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Edgetech Supports Consumer Proposition on New Website

Edgetech, the warm edge technology supplier, has announced its new UK website is now live. http://www.superspacer.co.uk has dedicated sections for sealed unit manufacturers, fabricators and installers with details of the resources they can tap in to, to help them sell more.

‘Homeowners have their own dedicated area with facts about Energy Saving Recommended windows and the built in energy saving properties of Super Spacer,’ explains Andy Ball, Marketing and Business Development Manager of Edgetech.

‘This section aims to support installers when selling in the home. The website even gives instant access to our popular 'Windows that won't cost the Earth' DVD for homeowners to view making the decision to buy even easier.

‘It's important to keep customers and prospects up to date with the latest industry news, as well as Edgetech specific updates like product and marketing launches. The site is also a practical support tool for our customers, with further developments coming soon including a professionally designed website template for customers to add to their own sites.

‘We're continually improving our products and business support to ensure we're doing what we can to help our customers stay ahead of the competition,’ continues Andy. ‘The website aims to make it even easier for them to get the information they need.’

HOPPE (UK) Introduces New Website

HOPPE (UK) has launched its new website. Alex Benton, Marketing Co-ordinator, explains: ‘Keeping our customers in the picture is essential to give them the edge over their competitors. It's why the new site details all of our products and is set out in a new structure that will help customers locate exactly what they are looking for easily. HOPPE's catalogues are included in downloadable PDF formats which means they can be stored on customers' computers, giving instant access to a library of material without the need for an internet connection.’

Alex continues: ‘The site incorporates all of our latest news and product launches so our customers can simply log on and keep up to date with HOPPE. This is one of many developments in 2007 that helps our customers grow.’

Tel: 01902 484400
Web: http://www.hoppe.co.uk

WHS Halo Launches Instant Price Guide Engine for Customers' Customers

WHS Halo has launched a Web-based Instant Price Guide engine for use by customers, with consumer-facing Web sites, wanting to be able to offer a convenient 'ready reckoner' when it comes to pricing conservatory installations, or door and window replacement projects. Customers can tailor the engine web pages to their own specifications, featuring project illustrations, product ranges and full corporate branding.

The easy-to-use system is based around a database of over 10,000 records forming a price matrix of a range of window, door and conservatory sizes and prices. This database has its own password protected web based administration page allowing full control of their product range and prices.

It can be used as a template for a new site, or embedded with an existing one, and an administration page is also available.

The site allows consumers to select from the full range of window and door types, choose quantities and size - and be given an instant indication of costs - adding greater transparency to the sales process and increasing consumer confidence when purchasing.

Tel: 0121 749 3000
Web: http://www.whs-halo.co.uk

Avocet's Fresh Face Look

In a move to help support Avocet's launch of its new 'Phocas' brand and provide customers with a greater opportunity to obtain the latest information, Avocet has given its corporate website an overhaul.

With ease of navigation around the site a design priority for Avocet, the new site caters for both trade customers and consumer, inviting them to view Avocet's product range in greater detail. As well as a wealth of product and technical information on offer, there is also a section dedicated to the latest news and success stories.

The new site includes much more user friendly navigation tools, supported by graphics and illustrations for heightened visual clarity. ‘It is vital that visitors to the site are clearly directed to the relevant page,’ comments Stephanie Wright, Marketing Manager at Avocet. ‘By using simple design, with straightforward directional tools, navigation is greatly facilitated, making the specification process much easier.’

‘Interaction with our customers is vitally important to us and what we have at the moment is just the beginning; we will be continuing to develop the site into 2008 with greater usability and features on the site to help us achieve this.’ Stephanie Wright continues ‘We want the website not only to explain who and what we represent, but to support our existing and prospective customers.’

Web: http://www.avocet-hardware.co.uk

On-Line Gallery Door Selector

Gallery Composite Doors already have a lot going for them and now they can be viewed, customised and price requested on-line at http://www.gallery-doors.com.
Earlier this year the Gallery Collection had a double whammy at Glassex with the launch of a black sash and frame option, plus it was awarded PAS23/24 accreditation for the complete range.

The composite doors are constructed by Lister Trade Frames in the Midlands and Thermaseal in the south, using WHS Halo profile components. The doors are dual rebated which not only provides two weather seals, but according to Lister’s Commercial Installations Manager, make them much simpler for the fitter to install.

‘Dual rebated Gallery doors have all the advantages of the more common PVCu panelled doors plus the added benefit of coming factory glazed. The doors are pre-hung with fully adjustable flag hinges, have reliable multi-point hook locking and come ready to fit in full protective packaging. Plus, because they are dual rebated, they are much more forgiving if the brick opening is out of square.’

Now with the online facility they will also be much easier to sell. The Gallery Door Selector shows doors in different colour and style options, with different outer frame colours and different glass and furniture choices. Gallery Door Trade customers also have the option to have the new selector software installed on their own computers and laptops so that it can be used during a sale or in their showrooms.

‘Like most of the things that Lister and Thermaseal seem to get involved with, the Galley Collection of composite doors are aimed at the more discerning and quality conscious customer. But with all the accreditations, marketing support and sales aids like this new selector, they're aiming to give a lot of value for money,’ say the companies.

Contact:
Lister Trade Frames:
Tel: 01782 205605
Web: http://www.listertf.co.uk

Thermaseal:,
Tel: 01268 561717
Web: http://www.thermasealwindowsystems.co.uk

New Tremco illbruck Website Goes Live

The new Tremco illbruck website has been specifically designed to make navigation simple and easy, with clearly defined sectors for each of the company's extensive product ranges and information on market issues and news.

The new site brings together the entire Tremco illbruck range of products. New features include a fully searchable product selector, and extensive downloadable library of technical data and CAD drawings and links to company news and information.

The fully inclusive product selector describes Tremco illbruck's complete range of construction, industrial, fenestration, flooring, roofing and specialised coatings products, each with an alphabetical search facility to make it easier to find products. Each range is clearly searchable by product, market or application.

The technical services section offers essential downloadable information, including CPD seminars on a range of relevant topics, as well as site surveys, drawings and a full written specification service that includes NBS clauses. Brochures, material data sheets and technical data sheets are readily available to be downloaded or viewed in the literature section.

‘We have developed the Tremco illbruck website to be user friendly, informative and essential viewing for all our customers,’ comments Dianne Watts, Marketing Services Manager. ‘It has been designed to offer advice and information to anyone involved in our industry, from architects to specifiers to contractors.

‘We have harmonised the visual content to facilitate viewing and ensured that all content is comprehensive and relevant. Whatever the user wants to know about the company, the product ranges and markets served, can now be accessed at the click of a mouse!’

Tel: 01753 505000
Email: info@tremco-illbruck.co.uk

http://www.tremco-illbruck.co.uk

Conservatory Outlet Launches Conservatory TV

Conservatory Outlet, a Yorkshire based manufacturer of uPVC conservatories, says that it has launched the world’s first Conservatory video website - http://www.conservatorytv.com/.

Conservatory TV has a number of conservatory and double glazing videos, such as ‘How to build a conservatory,’ and videos showing the security levels of their uPVC windows. The website is also packed full of consumer advice, information and tips for those interested in uPVC conservatories.

Matthew Glover, Managing Director of Conservatory Outlet, explains, 'We have big ideas for ConservatoryTV. We envisage a website which will develop into a Conservatory TV channel, with loads of videos about different aspects of conservatory design, installation, conservatory showrooms and so on. We have taken on two full time video producers to fulfil this dream – so watch this space.'

For more information visit http://www.conservatorytv.com/ or the Conservatory Outlet website at http://www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk/.

Builders Victors Not Victims of Web Revolution

The web is having a significant and positive impact on the fortunes of builders according to a new study released recently.

The research by thebestof, a national network of local marketing websites, run by local people, that champion the best businesses in their area shows that small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) plan to grow their businesses by on average 38% in the coming year. However the more web-savvy SMEs including builders have growth ambitions that are twice those of their conventional SME counterparts (41% vs 20%).

The study is based on telephone interviews with 500 small and medium sized businesses combined with an online survey completed by a further 2,583 SMEs. The businesses were drawn from across the UK and from a mix of sectors, and included 70 builders.

The research which explores SMEs general approach to marketing, reveals that builders typically spend £3,000 marketing their businesses and 80% of them plan to spend as much if not more on marketing in the coming year. However a significant group are focusing this spend on the web and this spend is delivering results. For instance the internet-enabled builders get 24% of their enquiries from the web.

In general, the study paints a picture of an SME community in a bullish mood. One in five plan to launch a new product or service in the next 12 months and a further 13% will expand into a new area. One in six will merge with or acquire another business and only 3% plan to scale back their operations. Indeed when asked to score their future optimism, on a scale of 1 to 10 the average score is a creditable 7.8.

However, when analysing the businesses which are more web active against those who are not, the study shows that the companies most actively using the web for marketing, expect their business to grow twice as quickly as the SMEs who aren't. These web-aware SMEs are also far more likely to be taking business away from larger rivals too. For instance 58% of the internet active builders describe their competitors as bigger than them, whereas the less internet active are more likely to say their competitors are the same size as them or smaller.

Nigel Botterill, Chief Executive of thebestof comments: ‘The first wave of the internet seemed to be all about the major brands and retailers, or businesses like lastminute.com or ebay, whose whole premise is built on the internet. What this research shows is that there's a whole generation of ordinary small businesses - like builders - who have been quietly working in the background, using the Web to steal market share from their bigger competitors.’

The Report suggests the web-aware SMEs as a whole haven't set up e-commerce operations, they are just making sure that they are doing the basics. For instance:

76% have a site
46% do search engine optimisation
30% run email campaigns
11% run affiliate programmes
9% do pay per click advertising
7% run a blog

While certain SMEs are making major online gains, the study also highlights a digital divide. For instance, 24% of builders report that the internet holds no potential for their business, furthermore a third don't see it as relevant. Yet in the same sector there are builders generating a quarter of their business from the Internet.

Nigel Botterill again: ‘It is extraordinary to see how the internet is delivering so much for some and yet so little for others. We're working hard to try and understand why this is.’

Part of the problem appears to be a matter of mindset. One in five (19%) reports that they don't feel equipped to take advantage of the Internet. A further 56% simply believe it is the natural domain of the bigger business. The age of the proprietor in charge of the SME is another issue.

Nigel Botterill concludes: ‘Builders need to break out of this mindset. 69% of them turn to the web for their suppliers, so why do they think people looking for builders, aren't doing the same?

‘They need to realise that there are businesses exactly like theirs doing some very simple things to capture business through the Web. It's not rocket science, it's a basic business skill and tool, just like financial management, which they can and must harness.’

http://www.thebestof.co.uk is a national network of local marketing websites, run by local people, that champion the best businesses in their area.

28,000 Hits On Youtube and Counting...

Conservatory Outlet says that it has a reputation of doing things a little differently and judging by the company’s success on www.youtube.com it pays to add a little marketing creativity and flair.

While the naked calendar boys was an interesting diversion away from typical marketing activities, the company has added 4 new videos which are part of a ‘Break In Challenge’ on Youtube. Mr Fix It, Chav It, Psycho and Wing Commander may have very direct headlines but the messages within each of the videos are educational with a touch of entertainment value.

‘Mr Fix it’ thought he'd break in to a Conservatory Outlet window within minutes using a hammer and chisel, while the suitably dressed ‘Chav It’ star went back to basics with a brick. The other 2 videos also attempt to break through a window using other direct means of forced entry. For the consumer it's an important message with respect to security and represents not only Conservatory Outlet's innovative and entertaining approach to marketing but also to the inherent quality in the compaany’s products.

Matthew Glover, managing director of Conservatory Outlet and also a star in one of the videos comments: ‘We have a new generation of consumer who not only uses the internet as a means of reference but also for some element of entertainment value. Security is a serious issue and we thought it would be a refreshing way to demonstrate the quality of our products.’

Log on to http://www.youtube.com and type in ‘break in challenge’ in the search bar to enjoy the video clips. But as the videos clearly state: ‘remember please don't try this at home!’

Tel: 01924 373471

MRA Marketing Unveils its New Website: mra-marketing.com

MRA Marketing, the PR and marketing division of Michael Rigby Associates, has unveiled its new website http://www.mra-marketing.com following a complete overhaul by the company's in-house creative team. The new site employs state-of-the-art content management systems making it possible to add, edit and update pages quickly and easily. Always up-to-date with the latest news on all its clients, mra-marketing.com also aims provide a platform for wider analysis of Building, Home Improvement and Construction industries in which MRA-M specialises along with advice and thought-leadership on PR and Marketing.

'The new site is both informative and inspirational. It's a great advertisement for our business,' explained Managing Director, Mike Rigby. 'It's provided a great opportunity for us to showcase the design skill of our new creative team. But as well as showing what we can do and how we help companies grow, we also want to create a valuable online resource for everyone involved in the Building and Home Improvement industries and demonstrate the real results which great PR can achieve. The new site gives us the tools we need to do this.'

The launch of mra-marketing.com follows the recent re-launch of MRA-M's sister site http://www.rigby-research.co.uk. Also designed by MRA Marketing's in-house teams, rigby-research.com provides a smart interface through which users can access up to the minute research across a wide range of sectors and markets. For more information about MRA Marketing or Rigby Research call 01453 521621.

eBuilders Introduces New On-Line Lead Generators with the Zero Stress Guides

Online publisher eBuilders - producer of http://www.ConservatoriesOnline.com and http://www.almostimpartialguide.com amongst many others - is producing a new series of online guides for consumers which aim to reduce the often traumatic business of improving their homes, 'The Zero Stress Guides'.

Produced in conventional A4 magazine format the Zero Stress Guides may be downloaded completely free of charge and, believes the publisher, will be attractive to consumers who prefer to read such information in magazines. Of course, the launch of the Zero Stress Guides - the first three cover Double Glazing, Conservatories and Kitchens - will also provide additional fresh opportunities for home improvement suppliers seeking to connect with these homeowners. eBuilders predicts that the continued 20% year-on-year increase in leads generated by the company’s existing web sites will enjoy extended penetration through the new Guides.

The Zero Stress Guides (http://www.ZeroStressGuides.com) offer expert advice on such issues as planning and building rules and regulations, detailed but straightforward advice on styles, materials, design and how to set about choosing a supplier for a range of home improvements. Price guides are also given where possible whilst the pages are punctuated throughout with handy 'Top Tips'. The emphasis is on 'honest, easily understood advice' say the publishers, so consumers may come to trust the publications just as they have other conventional eBuilders sites.

eBuilders Managing Director Peter Jervis, whose background includes time spent as retail giant Anglian Home Improvement's Business Development Manager, says that the power of the Internet is the way forward: ‘Anyone in home improvements not marketing themselves through the Internet will fall behind,’ says Peter. ‘Thanks to the Internet consumers have never been so educated and prepared as they are now when making key buying decisions - and that includes identifying potential suppliers. Increasingly consumers will not trust a company that they cannot research online before contacting them. The Zero Stress Guides provide a perfect opportunity for companies to ensure they have a credible online presence.’

A number of advertising and sponsorship opportunities remain available in the Zero Stress Guides, for which further information is available by calling eBuilders Ltd, on 01603 879423; or email peter@ebuilders.co.uk.

Spectus' Invaluable Interchange helps Fabricators Work Together

Spectus customers can now access a secure area on its website. The exclusive area enables fabricators to access a wide range of technical documentation and also provides a listing of the Spectus range and other products fabricated by customers.

Martin Althorpe, Technical Director of Spectus, says the Interchange section in particular helps customers support each other in competitive markets: ‘Interchange is about taking down barriers for our customers. Fabricators can source niche products from a diverse range of companies or partner with another Spectus customer on larger projects. Our customers can discuss issues and swap ideas without having to go through a middle-man. The secure area also keeps customers up to date with new products. We've heavily invested in our product development programme and we want customers to be able to use our innovations as soon as they are available. Exclusive bulletins on industry issues keep our customers ahead of the competition as well.’

Tel: 01625 420400
Web: http://www.spectus.co.uk

New Look BCE Website Now Live

As part of the recently re-designed BCE brand, the positively different range of environmentally friendly PVC-U and PVC-UE roofline, cladding, window board and trim products, the fully revamped BCE website has now been launched.
http://www.bcecellular.com is the latest stage in the roll-out of BCE's new marketing support package.

‘The new BCE site makes it even easier for distributors, installers and homeowners to stay up to date with all the latest industry and company news, including product and service developments,’ explains Tony Crutcher, Sales and Marketing Director of the BCE brand.

‘Communication with customers along the supply chain is vital. That is why we want to make as much information on the BCE brand as easily accessible as we can. Among other customer-focused features, the What's New section includes the latest product launches and marketing support, with news updated frequently. The site also provides instant access to our technical support and distributor service teams, with detailed product information on one of the most comprehensive ranges in the industry. As a reflection of the growing interest in the environment, visitors will also have access to our green credentials and for those who want to keep up to date with the very latest news on all aspects of BCE, including downloads of the support available, there is a dedicated section for registered users.’

Visit http://www.bcecellular.com for more information.

Google gets Results for TimberWindows.com

Since TimberWindows.com increased its online marketing campaign in mid-June, visitors to the website have risen by a third to over 35,000 a month and twenty per cent more people have used the Registered Installer finder application to locate their nearest dealer.

IT Director Rob Franks comments: ‘Increasing our budget for online search engines such as Google means Registered Installers receive more valuable sales leads. UK Online shopping has been on the up for some time now, particularly in the home and garden sector. TimberWindows.com's Registered Installers will benefit from our investment which reflects this national growth in online spending.’

Tel: 0845 458 9181
Web: http://www.timberwindows.com

Deceuninck Solves Website Conundrum

A website is rapidly becoming a must-have for most businesses these days - the internet is the first port of call for many people looking for a supplier. Unfortunately, developing a professional website can be an astronomical expense many businesses can ill-afford. And the DIY option is beyond most of us too - the web world is surrounded by jargon few can understand.

Deceuninck says that it has a solution to this dilemma. It comes courtesy of the company’s SynergeBuild application and it offers customers the means to put their businesses online without the headache of the development costs or the need to get to grips with the technical jargon.

Deceuninck customers can have a website that gives them a professional, stylish online image of which they can be proud. All customers have to do is provide the text for the site and the images they would like to use. Once created, the customer has direct access to the site via a login and password so they can make any changes to the site immediately, without the need to pay for expensive web designers.

Many of Deceuninck's customers say that SynergeBuild has revolutionised their business, and the website application can only increase the system's appeal. At its most basic, SynergeBuild offers an online order processing facility that makes ordering, order tracking and general order administration a lot more streamlined. But it's much more than that. It's a virtual customer service department that allows customers to monitor issues and keep track of stock levels. It's also a resource library that features technical manuals, product diagrams and foiling specifications as well as promotional materials such as samples, brochures and wallcharts.

Large companies such as Deceuninck have the resources to develop powerful online resources that add value to their business. But very few of those organisations can say that they use those resources to help add value to their own customers' businesses. Deceuninck says that it is one of those that can.

Tel: 01249 816969
Email: Lesley.bowling@deceuninck.com

New Look to www.rockdoor.com

Composite door manufacturer Rockdoor has updated its website, which now features a step-by-step guide for homeowners showing them the design choices of a Rockdoor including new colours Ruby Red, Emerald Green, Sapphire Blue and Onyx Black - the first reliable black door with Heat Shield. Homeowners can also see the styles of door and glass, door furniture and security options as well as the benefits installing a Rockdoor offers - security, durability, low maintenance and energy efficiency.

Rockdoor is the only fully engineered PVC-U composite door specifically designed for the retail market. It provides outstanding performance with a lifetime of up to 35 years. Available in 12 door styles, eight colours and 11 styles of glass there is a design choice to suit every home.

Sales Director Mark Simm comments: ‘The new look website is a great marketing tool for our customers - homeowners can see the many design choices available. When homeowners request a brochure they can choose to have their details passed on to a local installer. This lead is then passed on to a Rockdoor installer in the homeowner's area to follow up.’

Web: http://www.rockdoor.com

Pilkington Activ™Consumer Response Goes Through the Roof

The latest analysis of response to the ongoing promotional and advertising campaign for Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass shows that the web site for the product (http://www.pilkington.com/selfcleaningglass) has received an average of more than 12,500 visits per month since March of this year. This is more than double the figure for the corresponding period last year and regarded as impressive for such a specialised product.

From the outset the Internet has played a large part in the campaign, with readers and viewers being directed back to the web site for more information on what remains a relatively new concept in glazing and one that continues to fascinate homeowners and specifiers alike. Advertisements for Pilkington Activ™ appearing on Google, in addition to continuing consumer public relations activity, are contributing to this huge growth in traffic to the site, with television and press advertising further increasing awareness of the product.

Consumer public relations activity also continues to increase as editors also become familiar with the product. Editorial has appeared in a range of publications including the Move or Improve supplement in the Mail on Sunday YOU magazine, and a number of county magazines and local newspapers. The BBC Good Homes magazine carried a competition that drew more than 12,000 entries which, according to the publisher, was the most successful competition it had run for 18 months with around double the usual number of entries. A further competition appearing in Ideal Homes magazine early in July is expected to bring in similar numbers of entrants.

The latest market research confirms the continuing success of the consumer marketing campaign for Pilkington Activ™: 60% of home owners are aware of the concept of self-cleaning glass and 49% are aware of the Pilkington Activ™ brand, remarkable statistics with more than 70% of UK households now owner occupied.

‘These figures are impressive by any standards,’ says Julia Berkin, Marketing Communications Manager for Pilkington Building Products UK, ‘and for a relatively specialised product like Pilkington Activ™ they are remarkable. For installers association with the Pilkington Activ™ brand continues to attract an extremely positive response from homeowners, something that is also being proved by the huge growth in sales of the product throughout the UK,’ she added.

2,700 GAP Products Now Available Online

Independent home improvements stockist GAP has increased the number of products available to order online at http://www.gap.uk.com to 2,700 - around 85% of its total range. Since online ordering was launched earlier this year its popularity has grown, with 560 users, and more added every week. Account holders can see a list of the bespoke products they regularly order including individually branded items.

GAP's online ordering service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so users can place an order at a time that suits them. GAP's Joint Managing Director Charles Greensmith comments: ‘Our customers want to order all the products they need from one place. Online ordering has been designed to help our customers run their businesses more effectively. It saves customers even more time - and time is money - because they won't need to make special trips to a depot for single items. We'll be adding more products, including the Cosmopolitan door panel range, and making online ordering even easier to use later in the year.’

Tel: 01254 682888

Showroom Virtual Tours

Greenway Products in Pontypool, South Wales recently commissioned Punctum Photographic to create and build an on-line Virtual Tour of the company's conservatory showroom.

This tour is now live and available to view at http://www.greenwayupvc.co.uk/virtualtour

With more businesses using the web as their prime marketing tool a Virtual Tour is a highly effective way of promoting your business.

This gives your business a clear and simple fully interactive virtual shop window where your products are on display 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The interactive nature of a virtual tour holds potential customers on your site for longer as they explore.

The clear benefits to the potential customers are that they get a look and feel for the range of products before they visit the 'real' showroom making their buying decision quicker and easier. Once home they can return to the showroom via the on-line tour to get a very real reminder of the look and layout of each conservatory. Greenway is delighted with the results of their virtual tour, as it is proving a benefit to their marketing and promotional plans.

Having completed this project Punctum Photographic would like to offer this service to similar clients interested in an on-line tour to aid and promote their showrooms or businesses.

' We can offer Virtual Tours based around the design layout of your current website, which ensures that when complete the new tour will fit seamlessly into your existing website,' says the company.

Punctum previous Virtual Tour clients include:

The London Hippodrome http://www.hipevents.co.uk
Tent London http://www.tentlondon.co.uk
University of Wales Newport http://www.newport.ac.uk

If you are interested in receiving an estimate, talking further about your ideas or simply to chat, please contact the Punctum Team.

Tel: 01633 843 237
Email: enquiries@punctumphotographic.co.uk
Web: http://www.punctumphotographic.co.uk

Enhanced On-line Service from Carl F direct

An expanded range of product lines featured in Carl F direct is supported by an enhanced on-line service. The Web based tools and accessories shop for the window and building industries now offers over 1,500 items.

The increased product offering is supported by a dynamic new Web design which speeds the selection process. Developments to Carl F direct include quick links to brand shops including DeWalt, Stabila, Little Giant and Henry. Carl F also provides the opportunity, via the Web facility, to subscribe to a newsletter that has been introduced to support the service.

Designed to provide professional tools and accessories for anyone working on site, the Web based service includes hand/power tools, measuring/maintenance products, health & safety equipment, ventilation systems, clothing/footwear and ladders.

Key to the success of Carl F direct is next day delivery for most items: this remains a core business philosophy for the service that sits alongside Carl F Petersen's hardware supply operation.

Visit http://www.carlfdirect.co.uk

For Carl F direct enquiries:
Call 0845 366 5566
Email: sales@carlfdirect.co.uk

Best Practice Guidance Online from DHF

Almost 5,000 codes of practice and best practice guides were downloaded from the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) website in a single month.

This is a record total since the federation began making its definitive guides available online. Over previous months, around 3,000 guides a month on average have been downloaded by members of the DHF and by architects, specifiers and property professionals.

Said DHF chief executive Ian Wood: 'We have developed an extensive library of publications which give vital guidance on the correct specification of our members’ products and services. They are for the benefit of architects, specifiers, builders, buildings & facilities managers, building control officers and anyone involved in the specification of industrial and commercial doors and shutters, hardware and domestic garage doors.

'In the members only section of the website, there are many guidance documents for use exclusively by our members. These ensure member companies provide fit for purpose products which comply with the standards and other legislation and that our members follow the good practice principles laid down by the federation.'

In the latest 'top ten downloads' the DHF Code of Practice for purchasers and specifiers of domestic garage doors and garage door operators proved to be the most popular, with more than 1,500 copies being downloaded in a single month.

It gives guidance on best practice in the design, manufacture and installation of garage doors in order to satisfy regulations and other requirements. It covers all the issues which need to be considered during the selection, specification and installation process of garage doors. These include guidelines on the mechanical aspects and requirements for garage doors under the Standard BS EN 12604.

All the relevant safety requirements for power operated domestic garage doors required by law to safeguard against risk are listed in the Code of Practice, including installation procedures that have Machinery Directive and CE marking implications.

This guide and the others are available on the DHF website http://www.dhfonline.org.uk

Permadoor Unveils New Website

Specialist composite door manufacturer and supplier Permadoor has launched its new and improved website

Specialising in the supply of made-to-measure, low maintenance exterior thermoplastic and GRP entrance doors, the new easy to navigate website features Permadoor's full product range.

With just a few clicks of the mouse customers can access information on fibreglass (GRP) ranges, thermoplastic doors, fire doors, outhouse doors and a range of glass options and finishes, plus full technical specification.

The website also gives RSLs, ALMOs and local authorities full details about Permadoor's contract management service. This includes support to all aspects of project delivery, from initial enquiry handling to quotation, surveying, installation and resident support.

The service also includes a fast track replacement scheme carrying a commitment to supply an agreed number of doors free of charge to support emergency replacement or routine maintenance.

Adrian Wyatt, sales director, Permadoor, said: ‘The new website has been designed to give customers access to the information they need to make the right choices.

‘It's not there to replace meetings and we will still always be there to answer all customer enquiries but it does give them an additional resource which they can go through in their own time to build a stronger understanding.

‘It represents our ongoing commitment to better support our customers and to make it easier to choose a Permadoor door.’

The initial phase of the Permadoor website redesign has now been completed with additional new online services planned for later this year.

For further information visit http://www.permadoor.co.uk or call 01684 595 200.

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