As scrutiny over false U-value claims intensifies, Apeer’s CEO Asa McGillian calls for accountability and reaffirms his commitment to setting the benchmark for verified quality standards.

Asa McGillian’s recent warnings about misleading compliance claims in door manufacturing have sent shockwaves through the fenestration sector. The conversation has intensified in recent months with Asa at the forefront, raising serious concerns about false U-value claims and poor regulatory oversight. The response has been swift and widespread.

“We’ve had a wave of contact from installers, suppliers and certification bodies all echoing the same concern: something isn’t right in our sector,” says Asa. “The conversation has moved from suspicion to proof and now to accountability. The question is, what are we going to do about it?”

“In some cases, our independent tests have found competitors’ doors with U-values of between 2 and 3. That’s not just non-compliant, it’s shocking. Some of these doors have no insulation whatsoever. They perform worse than a basic cavity wall.”

An industry-wide crisis

Asa warns that more than half a million non-compliant doors could be in circulation, putting thousands of installation businesses at risk of both consumer backlash and legal exposure. As evidence mounts, discussions are taking place about how to address what many now recognise as a full-blown compliance crisis.

Asa’s focus has largely been on ensuring that manufacturers meet their legal obligations, including reaching minimum thermal standards and verifying this through third-party testing. Too many aren’t, and with enforcement lacking, some companies have gained unfair market share by undercutting on quality.

“It’s fraud, plain and simple,” Asa says. “And it’s installers who are in the firing line. If you can’t verify with third-party certification that the doors you’re fitting meet legal thermal standards, the risks are clear and serious.

“Installers must protect themselves. Scrutinise every claim, demand the proper documentation, ask to see the test data. These manufacturers know they are doing it, and they’ll know why you are asking. So if they can’t prove performance, protect your business by walking away.”

Leading by example

While Asa has been vocal in calling out bad practice, Apeer is equally focused on doubling down on its own high standards. That means investing in rigorous testing and certification and working only with partners who share the same ethos. Partners such as Coventry-based integral blinds specialists Blinds In Glass Group Ltd. The two companies recently signed a distribution agreement, bringing together BIGG’s expertise in light and privacy control with Apeer’s high-spec composite door range.

“Ian Woolley [MD at BIGG] really understands what we’re about,” says Asa. “He wants to give his customers not just a great product, but a compliant one. One that’s been tested, verified and built to perform. That alignment of values is crucial.”

Ian agrees: “The Apeer door range impressed me at every level,” he says. “The company manufactures doors to the same values as BIGG, and working from this premise helps the supply chain to operate so much more efficiently. For a competitive price, our customers will be able to sell a beautiful door that is superior in terms of U-values, range of colours, skin and hardware options. Plus, they’ve significantly over-delivered in terms of marketing support too.”

Turning the tide

As more companies and organisations join the conversation, awareness grows and evidence mounts, Asa believes the industry is finally starting to confront the issue of fraudulent performance claims head-on.

“There’s real movement happening now. Certification bodies, trade associations, even regulators are starting to take notice and ask the right questions. As an industry we need to be looking at how we can put tighter systems in place to stop this kind of thing happening.”

For Apeer, the priority is staying ahead of that curve. Not just complying with standards, but helping to define them.

“We’re not going to wait for enforcement to catch up – which it will. Our job is to lead from the front, so we’re going to keep doing what we’ve always done: test everything, certify everything and deliver genuine performance. Because that’s how you build trust with installers and with homeowners, and trust is the foundation of our business and our industry. Without it, we’re all on shaky ground.”