bar. She had been closely following the progress of Glass Inserts at its Bristol R&D facility for some considerable time before becoming actively involved. Brenda commented ‘I was looking to retire soon but quite frankly I could see that Glass Inserts was such a fantastic opportunity, and has developed so much as a real range of products in the last 12 months, that I just couldn't resist getting involved. We already have ten of the leading glass processing and distribution companies in negotiation with us and have opened up dialogue with many more, now that we have something unique and of outstanding quality to offer’.

A second sales and marketing campaign is also under way in Southern England - headed by Paul Richards (MD) of Glass Inserts Ltd and inventor of the GI technology, Dick Dabner inventor and pioneer of the now widely used stick-on lead & film products, and Terry McGivern who has extensive sales and marketing experience at a senior level in the building products sector over the last 25 years, and was Chief Executive of the London Building Centre from 1990- 1995.

This campaign is serving the World Glass Designs factory and is focussing initially on low cost / high design facelifts for the Conservatory Market and added value glass for the door panel market. It is also expanding the offer into the media/point of sale and architectural /interiors markets, where Glass Inserts has enormous cost advantage over current high design glass solutions with absolutely no loss of quality or design flexibility.

Glass Inserts has an outstanding story to tell beginning back in the mid 1990's when Paul Richards, a Designer by experience and Owner / MD of a Bristol-based conservatory company, conceived the idea for producing high quality/ precision designer glass at low cost and in large volume.

Paul commented ‘It has been a long hard road - as with most inventions of any substance and permanence - to achieve the quality/consistency of what is now an extremely well developed product. I have invested 10 years of my life, a lot of money and a great deal of sweat and tears to reach this point - but now we have a fantastic product and the team and I are delighted with the response we are receiving from the market. Now is the time to reap the rewards - for everyone - of that effort'.

Following on from the success of the launch of GI at Glassex earlier in the year, Glass Inserts will also be exhibiting at the world renowned GLASSTEC Exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, and will be looking to finalise further manufacturing/ marketing deals that add commercial/strategic advantage to the build up of this glass technology in worldwide markets.

For more information please email your enquiries to info@glassinsertsltd.com.

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