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Woody to Classify Vetrotech Glass

A cartoon character has been adopted by Vetrotech Saint-Gobain to help customers choose the kind of fire glass they require.

Woody, a wooden stick-man, has been developed by the specialist fire-glass manufacturer to demonstrate the difference between various classes of fire glass.

'He may be cute but Woody also has a serious message to get across, helping our customers understand the different threats our glasses protect against,' said Sue Hargreaves, UK manager, Vetrotech Saint-Gobain.

The pictograms of Woody will now be incorporated onto all Vetrotech Saint-Gobain promotional literature and used around the world.

For integrity only glass, Woody is seen running past a glass partition on the other side of which a fire has broken out. The message is pictorially simple: this form of glass (E) will contain the flames and toxic gases – but not the radiant heat.

In the second pictogram, Woody is able to walk past the glass partition because the glass incorporates integrity and radiation control (EW).

In the third, Woody can stand beside the glass partition because it incorporates the highest level of integrity and insulation (EI) – meaning that neither flames nor heat can cross the glass barrier.

'We know that customers can be confused by the various classifications that exist for fire resisting glass, and what levels of threat our Class A glasses can protect against,' said Sue Hargreaves.

'We hope that Woody will help make each classification a little simpler, as well as bringing a touch of humour to what is a very important subject,' she said.

Contact: Sue Hargreaves or Paula Doody
Tel: 0113 239 1500

New Customer Communication Tools From Rehau

Rehau is investing substantially during 2005 in improving its communication with its fabricators. A key element of this is a new Customer Information folder which brings together all the service and product information issued by Rehau into a new easy reference ring binder format.

The Service part of the folder is sub-divided into three sections keeping customers up to date with the marketing support services available from Rehau, as well as news about Rehau and the window industry as a whole.

The Product part is divided into sections for the various profile systems from the company and contains regularly updated product news. Customers can choose whether to receive future information in hard copy or PDF format.

Irene Smith, Rehau’s Marketing Communications Manager, who was responsible for the production of the folder, said: ‘Rehau has always issued regular information bulletins to its customers which were designed to keep them updated with relevant news and advice. However, we recognised that these were not always easy to refer to once they had been filed and were beginning to feel a little outdated.

‘With the new folder, we have made it much easier to file and access all the information and have given it all a fresh new look.’

As well as the Customer Information folder, Rehau is relaunching its Profile customer newsletter in 2005 and opening a customer portal to enable fabricators to access and download information on-line.

Tel: 01989 762600

New look for Famous Glass Cleaner

Bohle is to launch a new can design for the company’s aerosol glass cleaner next month. The glass cleaner is perhaps one of the most well known products from the company, having been in the market since the early 1970s.

Explaining the decision behind the new design, Bohle M.D. Gary Dean said:

‘Our glass cleaner is very well regarded in the UK and therefore two years ago we decided to introduce it into Europe too. This move has proven very successful, but then we faced a requirement to come up with a common can for all of our markets. The new can design features the latest Bohle corporate look alongside the six major languages we operate in.

The design is fresh and modern and particularly up market, which is ideal for our customers to retail. The can may be a new design, but the product is the same and so is the price despite improvements to the packaging.’

More from Bohle by calling free on 0800 61 61 51.

K2 Provides A Big Plus for Customers

As part of its ongoing commitment to customer-focused solutions, K2 has launched K2 Plus, a customer support package available to all dealers and installers, which will assist them both to increase their sales and also develop new business opportunities.

Comments Managing Director of K2, Sally Fielding: ‘In a competitive sector like the conservatory industry the importance of customer support cannot be underestimated. We believe that K2 Plus is a model customer support package for the industry and sets a benchmark for the level of added value dealers should expect from their systems suppliers. Too often, systems suppliers are totally focused on their own success but we believe that is short sighted. Our sales depend on our customers’ ability to stay ahead in a competitive environment; with K2 Plus we are actively helping them to bring business in – which has to be good for all of us!’

The real added value offered by the K2 Plus scheme is in the free expert consultancy and advice available to any K2 customer. K2 professionals are on hand to advise and develop bespoke marketing and sales programmes for customers. K2 has designed the programme to enable its customers to share the company’s marketing, sales & technical resources and will help each dealer and installer assess their needs on an individual basis, and then help in the most productive way in areas including PR, advertising, brand development and sales lead generation.

The K2 Plus package includes a comprehensive range of marketing support for K2 dealers and installers including corporate identity design; trade and consumer advertising and public relations support. K2 Plus also includes a variety of marketing support materials that can be customised to suit individual dealers or installers, including product information on CD-Rom, bespoke sales literature and point of sale displays and support material for Open Days.

The company has also produced a range of consumer-focused sales aids including a ‘Guide To Conservatories’ and direct mail flyers and posters, which are available either in bespoke or Approved Installer versions. In addition, K2 Plus also offers sales support and new business lead generation, with its in-house sales team actively generating leads via direct mail and tele-canvassing, while K2 Business Development Executives will accompany dealers to meetings with prospective clients to answer any technical questions about the K2 system and product range.

K2 also offers assistance with Showsite design and Exhibition design and build, further increasing the ability to differentiate from the crowd and turn potential into sales. Finally, K2 Plus also includes a range of technical support including on-site fabricator and surveyor training, site systems and factory set up support, as well as provision of a bespoke software system, including full training and support.

Sally Fielding continues: ‘At K2, we understand how important it can be in ensuring your company is always front of mind with potential customers. This imperative is just as true for dealers and installers as it is for systems manufacturers. We are well known in the marketplace for taking a partnership approach to business and our strength in customer retention is testament to the fact that our ethos to technical, sales and marketing support addresses a market need. We are a company that continuously questions our best practice and asks whether things can be done better, which has led to the launch of K2 Plus, an unbeatable support package.’

Abloy Security Vertical Marketing Campaign Launch 2005

'At Abloy Security, we’re always looking for ways to increase sales and help each ABLOY® Centre boost its business. Marketing activities are a key part of this process and include both direct marketing and coverage in the trade media.' says the company.  

'This year our goal is to gain more exposure in vertical markets; promoting our solutions directly to key industries through a vertical marketing campaign. Designed to create awareness of Abloy product solutions and services, the campaign was launched in February, and is supported by integrated marketing, PR and sales efforts.  We are producing a series of emails and mini websites, you can see the museum security website at http://www.security4museums.co.uk
'Publicity will expand to include many relevant vertical market sectors, with case studies as the focus of our promotion.

'We will be looking for our customers help to identify interesting or technically challenging applications using Abloy hardware or solutions that they have installed. If a customer has created a master key system, refitted a building to comply with DDA regulations, or simply designed an access control solution to meet a specific brief, they need to let us know.

'We will produce a case study, which will then be released to the trade press, and we can also create a short run of full colour leaflets to help you promote your business.'

Please contact Sarah Mockett on 01923 255066 with your details or email mailto:smockett@abloysecurity.co.uk

Abloy Winners Trip to Finland

ABLOY Centre of the year, Gloucester Locksmiths, enjoyed the company's prize of an all expenses paid trip to Finland at the end of last year.  

Pat Jefferies and Jeremy Groves of Abloy Security accompanied Gary John, Stuart Mock and Roger Jenkinson of Gloucester Locksmiths on the trip, and after spending the first two days seeing the sights and braving an unexpected snow storm in Helsinki, the group went on to Joensuu to visit the ABLOY factory. 
 
Between product training and a factory tour the group managed to sample the local cuisine and the national pastime – sauna! 

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip and left with an insight into the ABLOY product and the Finnish culture.

‘We’re Facing an Ice Age’ Says new Consultancy Firm

After selling his Trade Counter Business, Masterglaze Ltd, Andrew Scott has launched Purplex Business Solutions, a specialist Business, Marketing and Peak-Performance Consultancy Firm.

Scott is well known in the Window Industry as the architect of several highly successful company strategies, probably best known as sales and marketing director of Cambrian Windows Ltd, which achieved phenomenal growth after reinventing itself from a commercial to a trade fabricator.

‘The Window Industry is facing its own Ice Age – The climate is changing and the landscape transforming. Companies need to evolve or face extinction. The old climate is simply not returning.’ Said Scott.

Purplex works with trade and retail fabricators and installers to develop innovative new business, sales, and marketing strategies that produce results. ‘Many consultants are text-book theorists and out of touch with the day-to-day realities of running a tough business. However, Purplex provides practical, hands-on, and highly creative solutions to give clients a competitive edge.’

For more information contact Andrew Scott at Purplex Business Solutions on 0870 062 5318 or visit online at http://www.purplex.uk.com

Young Rider On Track With Total Glass

At just 14, young Rossi Ogilvie is aiming for stardom in his all-consuming Motocross hobby. And helping him on the road to success is significant sponsorship for the 2005 season from Total Glass where his dad David works as Production Manager.

Rossi takes part in races on his Yamaha 85cc all over the country and at the end of his second season last year, he finished 6th overall out of 36 riders – a creditable achievement.

He is a member of three clubs – Phoenix Motocross in Chorley, Vale Motocross in Manchester and Newton-le Willows Motocross – and with 16 race meetings per club each season, father and son are certainly kept busy at weekends.

Says David: ‘The sponsorship is a valuable contribution towards the costs of the sport; for example the bike only lasts one season due to the tough conditions it is put through. The costs of providing protective equipment, plus travel, all add up, so we’re very grateful for this support from Total Glass.’

For the riders and their families, cost is just one pressure to take into account. Falls and scrapes take their toll on the riders too, with three of Rossi’s friends having had to withdraw from competitions in 2004 due to injury.

For 2005 though, the season looks promising for Rossi whose 46 race number is fittingly appropriate. ‘The famous 46 is the same number as ridden by Valentino Rossi – the Michael Schumacher of the bike world. Hence my son chose it because he shares both his name and number with the ‘one and only’ in the sport,’ adds his proud dad.

Total Glass recently moved successfully to 100,000 sq ft purpose-built premises at Knowsley Business Park in Liverpool.

Completed at the end of February, the move enables future expansion for the established company whose state-of-the-art production facilities are further enhanced by an integrated ‘modular’ approach to efficient manufacturing.

For further information on Total Glass and its full service ‘Window Superstore’ concept, contact Frank Deary on 0151 549 2339 or visit the website at http://www.totalglass.com.

‘image’ Matters According to Adrian Toon

A new marketing business is now formed in the UK which covers all aspects of marketing for external building product manufacturers who wish to promote their products to specifiers, contractors and clients. Having wide ranging disciplines from Architectural Photography to Public Relations, all services are now available from one company. ‘image’, the name of this company, specialises in exactly that – raising company image and awareness in the eyes of potential specifiers. A higher quality business perception results in better quality and a greater number of enquiries.

Formed by Adrian Toon who successfully took a European Systems Company operating in the UK to being one of the top three suppliers of aluminium fenestration systems, the secrets of this business success are now available to other companies.

Use of the latest state of the art software and hardware enables ‘image' to produce a high quality output of work undertaken, easily transmitted to clients.

For further information on ‘image’ services contact Linda Hadfield who will be pleased to discuss your requirements. Email Linda on mailto:linda@a2n.co.uk

CertainTeed Revs Up 2005 Racing Season as a Team Sponsor of Haas CNC Racing and the #O Netzero/Best Buy Chevy Monte Carlo

CertainTeed Corporation announced recently that it has signed on as a team sponsor with the Haas CNC Racing NetZero/Best Buy race team and NASCAR driver Mike Bliss.

'We are privileged to be entering our fifth year as a sponsor in the nation's fastest-growing sport and are pariicularly excited to partner with Mike as he re-enters the Nextel Cup Series with the #O NetZero/Best Buy team,' says Peter Dachowski, President and CEO of CertainTeed Corporation.

Bliss, whose family has owned and operated Bliss Roofing in Clackamas, Oregon, for more than 30 years, is also pleased with the new partnership. 'Our family business was built on using only the best quality products and CertainTeed has been a big part ofthat,' says Bliss. 'I'm pleased to have the support ofan industry leader.' Next week's Daytona 500 marks Bliss' first full-time return to Nextel Cup racing since the 2000 season.

As part of the sponsorship, CertainTeed's corporate logo will be prominently displayed on the 'C' Post of the #O NetZero/Best Buy Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The logo will also be positioned on the left arm of Bliss' uniform and all Haas CNC Racing unifonns, merchandise, pit row equipment and the car hauler. 'This new sponsorship takes our affiliation with NASCAR to a whole new level,' says Dachowski. 'This is our first foray into NASCAR on-car sponsorship and we're excited about this incredible branding opportunity for CertainTeed.'

As part ofthe sponsorship, Bliss will make appearances and sign autographs at all CertainTeed NASCAR race hospitality events. And, as an extension of the CertainTeed sponsorship, NASCAR veteran and two-time Nextel Cup Champion Terry Labonte will also appear at select hospitality events.

'Many of our customers nationwide are loyal NASCAR fans,' continues Dachowski. 'Yet, what makes our relationship with Mike truly compelling is his tie to the building industry through his family's roofing business. Mike relates to our customers and contractors because he's been in their shoes hauling shingles up ladders and cleaning up job sites. He knows how hard they work. This will definitely be a winning relationship.'

Web: http://www.certainteed.com

New Conservatory Display Stand will ‘Fitrite’ in your Showroom

Due to increasing demand for the range of modular conservatories, Sash UK Ltd can now supply an exclusive display stand to customers wishing to sell the FitriteXpress conservatory from their show sites. The FitriteXhibit sample stand allows the customer to display a modular conservatory without having to commit the space and finances associated with displaying a full size conservatory.

The stand is just part of the package of marketing materials that the company now offer to support customer sales. ‘We feel that in terms of a quality product, Sash consistently go the extra mile to provide the highest standards in the industry. We want this to reflect in our commitment to customer service by responding to customer needs to provide the tools for success in their business,’ said David Ruzicka, Joint Managing Director at Sash UK.

The stand only requires an area of 1.25m x 0.75m x 2.1m and comes at a minimal price when return on sales is considered. This mini version of the FitriteXpress is complete with all the features of the range, such as austentitic screws and hinges and Uzone roof with click-lock technology.

Since its launch in April last year the FitriteXpress has enjoyed continuous growth in both sales and popularity. For the end user this is probably due to its low price, for the independent installer it is the practically bolt-free assembly in less than 90 minutes.

‘The FitriteXhibit is a useful selling tool, mounted on a branded backing board with A4 brochure holders, it shows a ‘cut-away’ version of the Ultraframe Uzone roof and makes a convenient and attractive addition to any showroom no matter how small,’ adds David. The FitriteXhibit is available exclusively through the Sash UK marketing team.

Tel: 01226 719997

Rugby Club Scrums for Siegenia's 'Hard-Wearing' Solutions

Window and door hardware specialist, Siegenia-Aubi Ltd, has shown its support for its Local under 16s rugby teams by providing kits as part of an ongoing sponsorship programme.

Siegenia's interest in Wellingborough Old Grammarians Rugby Club stems from its technical manager, Chris Wood, who has been coaching the rugby teams - under 11s, under 14s and under 16s - for four years. This is the second time that Siegenia has supported the teams, having previously donated £500 for their rugby kit in 2002 and helping to fund its regional Easter tour in 2003.

The link with the Club doesn't stop there either as Siegenia-Aubi has also supplied its robust LM4200 window hardware for the aluminium glostal windows at the Old Grammarian's clubhouse, sited at the memorial ground in Wellingborough.

Chris, who is a fully qualified RFU coach and keen rugby player himself, says, 'Siegenia's sponsorship has given the team a real boost. I am delighted that we have ben able to support the team and hope to see them reach new heights - in style!'

Tel: 024 7662 2000
Email: mailto:si-uk@siegenia.com
Web: http://www.siegenia.de

While Yorkshire shivers, the search is on for the regions worst taste Hawaiian shirt with the Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr. Janet Holmes launching the initiative, donning her own tropical top at the Conservatory Village, on Denby Dale Road, Wakefield.
The Conservatory Village, Yorkshire’s largest conservatory installer and showroom, is looking for people with the most outrageous Hawaiian shirt to come into its showroom and launch the company’s new range of year-round conservatories.

The competition is being held to illustrate the company’s new Smart conservatory range, which uses the Smartpoly polycarbonate roofing system reflecting heat, glare and harmful UV rays out in summer but retaining radiated heat during winter.

The winner will be judged to be the person who has braved Yorkshire’s recent inclement weather in the most unseasonable fashion faux-pas and will receive a £100 voucher towards £500 of Brackenwood conservatory furniture.

Andrew Glover, co-founder of the Conservatory Village said: ‘Most people think of conservatories as being exclusive to the summer months, but the technology behind our new range means they can be used all year round with little or no heating, and less maintenance than traditional installations.

‘What better way could there be to demonstrate this than by inviting people to come and see for themselves that even in the midst of a bitter Yorkshire winter, you don’t have to wrapped up to enjoy the extra space a conservatory gives.’

The Conservatory Village, JCI Wakefield’s Business of the Year 2005, has grown out of West Yorkshire Windows which was founded by Matthew and Andrew Glover in 1994 out of a small outlet in Middlestown, Wakefield with just £200. It has grown to become Yorkshire’s premier conservatory showroom and installer with an annual turnover in excess of £5m. The company has also featured in BBC and ITV DIY programmes, such as Carol Vorderman’s Better Homes and DIY SOS.

Tel: 0800 026 44 55
Web: http://www.westyorkshirewindows.com

Picture: Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr. Janet Holmes relaxes with a cocktail while Conservatory Village Managing Director Matthew Glover wraps up with a hot drink.

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