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The
Pilkington 'Pattern Presenter' Casts New Light on Texture Glass
Patterned
and decorative glass enhances virtually every home and business throughout
the country. Accordingly, the supplier of patterned, textured glass, Pilkington
Building Products - UK, has designed a special range of sales
support materials to ensure the Pilkington Texture Glass range remains
as popular as ever.
For
privacy, pure style or to simply allow extra light into internal rooms,
Pilkington manufactures 18 textured glass designs, along with a premium
range of etched glass, the Pilkington Oriel Collection. To help window
companies, homeowners and architects to decide on which pattern to choose,
the company has produced a new pattern presenter, a handy tent-shaped
book, which shows off the complete range.
This A4-sized book features new photography to provide a fresh and contemporary
look, is portable and is a simple way of presenting the glass to the customer.
Anne Quayle, marketing manager, Pilkington Building Products - UK comments:
'It can be used as a display stand or as a flick through brochure and
it even provides a visual obscuration level for each glass. Supported
by an updated Pilkington Texture Glass leaflet, the pattern presenter
is available free of charge and is an invaluable aid for visual identification
and selection of the correct product from the Pilkington range. It should
make an ideal presentation tool both in customer's home or in window company
showrooms.'
Pilkington Texture Glass offers varying levels of privacy and obscuration
and is available in toughened or laminated form for safety and security.
It allows the freedom to stamp individuality into a design and provides
excellent privacy and decorative options.
Request your own Pattern Presenter by e-mail to mailto:pilkington@respond.uk.com
or by telephoning the Technical Helpline on 01744 692000.
Here’s
One Bus You’re not Likely to Miss!
Homeowners
around Plymouth are left in no doubt who their local Network
Veka member is, thanks to this service bus commissioned by
Stormseal South West.
The livery was part of a major image makeover for the installer by Network
Veka with designs from its marketing services agency, The Image Works.
Stormseal is seeing real dividends from its proactive use of the Network
Veka marketing resource, according to MD Paul Murphy (pictured). Recently,
fabricator Consort named the company ‘Most Improved Customer’
with orders up 183% year-on-year.
Sales
of SGG PLANITHERM® TOTAL 1.3 Reach 1 Million M2 Since its Launch in
August 2004
Saint-Gobain
Glass UK
reports that cumulative sales of SGG PLANITHERM® TOTAL 1.3 will reach
1 million m2 by February this year. To celebrate this resounding success,
Saint-Gobain Glass UK will mark the occasion by offering a bottle of Champagne
to all its SGG PLANITHERM® customers by way of thanks.
Launched just six months ago, demand for this new generation high performance
low-E glass has exceeded all expectation and continues to grow at an astounding
rate. The product responds to the market’s need for a Low-E glass
that can offer many of the benefits of traditional hard coat products
together with the superior performance and aesthetics that customers have
come to expect of the soft coated SGG PLANITHERM® range.
Derek Dragten, Marketing Manager for Saint-Gobain Glass, said: ‘With
the launch of SGG PLANITHERM® TOTAL 1.3 and the strong growth of SGG
PLANITHERM® FUTUR N we have seen a remarkable step change in the use
of PLANITHERM® in the UK and Ireland and we fully expect this impressive
trend to continue throughout 2005 and beyond’.
A soft coat low-E glass, SGG PLANITHERM® TOTAL 1.3 is supplied in
a single version that can be used in either annealed or toughened form,
has a durable coating, an optimum U-value of 1.3 W/m2K* and a neutral
appearance in both reflection and transmission.
*(4-16-4 unit, 90% argon gas filled)
GAP,
roofline stockist and door panel manufacturer, has a new sharp branded
3D image on its entire fleet of 31 delivery vehicles. Mark Simm, Sales
and Marketing Manager, explains: ‘Our fleet does over 15,000 miles
a week delivering to site and between warehouses so the way our vehicles
look is very important. The green GAP think bubbles on the sides and wind
deflector are part of the ‘for PVC-U think GAP’ campaign.
'We’re constantly striving to improve the way we do business. A recent
review of our delivery practices highlighted an increasing number of customers
saying morning deliveries would be beneficial to them. So now we pick
orders and load overnight, often moving stock between branches, to give
our customers full, on time every time, deliveries in our new branded
vehicles.’
Contact: Mark Simm
Tel: 01254 682888
Email: mailto:simmy@gap.uk.com
Epwin
Group’s Divisional PR Manager, Kathy Wilkinson,
has left the company to launch her own company offering PR, writing and
photography services to the glass, glazing and construction sectors.
WilkinsonPr offers a flexible, cost-effective and bespoke solution for
companies of all sizes seeking to communicate their business activities
and raise their profiles across their target markets.
Says Kathy: ‘Communication of products and services to existing and
prospective customers, as well as suppliers and employees, is widely recognised
as a vital and integral contribution to the success of any business. However
management teams may not always have the time, expertise and resources
to devote to promoting their companies effectively.
‘Equally, the size of the business or level of communications activity
may not warrant a full-time communications appointment. In such cases,
the services of an experienced, knowledgeable and qualified freelance
PR can provide a solution to their marketing needs.
‘As WilkinsonPr, I am offering a wide range of PR, editorial and
photography services tailored to the individual needs of the company and
at a level to suit all budget requirements. As the UK glass and glazing
industry continues to evolve in response to changing market conditions,
the issue of promotion and communication remains ever-present for companies
of all sizes seeking to maintain their competitive edge.’
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Wilkinson
WilkinsonPr
5 Holt Castle Barns
Holt Heath
Worcester
WR6 6NJ
Tel/Fax: 01905 621575
Mob: 07740 368325
Windowlink's
Two-Wheeled Appeal
Two
motorbiking Windowlink directors are
going on tour to raise money for the tsunami appeal by offering free software
consultations. Styling themselves as the Tortoise & the Hare, they
are asking prospective customers to take part in the road show by donating
£1 for each mile that they travel from their previous appointment.
Giles Hayhurst, Tortoise and Managing Director, will travel on his Harley-Davidson,
while Hare and Commercial Director, Barrie Ryan, will be on his Bimota
sports bike. They will be making appointments over the coming weeks and
during Glassex for a no-obligation one-to-one free consultation and demonstration
of Windowlink’s Vector sales presentation conservatory software with
integrated pricing. When the appointments have been arranged, an efficient
route map will be prepared for the trip, which is scheduled for the end
of April.
Giles says, ‘Barrie can have the coffee ready for when I turn up
as he’s likely to get there a long time before me – but you
never know, I may have some
tricks up my sleeve! We felt we wanted to do something to raise money
to help in the aftermath of the tsunami, and at the same time it is a
great opportunity to meet some new and existing customers and show them
exactly what our software can do for their businesses.’
Anyone interested in booking a visit from the Windowlink bikers can contact
Barrie by phone on 0870 770 1640, or by email at mailto:barrieryan@windowlink.com.
They can also visit the Windowlink stand F090 at Glassex to book their
appointment.
Web: http://www.windowlink.com
Walnut
Motorsport Awarded Schüco Karting Contract
Walnut
Motorsport has been asked to organise the 2005 Schüco
Karting Challenge for the third successive year. This competition for
the construction industry has proved extremely popular and, in 2005, the
maximum number of entrants will be raised to 288, from 240 last year and
144 in its first year (2003). It will take place at 6 regional qualifying
rounds during May with the top 4 drivers at each round qualifying for
the UK final in July.
New
this year will be a team competition running alongside the main event
for individuals. The event is open to those working in the construction
industry in architects, developers, main contractors, surveyors and consultancies.
Employees of fabricators of Schüco’s door, window and curtain
walling systems are also eligible. Up to three employees from each company
can enter and their finishing positions can count towards qualification
for a team final.
Last year’s top three individuals represented the UK at Schüco’s
European final at Majorca and came away with the top prize! Simon Ham
(Arup Acoustics), Martin Smart (Acanthus Clews Architects) and Stephen
Johnson (Peter Walker Group) will all be taking part again hoping to defend
their title.
Walnut Motorsport specialises in corporate hospitality and event management
in the exciting world of motorsport and many of the company’s clients
are drawn from the building products industry, thanks largely to the previous
experience of Managing Director, Nick Moss. The company’s hospitality
packages range from unique and exclusive places at Grand Prix worldwide
to tailored, cost effective VIP treatment at UK events such as British
Touring Cars and British Superbikes. Walnut Motorsport’s range of
corporate events include karting, track days, exhibition show cars and
driver appearances.
If you want to treat your customers, staff or stakeholders to something
a little different, contact Nick at mailto:nick.moss@walnutmotorsport.com
or on 01386 710106.
Everwhite’s
Marketing Support that Does What it Says on the Tin!
Everwhite
Plastics Ltd
has launched its new Distributor Support Package. Simon Reynolds, Sales
Manager of Everwhite, explains why: ‘Some manufacturers’ marketing
support material looks good but is not that useful to the installer or
homeowner. Everwhite doesn’t just pay lip service to marketing support.
We listened to the comments about other support packages and designed
the new Everwhite Distributor Support Package to make a difference where
it really matters, the bottom line.
The Everwhite DSP is specifically designed to help installers convert
more opportunities into sales when selling to the homeowner. Three versions
have been designed to distinguish between the needs of the three different
users.
‘The installer DSP includes a range of promotional material that
reassures the homeowner that the products the roofline installer is fixing
are of high quality,’ continues Simon. ‘The Registered Installer
DSP includes the same marketing support contents as the first, but in
addition has details of the Registered Installer Scheme, the Registered
Installer Certificate and the customer guarantee. The third, the Professional
Pack, is aimed at the commercial purchaser and offers a comprehensive
guide for commercial specifiers of new build and refurbishment projects.’
Tel: 01685 882 447
It’s
‘Scroll on’ for Masterframe’s New Product Differentiator
Whether
it’s cars, food, clothes or virtually any other consumer or business
product, we‘re surrounded by branding. Branding differentiates products
at the point of sale and, consciously or not, we’re all influenced
by the brand symbols around us. PVCu sash window manufacturer Masterframe
gives professional installers an edge by putting its ‘Bygone Collection’
identity on a variety of fixtures and fittings on its sash windows. The
scroll logotype, cast into unique/exclusive window hardware such as locking
cams and limit stops in a classically understated script, clearly differentiates
the product.
Speaking about the new branding, Masterframe Managing Director Alan Burgess
says: ‘Masterframe sash windows have always been packed with innovative
features. By adding a distinctive logotype our Bygone Preferred Installers
and their customers can be guaranteed they are getting the product they
expect and a clear reminder of the quality they’re buying. It’s
a great sales aid and a deterrent to stop anyone passing-off inferior
windows as Bygone products.’
Tel: 01376 510410
Web: http://www.masterframe.co.uk
Ben's
Successful Touch-Down in Wellingborough
Planet
Group's
latest Conservatory Design Centre in Wellingborough kicked off to a flying
start thanks to Northampton Saints and England international rugby star
Ben Cohen.
Northampton-born Ben, who played for England's winning 2003 World Cup
team in Australia, was on hand to open the new 6,000 sq ft Planet Conservatory
Design Centre on Victoria Trade Park (near the KFC) in Turnells Mill Lane
on Thursday, 30th December 2004.
England
rugby international Ben Cohen with Planet's Peter Brown (left) and Kevin
Findell (right).
The
26-year-old winger has played for the Saints since he was 17 and was kept
busy at the Design Centre meeting customers and signing autographs. Ben
was also promoting his first calendar, which received a warm response
from Planet customers.
The development represents a £350,000 investment for Peter Brown
and Kevin Findell who run the Wellingborough Design Centre together with
an outlet in St Ives, Cambridgeshire which they opened in 2002. The new
Design Centre is creating 26 jobs.
It features a display of 10 fully built, lifestyle themed conservatories.
Together with a full range of classical and contemporary furniture and
blinds, the Design Centre also has a balcony coffee area.
Wellingborough is the 22nd Conservatory Design Centre for Planet Group
- the UK's largest conservatory installer.
Planet Group chairman, Dean St John comments: 'The Wellingborough Design
Centre demonstrates how committed we are to providing the region's homeowners
with the finest choice of conservatories in the market. Planet will be
opening another 10 Design Centres in 2005 and we are well on target to
installing over 200 conservatories a week throughout the UK.'
Peter Brown and Kevin Findell established their first Planet franchise
(in St Ives, Cambridgeshire) in 2002 and also run a company called Harlequin
Frames, which specialises in the manufacture of coloured conservatories.
'We have built up our businesses to be very successful and have hundreds
of delighted customers. We're delighted to be expanding so quickly with
the new Wellingborough showroom.'
Planet Group Ltd is forecasting a £70 million turnover for 2004/05
and employs over 800 staff in the UK. Its headquarters and manufacturing
facilities are based at Bamber Bridge, near Preston in Lancashire.
Customers can contact the new Conservatory Design Centre on Tel: 01933
303973. The full address of the showroom is Victoria Trade Park, Turnells
Mill Lane, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 2RN.
Eurocell
Pinnacle 500 Promotion
Eurocell
is stepping up the sales drive of the popular, and now BBA Accredited,
Pinnacle 500 Modular Roofing System. Available from the company’s
network of 58 branches in the UK and Ireland, the latest promotion will
be available to existing and new customers. By purchasing three Pinnacle
500 Roofing Systems from a EBP Depot customers will automatically receive
a DeWalt DC907K2 Cordless drill, if the customer purchases six then they
will receive the superior DC981KA Cordless Hammer Drill.
'This latest promotion emphasises the popularity of the roof system in
our branches. Combined to the recent BBA Approval and Fire Rating Certification,
teaming up with DeWalt will only add further credibility to this great
product. Our branches are already reporting excellent feedback and we
expect it to continue long after the promotion finishes in April.’
commented David Salt, Sales Director, Eurocell Building Plastics.
Tel: 01773 842 100
Email: mailto:marketing@eurocell.co.uk
Web: http://www.eurocell.co.uk
Experience
Elevation at PBM-DQS
PBM-DQS,
the independent distributor of PVC products, has announced a National
roadshow to give the company's customers an opportunity to try Ultraframe's
new roof products Elevation and Elevation Plus.
This
lean-to conservatory roof is something that has to be experienced first
hand and PBM-DQS, with the support of Ultraframe, is creating the roadshow
that will include a trial installation, a 'Fastest Elevation Fitter' competition
and a chance to see the complete range of Ultraframe conservatory roofing
products on offer.
The roadshows, beginning in February, will take place at 10 branches of
PBM-DQS up and down the UK and will last for 2 days at each venue. Installers
will also have the opportunity to meet PBM-DQS representatives and members
of Ultraframe's technical support team to answer any questions about conservatories
and the benefits of the company's extensive product range.
Anthony Jones, Group Managing Director of PBM-DQS, said, 'Elevation is
a fantastic product and this roadshow will provide an interactive and
informative opportunity for our customers to try it for themselves and
to see the full range of products and services that we can offer. We are
really keen for our customers to experience the benefits of this radical
new roof system and the Clicklock technology that speeds up the installation
process. They also get the chance to see the new hipped wings of Elevation
Plus, a roof that brings a unique and contemporary interpretation of the
lean-to style.'
'We believe that these new products can deliver real competitive advantage
for our customers, particularly in the growing budget sectors of the UK
conservatory market, something that is at the very heart of our business
philosophy.'
Linda Doughty, Marketing Director at Ultraframe commented, 'We are delighted
to be working in partnership with PBM-DQS to promote Elevation in this
way, and have worked closely with the company producing promotional support
material such as posters and flyers to help ensure the success of the
roadshows. Roofing representatives from PBM-DQS are receiving full training
on the new product range so that they will be able to best advise their
customers on the ideal roof to suit their particular requirements.
'Elevation is the first lean-to polycarbonate roofing system designed
to meet current and anticipated future Building Regulation requirements
and to have BBA approval at launch. It provides unmatched thermal performance
and features an integrated ventilation system. Roof pitch is fully variable
between 2Þ and 10 degrees with 25mm polycarbonate as standard and a 35mm
upgrade option. It is a roof with the usual high standards of Ultraframe
performance and quality, at affordable prices.'
Elevation Plus is available with either single or double hipped wing ends
and is supplied at a roof pitch of 5 degrees. The hipped wings allow additional
light into the conservatory and overcome the need for firings or expensive
raked frames. With a span of up to 4.8m, Elevation Plus can be used on
both domestic and commercial applications.
Linda Doughty continued, 'We conducted extensive research to better understand
the new generation of conservatory buyers and their demands, before designing
the Elevation system. We learned that there is a growing market for technologically
advanced, contemporary styled lean-to conservatories and we fed the research
output into our design and development process. Elevation and Elevation
Plus are the results. These roadshow events with PBM-DQS are the perfect
opportunity to showcase these innovations and to build awareness of the
rest of our product range.'
Anthony Jones concluded: 'The roadshow is a great opportunity for PBM-DQS
to demonstrate our products and services and for our customers to experience
the most innovative lean-to conservatory on the market. The entire team
at PBM-DQS are looking forward to a successful roadshow.'
The programme for the 2 day PBM-DQS roadshows is:
01/02/05 - 02/02/05 PBM-DQS Cumbernauld
09/02/05 - 10/02/05 PBM-DQS Washington
14/02/05 - 15/02/05 PBM-DQS Hull
16/02/05 - 17/02/05 PBM-DQS Chadderton
21/02/05 - 22/02/05 PBM-DQS Exeter
23/02/05 - 24/02/05 PBM-DQS Newport
28/02/05 - 01/03/05 PBM-DQS Cardiff
02/03/05 - 03/03/05 PBM-DQS Merthyr
07/03/05 - 08/03/05 PBM-DQS Croydon
09/03/05 - 10/03/05 PBM-DQS Dunstable
Web: http://www.pbm-dqs.co.uk
MPH
Helps Local Residents get Round and About Safely
Sheerframe
fabricator MPH has sponsored a roundabout
in its hometown of South Ribble to provide funding for much needed street
lighting on unlit paths and streets.
The roundabout sponsorship is part of South Ribble Borough Council’s
current commitment to provide a safe environment, with the areas in most
need of lighting improvements being identified by Area Committees. It’s
hoped that the first new street lights will be erected early this year.
From
left to right; Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council, Cllr Matthew Tomlinson,
Dave Williams, and Greg Kane at Schleswig Way roundabout.
MPH
contracts director, Greg Kane, said: ‘Being part of the local community
and supporting the council is very important to us, as we have been established
in South Ribble for over thirty-five years. As the majority of our employees
and their families live in the South Ribble area we thought that this
scheme was particularly relevant to us and would really make a difference.’
The Mayor of South Ribble, Cllr Matthew Tomlinson, said: ‘The roundabout
sponsorship scheme is an innovative way of promoting local businesses
and at the same time providing revenue that the council can use to make
valuable improvements in the community. We’d like to thank the local
businesses that have got involved and I hope that this successful scheme
will continue for years to come.’
Glazerite
Scores for Vinnie’s TV Friends
Northants
Network Veka fabricator Glazerite
put Vinnie Jones in the frame when the soccer-turned-movie star tackled
a challenge on ITV’s hit show ‘With a Little Help from my Friends.’
The
Wellingborough based company stepped in with the windows required to help
Vinnie rebuild his boyhood team’s clubhouse at Bedmond, Herts.
Glazerite is one of a number of Network Veka members that have already
featured in TV home improvement and makeover shows.
‘On productions like this they have to be very choosy about product
quality but also the integrity of the company, so we were especially pleased
to have been chosen,’ said Glazerite’s Jason Thompson.
"Being a member of Network Veka means people know in advance the
standards of materials, workmanship and training that we are obliged to
uphold so it helps to take the guesswork out of choosing an installation
company.’
Vinnie Jones has been raising cash to help the club for a few years. The
TV programme, and generous donors like Glazerite, enabled Vinnie and a
few old school friends to restore the dilapidated clubhouse to its former
glory.
For further information, please contact:
John Ogilvie, Network Veka: 01282 473170
Jason Thompson, Glazerite Windows Ltd: 01933 443222
K2's
Marketing Support Packs a Punch with L2 Point of Sale Unit
K2
has furthered its commitment to providing wide-ranging marketing support
to customers with the design and production of a new point of sale unit
for its L2 in a Pack low pitch roof kit system.
Since its launch last year, L2 in a pack has proved popular as it not
only provides a leak-free solution to low pitch conservatory roof installations,
but its kit form, fully sculptured, modular design ensures it is quick
and easy to assemble on site. To help customers demonstrate the product's
benefits to their customers, K2 has designed a POS unit that will be displayed
in the reception of numerous fabricators, installers and building/plastics
merchants.
Explains Managing Director of K2, Sally Fielding: 'Low pitch roofs are
notoriously difficult to install and L2 in a Pack is an ideal solution
to the issues associated with this type of installation. We wanted to
support fabricators in marketing the product to installers but it also
became clear that some installers would find the POS units helpful in
explaining the product option to consumers so we have offered the units
to fabricators, installers and merchants' outlets.'
The robust unit features samples of the product, clear information about
the product's benefits and literature racks to enable customers to take
away more in-depth product specification.
Sally Fielding continues: 'The POS unit is part of a sustained programme
of marketing and technical support designed to ensure we provide a fully
integrated service to customers. Our approach is to build partnerships
with our customers by helping them drive sales and address their customers'
requirements. The development of L2 in a Pack was driven by a need for
this type of product and we will continue to look at ways in which we
can add value to our customers' business to give them a competitive market
advantage.'
Tel:
01204 554554
Email: mailto:enquiries@k2conservatories.com
Web: http://www.k2conservatories.com