Windows Active

08/04/2024

OBITUARY: Asa Turley

It is with great regret that GT Window Products has to announce the sad passing of Asa Turley after a brave battle with cancer aged 45. A long serving legend to not just GTWP but also the industry. His knowledge, enthusiasm and detail to customers will be missed by many. Asa started in the window industry straight from school by joining DSG in Andoversford after leaving School when he was 15, At 17 he joined Vinylex as a profile blender, he then began his career in Sales by joining Trojan and later Fab and Fix and eventually Windowware, where between them he crafted his expertise in window hardware and technical sales. He was soon headhunted by Cotswold Architectural and finally moved to GT window products in 2009 where helped grow and develop GT Window Products brand and product range.

He also built his love for Technical Hardware, testing, driving and meeting customers where he has enjoyed 15 years of building relations with customers from all over the country, mastering his trade in technical sales, testing and helping any fabricator he could. Asa is well loved by many customers in the industry, an infectious person that would go out of his way for anyone, his passion for the industry and the product he sold never went unnoticed, the window industry and GT window products was his life.

Funeral details are 03/05/2024 @ 1pm , anyone wishing to attend please contact [email protected] or a live video link will be available on request.

15/03/2022

Korniche bi-folding doors ushers in 2022 with new sales opportunities

Highly-respected Korniche brand’s bi-fold system offers a plethora of benefits to make it the number one choice for installers, retailers and consumers alike in 2022

‘Engineered to Inspire’ from the outset, Made For Trade’s multi award-winning Korniche brand was founded with the mission to bring inspirational products to light via innovative design and engineering. As a recent addition to the portfolio, the bi-folding door system’s attributes are already seeing it follow in the footsteps of the renowned lantern roof’s sales success, which since launch in 2016 has received multiple awards for its impressive design and aesthetics, including both builder and homeowner accreditation.

Read more at: http://www.windowsactive.com/korniche-bi-folding-doors-ushers-in-2022-with-new-sales-opportunities/

Made For Trade

Highly-respected Korniche brand’s bi-fold system offers a plethora of benefits to make it the number one choice for installers, retailers and consumers alike in 2022 ‘Engineered to Inspire’ from the outset, Made For Trade’s multi award-winning Korniche brand was founded with the mission to b...

17/09/2021

West Cornwall Plastics boost sales by 20% with Framepoint®

The window industry is booming, and West Cornwall Plastics are going from strength to strength with quoting software Framepoint® from Tommy Trinder, meeting demand at lightning speed with best-in-class visualisation and presentation.

Since adopting Framepoint® the firm has seen a 20% increase in sales, and company administrator Chris Nelson couldn’t be happier.

“The software has been invaluable. We love to offer a personal service, and Framepoint® allows us to personalise things even further. Our customers absolutely love the presentation that we’re giving them. We took over £40,000 in sales in single a week when we switched to using Framepoint® – it’s a nice jump!”.

West Cornwall Plastics have been busier than ever, with demand reaching unprecedented levels throughout the pandemic, and “it’s not really slowing down!”, Chris said. Framepoint® has enabled West Cornwall Plastics to meet that demand quickly and efficiently.

Read the full story at: http://www.windowsactive.com/west-cornwall-plastics-boost-sales-by-20-with-framepoint/

The window industry is booming, and West Cornwall Plastics are going from strength to strength with quoting software Framepoint® from Tommy Trinder, meeting demand at lightning speed with best-in-class visualisation and presentation. Since adopting Framepoint® the firm has seen a 20% increase in s...

24/08/2021

What will the top window colours be in 2022?

Deceuninck has created a free to download White Paper, summarising the findings of detailed consumer research on colour preference, and creating a series of forecasts for top colour trends in 2022.

Released this month, the paper draws on data collected by leading consumer pollster YouGov as part of a Deceuninck commissioned study.

It also pulls in data on national sales of foils and statistics from its own sales, combining them with analysis from other sectors, on key home improvement colour trends.

Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck, said: “We tend to be a little ahead of the market in general in the colours we sell, so we’ve looked at that, the data we have from YouGov and wider market analysis, to pull it together, identify trends and make our prediction for where the market is going to go next year.”

The study by YouGov, published earlier this year found that when asked about their colour preference white was cited by 43% of homeowners as their preferred colour choice. Greys, including Anthracite Grey, Agate Grey, and Grey, accounted for a combined 17%. Irish Oak and Rosewood polled 7% and 6% respectively. Greens, including Chartwell and Sage Green, recorded 4% and 1%; Black and Cream each recorded 4%.

“They’re the headline findings but dig into and there are a host of other factors which are likely to influence colour choice going forward including age and type of property. We’ve pulled everything together into a single document, done some crystal ball gazing and made forecasts for the year ahead”, Rob said.

Deceuninck offers 30 colourways in stock and 20 additional colours in just 15 working days, with on average Deceuninck fabricators selling twice as much colour as their competitors.

To download your free copy of the White Paper please visit https://www.deceuninck.co.uk/en-gb/colourwhitepaper

http://www.windowsactive.com/what-will-the-top-window-colours-be-in-2022/

Deceuninck

Deceuninck has created a free to download White Paper, summarising the findings of detailed consumer research on colour preference, and creating a series of forecasts for top colour trends in 2022.  The paper draws on data collected by leading consumer pollster YouGov as part of a Deceuninck commis...

24/08/2021

Morley Glass goes large to boost deliveries & glass recycling volumes

Leading integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass & Glazing has taken delivery of six new Luton vans which not only boost its nationwide delivery capacity as demand grows, but greatly increase the amount of post-consumer glass it can collect and recycle through its ‘Crush’ initiative. The familiar boxy Luton vans are the first to enter the Morley Glass fleet and are ideally suited to this dual ‘deliver and collect’ role that its delivery drivers now undertake. The layout of the vans means that Uni-Blinds sealed units can be better distributed around the space so there is more room for post-consumer glass to be brought back to the Morley Glass factory for recycling.

Read Full Story at: http://www.windowsactive.com/morley-glass-goes-large-to-boost-deliveries-glass-recycling-volumes/

Morley Glass

Leading integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass & Glazing has taken delivery of six new Luton vans which not only boost its nationwide delivery capacity as demand grows, but greatly increase the amount of post-consumer glass it can collect and recycle through its ‘Crush’ initiative. The famili...

12/02/2021

Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration A Career of Choice

02/12/2020

FIRESIDE CHAT NO. 4: Helping Customers Grow

Freefoam announce the release of one of the most significant of our ‘Fireside Chat’ video’s, explaining how we help our customers to develop and grow.

In the fourth video Colin St John, Commercial Director, explains how Freefoam operate, the ethos behind the company and how this way of working puts customers at the heart of the operation, supporting and delivering what they need, when they need it.

Colin summaries “We have great customers, from the one man stockists to a multi brand merchant. We give each one the level of service and support they need, which can be very different for each customer type. We’ve become a bit of a chameleon organisation, adapting and changing to suit individual customer needs”.

These videos are part of Freefoam’s campaign which highlights our unique approach to building our business and celebrates customers’ successes. Freefoam Commercial Director, Colin St John, has worked in roofline for around 20 years and he gives great insight into Freefoam’s business, the changes in the industry and their implications for the future.

We hope these videos will both inform and provide a platform for future debate.

https://youtu.be/NgPCKVEFjo4

Freefoam

In this fourth video of the series Colin St John, Commercial Director, explains how Freefoam operate, the ethos behind the company and how this way of worki...

01/12/2020

Three SBD member companies in Christmas door gift to community project

In the true spirit of seasonal goodwill, three Secured by Design (SBD) member companies have teamed up to give away a secure door to a community project.

F.Bamford (Engineering) Ltd, known in the industry as Bamford Doors, and its key supply partners Entrotec Limited and Key Management Systems (KMS) are looking to give an early Christmas present of a complete communal door entry solution installed free.



The security door, door entry and access control system, could be for an early years project, youth centre, domestic violence refuge, homeless shelter or any other community venture that needs a greater level of security.

The driving force behind the Christmas giveaway is Alexis Smith, Managing Director, of Bamford Doors. “It’s really exciting to have companies coming together for a good cause and to provide some festive cheer.”

Alexis added: “Please let us know if you have a community project or initiative, that needs a security solution.”

To propose which community project should benefit from this donation, please send a brief email containing a short description of who you are, why your project should be chosen and which organisation will benefit to Alexis at Bamford Doors on:
[email protected]

Closing date for entries is Thursday, 10 December. A panel will judge the applications and a lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, 17 December.

All three companies are long-standing members of SBD. Hazel Goss, Development Officer, SBD, said: “I’m so proud of our member companies. It’s great to see them working in partnership and pooling their resources and expertise for the benefit of the community.”



14/10/2020

Freefoam support installers with Digital Tooklit Template

Freefoam Building Products has released guidelines for PVC installers on how to get ahead with all things digital. As a consequence of the recent pandemic homeowners are spending more time at home and inevitably more time online, so having a visible online presence has never been more important. Freefoam have produced an Installer Digital Toolkit document with five easy ways for all home improvement companies to improve their digital footprint.

Created with busy installers in mind the document covers a wide range of quick and easy social media and online tips. It explains how to set up a business page, an essential and not to be confused with a personal page. It also covers how to create and use photo albums in Facebook to showcase work, explains the benefits of posting Instagram stories and ideas of what to post, and how to harness the power of Google to set up a Google Business Page. Finally the guide highlights how cladding is becoming a very popular search term online and encourages installation companies to promote cladding and cladding products on their own websites to capitalise on this interest.

The document will be emailed directly to all installers, be included in newsletters and available to download from freefoam.com. Freefoam will also be posting a series of short informative animations on social media over the next few months to illustrate all parts of the guide.

Louise Sanderson, UK Marketing Manager explained “We want to make sure our Registered Installers have all the help they need, and giving them practical, easy to follow tools like this new document means they can feel confident about making the most of their social media accounts and website.”

The Registered Installer Scheme is part of Freefoam’s comprehensive support package for all home improvement companies. Support on offer goes beyond great products and guarantees to help customers grow, with a comprehensive range of marketing packages, Point of Sale, consumer focused brochures and samples to help installers sell more and build their own brand. Freefoam registered installers also benefit from consumer-facing websites myfascia.co.uk and mycladding.com which generate quality pre-qualified leads sent direct to registered installers.

View the Installer Digital Toolkit at: https://freefoam.com/news/freefoam-support-installers-with-digital-toolkit

Freefoam

13/10/2020

Spectus flush casement windows revamp a 16th century building

Spectus flush casement windows have been used in a 16th century building near Chelmsford, Essex. The Pig and Whistle has a long history as a public house but got converted in 2013 to a popular local restaurant.

The replacement windows were undertaken by local domestic installation company, Chignal Windows Ltd who are based near Chelmsford. Kevin Lovett, Managing Director of Chignal Windows, said: “The Spectus flush casement windows were chosen to replace the property’s ageing timber frames. The heritage importance of this building was fundamental and the windows needed to sympathetically reflect the style and aesthetics of the originals. I knew the Spectus flush casement was the perfect choice for this high-profile job as the windows would enhance the character of the building and offer modern day thermal efficiency too.”
All windows at the front of The Pig and Whistle needed to be replaced and where fitted with white flush casements with Georgian bar detailing and monkey-tail handles. Due to the build of the original window aperture, the windows had to be fitted from the outside. Kevin explains: “The original windows had been screw-fixed into large timber fronts within the aperture. As such, we needed to reverse the lugs on the windows and fit from the outside to ensure a perfect, clean fit was achieved.”

The flush casement windows were manufactured by Chignal Windows’ fabrication partner and longstanding Spectus fabricator, Universal Trade Frames. Universal Trade Frames manufactured the flush casement windows using specially designed hardware that gives the added benefit of a night vent facility and the option of a French casement opening. Karla Greenhalgh, Area Sales Manager at Universal Trade Frames, said: “The flush casement window is a popular window choice and enhances both heritage and new build properties. We were delighted to have worked with Chignal Windows on this heritage project and the finished result is superb.”

Chignal Windows is a domestic business formed in 2019 by Kevin Lovett. Kevin has been fitting Spectus windows since 1984 into the commercial sector via his installation business, Seaxe Contract Services Ltd. In setting up his new retail business Kevin’s objective was to offer a range of high-quality products with an exacting service promise and no pushy hard sell. And in delivering a stunning heritage project like The Pig and Whistle, Kevin has achieved exactly what he set out to do.

12/10/2020

Hurst to standardise composite doors for smart technology with Kubu

Door manufacturer Hurst Doors has teamed up with Avantis, producers of state-of-the-art locks, to offer the Avantis Kubu Equipped 750 Series Composite Multipoint Door Lock as standard.

Designed and developed specifically for composite doors, not only does the lock offer the largest hooks and bolts in the market, the Kubu equipped door lock is set for smart technology, offering security conscious homeowners the ability to check whether their door is locked or unlocked at anytime from anywhere via their Smartphone.

Hurst composite doors will now be produced with Avantis Kubu Equipped Door locks as standard, meaning their trade partners and their customers can access a whole host of innovative features and benefits.

Hurst is the largest dedicated composite door manufacturer to standardise their doors to be compatible with smart technology, a move which has already been well-received by their customers.

Hayley Barker, Marketing Manager at Hurst Doors explains: “Increasingly, homeowners are looking to smart technology to enhance the security of their home and to enjoy the peace of mind it brings. Our new Avantis Kubu Equipped lock responds to that demand and means that our trade partners can offer their customers an innovative, future-proof product that they can trust.”

Kubu locks offer the following features and benefits:

- Simple and affordable smart technology, easy to install and easy to use
- Long-lasting and battery powered solution (batteries lasting 12-18 months)
- No hardwiring required. Kubu is engineered to be a neat and compact smart product
- Kubu is fully supported by an in-house team of technical experts to take hassle away from installers and fabricators
- Works with Amazon Alexa and other devices
- The Kubu App can be downloaded from Google Play and App Store
- A Kubu Smart Lock doesn’t alter the appearance of the door in any way

Mark Bromley, CEO of Avantis said: “Hurst is a trusted name in the industry so partnering with them to embed our state-of-the-art technology in their range felt like a natural fit. It’s great to see an established, national company such as Hurst leading the way by embracing innovation and technology to elevate their range and enhance their customer offer. Both Kubu and Hurst have the highest standards in quality and security at their heart, so we’re delighted to be working together on creating stylish solutions for tech savvy consumers.”

Fitting Kubu Equipped Doors into homes doesn’t require any additional installation time for Installers. Once the door has been fitted, Installers can simply guide homeowners to the Kubu website (www.kubu-home.com) to directly purchase their Kubu Kit containing the products needed to upgrade and fully activate their Kubu smart lock, although homeowners don’t have to activate their door if they don’t want to.

Hayley Barker, Marketing Manager at Hurst Doors, added: “Our key focus is improving the support we offer to Hurst trade partners and a crucial part of that the continued delivery of a product range that provides homeowners with the solution they are looking for in terms of quality, security and aesthetics. Our partnership with Kubu is another example of our commitment to investing in our trade customers to support their sales and to ensure that we are always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance our product offer.”

Further information can be found at hurstdoors.co.uk or installers can contact the Hurst Team on: 01482 790790.

For more information on Hurst, please visit www.hurstdoors.co.uk

07/10/2020

Installation firm Wolverhampton Glass acquired by The Sustainium Group

The Sustainium Group has acquired Wolverhampton Glass, a West-Midlands based window, door, and conservatory installer. Sustainium was launched by industry veteran Neal Harper with the aim of acquiring local home improvement companies, building on their established reputation, and investing in their future, with particular focus on low-carbon and sustainability.

“The Sustainium Group is delighted to acquire Wolverhampton Glass,” commented Neal, who recently stepped down from his role as director of a regional home improvement company to launch the venture. “Thanks to four decades of experience, it has an excellent reputation locally, and we are already investing in new premises, an exciting new showroom and expanding the management team. Our focus now is to build on that reputation to enable Wolverhampton Glass to thrive.”

Trading from the historical Pelham Works site on Pelham Street in Wolverhampton since 1975, Wolverhampton Glass has been installing high quality windows, doors and conservatories across Wolverhampton and the West Midlands for over 40 years.

Previous owner Steve Newey said of the sale: “It was the right time to sell and dealing with Neal and the Sustainium Group made the whole process straightforward as they were able to move quickly and decisively. With more than 30 years’ experience, they really know the home improvement industry and their passion and commitment means that Wolverhampton Glass is in safe hands.”

The Sustainium Group acquires businesses that have a good reputation locally with annual turnover between £750,000-£10million and at least three years trading history. They purchase 100% of the shares and the business will continue to operate under its own name. They also aim to retain the existing staff, while owners can often be retained on a consultancy basis or even in a key role within the business by agreement. The Sustainium Group will initially be operating throughout the Midlands and the M5/M4/M40 triangle but would welcome enquiries from any location. To make contact
email: [email protected].

Wolverhampton Glass

06/10/2020

Haffner Murat’s machines support Mercury Glazing’s continued growth strategy

Haffner Murat has installed three pieces of new fabrication machinery for specialist trade fabricator Mercury Glazing Supplies to support their ambitious growth strategy. Martin Halford, Director and co-founder of Gloucester-based Mercury Glazing, said: “We have a strong growth strategy in place, and our investment in the new machinery from Haffner Murat will help us to deliver exceptional quality for our growing range of PVC-U and aluminium products as our order volumes increase.”

Mercury Glazing has invested in a FOM Industrie Modus CNC machining centre, Haffner TT425 double-mitre computerised saw and a FOM Industrie Panda 300 Echo pneumatic bead saw.

Mercury Glazing

16/09/2020

Freefoam launches Fireside Chat video series

Freefoam is launching a series of informative ‘Fireside Chat’ videos designed to open up discussion about important industry topics.

Covering all things roofline, the videos feature Colin St John, Freefoam Commercial Director as he talks about issues such as the changing roofline market, the complexities of the supply chain, colour and innovation, and the importance of forging strong ties with customers.

Freefoam Marketing Manager Louise Sanderson explains: “We’ve developed a series of informal videos so installers, stockists and the wider market can learn more, and agree or disagree, about important issues and trends that affect them. Freefoam Commercial Director, Colin St John, has worked in roofline for around 20 years and he gives great insight into changes in the industry and their implications for the future. In the series Colin explains how Freefoam has taken a different approach to other roofline manufacturers who sought to take control of the supply chain. Instead, we focused on developing customer relationships and adapting our product range and service offering to help our customers sell more.

“The videos are part of our campaign which highlights Freefoam’s unique approach to building our business and celebrates customers’ successes. We hope these videos will both inform and provide a platform for future debate.”

The first of the monthly videos – on colour and innovation – will be released in September. To see each video as it’s released, subscribe to Freefoam’s YouTube channel by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtEpiVP9ux0YAsgl0UqdnQ

Freefoam

06/08/2020

Roofing and roofline, the winning formula

Freefoam Building Products announce the launch of a new video. Working with award winning roofing company J R Roofing the short film highlights the benefits of fitting Freefoam roofline products alongside roof systems. Filmed on location in Blackpool, with Josh Morrison and his team completing the replacement roof on an attractive Edwardian end of terrace property in a rural location. Josh explains how offering roofline as part of a roofing contract brings extra revenue and increased customer satisfaction.

Freefoam have increasingly seen roofing companies join the Registered Installer Scheme and wanted to illustrate how the PVC product range complimented the range and services offered by roofing companies. J R Roofing were the obvious choice for this film. Having recently been awarded the prestigious Which Trusted trader accreditation Josh has been in the roofing business since he was 14!

Whilst roofline replacement, namely fascia, soffit and gutter, has been seen as a niche of the home improvement sector, often installed by roofline specialists or as part of general PVC home improvements like windows and doors, other trades are now seeing the opportunities it can bring.

JR Roofing have always offered roofline as part of our general roofing package. Josh worked closely with a joiner when he first started roofing and was taught how to fit roofline. He explained “It’s allowed us to offer our customers the full range of services and certainly puts us ahead of our competitors. We often do a roof survey and see that the fascia or guttering also needs replacing. It’s much more cost effective for our customers to have all elements replaced at once and makes sure their home is fully weatherproof and low maintenance for many years to come. ”

The Registered Installer Scheme is part of Freefoam’s comprehensive support package for all home improvement companies. Support on offer goes beyond great products and guarantees to help customers grow, with a comprehensive range of marketing packages, Point of Sale, consumer focused brochures and samples to help installers sell more and build their own brands. Freefoam registered installers also benefit from consumer-facing websites myfascia.co.uk and mycladding.com which generate quality pre-qualified leads send direct to the network of registered installers.

Louise Sanderson, Freefoam UK Marketing Manager summarised “Our product range is suitable for all sections of the home improvement market. It’s great to be working with companies like JR Roofing who are capitalising on the benefits roofline can bring. With a huge potential audience on social media we find short, punchy testimonial style videos like this work well for us, attracting new enquiries and building brand awareness.”

To view the video visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG6b2uuQYqY

Freefoam

31/07/2020

VetroScreen supplied into iconic seaside landmark

VetroScreen, the new clamped and free-standing desktop sneeze and cough guard from Bohle, has been chosen by Brighton’s iconic Grand Hotel to protect staff and guests during Covid-19.

Supplied by SGS Glass Products in June, Bohle’s freestanding option was installed in the world-famous hotel’s reception and concierge.

Nick Lewis, Managing Director, SGS Glass Products, said: “The hotel was delighted with them. They look fantastic, far neater than competitor systems.

“We did the main reception and concierge in 10mm glass. Weight was a concern, the glass was 800mm high, so it is quite heavy but with the returns which we jointed with Bohle jointing strips and the adhesive on the bottom, it was incredibly stable, without having to drill and permanently fix into the surface.”

The Grand Hotel Brighton was originally completed in 1864 then re-built in part after the 1984 bombing. It features as a backdrop to annual political party conferences, and in the film Quadrophenia, which immortalised the 1964 running battles between Mods and Rockers.

Available either as a clamped or free-standing option, VetroScreen, has been developed by Bohle as a screen solution for hotels, receptions, bars and screen adjacent desks in open-plan offices.

Able to accommodate glass thicknesses of 4mm to 10mm, the weighted desktop version used by SGS Glass Products in Brighton is manufactured in high quality powder coated aluminium and steel with a high-performance adhesive base. This provides a solid foundation for glass screens typically of up to 800mm high dependent on application.

A clamp on version is also designed to be fitted in minutes, sliding over the edges of a desk or table and tightened. This creates a secure fix without drilling for screens typically up to 1000mm high, dependent on risk assessment.

“They’re good to fit”, continued Nick. “The biggest challenge is lining them up so the glass slots in perfectly because once they’re stuck on, they’ve very secure.

“At the start there was a lot of plastic supplied but you need to clean it with alcohol and it discolours. Glass is a far better solution, especially where installations may be there permanently or at the very least for some time.

“The Bohle product is very neat, it’s very stable, looks good and is easy to fit.”

31/07/2020

Get masked up with Residence and Widgets

The Residence Collection and Window Widgets are both offering free facemasks, now that the new face covering rules have come into effect in England from Friday 24th July, 2020.

It will now be compulsory that face coverings are worn in enclosed public spaces such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways. It will be fully enforced according to the government and the Police can hand out fines of up to £100 to those who do not comply.

Window Widgets has already been making use of their 3D printer to produce straps for the facemasks of frontline NHS workers, with the first prototype design validated, produced and sent directly within 24 hours for immediate approval. But this latest initiative for facemasks is to help support the industry and their respective friends and families, as a we enter a new phase of containment for the COVID-19 virus.

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection and Window Widgets commented: ‘This pandemic is a global crisis and so we as a responsible business are looking at ways in which we can support our staff, customers, business partners, communities and the nation as a whole. These facemasks are free, but make sure it’s worn properly as per guidelines across the internet and please abide by the new government requirements.’

Window Widgets Residence Collection