Masterframe Conference: '14 Days to Save the World'

Masterframe Windows Ltd represented the window industry at a conference on sustainability earlier in November - and will do again this Wednesday. Managing Director Alan Burgess spoke to delegates in Westminster on the Window Energy Rating (WER) and conservation - and how the specialist fabricator of PVC-U sliding sashes intends to push both issues forward within the window industry.

The two conferences '14 Days to Save the World', organised by Sustain magazine, are 14 days apart and all delegates and speakers are invited to make a pact to commit to applying putting sustainable practices into action.

'The WER has opened up a whole new market for the window industry - the 'green' consumer,' explains Alan Burgess. 'It's a chance to turn around the poor reputation of PVC-U (in terms of sustainability) and promote our industry. The conference on 16 November had high level representation from the government, the BRE and the Energy Saving Trust, along with house builders, local housing associations, planners and well known media personalities. The follow-up conference this Wednesday should prove even more interesting, and is a chance to network with specifiers and influencers of policies.'

Any interested parties should call Sustain magazine on 0161 8305577 to book their place at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE on Wednesday 30 November. Visit www.14days.co.uk for more information, and to download a programme for both conferences.

Winner of the G05 Energy Efficiency Initiative of the Year, Masterframe was the first UK window company to announce an energy efficient 'C' rated window from The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) in June this year. Bygone Preferred Installers are already seeing interest in the C rated products through a new website: www.energyratedwindows.co.uk.

Glassex Registration Hotline Opens

Ticket touts have never been a scene at Glassex and they never will be whilst tickets are so easy to get hold of for the biggest show of the year for glazing industry professionals.

As usual the organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure that anyone that wants to visit Glassex 2006, which takes place from Sunday 5th to Wednesday 8th March, can get them, and with the maximum of ease. The ticket hotline for Glassex - 0870 429 4594 - is opened on 1st December for anyone preferring to deal person-to-person, whilst dab hands with a keyboard and the 'web can register online without having to be nice to anyone at all, at www.glassex.com.

The benefits for a little forethought and planning are, as usual, worthwhile, particularly when the Big Day arrives and you find yourself at the back of the queue and scrambling for a sponsor's biro. Apart from the enjoying the superior feeling of walking right past everyone that hadn't read the mounds of Glassex publicity material and pre-registered, other benefits include advance exhibitor and event information designed to allow detailed planning of your visit, including the location of the bar.

Glassex 2006 will take place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, from 5th to 8th March 2006, inclusive.

Layoffs at Marshall Tufflex

According to a report in the Johnston Press newspaper Hastings Today, St Leonards-based Marshall Tufflex is terminating the contracts of several employees in the Extrusion and Moulding sectors of the firm. Staff fear the lay-offs could number as many as 26, with 25 coming from the company's shop floor sites at Castleham and Churchfields Industrial Estates.

A statement from Marshall Tufflex said: 'As with most UK manufacturing companies, competition is fierce in all our markets. Over the last few years we have invested in automation and other productivity improvements to enable us to remain competitive and drive our business forward.

'As part of the ongoing process of ensuring the long-term development of our business, we have reviewed our future capacity requirement and we have concluded this needs to be reduced in some areas of our business.

Network VEKA £32,000 No Quibble Claim

A large, prestigious – and very leaky – conservatory in Berkshire has just become proof positive of the need for the right Insurance Backed Guarantee when Network VEKA oversaw a payout of over £32,000.

The massive remedial, the organisation’s biggest by far, was paid for without quibble, even though the ex-member’s guarantee registration had been seriously misleading – and the repair value almost matched the original installation cost!

Network VEKA has always warned of the need for careful choice of IBG and says this case has vindicated that belief entirely.

It all began at Paul and Jackie Callingham’s Maidenhead home when the conservatory started to leak. To make matters worse, it damaged a valuable Chinese red slate floor, notching up a £700 repair bill for that alone.

The next shock came when Peter Ward, Network VEKA’s Southern Region Quality Auditor, arrived on site to discover it was timber, not PVC-U as the guarantee registration had claimed.

'But there was worse to come,' Peter continued, 'We found the roof was just too heavy for the supporting walls so repair was out of the question – we’d have to replace the whole roof.'

 

The solution came via a bespoke aluminium roof from installer member Barretts Glass of Dorchester.

The real acid test is that the homeowners are delighted. Jackie Callingham said: 'If it was not for Network VEKA and its Insurance Backed Guarantee, we might still be fighting it out.

'No one quibbled anything and the whole thing went through without worry or fuss. We would recommend Network VEKA to anyone.'

Network VEKA was one of the pioneers of the Insurance Backed Guarantee but has always stressed that there are good and not-so-good, even within a concept that is supposed by definition to be ironclad.

'Some are a bit cheaper, it’s true,' said Peter Ward, 'But you are talking about literally a few pounds for an installation worth many thousand. It’s a pointless false economy and not worth considering. One of our members once put the cost into perfect perspective when he said: ‘I spend more than that on cleaning rags’.

'We must wonder how many homeowners in this position would have been have left in the lurch by some guarantees!

He added:'If inadequate IBGs start to attract media attention, it will discredit all IBGs, good and bad, and a very valuable form of consumer protection will be lost for ever.'

This one ex-member had left a trail of remedials since it was thrown out of Network VEKA and subsequently went bust a couple of years ago. It was also the main reason for the organisation tightening up its vetting of prospective members, as well as the auditing of existing ones.

From this year, the organisation is managing its own IBGs and aims to develop them further, not only by improving the cover but also by investing any surpluses – possibly a six-figure annual sum – directly back into the organisation for the benefit of all members.

For any installers seeking the right IBG, Network VEKA outlined a tick-list of items to look out for:

• Does it pay out if the installer ceases to trade voluntarily – not just if it goes bust?
• Is it automatically valid for a full ten years?
• Does it cover installations over £25,000?
• Are the profits ploughed back for the benefit of the installers – not just to an anonymous insurance company?
• Is it transferable to new homeowners if the property is sold?
• Does it attract any additional guarantees such as extra cover from hardware suppliers?
• Does it include maintenance literature to keep down remedials?
• Are there benefits for on-line registration?

Peter added that other indefinable qualities like flexibility and the simple will to co-operate, not quibble, are even more valuable – as this case has proven admirably:

'Our guarantee is based on the organisation so our integrity is too valuable to risk on one dissatisfied customer. If a guarantee failed to deliver, we would end up covering the remedial from Network funds to preserve our reputation.

'In other words, it would hit our own pocket hard if the guarantee were not truly ironclad, so our members are in no doubt we have thought about it very, very carefully.'

Network VEKA, 01282 473170

BPIs Master Art of Marketing

Masterframe Window Ltd's Bygone Preferred Installers are set to transform their lead generation, conversion rates and sales performance with a new set of 'master-classes', starting this November. The workshops, which complement the BPIs regular seminars at Cranfield have already helped several BPIs grow their sales.

Buckinghamshire-based BPI, Banaglaze Window Systems, found its website hits, for example, increased 77 per cent since applying the techniques learnt from Results Corporation. Owner Ian Leigh says: 'We've been working with Results Corporation for six months and the difference in the way we market ourselves has been significant. In the last three months we've seen record sales in a flat market.'

The workshops are run by Results Corporation Europe Plc for Masterframe, the specialist manufacturer of premium PVC-U sashes. 'We aim to give companies the information they need to make the most of their potential,' explains Haydn Rowe, Managing Director of Results Corporation. 'Some want to expand, while others have grown enough but want to maintain and grow profit. It's possible with the right direction, even in a declining market place. We hope to increase the BPIs' sales by at least 20% a year.'

'Masterframe is an ideal partner for Results Corporation to work with: vertical sliders are a growing niche with big potential in a declining overall market. The BPIs have the right attitude to sell a high quality product for a premium price, to make substantial profit.'

BBA leads field in EN Testing for Windows and Doors

The BBA has awarded more than 200 BBA Certificates for PVC-U Windows and lists all of the UK's extruders of profiles for these products among its clients. The door market is more fragmented but here again the BBA ticks all the right boxes for approvals.

'We can justifiably claim to be No 1 in approvals in this sector' says Chief Executive Greg Cooper 'and we have made clear our commitment to retain this position by a substantial investment in equipment to test profiles and finished windows and doors to the new European Standards now coming through (EN 12608 for profiles and prEN 14351-1 for window and doorsets). This is not simply an intention to invest, we have spent the money and now have the equipment in position and ready to go'.

Included in the array of test equipment is the Atlas Xenon Tester, for accelerated weathering testing - unique to the UK in the field of fenestration - as well as a suite of equipment to test thermal and other properties.

The BBA also expects increased interest in its services related to British Fenestration Ratings Council gradings. The BBA holds both BFRC gongs - Approved Simulators and Approved Independent Agency - and is the agency of choice for 80% of the window firm ratings currently listed on the BFRC website.

Information on the availability and costs of testing is available from the BBA Sales and Marketing Team .

http://www.bbacerts.co.uk

Uniglaze 2 Invests £12m in New Plant

Manufacturer of sealed units and toughened glass, Uniglaze 2 in East Anglia, is celebrating its 21st birthday having just moved into a state of the art £12m production facility.

The company has invested in new premises and equipment to fulfil trade requirements, including three fully automated computerised toughening plants together with five fully automated sealed unit lines. It has enabled Uniglaze 2 to streamline operations and provide them with the flexibility to service market needs.

Central to Uniglaze 2's success has been the strong relationship the company enjoys with Pilkington Building Products - UK, emphasised by the fact that the new building has been glazed in Pilkington products, including 550 sealed units totalling 750m2 of Pilkington Arctic Blue and Pilkington Optitherm SN. The two combine perfectly to create a comfortable working environment and a dynamic appearance.

Pilkington Optitherm SN is a low emissivity glass, ideal for large-scale curtain walling applications and commercial projects. Pilkington Arctic Blue solar control glass has a unique cool blue colouration that reduces solar heat gain and creates a comfortable interior without sacrificing natural light.
Moving into the new building has already been an instant hit for Uniglaze 2. The distinctive blue hue of the building caught the eye of an engineer from Northants County Council and subsequent discussions has led to a new contract win from the local authority for a four-story school in Daventry, Northants.

Mick Hunton, manufacturing director, comments: 'Our investment into new facilities will enable us to expand our product portfolio and it gives us even more production flexibility. It provides us with the platform to develop our business and to meet our objective of offering a fast, efficient and reliable service. The sharing of knowledge, expertise and ambition is crucial to this and we look forward to developing the excellent relationship we share with Pilkington Building Products UK.'

Mervyn Raby and Pat Latimer established Uniglaze 2 with the intention of supplying sealed coated glass units to the trade, made primarily with Pilkington products. Starting with just four employees the company has flourished and is now the largest independent in the country, with a turnover of £28m, employing over 350 people. The new 13-acre site in Forest Way, Norwich, is home to seven production lines, two toughened plants, cutting tables and offices.

Reflex Is Crystal's Clear Solution with 10 Year Guarantee

Crystal Clear Manufacturing Ltd in Letchworth is now supplying reflex conservatory roof glass to its customers. The company currently supplies over 50 conservatory roofs per week to the industry and uses the SKY-VENT pre-glazed roof vent.

Now customers can have reflex performance glass for their roof kits as a premium product option. With many other large conservatory fabricators enjoying the benefits of such a strong branded product name, reflex glass units have the logo burnt into the coated side of the glass.

The units are delivered direct to site by a fleet of new branded delivery vans. Reflex glass units now use Super Spacer warm edge technology, improving U-values and sound insulation from traffic and rain. Condensation is eliminated with the high tech metal free spacer bar system.

The reflex advanced 'easy-clean' is now guaranteed to for ten years and has been nano scratch resistant tested to give a ten year guarantee for permanent performance. It will not peel or flake and is unaffected by extremes of temperatures from -20°C to +350°C.

Contact Roof-Maker Ltd Tel: 0116 269 6297 roofmaker@btconnect.com

West-End Windows Opens First Trade Counter

West-End Windows, a PVCu and Aluminium Trade Fabricator, has opened its first Trade Counter in Bedminster, Bristol. Targeting local builders and installation firms, the Trade Counter offers a wide range of building plastics, trims, sealants and fixings, cladding and tools.

Also available through the Trade Counter is the company's leading range of PVCu windows and conservatories, together with domestic and commercial aluminium products. Commenting on the move Divisional Director Matthew Ford commented 'This is an exciting development and a natural progression for West End. We have already seen a 20% increase in sales in the last six months and the move into the Trade Counter Sector is one of several initiatives to position West End as one of the UK's leading PVCu and Aluminium trade suppliers.'

Trade Counter Manager, Ben Walker added 'We already had a good local customer base, so perhaps it's no surprise that our first Trade Counter has taken off beyond our expectations, with existing and new customers attracted to our 'one stop shop' philosophy, fast delivery and competitive prices.'

Established over 30 years ago, West-End Windows are major suppliers of Duraflex windows and doors, Ultraframe and Global conservatory roofs, and a wide range of aluminium systems including commercial, folding/sliding doors, and curtain walling.

For more information contact West End Windows on Tel: 0117 966 7661 Fax: 0117 966 7773 or online at www.westendwindows.co.uk

Fitrite Looks to Pre-Christmas Rush to Garden Centres

Extensive UK-wide research undertaken by Fitrite decking & fencing, has pinpointed the 28th November 2005, as the day that UK gardeners begin their preparations for summer 2006.

Asking 1,000 homeowners across the country when they were likely to take the first steps towards getting their garden ready for next summer, Fitrite decking & fencing uncovered that a pre-Christmas rush to garden centres and DIY stores would be underway before the beginning of December. The main task undertaken by gardeners during the winter included structural maintenance, plant care and major landscaping.

Commenting on the publication of the results David Ruzicka, Managing Director of Sash UK, who oversee the exclusive sale and distribution of Fitrite decking & fencing in the UK, said:

'What these results show is that people right across the UK are determined and committed to making sure their gardens are in perfect condition from the very start of summer. That is one of the main reasons we brought Fitrite decking & fencing to Britain, as it removes the truly hated task of extensive maintenance that only serves to shorten the time you have to really enjoy your garden.'

'Already, even with the weather being as cold as it is, our network of approved installers has been working closely with homeowners to develop and design solutions for their garden that will give them the luxurious space they want and need to fully enjoy their garden as soon as the first signs of summer arrive.'

Described as a phenomenon in the USA, Fitrite decking & fencing was exclusively brought to the UK by Sash UK at the end of summer 2005 and sales have already exceeded early expectations. Hailed as a major breakthrough in landscaping and garden design, the product range combines the latest materials with the modern homeowners‚ desire for high-end luxury design and appearance.

The use of modern materials allows, for the very first time, the creation of a luxury outdoor space that can be easily accessed without the necessary rolling maintenance associated with traditional timber products. Combining strength and flexibility, Fitrite decking & fencing allows the incorporation of the very latest garden design trends that will continually draw admiration and impress friends and neighbours.

Sash UK works to oversee and guide a national network of „Approved Installers‰ network, that sees staff undertaking a programme of continual training that enables them to offer homeowners luxury design through product installation that is guaranteed for five years.

Full details of the wide range of the Fitrite decking & fencing products and design solutions are available from Sash UK. Tel: 0845 402 5502.

Direct Roof Systems Moves to New Purpose-Built Premises

Long-standing K2 dealer, Direct Roof Systems (DRS), has recently embarked on the latest chapter in its on-going success story with a move in to new purpose-built premises. The new factory in Attleborough, Norfolk represents an investment of almost £300,000 and offers a fabrication area of 7,500 square feet as well as additional office and mezzanine storage space.

DRS began trading as a fabricator of conservatory roofs before extending its product offer to include the fabrication of Selecta Advance 70 window system. Prior to the move, these two sides to the business were handled from separate sites some 40 miles apart. The new factory allows the company to consolidate all its operations under one roof and will help ensure an even higher level of service for DRS's customers.

Aside from the obvious improvements in logistics and lines of communication, DRS has also used the move as an ideal opportunity to enhance its production capabilities. Working practices and manufacturing processes have been streamlined, whilst new equipment has been introduced in the windows fabrication department.

  

These investments and the move itself both come as a direct result of an increase in demand for DRS products and services. Over recent years, the company's customer base has been growing steadily, reflecting continued consumer interest in high-quality conservatory systems.

Speaking of these developments, Direct Roof Systems Managing Director, John Moon, said: 'These are exciting times for DRS. Not only will our new factory allow us to offer our full range of roofs and windows, including specialist K2 products like the Aspire 35mm system and Celsius performance glass, from one site, but it will also help us to build on our considerable achievements to date.
'Since its formation, the business has gone from strength to strength. This success stems from the impressive level of our fabrication expertise and our belief in offering superior levels of service - as demonstrated by initiatives such as assisted site surveys. It's also thanks in no small part to our choice of system supplier.

'In K2, we have a partner that's equally committed to customer service, that offers systems of the highest quality and that's continually looking for ways to make improvements - ensuring we have a better product to sell.

'In short, this is more than a new home for DRS. It's the start of a whole new chapter.'

To contact Direct Roof Systems telephone 01953 451888.

Northface Moves Into New Premises

K2 conservatory roof system fabricator, Northface has recently been able to make another impressive move - into new 5,500 square feet premises.

Northface has experienced tremendous growth since it began trading 3 years ago and this new factory effectively doubles their fabrication area. This will prove invaluable in helping them to meet current and anticipated demand for their products and expertise.

Lee Delapperall, Director of Northface, continues: 'Our sales volume increased by 30% last year and we need more space to service the business we are already doing and to give us the scope for additional expansion over the next two years.

To further bolster its fabrication capabilities, the K2 dealer has also invested £30,000 into a state-of-the-art precision saw. Computer controlled and capable of cutting profiles automatically, this saw will not only help to ensure the highest levels of productivity, but also that all Northface components are cut with the utmost accuracy.

Comments Sally Fielding, Managing Director of K2: 'We are delighted that Northface is able to make this investment into expanding its business and that the K2 system has proved to be such a contributing factor to their growth. It highlights that our commitment to being 'the perfect partner for the trade' is paying dividends and this is just one of a number of success stories from across the K2 dealer network.

'Naturally, we would like to congratulate Northface on their expansion and wish them continued success in the future. We shall, of course, continue to offer them the highest levels of customer service, technical and marketing support to help them maintain their pattern of profitability and growth.'

Lee Delapperall concludes: 'K2 is constantly coming up with ways in which they can support our business and, most importantly for me, they listen to our needs and to our feedback. They are constantly enhancing the system and if fabricators or installers suggest a refinement they will focus their R&D efforts on making it happen. The K2 Approved Installer Scheme, K2's high-profile presence in the trade press and the sales leads they have generated for us have all played a significant role in our business development over the past year. We are now expanding safe in the knowledge that we can count on their continued support in the future.'

To contact Northface Conservatory Systems, telephone 01245 248114.

Contract Glass: Turning Water Into Profit

Since its establishment in 1990, Contract Glass has built up a reputation at the top of the glass processing market and has recently introduced a waterjet cutting machine to its already comprehensive range of specialised equipment.

Waterjet cutting technology is one of the fastest growing major tool processes in the world due to its versatility and ease of operation, and as a company that designs, creates and manufactures almost anything involving flat glass (specialising in intricate and complex processing), Contract Glass has the capability to move extremely quickly from job to job.

Waterjet cutting is accomplished by software controlled robotic motion systems, not hand tooling, so there are no costly, time consuming tool changes required to accommodate an infinite variety of shape cutting. The waterjet cuts with erosion; water at the pressure of 60,000 psi is pumped continuously into a supersonic waterjet stream, which makes it possible to cut through composites such as stone and glass.

Best known for its work producing glass tops and splash backs for the kitchen and bathroom industries, Contract Glass's waterjet machine allows virtually any finished shape to be cut to bespoke designs or mass manufacturing quickly and efficiently. Working to maximum capacity, the machine can turn around well over a hundred intricate pieces a day, producing exceptional edge quality without inducing heat-affected zones of mechanical stresses - eliminating costly secondary finishing.

Contract Glass's managing director Tony Towler comments: 'The installation of the waterjet cutting machine has saved us valuable time on the shop floor because the set-up and tooling is so simple. The beauty of the machine is that it can cut multiple parts in a single pass, and running multiple cutting heads simultaneously further increases productivity. Producing a wealth of products ranging from furniture to gaming machine fronts, this machine has revolutionised the way we work, helping us to increase our wide and varied workload ten fold. We are turning work around faster than ever.'

Masterdor Provides Access Solution

Manse Masterdor ltd has provided an access solution to a disabled resident in North Tyneside allowing her to remain in her home.

Miss Postings, is unable to access her home through her front door whilst in her wheelchair, as the brick opening is too small, and access through the rear door was possible, but a tight squeeze, resulting in damage to her walls, as well as scraped hands on a number of occasions. Manse Masterdor created a solution that allowed Miss Postings easy access through her rear door.

The installation of a standard door-set would have further reduced the clear opening width, but thanks to Manse Masterdor's slim-line frame, available in PVC or timber, combined with the unique UG (up grade) metal rebate, a clear opening width of 725mm has been achieved in the original brick opening that was just 850mm wide. This is 60mm more than would have been achieved with a standard PVC door and frame.

Mike Hudson, director, Manse Masterdor commented; 'As part of large scale door replacement programmes like this one with North Tyneside Council, we are often approached to provide one off access solutions. Fitting the same type of door to Mrs Postings' house as the other properties would have meant that she would not have been able to easily access her home and would have had to consider moving.'

To date, Manse Masterdor ltd has provided over 3200 doors to North Tyneside Council as part of its ongoing refurbishment project. Residents are given a choice of door styles and colours through the Masterdor Residents Choice brochure, to individualise their homes.