Ali success for Framexpress
We start the first newsletter of 2026 with positive news from Framexpress, which has announced that its Ali by Framexpress range has exceeded £1million in sales in its first full year of operation.
That figure is a perfect example of the continued growth of aluminium products, as well as the innovation in product design and supply in the aluminium sector as more businesses capitalise on the demand for premium, high performance solutions.
That includes trade aluminium fabricator DAWS, which has also just invested £1.4million in new machinery and manufacturing space to scale up speed and capability. A big chunk of that outlay is represented by a bespoke Schirmer machining centre that is currently being installed and commissioned at DAWS’ Knowsley factory.
For Framexpress, its success has been achieved by offering high quality product, but also quality of service, as Jonny Green, principal product manager, explains: “Installers are ready to do more with aluminium when the offer feels straightforward, well supported and built around how they work day-to-day.”
Lincoln based fabricator, Sternfenster, which manufactures a wide range of PVC and aluminium products has also reported a successful trading period over the last 12 months, bringing on 105 new customers in 2025.
According to Sternfenster, digital tools have played a big part in building and retaining its network of installer partners, with £73million worth of quotes generated via its advanced EasyAdmin+ platform, a cloud based system that allows users to manage orders and track deliveries more efficiently.
What other trends should we look out for in 2026?
Software specialist, Tommy Trinder, highlights the ongoing importance of colour in its latest Colour Trends Survey, with the overall volume of foiled or coloured casements being installed now approaching 40% – and Comp Door has revealed that while new finishes are gaining ground, ‘reliability and timeless design’ still dominate the market.
On behalf of all the team at Glass Times, we wish you a Happy New Year and here’s to a successful and prosperous 2026!