News
- No categories
Rising costs and continued uncertainty over Brexit are to blame for the slight drop in construction output, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on the construction output figures for October 2018, published by the Office for National Statistics, Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at the FMB, said: “The UK construction sector is more or less flat-lining...
A solid expansion of UK construction output was supported by a broad-based upturn in the three sub-categories of activity monitored by the IHS Markit/Cips UK Construction Total Activity Index, which registered 53.4 in November, up from 53.2 in October, to remain above the 50.0 no-change mark for the eighth successive month. Growth of new work picked up since October and...
Ultraframe, has partnered with Total Support Training to tackle the skills shortage that is threatening the industry. The conservatory specialist supplied two Ultrasky lanterns to Total Support Training, which were demonstrated and launched at its recent open evening event. Total Support Training provides opportunities to bring young people, the long-term unemployed, and ex-offenders into the glass and glazing and construction...
J&P Home Improvements is celebrating a 10-year partnership with Veka Group and Independent Network; the family-owned, Lampeter-based company, which has been in business for more than 20 years, has spent the most successful part of that period working with Veka. Co-owner Barry Thomas, said: “My father, John, and I set the business up in 1991 as an installation company. We...
Quickslide has undertaken a quality systems audit by CENSolutions for the second time this year “passing with flying colours”. Compliance with a number of requisites is compulsory for all manufacturers; the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) sets down standards, including BS EN 14351 for windows and pedestrian door sets, and PAS 24:2016, which relates to the level of security applied to...
SupaLite has welcomed customers from across the country to Preston for its annual fabricator conference. Hosted by SupaLite’s new MD Steve Hacking,the conference recapped on what has reportedly been a successful year for the business and its trade partner network. The event also saw a number of new developments unveiled. The company launched its new-look Registered Fabricator Scheme, now endorsed...
A display Pod showcasing Apeer’s Lumi window and door system landed its first major order within a few weeks of going into a showroom but, according to the owners, the sale was just one of the benefits it was bringing. Elizabeth Brighouse, of retail installer Trade Windows Derby, said: “It immediately became the conversation piece of the whole showroom –...
Solidor is adding a new Art Deco glass range that’s been inspired by the architectural influences of the early 20th Century. There are four different glass designs in the new range. There is also a further glass design, which is a combination of an Art Deco unit with Jo Downs handmade tiles fitted, called ‘Vogue’. All of the new glass...
Sliders UK has reported sustained growth, recording record year-on-year growth of as much as 45%, driven by demand for aluminium and growth in sales of composite doors. According to the door company, the average weekly increase in sales for the year to date has been around the 33% mark, also recording a number of record highs, with weekly year-on-year growth...
Distinction Doors has confirmed that sales of both its GRP fire door blanks and prepped fire doors have now resumed, following the self-imposed industry-wide ban which resulted from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry investigations and subsequent bi-lateral fire door testing initiated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). In order to comply with new government expectations of GRP...
Kestrel has reported that sustainable sourcing is at the heart of its business after achieving BES 6001 for the sixth year running. The accreditation means installers, specifiers and distributors can be sure that Kestrel’s fascias, cladding, soffits and trims meet high standards of sustainability. Kestrel sales and marketing director Owen Thorogood said: “Kestrel has held BES 6001 since 2012. It’s...
Korniche will be challenging the industry when they hold the ‘Korniche Challenge’ at the FIT Show 2019. Visitors to the company’s stand can walk away with a £1,000 cash prize by taking on the challenge to install the Korniche lantern in the fastest time of the day. Korniche lantern components used will be exactly as they would be when delivered...
TWC Home Improvements has joined the Conservatory Outlet Network, the third installation company to join in as many months. Established in 2012 and headed up by directors Joseph Heaton and Andrew Hill, the Swindon-based business achieved £4 million turnover by the end of 2017. Following Bon Accord Glass (Aberdeen) and Styleglaze Installations (Daventry) in the move to the Conservatory Outlet,...
Pilkington UK recently won the Innovative Solution category of the glass industry’s Glass Focus 2018 awards, organised by the British Glass Manufacturers' Confederation. Sponsored by Glass Technology Services (GTS), the award was presented in recognition of Pilkington’s AviSafe development – a coated glass that aims to prevent bird/window strikes. Developed by Pilkington’s UK-based research and development technology centre, Pilkington AviSafe...
The door and window hardware industry’s rising stars were celebrated recently at the 39th annual Guild of Architectural Ironmongers’ (GAI) Education Awards in London. The awards celebrate the architectural ironmongery professionals who have achieved a GAI Diploma and recognise the highest achieving students. This year, exams were sat by 355 learners across all three stages of the GAI online training...
Carl F Groupco has reported a successful year with ongoing development of its extensive catalogue of over 7,000 lines catering for all window and door hardware requirements. Brands that have performed particularly well for the distributor include SmartSecure that provides new generation electronic door locking and access control. This has achieved a 90% year-on-year increase in sales since its launch...
Pigs badges were a success at the Birmingham get-together in November, with a record number of attendees clamouring for their very own stylish pin. Organisers of the industry’s networking event commissioned the limited-edition metal pin badges to hand out at the Pitcher and Piano. They sported the familiar Pigs logo, which proved to be popular. “We decided to open the...
Pro-Fitter has been launched as a training provider for window, door and conservatory products. Pro-Fitter’s director Lou Leka said: “Many certifications exist in our industry but none offer bespoke training that allow people to learn in a controlled environment and have their competency levels assessed. “We are not another competent person scheme. We are not a vocational college. We teach...
Rapierstar has embarked on a number of new initiatives to help reduce the environmental impact of its operations and further strengthen its credentials as a responsible supply chain partner. These include better management of waste water with the installation of three new water treatment plants at its warehouse and distribution centre in Cheshire. These will turn waste water from the...
Apeer has announced its second major investment in as many months, unveiling a new £750,000 toughening line to stay ahead of ‘exponential’ growth of its Lumi and Lumi2 windows and doors. Demand for the Lumi range has trebled in the last year, and the introduction of the retrofit-friendly Lumi2 system has boosted that growth even further, the company said. The...