Jan/Feb 2024

JAN / FEB 2024 

CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN 

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CELEBRATING 

1989-2024

Editor’s Comment 

SOPHIE STEVENS 

EDITOR 

SOPHIESTEVENS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK 

WWW.TOTAL-FABRICATOR.CO.UK 

The reliable supply of products and materials is paramount in any 

industry, and disruption is always detrimental. 

The crisis in the Red Sea has dominated the headlines recently, and as 

Bohle’s Dave Broxton points out in this month’s news (p.7), the current drama 

is just the latest in a long line of strife to affect the supply chain, especially for 

products and materials imported from the Far East. 

From container ships stuck in the Suez Canal, to covid backlog, Dave explains 

that “when things go wrong, the cost benefits of cheap imports disappear” 

and this, he says, “is precisely why Bohle has invested heavily in its own 

product design and manufacturing capabilities in recent years” (see page 40). 

Another advocate of self-sufficiency is Thermoseal Group, and on page 42 of 

the issue, the company’s Mark Hickox champions the benefits of partnering 

with ‘one reliable British supplier’ for all IGU components. This, says Mark, 

not only minimises the supply chain issues associated with importing 

products from further afield, but most of all maintains quality. 

For others though, working with trusted partners overseas allows the balance 

between quality and cost to be optimised, as fastener supplier Rapierstar’s 

Andy Holland explains. This, combined with UK design, enables the company 

to deliver fasteners that are able to meet the most demanding performance 

standards, and you can read more about the process of creating these small 

but mighty components on page 30. 

Read on for all of this, as well as some great contributions from companies 

including REHAU, Deceuninck Aluminium, Made for Trade, DoorCo, Glazpart, 

ERA and UAP to name just a few... 

I hope you enjoy the issue. 

Sophie 

CONNECTING THE WINDOW & DOOR FABRICATORS SUPPLY CHAIN 

Advertising: 

Cover courtesy of Sheerline. Head to page 12 to read about the 

company’s latest innovation, a Reverse Butt Joint for the Prestige 

window system. 

Publishing Director: Andy Dunn 

DD: 01892 730 890 

Mob: 07963 330777 

Email: andydunn@media-now.co.uk 

Registered office: 1 Forstal Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7AU 

Editorial Director: Matt Downs 

DD: 01892 730 890 

Mob: 07963 330774 

Email: mattdowns@media-now.co.uk 

Editor: Sophie Stevens 

DD: 01892 730 890 

Email: sophiestevens@media-now.co.uk 

The content of Total Fabricator magazine (and website) does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publishers and 

are the views of its contributors and advertisers. The digital edition may include hyperlinks to third-party content, advertising, 

or websites, provided for the sake of convenience and interest. The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising 

from information in this publication and do not endorse any advertising or products available from external sources. No part 

of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written consent of the publishers. 

All rights reserved. 

GLAZE 

TUBE 

PRESS PLAY ON QUALITY 

CONTENT FOR YOUR SECTOR 

Head over to www.glaze-tube.co.uk for the latest video content 

from the key players from throughout the supply chain. 

Packed with how-to’s, installation advice, interviews and opinions, 

Glaze-Tube is an informative and entertaining platform keeping you 

up to date with what’s happening in your industry! 

To showcase your video on Glaze-Tube contact Andy or Jake on 01892 732 047 

INSTALLATION HOW TO’S: 

ALUFOLD DIRECT XENLITE ROOF

Contents 

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS 18 

14 FUTURE GOALS 

REHAU UK’s Martin Hitchin looks back over 

the company’s successes in 2023 and anticipates 

the objectives and growth areas for the systems 

house in 2024... 

18 A COMPETITIVE EDGE 

Offering a marine grade finish and dual colour as 

standard, Deceuninck Aluminium says Decalu is 

giving fabricators and installers the edge in 

aluminium 

30 KEEPING IT TOGETHER 

Rapierstar’s Andy Holland explores the vital role of 

fasteners in the window industry 

30 

FEATURES 

22 TRACKING SUCCESS 

Made for Trade’s thrill-seeking management team is 

revving up for another run on the racing track in 2024... 

24 UP-FRONT ASSURANCE 

Element’s Daisie Lane explains how accelerated UV rays 

testing can help provide valuable product assurance 

32 TODAY AND TOMORROW 

Glazpart looks at today’s ventilation challenges and 

prepares for the future 

34 SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS 

Tyman’s Lara Coutinho discusses the business case 

for partnering with suppliers aligned with the UN’s 

Sustainable Development Goals 

36 MOVING FORWARD IN 2024 

UAP’s David Jennings reflects on the factors that 

have shaped the business in 2023, and offers some 

positive predictions for what the future may hold... 

40 ADAPTING TO CHANGE 

Bohle’s Dave Broxton explains how the company’s agility 

and ‘sustainable partnerships’ have kept it relevant for 

a century 

42 TOOLS FOR THE TRADE 

Thermoseal Group’s Mark Hickox argues using one 

reliable British supplier for all IGU components can 

prevent a host of supply chain problems 

4 T F JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

REGULARS 

10 BP BAROMETER 

Business Pilot’s Neil Cooper-Smith reflects on 

the ‘tough year for trading’ that was 2023, but 

suggests that 2024’s likely General Election may 

provide a boost... 

SECTIONS: 

SYSTEMS 

12 

26 THE DOORCO COLUMN 

 

DoorCo’s Ellie Pool gives us an insight into what’s 

hot for 2024 in the composite door sector 

26 

DOORS 

24 

NEWS ROUNDUP 

06 MIXED EMOTIONS 

The Future Homes Standard Consultation is met with 

shock and disappointment, but also some relief... 

07 SUPPLY GOOD BYE? 

Bohle’s Dave Broxton asks if it’s time to stop importing 

from the Far East amid the latest shipping disruption at 

the hands of Houthi rebels in the Red Sea 

07 

HARDWARE & 

ACCESSORIES 

30 

GLASS & 

SEALED UNITS 

40 

AUTOMATION 

46 


JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 T F 5

News Roundup 

CELEBRATING SERVICE 

Made for Trade, now in its 40th year, says 

it is proud to recognise the exceptional 

dedication of its long-standing staff, with 

service ranging from five to over 35 years. 

In fact, a remarkable group of five employees 

collectively boasts an astounding 140 years of 

service with the award-winning company. 

Amy Pout, Richie Bezance, Brenda Webster, 

Frank Donaghy, and Kevin Southall are ‘the 

famous five’, whose unwavering dedication 

and remarkable achievements have made a 

significant impact on Made for Trade. 

Amy has devoted 21 years to the company, 

while Richie has reached the milestone of 20 

years. Frank’s dedication spans 35 years, 

followed closely by Brenda’s 33 years of service. 

Last but certainly not least, Kevin Southall is 

celebrating 37 years with Made for Trade. 

MFT’s famous five 

2 WINS FOR THE TEAM 

Macclesfield-based DoorCo is delighted to 

kick-start the year with the announcement 

of two team-related wins at the North 

Cheshire Business Awards: Gold in the 

Health & Wellbeing category, and Silver in 

the Team of the Year. 

DoorCo’s Ellie Pool said: “We’re so delighted 

to have achieved success in the both the 

categories we entered at the local North 

Cheshire Business Awards... As a business we 

firmly believe that happy, healthy employees 

who have the backing to make independent 

decisions, equates to greater productivity, 

profitability and customer satisfaction. 

“Gaining this recognition within our business 

community and winning, [demonstrates] 

that we are setting the benchmark as a top 

employer with people firmly at our heart.” 

CONSULTATION PROMPTS MIXED EMOTIONS 

The publication of the Future Homes Standard 

Consultation has been met with mixed emotions 

in the glass and glazing sector, ranging from 

shock and disappointment to relief. 

Among those to comment was Rob 

McGlennon, Managing Director, 

Deceuninck, who said: “After four years 

of speculation, the Consultation on the 

Future Homes and Buildings Standards 

was finally published on 13th December. 

“Having been braced for a new notional value for 

new-build of 0.8 W/m 2 K, the news that there would 

be no further increase in performance beyond the 

1.2W/m 2 K introduced in the revision of Part L in June 

2022, was at once a relief and a disappointment. 

“A disappointment because as an industry it is 

our role to look to the future, to innovate and to 

design and develop new and better windows and 

doors which require less energy and carbon in 

manufacture, and which deliver further carbon 

savings through life. 

“A relief because at an initial reading it appears 

Sheerline’s Ben Hartshorn was named the 

fenestration industry’s newest Rising Star 

after winning the coveted award at the G23 

Awards at the end of November. 

In a relatively short space of time, Ben has 

progressed from assisting in designing and 

testing prototypes in the early stages of the 

product cycle, to leading product development 

from the ground up, as well as managing one of 

Sheerline’s key customer facing departments. 

Although Ben was new to the fenestration industry 

when he joined Sheerline in 2019, he took the 

skills he gained during his apprenticeship and his 

previous experience as a tool maker and applied 

them to live projects. Not only did this help him ‘hit 

the ground running’, but it was also beneficial to 

the R&D team and business as a whole. 

Ben said of his award win: “Winning this accolade 

at the start of my career within the fenestration 

Rob McGlennon 

that we won’t have to move to triple-glazing to 

meet future requirements, but that’s at the first 

reading. The consultation has an unexpected sting 

in its tail – The Home Energy Model. 

“This has ramifications almost as big for 

fabricators as any U-value of 0.8 Wm 2 K 

might have done, because it has the 

potential to bring the industry back to 

exactly the same place – triple glazing!” 

However, with the exact role of triple glazing now 

unclear in relation to the Standard, warm edge 

supplier Edgetech also announced that its planned 

‘Triple Glazing Question’ conference will be postponed. 

Elsewhere, Epwin Window Systems has published 

a guide to the Future Homes Consultation 

document to help customers navigate the detail 

of the proposal – and is urging everyone in the 

industry to ‘make their voices heard’. 

The consultation closes on 6 March 2024, and 

responses can be submitted online at: 

consult. levellingup.gov.uk 

SHEERLINE’S BEN WINS ‘RISING STAR’ AWARD 

industry reflects Sheerline’s commitment to 

training and the apprenticeship process. Over 

the past four years, Sheerline has given me an 

opportunity to gain a vast amount of knowledge 

and build contacts within the industry. 

“I’d like to thank the team at Sheerline for putting 

me forward for this award and the opportunities 

they’ve given me so far. I look forward to the 

future,” he added. www.sheerline.com 

Ben Hartshorn (centre) collecting his G23 award 

6 TF JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

Find more industry news at: www.total-fabricator.co.uk 

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Brisant Secure has acquired the business 

and intellectual property of Deseo Locking 

Systems Limited for an undisclosed sum. 

Deseo Locking Systems’ Marcus and Mark 

O’Sullivan stay on with the business, and 

Mark joins the Brisant-Secure board as 

Deseo Director. 

Expressing his delight at the first Brisant- 

Secure acquisition, Nick Dutton, Brisant CEO, 

said: “Following the growth of our award 

winning, smart security range, including Ultion 

Nuki, Ultion Bolt, and more recently our Ultion 

window handle range, this is a major step on 

the road to future-proofing home security.” 

Rocal Endurance Holdings, manufacturer 

of composite doors, door panels, and 

specialist plastic extrusions, has acquired 

BDC Aluminium for an undisclosed sum. 

Essex-based BDC Aluminium is a fabricator of 

aluminium windows and doors, catering to both 

domestic and commercial markets. 

Stephen Nadin, Managing Director at Rocal, 

stated: “We are thrilled to integrate the 

capabilities and expertise of BDC Aluminium 

into our existing portfolio. BDC Aluminium is a 

robust and profitable operation, and we plan 

to nurture and invest in its growth from its 

Witham base in the South East.” 

Cornwall Group has acquired Birminghambased 

Forward Glass, and its 100,000ft 2 site, 

in the Group’s ‘most substantial deal to date’. 

Cornwall Group purchased 100% of 

the share capital of Forward Glass, the 

Midlands’ largest independent toughened 

glass manufacturer and stock distributor. 

The Company will continue to trade under its 

own name. 

Cornwall Group’s chairman Mark Mitchell 

said: “Forward Glass is a great fit for us... 

They are an independent, family-owned 

business, selling single toughened, 

processed glass and stock to the trade.” 

RED SEA CRISIS TESTS VIABILITY OF IMPORTS 

Bohle’s Managing Director, Dave Broxton, has 

questioned the viability of reliance on the 

Far East for ‘cheap imports’ in light of recent 

Houthi rebel ship attacks in the Red Sea. 

Dave said: “It would be easy to dismiss the 

unfolding drama in the Red Sea as an unfortunate 

episode if it were not for the experiences we 

shared in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic 

when the global supply chain almost ground to a 

halt. And let’s not forget the unfortunate plight of 

the Ever Given container ship that got wedged in 

the Suez Canal in March 2021... 

“You don’t need a long memory to remember the 

sky-rocketing prices for shipping containers, the 

heavily delayed cargo (which included component 

parts for the glass and glazing industry), and the 

impact this had on companies and their ability to 

fulfil their promises. 

“It begged the question: ‘has our relationship with 

cheap imports finally come to an end? If you can’t 

depend on lengthy supply chains, why should 

your customers trust you?’ 

“And aren’t we asking ourselves the same 

question as ships are diverted via the Cape of 

Good Hope, which can cost more than US$1m 

in extra fuel, according to reports – all because 

Yemen-based Houthi militia are attacking 

commercial ships travelling from the Far East to 

Western Europe via the Suez Canal. 

“Yesterday, pandemic. Today, geopolitical 

conflict. Tomorrow..? When things go wrong, the 

cost benefit of cheap imports disappears. And 

if you can’t deliver goods, your customers lose 

money...” added Dave. 

VBH SCOOPS MEDWAY BUSINESS AWARD 

Hardware manufacturer VBH enjoyed success 

at the recent Medway Business Awards, 

winning the Product Innovation category. 

The award was given for VBH’s work with its 

greenteQ 'smart' products, initially with the 

Q-Smart fingerprint/app operated door handle, 

and with the more recent development of the 

greenteQ iQ range of security window locks and 

multipoint door locks. 

VBH says the judges were impressed by how 

greenteQ iQ locks can be simply upgraded by the 

addition of a sensor to work with Kubu to link 

windows and entrance doors to a smart network. 

Benefits to the end-user include a quick check on 

the open/closed and locked/unlocked statuses of 

windows and doors via the Kubu app, security and 

comfort alerts etc. Products fitted with greenteQ 

iQ locks can also be linked to other elements of 

the network, such as heating, lighting etc. 

The Medway award comes hot on the heels of the 

greenteQ iQ security window lock receiving the 

Best Window Component award at the National 

Fenestration Awards in October 2023. 

Gary Gleeson, Marketing Manager at VBH (GB), said: 

“VBH has been very successful in recent years, 

and one of the keys to that success is the constant 

stream of new innovations that we are bringing to 

market, including our new ‘smart’ products.” 

sales@vbhgb.com 

“When things go wrong, the 

cost benefit of cheap imports 

disappears” according to 

Bohle’s Dave Broxton 


JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 TF 7

Advertisement Feature 

AT THE HEART OF THE CAMPUS 

Metal Technology products have been used in the construction of Nucleus; 

the University of Edinburgh’s new £48m learning and teaching facility 

Nucleus is a new £48m four storey learning 

and teaching facility built within the King’s 

Building Campus in Edinburgh, creating 

a vibrant hub which expands undergraduate 

teaching while also providing a new focus to the 

campus heart. The building is an attractive place 

of study with a variety of facilities that enhance 

the learning experience, allowing students to 

spend more time on campus. 

Metal Technology worked closely with architects 

Sheppard Robson and fabricator Avtek Solutions 

to develop a glazing solution which seamlessly 

integrates manual and actuated inward opening 

windows within the curtain walling as part of 

the ventilation strategy. It incorporates bespoke 

perforated profile barriers screening the window 

openings that coordinate with the adjacent wall 

cladding and architectural features. 

Nucleus contains contemporary lecture theatres, 

teaching laboratories, study spaces, student 

services, catering outlets and a shop and brings 

together many aspects of campus life under one 

roof, with direct links to the Noreen and Kenneth 

Murray Library and King’s Buildings House. The 

project won in the Large Project category at the 

2023 EAA Awards. 

Nucleus, Kings Building Campus, University of Edinburgh 

Features include: 

• A central atrium, providing views around the 

building and out to woodland area 

• Breakout / group pods / touchdown spaces 

which can be used for group work and social 

learning spaces 

• Group study rooms 

• Secluded and partially enclosed study spaces 

to allow for quieter and more private study 

• A 400 seat lecture theatre 

• A 132 seat teaching studio 

• Two 300 seat lecture theatres including a 

turn and learn format and an adaptable 

theatre that can be used for events out-with 

term time 

• Two 150 seat lecture theatres including a 

theatre designed in a collaborative layout 

• 100 student teaching lab with 50 fume hoods 

• Secure storage for student possessions 

• External area for events 

Contact Metal Technology: 

sales@metaltechnology.com 

www.metaltechnology.com 

8 T F JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 

CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

The latest innovative technology to take the 

glazing industry by storm 

eated Glass For Bi-Folding Doors 

To experience Glow Heated Glass for Bi-Folding Doors, 

visit our showroom and feel it for yourself. 

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The Business Pilot Barometer 

ELECTION: A SHOT IN THE ARM? 

Neil Cooper-Smith, Senior Analyst at Business Pilot, reflects on the ‘tough year for trading’ 

that was 2023, but suggests that 2024’s likely General Election may provide a boost... 

Last year was, most would agree, a tough 

year for trading, especially as we emerged 

from a significant boom following Covid, and 

straight into inflationary pressures brought about 

predominantly by global forces outside of our control. 

It will be four years ago in March when much 

of the world closed down to limit the spread of 

the coronavirus, so I think we can discount any 

residual ripple effect from that period on our 

market going forward. 

But global forces still have a disruptive effect on 

our economy. The wars in the Middle East and 

Ukraine continue to feed through to high prices 

on our shores, and there appears to be no end in 

sight in either conflict. 

The latest development, which sees Yemen-based 

Houthi forces attack freighters in the Red Sea 

with a link to Israel, has already driven up the 

price of crude oil after Iran rejected calls to end 

support for the attacks. 

This is on top of an expected increase in the price 

of goods after some cargo ships were diverted 

round the tip of Africa, rather than pass through 

the Suez Canal and face the extra dangers. 

Unwelcome pressures 

These are unwelcome additional pressures on 

household finances, especially after the energy 

price cap increased by 5% to take into account 

a rise in global gas market prices at the start of 

the year. 

At home, house prices remain sluggish – as they 

did throughout 2023 – with Nationwide reporting 

that they are about 1.8% lower than they were at 

the start of 2023. 

This could have a positive impact on the window, 

door and glass industry, as homeowners unwilling 

to put their homes on the market choose to 

upgrade their existing properties instead. The fly 

in the ointment is that the number of first-time 

buyers dropped to its lowest level in a decade, 

according to the Yorkshire Building Society. 

This is potentially storing up problems for the 

future as with less new money entering the 

property market, there is less money available for 

refurbishment projects. 

The shot in the arm in 2024 will probably come 

from the likely General Election. March 6 has been 

set for the last Budget before the country goes to 

the polls, and many experts believe that tax cuts 

will be announced in a bid to win over voters. 

How this will translate into better personal 

finances over the coming year is very difficult 

to predict, but if it does mean consumers ‘feel’ 

richer, then it could have a significant impact on 

the sales of windows and doors. 

If homeowners feel confident enough to take out 

loans for home improvement, then we should see 

some of that activity return to the market this year. 

The Business Pilot Barometer offers a monthly analysis of the key trends defining window and door retail, 

drawing on real industry data collated by the Business Pilot customer relationship management system. 

Business Pilot uses cloud-based technologies to give installers complete visibility of every element of their 

operation from leads and conversions to job scheduling, cost of installation, service calls, and financial reporting. 

www.businesspilot.co.uk 

In fact, it will build on the slow shift we saw towards 

improved confidence towards the end of 2023. It’s 

difficult to read too much into December’s data 

because trading activity always drops away, but 

when compared with the same period in 2022, we 

can see that the average number of sales was 

up by almost 50% – 36.3 in December 2023, 

compared to 24.3 in December 2022. 

Similarly, despite a year characterised by fewer 

leads overall, companies recorded 62.6 average 

leads in December 2023, compared to 54.6 in 

December 2022. This is a 14.7% increase. There 

are also significant marketing opportunities going 

into 2024. Energy efficiency and sustainability 

will continue to be big drivers, especially as 

conversations around climate change continue. 

www.businesspilot.co.uk/barometer 



SLINOVA 

The slimline 

sliding door 

Stylish, minimalist and sustainable. 

SLINOVA offers slim sightlines and the flexibility 

of a dual and triple track door system, as well as 

a large number of sliding door combinations. 

With a minimalist discreet design, SLINOVA 

provides outstanding performance and design, 

for today’s modern contemporary homes. 

rehau.uk/slinova 

enquiries@rehau.com 

Tel: 01989 762600

Cover Story 

SYSTEMS 

AN INNOVATIVE OPTION FOR ALUMINIUM 

Known for developing innovative solutions to historic challenges within the aluminium 

industry, Sheerline has announced the launch of its latest revolutionary product: 

a Reverse Butt Joint for the Prestige window system. 

Based on Sheerline’s tried and tested corner 

cleat, a new patented, precision-machined, 

aluminium T cleat will enable Sheerline 

customers to offer fully internally beaded aluminium 

windows, that feature both opening vents and 

fixed panes. It will streamline the fabrication 

and installation process, enabling fabricators 

to manufacture the reverse butt joint using 

Sheerline’s newly introduced Prestige Z transom. 

This solution eliminates the need for external 

glazing, reverse adaptors, and dummy sashes, 

therefore saving time and money. The reduction in 

materials, manufacturing, and labour costs also 

adds to the appeal of the product and opens a 

realm of opportunity in the specification sector. 

Large-scale commercial projects and tenders, 

where efficiency is key, will benefit from the 

streamlined approach offered by the Z transom. 

For instance, it’s the ideal option for projects that 

require fully internally glazed windows and reduces 

the need for scaffolding as glazing and remedial 

work can be carried out from within a building. 

Reduces waste, saves time 

In addition, the reverse butt joint uses less 

material when compared to windows that use a 

dummy sash, which reduces waste and saves 

time; saving 20% on material and labour costs 

when compared to a window featuring a dummy 

sash rather than a fixed light. 

As well as making the installation process quicker 

and more efficient, there are also visual benefits 

to consider. For example, the discreet joints give a 

sleek, modern appearance, adding value to both 

the visual aesthetic of the window overall and the 

installation. 

As with all Sheerline products, homeowners can 

easily create consistent styling throughout the 

home with crisp, clean lines that embrace the 

trend of bright, airy spaces bathed in natural 

light. There is also the option to perfectly match 

products in terms of styling, security, and colour. 

Sheerline understands how important it is for 

homeowners to feel safe and secure within 

their homes. That’s why individuals who are 

apprehensive about externally glazed windows 

will gain peace of mind from this fully internally 

beaded product. 

Dave Watts, Sheerline’s Technical Sales Director, 

said: “Anyone who operates within the PVC -U 

market is aware of the advantages of reverse 

butt joints, but within the aluminium industry, 

they’re relatively unheard of as legacy aluminium 

systems can’t accommodate them. 

“With our new reverse butt joint, we want to show 

fabricators, installers, and consumers that there 

are options for aluminium too!” 

Greater choice 

“Tried and tested is great, but innovative solutions 

backed up by real-world experience and extensive 

R&D can offer unexpected opportunities, benefits, 

and advantages. 

“There are many outstanding features to highlight 

about our newest product – the fact it streamlines 

the fabrication and installation processes, but also 

the fact it gives our customers greater choice, and 

that’s something we pride ourselves on,” he added. 

Contact Sheerline: 

01332 978000 

info@sheerline.com 


PVC-U 

PAST SUCCESSES AND FUTURE GOALS 

Martin Hitchin, CEO at REHAU UK, looks back over the company’s successes in 2023 

and anticipates the objectives and growth areas for the systems house in 2024... 

What have been the major successes of REHAU 

UK’s systems provider strategy in 2023? 

I’ve been really proud of how hard we’ve worked 

to establish REHAU UK as a whole solutions 

provider. Being able to bolster and promote our 

offering beyond profile alone is key to what we’re 

trying to do – becoming a one-stop-shop that 

provides ancillary products alongside polymer. 

Now, customers know that when they receive 

their profile deliveries from REHAU, they can also 

take delivery of other items such as hardware, 

steels and trickle vents. Importantly, all our new 

product launches such as the Rio and SLINOVA 

door now come with their own, often tailor-made 

hardware solutions too. Being able to further 

emphasise our expanded service offering with 

each product launch will be crucial to keeping the 

market aware of just how much we can do. 

Alongside this, our recent launch of cut-length 

steels have helped further improve efficiency and 

reduce waste. These benefits can really add up 

for fabricators, so being able to help like this as a 

systems provider is something we’re very pleased 

to do. 

We will continue to strengthen our offering as 

a whole systems provider into 2024 with the 

ongoing roll-out of the new REHAU Webshop (see 

next page). It’s an exciting development for the 

company, and by simplifying the order process to 

a single source wherever possible, we’re confident 

we can continue to offer a market-leading service. 

What did REHAU UK do over 2023 to improve 

the sustainability of its operations? 

Ever since the opening of our new polymer 

recycling plant, PVCR, back in 2019, we always 

wanted it to be a central cog in REHAU UK’s 

operations. The multi-million-pound investments 

made at PVCR are really bearing fruit now, which 

is very good to see. 

For example, over 2023 there have been 

significant improvements in the plant’s ability 

to meet the quality and quantity demands of 

our extrusion plant in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North 

Wales. Under the leadership of plant director 

Gwyn Jones, the two facilities are working closer 

together than ever before, and REHAU has been 

able to increase the amount of finished goods 

made using recycled material to 50%. To my 

mind, it’s excellent to see how close collaboration 

has resulted in tangible benefits – in this case, 

the same high-quality profile we’re known for, but 

with more previously waste material reused. 

Speaking of reuse and recovery, our ongoing 

partnership with polymer recycling specialists 

CNC Recycling has also really impacted the 

sustainability of our operations over 2023. Used 

frame recovery is something we’ve previously 

spoken about within the business at length, and I 

view it as a key cornerstone of our efforts to close 

the loop in the windows supply chain. 

Overall, the aim must be this – one old frame 

out, one new frame in, and our efforts this year 

and next will revolve around getting this closer 

to reality. This will become especially important 

“The possibilities for smart tech are extremely 

intriguing, and I hope to be able to share more on 

this as 2024 progresses” 

“The aim must be this – one old 

frame out, one new frame in, and our 

efforts this year and next will revolve 

around getting this closer to reality” 

in commercial and social housing projects where 

local authorities are increasingly emphasising the 

sustainable reuse of old windows. 

How has the market received REHAU UK’s 

third-party partnerships in 2023? 

The launch of Window.ID, our new digital 

identification tag for windows, doors and 

accessories, has been warmly received by the 

market. It is helping our customers meet the need 

for increased product traceability throughout 

their lifetimes. As well as this, it is helping these 

companies generate repeat business and better 

manage frame maintenance and replacement 

regimes. Frankly, the more information on the 

supply chain we can get, the better. I feel being 

able to easily access that data and view it in 

a presentable way could help transform best 

practice around windows. 

These sorts of benefits are always appreciated 

by the market, and I for one think it’s great that 

Window.ID has received such positive feedback. 

Close collaboration with both internal and 

third-party software specialists was required 

to turn Window.ID into a reality, and we see the 

product becoming particularly important to our 

commercial project business in 2024. 

I’m pleased to say that our ongoing Yale-REHAU 

bespoke range of hardware and solutions has 

also been well-supported by the market in 

2023. This partnership is a crucial part of our 

commitment as a whole system provider, and we 

have been pleased to see companies continue to 

respond to us on these terms. We will continue 

to work with Yale and others into 2024 on new 

product developments. 


Contract Talk 

SYSTEMS 

For example, I’m watching with great interest 

what our team is doing in the field of smart 

technology. The possibilities in this area are 

extremely intriguing, and I hope to be able to 

share more on this as 2024 progresses. 

What are your thoughts on SLINOVA and 

ARTEVO’s entry into the windows market in 

2023, and how do you think the systems will 

perform in 2024? 

Our new patio door, SLINOVA has been met with 

great excitement by the market. It’s always 

good to see this sort of reaction – the first 

fabricators are now already producing the new 

sliding door and are benefitting from the multiple 

improvements it has over its predecessor, AGILA. 

This includes a more modern design, localised 

supply chain and continued sustainability 

improvements, all of which can be passed on to 

the customer and help them win new business. 

‘High hopes’ for Webshop 

REAHU’s Webshop is part of the company’s efforts 

to streamline the existing order processes for 

components, granting potential buyers easier 

access to requested accessories such as trickle 

vents, trims and hardware. 

“We want to provide a leading level of service to fabricators, installers and consumers, and 

know that there are multiple accessories that are always needed,” explained Martin Hitchin, 

CEO at REHAU UK. 

“We currently have an extensive range of hardware available through the Webshop and will be 

adding further ranges to ensure requested items can be found, bought, and delivered to meet 

customer needs. By providing a total solution for all aspects of a window system, including profiles, 

hardware, accessories and beyond, we can ensure projects will be completed to deadline. 

“We have high hopes for the Webshop and are confident the added accessibility and swiftness 

of supply it allows will prove a big hit with new and existing REHAU customers.” 

To visit the new REHAU Webshop, visit: professionals.rehau.com/uk-en 

We have high expectations for 2024 and feedback 

from fabricators tells us the door is much easier 

to fabricate and install, leading to companies 

who have not previously bought patio doors from 

REHAU to express an interest. Hopefully we can 

keep making great strides in the door market, as 

the signs have been good so far. 

ARTEVO is also appealing in a similar way across 

our customer base. Architects are appreciating 

its modern design aesthetic and achievable large 

spans, which has traditionally only been possible 

with aluminium. Fabricators are also enjoying 

the simplification of the program range and 

interchangeability of the components. 

Finally, the new pre-inserted ‘low-e foil’ included 

in ARTEVO Max helps properties achieve the 

Passivhaus standard without the conventional 

foam thermal inserts traditionally required. 

Because of this, we are seeing great enthusiasm 

from installers looking to win new business, 

especially with sustainability having long moved 

from a preference to a priority on all projects. 

How has the REHAU UK team grown in 2023, 

and what are the company’s workforce plans 

for 2024? 

We have strengthened our sales force over 2023 

by focusing our teams on specific market groups. 

For example, particular emphasis has been 

placed on pre-sales to architects and specifiers, 

helping to pull through project requirements to 

our fabricator customers. Similarly, we now have 

a dedicated Trade sales team who work with 

our installer and trade counter networks, again 

pulling demands into our core fabricator base. 

I feel that one of REHAU’s great strengths is that 

we’re always keen to bring new talent into the 

industry as well as promote from within. We are 

really happy for Hannah Smith and Trisha Naik, 

two of our Area Sales Managers, who both picked 

up industry awards for their work in the last 12 

months. As a CEO, seeing your teams grow and 

succeed is one of the nicest parts of the job, so to 

see Hannah and Trisha honoured for their efforts 

was a highlight of the year. 

Looking forward to 2024, our teams are receiving 

modular internal training to remain updated 

on legislative requirements around key issues 

including sustainability and digitisation. With 

the recent launch of our accessories Webshop, 

online exhibition tour and Window.ID software, 

our teams are also becoming more and more 

involved in digital topics and further familiarising 

themselves with modern online sales techniques. 

Simply put, standing still isn’t an option – especially 

at the moment. However, I’m confident that these 

efforts will keep us on the front foot in 2024, and we 

can use that knowledge to help our customers at an 

interesting time for the windows market. 

In what sectors and markets do you anticipate 

REHAU UK will see growth in 2024? 

The retrofit and social housing sectors are 

becoming increasingly important for us as 

councils look for energy saving solutions capable 

of meeting current and future building regulations. 

By launching some new on-trend colours in 

the spring including ‘Pebble Grey’, ‘Sage’ and 

‘Alux’ gunmetal, we also hope to give fabricators 

focused on refurbishment residential properties 

more options to differentiate themselves. 

Changes and portfolio expansions such as these 

will be vital to companies looking to thrive in an 

increasingly challenging market. 

Everything adds up, and it’s always struck me 

on how large decisions can hinge on even the 

smallest thing. Alongside remaining up-to-date 

on products, simply being able to offer more 

colour choice in a portfolio could be a differencemaker 

for fenestration professionals. If REHAU 

can help with that – well, I think that’s fantastic. 

Contact REHAU UK: 

01989 762600 

window.rehau.com/uk-en 



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Aluminium 

A COMPETITIVE EDGE 

Offering a marine grade finish and dual colour as standard, Deceuninck Aluminium says 

Decalu is giving fabricators and installers a competitive edge in aluminium. 

In pre-pandemic 2019, Rightmove estimated 

that buying a property with a sea view could 

see a hefty 21% added to the price tag 

compared to similarly sized properties 

In December 2020, it was even more clear that 

we do like to be beside the seaside, with sea view 

properties commanding an average 31% more 

than their competitors across the UK. 

The South West – home to sought-after Devon 

and Cornwall – was the region with the highest 

increase in value added by a sea view, coming in 

at an impressive 42% increase on average. 

“We know that while much of the country has 

felt the pinch of inflation, it’s not hit everybody 

equally”, says Nigel Headford, Director, 

Deceuninck Aluminium. 

“If you can afford a second home by the coast, 

you’re not counting the pennies, which means 

that home improvement markets in coastal 

locations have remained comparatively buoyant. 

“It’s a great hunting ground for installers but 

manufacture and fit the wrong aluminium system 

and coastal installations can be a world of pain.” 

“Home improvement markets in 

coastal locations have remained 

comparatively buoyant” 

Marine grade as standard 

This is where Nigel argues Decalu simplifies 

door specs and gives fabricators and installers 

peace of mind; he complete range, including the 

Decalu163 Lift-and-Slide and Decalu88 Bi-fold, 

are marine grade as standard. 

This means that the entire Decalu range meets 

the Seaside Class standard issued by the 

Qualicoat certification scheme. 

This enhanced pre-treatment involves a deeper 

etching of the aluminium substrate than standard 

– 2.0 g/m 2 compared to 1.0 g/m 2 – to ensure 

greater protection of the substrate and a better 

key for powder coating. 

“It takes away risk and it reduces the likelihood 

of call-backs or manufacturers warranty claims”, 

continues Nigel. 

“As a manufacturer you make a door or window 

but you don’t know where it’s going to be fitted. 

In supplying a marine grade product as standard 

you don’t have to worry” he adds. 

Perfect for life by the seaside 

As well as being marine-grade as standard, the 

Decalu offer lends itself to coastal life with a 

complete range of casement, fully reversible and 

tilt-and-turn windows. 

This includes the new Decalu88 Flush casement. 

Flush inside and out it achieves U-values as low 

as 0.8W/m 2 k triple-glazed – and 1.2W/m 2 k with a 

standard unit. 

“We obviously have the Decalu88 bi-fold which 

has significant appeal in a coastal location but if 

a single product is perfect for it, it’s the lift-andslide. 

“You’re maximising views. The mechanism is also 

very practical. It offers enhanced weather sealing 

and it’s not going to get caught in the wind or be 

difficult to close because of it.” 

Nigel Headford 

Deceuninck Aluminium’s ultra-energy efficient 

Decalu163 lift-and-slide door was a finalist at 

last year’s G-Awards. 

It can achieve U-values as low as 1.3W/m 2 K 

double glazed making it Part L-compliant for 

home improvement without having to go to triple 

glazed units, saving installers a massive amount 

of weight in handling. 

It’s also Part L new-build compliant, achieving 

U-values of as low as 0.8W/m 2 K triple glazed, 

which also means that it will meet the expected 


Contract Talk 

SYSTEMS 

New supply deal 

Aluminium door and window specialist 

Dutemänn has agreed a new supplyagreement 

with Deceuninck Aluminium. 

As part of the new partnership, Dutemänn 

will begin manufacture of its own uniquely 

designed variant of the easy-fit Decalu88 bifolding 

door, which will be branded as Elän; 

and the Decalu 163 Lift-and-Slide, which will 

be sold under Dutemänn Glide product range. 

Dutemänn will also manufacture the complete 

Decalu window range, including tilt-and-turn, 

fully reversible and new flush casement 

options, under its Schärpe brand. 

Martin James, Managing Director at Dutemänn, 

said that the ultra-low U-values achieved by 

Decalu across its range were instrumental 

in driving its’ decision to team-up with the 

aluminium systems provider. 

“Fabricators can either pass on the benefit 

to their customers, or they can use it to 

increase their bottom line” 

standard for new-build from 2025 in the Future 

Homes Standard in its current configuration. This 

is achieved using advanced pre-inserted thermal 

inserts. 

It can also ‘go big’. The specially designed and 

highly engineered operating mechanism can 

accommodate weights of up to 400kg, maximising 

design reach. 

Individual sashes can be manufactured to 

3,900mm by 2,500mm, which gives the 

Decalu163 lift-and-slide the design potential to 

be comfortably manufactured to span openings 

of up to 4,000mm by 3,500mm long on a single 

track; 4,000mm by 7,000mm on a twin track; and 

4,000mm by 10,500mm on a triple track option. 

Not just for the coast 

And Nigel argues that it’s not only at the coast 

where a marine grade product as standard 

delivers direct benefits to fabricators. 

This includes additional sales platforms as well 

as a better night’s sleep! 

“Coastal locations are more extreme, but 

there’s always the risk that surface quality 

can be compromised over time in a variety of 

environments”, continues Nigel. 

“As we’ve said, manufacturers don’t always 

have visibility of where their products are being 

specified or installed, so Decalu’s marine grade 

finish takes away that uncertainty, it guarantees 

long term performance. 

He concludes: “And much like installers at point 

of sale, fabricators can either pass on this benefit 

to their customers to help them win business, 

or they can use it to increase their bottom line – 

again it’s entirely up to them.” 

Contact Deceuninck Aluminium: 

01249 816 969 

www.deceuninckaluminium.co.uk 

He said: “Our customers are owner-driven 

businesses, with impressive, modern 

showrooms. They always have their own fitters 

(they wouldn’t sub-contract) and they tend to 

work in the architectural or self-build spaces. 

They are looking for quality and with 2025 and 

the Future Homes Standard on the horizon, they 

are also looking for great U-values. Deceuninck 

Aluminium and Decalu delivers that.” 

Nigel Headford, Director, Deceuninck 

Aluminium, said: “Dutemänn is a very 

high-profile fabricator with an established 

reputation for quality, service and innovation. 

It’s decision to partner with us, is built on those 

shared values and particularly the lead we have 

taken in the supply of energy-efficient aluminium 

windows and bi-folding, lift-and-slide and 

composite aluminium entrance doors. With 

the new Future Homes Standard around the 

corner, that assumes increasing importance.” 

Martin James (left) and Nigel Headford 



Updates 

R7 WINDOWS FEATURED IN NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 

The Residence Collection has completed a Warwickshire housing development with more than 60 

Residence 7 windows in the No.38 Grey colourway, employing the timberweld joint manufacturing 

method to emulate traditional timber joints. 

The project, located on Grange Farm Close in Grandborough, featured The Residence Collection through a 

collaboration with installer, PPH Management, and fabricator Stedek Windows and Doors. 

The selection of Residence 7 windows was driven by both aesthetic and efficiency considerations within 

the R7 window system. With a flush external and internal profile, these windows offer maintenancefree 

finishes and a variety of styles. Beyond their design features, the R7 windows boast A++ energy 

ratings and achieve a U-value of 1.2Wm 2 k as standard. This collection is also available in 21 different 

colourways. www.residencecollection.co.uk/collections/r7 

SEAL OF QUALITY FOR KESTREL POWDER COATING 

Birmingham-based Kestrel Powder Coating has been awarded a QUALICOAT coating applicator approved 

licence, assuring the quality of its powder coating service for extruded aluminium profiles. 

Kestrel Powder Coating, sister company to Kestrel Aluminium, has been providing powder coating to the relevant 

quality standard (BS EN 12206) for many years. The QUALICOAT certification adds an additional layer of rigorous 

assessment, with inspectors examining each step of the Kestrel process to ensure that every stage of production 

and customer service is carried out to consistently high standards. 

The certification is recognition of the focus Kestrel has placed on quality improvement in recent months, with a 

dedicated team determined to see the company joining the limited number of organisations in the UK market to hold 

this prestigious quality mark. www.kestrelpowdercoating.co.uk 

EPWIN ACHIEVES PAS24:2022 ACROSS PVC-U SYSTEMS 

Epwin Window Systems recently confirmed that all its PVC-U window and door systems have achieved 

PAS24:2022, signalling a commitment to staying at the forefront of industry standards. 

Adrian Crutchley, Product Accreditations Manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We are delighted to be 

amongst the first systems companies to be able to confirm that our multiple PVC-U window and door systems have 

all achieved PAS24:2022 certification. This achievement further demonstrates our commitment to adopting and 

meeting the latest industry standards to deliver secure and reliable solutions for our customers”. 

PAS 24:2022 sets out enhanced security standards for doorsets and windows, indicating the certified products have undergone testing and meet specific 

criteria for resisting physical attack. The new accreditation, which officially came into effect in September 2022, phasing out the earlier PAS 24:2016 

standard, helps specifiers meet Building Regulations and the requirements of the police’s Secured by Design scheme. www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk 

RTR BARS COMPATIBLE WITH ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS 

Hardware supplier, AT Precision, has recently introduced Recycled Thermal Reinforcement (RTR) 

bars to its product portfolio. 

AT Precision’s RTR bars are made from 100% recycled PVC-U, offering both strength and increased thermal 

performance to windows. These bars not only contribute to improving energy efficiency, but also boast a 

minimum lifespan of 35 years. The RTR bars are produced as part of AT Precision’s own in-house recycling 

scheme, where unused or unwanted PVC-U materials are collected from its customers and then used in 

manufacturing the bars. One of the key advantages of AT Precision’s RTR bars is their compatibility with all 

major profile systems. This means that regardless of the specific window system being used, customers can 

benefit from the enhanced thermal performance and strength they provide. www.atprecision.co.uk 


SYSTEMS 

Epwin Window Systems has launched the latest enhancement to its best-selling PVC-U vertical sliding 

sash window system: the new ultra-slim vertical sliding sash meeting rail 

At just 37mm deep, Epwin says the new meeting rail ‘faithfully’ replicates the appearance of traditional sash 

windows ‘adding even more heritage authenticity’ to the ‘well-regarded’ system. 

Phil Parry, Technical Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “The PVC-U vertical sliding sash window system 

has always been the window of choice for conservation areas, listed buildings and period properties. The new 

ultra-slim meeting rail enhances these credentials even further.” 

Joining ‘a wealth of features that help to deliver heritage excellence for every project’, the meeting rail offers a 

choice of welded or mechanical joint options, run-through horns, a deep bottom rail and dedicated ancillaries and 

end-caps. www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk 

For further updates, visit www.total-fabricator.co.uk 

NEW ULTRA-SLIM VERTICAL SLIDING SASH MEETING RAIL 

PROFILE NOW AVAILABLE FROM HARDWARE SUPPLIER 

Hardware supplier AT Precision has launched a new range of aluminium profile, ensuring fabricators have 

access to everything they need in order to manufacture a complete bi-fold door. 

The investment in the new Everglide range of aluminium profile includes new specialist machinery to design the 

profile, and manufacture a thermal break in-house. 

Sales Director, Michael Hewitt, said: “With our new high-quality Everglide range of aluminium profile, we’re now 

able to supply more than just hardware – we can now provide the full offering to our customers and save them time, 

money and hassle – with no compromise on quality. 

“The high-quality profile is easy to work with, and means our customers can rely on AT Precision as their one-stop 

shop for all their bi-fold needs – all they need to do is add the glass!” www.atprecision.co.uk 

SALES OF LEKA CONSERVATORY SYSTEM UP 20% IN '23 

Kurt Greatrex (pictured) founded Dekko Window 

Leka Systems reports that sales of its modular conservatory system, the Leka Xi, were up 20% in 2023. 

Rhys Hoddinott, Managing Director of Leka Systems, commented: “As this sales increase shows, the Leka Xi 

brings huge added value to homeowners – and to fabricators’ and installers’ portfolios.” 

The Leka Xi is described as a quick to install, thermally efficient alternative to a traditional block or brick-built 

conservatory base or wall. It consists of highly engineered, pre-fabricated modular sections that are typically installed 

on concrete pads or ground screws in a matter of days, offering significant time savings and minimising disruption. The 

modular sections also make the product ideal for homeowners with limited or no rear property access because it can 

be carried through in individual pieces. Rhys concluded: “To any fabricator or installer yet to bring the Leka Xi into 

their portfolio, I’d say there’s no time to waste. Get in touch today.” www.lekasystems.co.uk 

PASTURES NEW FOR DEMPSEY DYER AND DECEUNINCK 

Deceuninck fabricator Dempsey Dyer played a significant role in the completion of The Pastures, a 

£168m student accommodation project in Colchester. 

Split across five new buildings, The Pastures brings an additional 1,262 student bedrooms to the 

Colchester campus. Dempsey Dyer designed, manufactured and fitted 2,015 frames, which is the 

equivalent of 4,300m 2 of window area. 

Dempsey Dyer worked closely with its systems supplier Deceuninck to calculate wind loads and U-values. 

The tilt and turn windows were made using Deceuninck 2500 profile in RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey. This 

was a critical component, since it closely replicated aluminium for planning purposes. 

www.deceuninck.co.uk 



In the Driving Seat 

ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS 

The thrill-seeking management duo behind Made for Trade’s game-changing Korniche 

product line is revving up for another run on the racing track in 2024... 

Whether it’s an award-winning marketing 

campaign such as ‘Faster to Fit’, or 

engineering a new fenestration product 

that knocks valuable minutes and seconds off a 

day of fitting for trade installers, Made for Trade 

(MfT) says the concept of chasing time gains 

has long become synonymous with the success 

of the company and its Korniche brand. This is 

something that MfT’s MD Bradley Gaunt and 

Engineering Director Ashley Gaunt capitalised on 

‘in the most visceral sense’ in 2023, as the pair 

participated in the Hagerty Radical Cup UK for the 

first time. 

Competing in a club-level car circuit racing 

championship against other drivers – ranging 

from fellow novices to experienced championship 

winners – the MfT duo applied their sharp vision 

and technical backgrounds to the new venture as 

well as raising awareness of the company in front 

of huge crowds and on national television. The 

pair were behind the wheel of Radical SR1 racing 

cars; like all MfT products, these lightweight 

‘sports-racing cars’ are proudly manufactured 

here in the UK and have gained an enviable 

reputation for quality and value in their respective 

marketplace. 

The Gaunts’ racing season kicked off at Donington 

Park in the East Midlands, where the brothers 

soon realised some of the challenges that would 

lie ahead during their rookie racing year. Like an 

off-balance builder struggling to install lesser 

fenestration products, there were a few accidental 

trips backwards into gravel traps along the way, 

but it wasn’t long before the pair started to get to 

grips with their 185bhp, 490kg racing machines. 

Next up, the championship headed to Brands 

Hatch in Kent, before visits to Snetterton in 

Norfolk, and Oulton Park in Cheshire – supporting 

the British Touring Car Championship in front of 

a mammoth crowd of motorsport enthusiasts. 

Those BTCC events saw race coverage by ITV, 

which meant that the MfT and Korniche brands 

appeared on screens in people’s homes around 

the country; whether it was from an impressive 

overtake or a miscalculated mistake – the 

camera never missed an opportunity. 

Battling at the back 

Whilst the fast-paced world of fenestration 

innovation is second-nature to the brothers, the 

opening events were certainly a baptism of fire as 

they battled at the back of the grid, learning their 

way around so many of the UK’s circuit racing 

venues for the first time, in a variety of weather 

conditions. 

Come mid-season, not only did the racing pair go 

on to compete at the home of British Motorsport 

– the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit – but they 

also made progress up the order, both within their 

novice category and also overall in their class 

for the bike-engined and sequential gearboxequipped 

cars. 

The brothers’ Radicals were resplendent in 

contrasting Made for Trade and Korniche teal and 

maroon liveries, and they applied their extensive 

engineering knowledge to refine the set-up of the 

cars with the team throughout the year. Along 

the same lines as Made for Trade in its 40th 

Anniversary year, Radical Motorsport has enjoyed 

unprecedented growth as it heads into its 25th 

year, with a total of 14 factory-supported Radical 

Championships taking place across four different 

continents. 

Having been ably-equipped with the support of 

North Motorsport throughout the season, the 

Gaunts were also coached along the way by 

multi-experienced North East-based racer Simon 

Walker-Hansell. And all the hard work paid off. 

Come the end of the season and after a return 

to Donington Park, the MfT office mantelpiece 

duly featured a selection of new silverware to sit 

alongside the countless awards for fenestration 

and Korniche innovation; reflecting some of the 

pair’s best results gained during their novice year. 

Levelling-up to the podium 

Speaking of the experience, Ashley Gaunt said: “At 

the beginning of the season, we were literally at 

the back by laps and several times I think we both 

felt way out of our depth. Racing with so many top 

drivers, however, has allowed us to level-up to 

the podium in a short space of time and advance 

enough to be amongst the main action. Plus, 

getting on the big stage in front of a full touring car 

crowd is something I will never forget.” 

As Made for Trade enters its fifth decade of leading 

the way in fenestration design and manufacturing, 

the Gaunt brothers are set to return to their second 

season of Radical competition, aiming to build on 

the successes of 2023. 

Contact Made for Trade: 

01642 610799 

www.madefortrade.co 



UV Testing 

UP-FRONT ASSURANCE 

Daisie Lane, Application Sales Engineer at Element Materials Technology, explains how 

accelerated ultraviolet rays testing for doors can help provide valuable product assurance. 

Across England there is a very apparent 

housing shortage. Recent data has 

suggested that England alone needs 

340,000 new homes – with 145,000 of them 

being affordable – before 2031 to meet demand. 

This need is currently not being met, with only 

45,050 new homes built across the UK between 

January and March 2023. 

This gap between supply and demand means 

that housebuilders cannot afford to drop the pace 

any further, and are seeking reassurance that 

the products they use are built to last. Along with 

this, fabricators and installers can ill afford the 

time to be called out to assess and remedy jobs, 

given the skills shortage we are experiencing 

in the UK. This is why assurances up front are 

important, especially when looking at doors. 

Whilst factors such as weathertightness and 

security are often the priorities when purchasing 

doors, there is an issue that is continually 

overlooked throughout the industry: ultraviolet 

(UV) rays. 

UV damage 

UV rays can damage doors despite the fact they 

cannot be seen by the human eye. UV radiation 

can cause numerous issues, including colour 

change, reduction in gloss levels, cracking, 

crazing, chalking, blistering and hazing. It can 

also contribute to complete product failure in 

relatively short periods of time which could result 

in a huge headache for housebuilders, including 

reputational damage. 

On the flip side, door manufacturers and 

installers will have to devote time and expense 

to remedying the problem with the housebuilder, 

which takes them away from focusing on other 

business priorities and projects. 

Doors are a prime example of where degradation 

can occur as a result of the effects of sunlight on 

the door material. 

How does UV testing work? 

UV testing can reproduce how ultraviolet radiation 

impacts exposure in a controlled laboratory 

environment. For this, the process uses a 

combination of intense UV, heat, and moisture 

to test materials and components for degradation. 

Ensuring that the process is as accurate as 

possible means less problems down the line. 

Specialist labs such as Element Materials 

Technology’s Wednesbury laboratory can perform 

a wide range of UV tests with programmable 

temperature, humidity and irradiance, including 

Xenon Arc and Fluorescent QUV, alongside testing 

that recreates harsher conditions typically seen in 

places such as Arizona and Florida. 

Element’s laboratory can also perform assessments 

pre and post-test, and at various intervals. These 

include colour and gloss measurements, weight, and 

AATCC Greyscale readings. They’re also able to give 

a comprehensive picture of a product’s performance 

and provide a deeper understanding of a material’s 

behaviour, with mechanical, impact and strength 

testing also available. 

“UV testing is a 

great way to provide 

peace of mind” 

Advantages across the supply chain 

UV testing is a great way to provide peace of 

mind, with vital data being able to be generated 

quickly, which otherwise would have taken years 

to aggregate via customer feedback. 

This data can help design better products, provide 

quality assurance and any potential liability 

issues. It also allows professionals to market 

their products as quality assured items. 

This can help avoid potentially costly remediation 

with homeowners in the future alongside any 

potential reputational damage. UV testing also 

means that product quality can be protected, 

with product recalls or inefficient standards 

being mediated. 

UV testing is an excellent way to stand out from 

competitors and give reassurance in such a 

crowded market. 

Element Materials Technology: 

0808 234 1667 

www.element.com 

24 T F JANUARY / FEBRUAY 2024 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN

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sales@morleyglass.co.uk

The DoorCo Column 

WHAT'S HOT FOR 2024? 

Ellie Pool, Marketing Manager at DoorCo, gives us an insight into what’s 

upcoming and trending for 2024 in the composite door market. 

Ellie Pool 

For a number of years there’s been a lot of 

hype about contemporary door designs, but 

throughout, traditional doors have continued to 

reign supreme in terms of door numbers produced. 

Reinvented traditional: the theme of 2024 

In 2023, traditional doors were very much back 

in focus for marketing with a refreshed look and 

increased sales, and we predict this revival of 

vintage styles will continue throughout 2024, 

thanks to the launch of the NOiR collection. 

NOiR has seven traditional styles in the range, 

including designs from the brand-new Eaton 

slab – our tallest, widest door ever (950mm x 

2100mm) with equal trimability at both the top 

and bottom of the slab to create multiple designs 

from one slab. 

In addition to the new range, we can see the 

classics of Carnoustie, Lytham and Sunningdale 

continuing to be popular. These are all the perfect 

designs to allow people to keep with this everpopular 

aesthetic but opt for delivering something 

fresh to the market, making us confident that 

traditional doors will continue to increase in 

popularity throughout the next 12 months. 

New standards to become favourites 

DoorCo has recently made some changes to 

colour options too, introducing the popular PAiNT 

shades, Slate and Agate, to our standard range. 

These two colours will now be manufactured 

through our Standard Door Production Line, 

meaning they will be available on a seven-day 

lead time and no longer carry an additional 

paint charge, providing two clear reasons for a 

predicted rise in popularity, alongside the fact 

they are two on-trend shades already. 

We have also begun to feature a variety of popular 

RAL shades in our new GRiPCORE brochure, so 

we anticipate seeing customers getting more 

daring with colour choices, expanding out from 

classic colour options and reaching for the RAL 

booklet more often. Offering RAL colours also 

makes colour matching windows and ancillaries 

more accessible. 

New glass 

As we enter a new year, we’re excited to be 

able to offer customers a whole new range of 

decorative glass, including exclusive pieces only 

available for DoorCo customers. 

The new glass collection is designed to offer 

something new to inspire every customer, no matter 

what their tastes. The all-new designs present both 

bold pops of colours and intricate line work, backed 

up by designs inspired by last year’s best-sellers. 

Matching with the rest of the home 

It is well documented across many home 

improvement publications that making a 

decorative statement is set to be a big trend in 

2024 interior design… and we think the front 

door could be the perfect way to do this. 

From bold colours on the external side to catch 

attention from the curb, adding a splash of 

colour to the internal side is a great way to make 

a hallway statement that can then be followed 

throughout the home. 

Alongside the ongoing revival of colour, it is also 

being predicted in the world of hardware that 

we’ll see brass and matte black take a step back, 

with silver and chrome coming back in trend 

this upcoming year. As well as being relevant 

across interior lighting and hardware throughout 

the home, the same is likely to apply for external 

doors too, so it’ll be interesting to see whether 

we’ll see a shift from modern door furniture 

trends, back to a more classic choice to match 

the more traditional tastes. 

With a whole wave of exciting new products 

announced during December’s INNOVATiON week, 

DoorCo remains at the heart of what’s on-trend, 

whilst keeping an eye on the data to ensure we’re 

being driven in the right direction with all of our 

innovations. Check out the full round up of what’s 

new in 2024: trade.door-co.com/innovationweek-takeover-for-doorco/ 

Contact DoorCo: 

01625 428955 

trade.door-co.com 


Winkhaus Laboratories 

More than just a test facility 

When testing standards are replaced or updated it can be a challenge to understand 

the level of testing required to ensure continued compliance. 

With over 40 years combined experience in testing and development 

the Winkhaus Laboratory team are the perfect partner to advise 

and support your technical programs including the latest 

PAS24:2022 Enhanced Security Performance standard. 

For further information, advice or to discuss your testing 

requirements, please email test.lab@winkhaus.co.uk or 

telephone +44(0)1536 316006 

For more information 

visit winkhaus.co.uk/en/ 

winkhaus-laboratories 

winkhaus.co.uk

Updates 

BI-FOLDS TRANSFORMED WITH REGALEAD'S URBAN BAR 

RegaLead says its Urban Bar has been added by ‘a significant number of aluminium fabricators, 

across multiple window and door systems’, as more companies introduce an astragal bar system 

to transform standard bi-fold doors and achieve an ‘industrial heritage’ look. 

RegaLead’s Urban Bar has been designed to resolve the common issue of astragal bars “popping off” 

due to expansion, by use of a multi-patented clip system. 

RegaLead says that a tried and tested strung steel clip, patented across the world, ensures that once 

fitted, the bars stay in place. The universal clip works with both 25mm and 40mm bar widths, to create 

heritage and modern aesthetics. The authentic look of separate transoms and mullions is completed 

quickly and efficiently in the factory with SDLs and astragal bars. In addition, the deep profile running 

gasket creates what RegaLead says is ‘a perfect finish’. www.regalead.com 

SECURE OPPORTUNITIES WITH FDS FROM DISTINCTION 

Distinction Doors says it is helping fabricators and installers make the most of opportunities in the fire door market 

with fds, its fully compliant FD30 internal and external composite fire door system. 

Elliott Dawson, Distinction Doors’ Commercial Manager fds, said: “There’s a wealth of opportunity in the fire door market 

and we’re here to help fabricators and installers make the most of this. 

“We’ve been active in the market for more than three years now, building awareness and providing a robust and consistent 

composite fire door solution... Our fds customers have the advantage over other providers due to their association with an 

established and trusted brand, and a recognised product. fds is available to all those who may be interested in becoming an 

approved fds manufacturing partner, or others who are simply looking to buy-in the fabricated doorset. Either way, we have 

the expertise and knowledge to support customers in conquering the fire door market.” firedoorsystems.co.uk 

PREMIER ARCHES PARTNERS WITH COMP DOOR 

Arched frame supplier Premier Arches is marking a successful partnership with Comp Door, with the 

composite door manufacturer having become a significant customer since opening its doors around 

18 months ago. 

Manufacturing a wide range of arched and angled frames, Premier Arches stocks eight leading PVC-U profiles, 

including Liniar and Optima, which made them the most suitable profile bending specialist for Comp Door. 

The St Helens-based company also supplies fully glazed frame options, and operates on three core 

principles – excellent manufacturing, clear and honest customer service, and a ‘make life easier’ offering for 

customers – which Pierre Mifsud, Comp Door’s Technical Director, says has hugely benefitted his company’s 

processes. www.compdoor.co.uk • www.premierarches.co.uk 

QUICK-FIT, MAGNETIC TECHNOLOGY 

Mila’s popular Evolution high security hinge has ‘evolved’ for composite doors, with a new version featuring 

game-changing, magnetic, quick-fit technology for the first time. 

The new Evolution hinge for composite doors incorporates high strength magnets in the sash part and the lid which 

means the fabricator simply has to locate the hinge lid over guide fins on the inside edge of the sash part and bring 

the magnets together to secure it firmly in place. There is no drilling or screwing required and no need for a jig. 

There’s even no need to fit end caps because the lid has a clever all-in-one design, negating the need for separate 

hinge caps or covers. 

Mila says it is a quicker, simpler and more efficient option for fabricators, with full accreditation to PAS24: 2022 and 

SBD, and no compromises on security. www.mila.co.uk 


Winkhaus has unveiled a new locking system for stable doors, describing it as ‘a revolution in security and design’. 

Taking inspiration from the features and performance characteristics of the popular Cobra multipoint locking system, the 

new innovation provides enhanced security with four locking points featuring separate deadbolts and hooks for both the 

upper and lower parts of the stable door. Designed with precision and functionality in mind, the system’s integrated shootbolt 

eliminates the need for additional hardware to link the two parts of the door. This, says Winkhaus, not only saves valuable 

time in fabrication but also enhances the overall aesthetic design of the door, providing a ‘sleek and seamless’ appearance. 

Mike Rushen, Sales Director at Winkhaus UK, said: “The integrated interlocking mechanism reduces the amount of 

visual hardware, simplifying sourcing, preparation and fabrication for our customers. This product is a testament to the 

innovation, functionality and design excellence that Winkhaus represents, and it is set to transform the way stable doors 

are fabricated and experienced.” www.winkhaus.co.uk/en/stable-door 


WINKHAUS UNVEILS NEW STABLE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM 

STOP CRIME AT THE DOOR WITH VISTA 

With a house being burgled every 165 seconds, Vista Panels says that homeowners are looking for ways to 

protect their properties, and it’s vital that fabricators and installers are equipped to meet this requirement. 

With the superior security features of XtremeDoor composite doors from Vista, the trade supplier says that fabricators 

and installers can offer homeowners much sought-after security, while getting the edge on an increasingly competitive 

market. Vista’s XtremeDoor composite doors utilise a five-point locking system with two hooks and three deadbolts. 

Additionally, these doors feature an anti-snap, bump and drill cylinder designed specifically to withstand common 

methods used during burglaries. 

XtremeDoor composites have also undergone rigorous testing by the Greater Manchester Police who were unable to 

gain entry using an enforcer tool. www.vistapanels.co.uk 

AGATE GREY ADDED TO COLOUR 

Kurt Greatrex (pictured) 

PALETTE 

founded Dekko Window 

The popularity of grey with homeowners choosing a new front door continues unabated, with Anthracite and 

Slate grey still leading the field. 

To offer homeowners a new take on grey, Hörmann Truedor has introduced Agate Grey to its range of composite 

doors, to provide a lighter, softer shade of grey. With a hint of green, Agate Grey is particularly suited to properties 

constructed from stone or lighter brickwork, to create a natural, calm entrance to any home. With 10 classic and 26 

premium colour options, consumers have the opportunity to select a door that will subtly co-ordinate with the exterior 

of their property or create a real impact. For those looking for a ‘softer’ colour palate, Agate Grey joins ‘organic’ 

colours in the range such as Country Green, Sand Dune and Pigeon, while for those with a bolder design preference 

Purple Violet, UltraMarine and Pure Orange can create an eye-catching focal point. www.truedor.co.uk/colours 

BROCHURE BRINGS GRIPCORE TO LIFE 

Version 2 of DoorCo’s premium composite door slab GRiPCORE is now ready for sale, featuring a new 

hybrid timber-foam core and supported by a suite of marketing materials, including a brand-new printed 

and digital brochure. 

DoorCo’s Marketing Manager, Ellie Pool, said: “GRiPCORE 2.0’s high-quality and unique composition delivers 

stability, weather resistance, strength and style. Our network of fabricators is excited about being able to offer 

such a high-quality product in their composite door portfolios, and so far the feedback has been extremely 

positive. We’re ready to support our customers to bring this industry-first composite door to market with an 

updated collection of marketing tools. Central to this is a brand-new dedicated GRiPCORE brochure that has 

been designed to really bring this impressive door to life.” trade.door-co.com/gripcore-by-doorco 



Accessories 

SMALL COMPONENT, BIG DEAL 

Andy Holland, Technical & Marketing Manager at Rapierstar, explores the role of 

fasteners in the manufacturing process – and the importance of creating a consistently 

high standard of window screw that fabricators can depend on. 

Did you know the UK window and door 

industry uses an estimated 2.5 million 

fasteners every day? That’s a huge volume 

of components in numerous different types, 

metals and sizes to keep on tap, but it is crucial 

that we do keep the supply constant to prevent 

fabrication lines grinding to a halt. 

The fastener is rarely – if ever – regarded as the 

most important part of a window or door, and it 

is easy to take for granted due to the fact it is 

so small and has such a low unit cost. With the 

average cost of a window screw just £0.0081, 

you could be forgiven for thinking this means 

fasteners are fairly inconsequential and all ‘much 

of a muchness’. 

What goes into the production of every fastener, 

however, is often an eye-opener to anyone not 

involved in this specialist field. 

For Rapierstar, the process for ensuring fabricators 

have at their disposal high quality, high performing 

fasteners which help to keep production safe, 

efficient and profitable involves numerous stages. 

Andy Holland 

“What goes into the production of every 

fastener is often an eye-opener to 

anyone who is not involved in the field” 

Origins of the Rapierstar brand 

Rapierstar was founded in the early 1990s by 

owner and MD, David Furness, with the aim of 

providing the UK window and door industry with 

a better way to source fasteners that balanced 

quality with cost – all with the most dependable 

supply reliability. Around that time, fabricators 

were usually faced with either using cheap but 

poor quality screws, or very expensive, overengineered 

fasteners that made the cost of 

finished windows and doors needlessly high. 

The Rapierstar brand quickly found its feet in 

the market and today it is used by the vast 

majority of fabricators in the UK and Ireland. 

One of the reasons for this is our ability to keep 

costs to customers as low as possible, without 

compromising quality. We have invested significant 

time and resources over 30+ years to identify the 

right manufacturing partners in the Far East and 

developed strong relationships with them, ensuring 

that the quality/cost balance is optimised. 

Why high quality fasteners make a 

difference to fabricators 

Whilst cost is important, however, it is only 

one of the factors that matter to fabricators. 

Fasteners must also be well-designed and 

capable of creating a strong, reliable attachment 

or join to ensure the finished unit meets quality 

expectations, and that it is able to meet the most 

demanding performance standards. 

Rapierstar is able to optimise the performance 

and quality of its fasteners because we design all 

our screws using the latest digital technology here 

in the UK. 

This gives us the capability to ensure the head, 

thread and tip are optimised for all the different 

types of PVC-U profiles, metal reinforcement, 

timber and even the latest generation of 

plastic reinforcing materials that our sector is 

increasingly using. 

We also have strict quality control procedures 

in place to make sure the fasteners being 

manufactured do ‘what it says on the tin’. 

That means working closely with factories to 

undertake checks throughout the manufacturing 

process and testing every batch arriving in the UK 

to ensure the products meet the specification. 


HARDWARE & ACCESSORIES 

UNIVERSAL RANGE 

Window Widgets says it has ‘the perfect 

coupler solution’ for windows offering a 

variety of widths, strengths and sizes. 

The company’s in-line couplers are universal, 

accommodating 58mm - 76mm deep frames. 

Whether they are being used for bounce bars, 

structural loading or simply just reduced 

sight-lines, they offer frame to frame coupling, 

and are available in a range of colours. 

The trims are completely interchangeable, 

therefore if you see the D/P stamp in the 

product brochure, this means that they can 

be swapped for a different finish. 

Above: Inside the Rapierstar warehouse and distribution centre in Cheshire, where more than one billion individual items 

are stocked at any one time. The company conducts a wide variety of testing at its technical centre to ensure the fasteners 

delivered to customers meet the highest standards. 

Comprehensive fastener testing 

Only by ensuring Rapierstar fasteners are made 

to a consistently high standard can we ensure 

that fabricators will receive products they can 

depend on to perform. 

That’s why we test everything from the 

dimensions of the fasteners and their ductility, 

to the quality of coatings and resistance to 

corrosion, as well as how well the screws insert 

into the materials they will be used with. Batch 

failures are rare, but doing these best practice 

tests ensures we are able to identify any potential 

issues before products are distributed to 

customers. 

Fasteners that work effectively in the applications 

they are designed for also benefit fabricators 

in a number of other ways. Firstly, they ensure 

productivity and safety are maximised in the 

factory – and through Rapierstar’s supply chain 

expertise we are also able to make sure stocks of 

fasteners are available when they are needed. 

But there are far more important ‘bigger 

picture’ benefits too. If a homeowner, tenant or 

commercial customer experiences an issue with a 

finished window or door, the root cause can often 

be traced back to the fastener. 

Often the wrong type of screw or one that is not 

inserted correctly will result in hardware such 

as friction stays and door hinges becoming 

loose, which can make opening and closing a 

problem and usually results in a call-back or 

warranty claim. 

Suddenly the tiny unit cost of the component can 

end up costing an installer a lot more in time 

and remedial work, not to mention the longer 

term reputational damage that may result when 

average or negative online reviews are posted. 

Contact Rapierstar: 

01260 22 33 11 

www.rapierstar.com 

Adrian Clare, Technical Sales Executive at 

Window Widgets, said: “We take pride in 

the wide range of couplers we have here 

at Window Widgets, and we work to create 

products designed to support fabricators and 

installers regardless of the window systems 

they manufacture or install. 

“Window Widgets’ range of universal couplers 

means the fenestration industry has access 

to a product which can be used in a range of 

scenarios, from a leading ancillaries firm, that 

is a worthy competitor in the market.” 

Window Widgets is home to an extensive 

range of universal window and door ancillaries 

for fabricators and installers. With all products 

made in Britain, Window Widgets boasts 

in-house extrusion, injection moulding, CNC 

production, 3D design and prototyping, and a 

quality laboratory. 

www.windowwidgets.co.uk/couplers 



Trickle Vents 


COMPLIANCE: TODAY & TOMORROW 

Glazing component manufacturer Glazpart says it prides itself on providing affordable 

and practical solutions to help the industry comply with the latest ventilation requirement 

challenges – and as Total Installer reports, it’s already anticipating the next step... 

June 2022 saw some significant changes 

to the Building Regulations (England and 

Wales) and in particular the interim changes 

to Approved Document F (ventilation) which has 

had an impact on companies across the glazing 

supply chain, as those replacing windows and 

doors are now legally required to provide the 

means to ventilate to the new requirements. 

As a result, most fabricators and installers are 

using the most affordable, practical and quickest 

solution and installing trickle ventilators in 

the window and/or door profiles at the time of 

replacing the windows or doors. 

Three-fold challenges 

The main challenges facing companies in the 

supply chain are three-fold. 

Firstly, compliance with the regulations means 

companies have to provide a measure to ventilate 

to make the property habitable. This is critical for 

occupants’ air quality for long-term health and 

wellbeing. 

Secondly, gaining homeowner agreement. For 

consumer-facing installers this can be a difficult 

discussion as many homeowners have resistance 

to trickle vents, some believing they are not 

aesthetically pleasing, and with other objections 

ranging from potential drafts and noise entering 

their homes. 

The third challenge is the changing operational 

practices and processes by including 

installation of trickle vents as a key part of the 

manufacturing, installation and selling processes. 

As a glazing component manufacturer and 

supplier, Glazpart has been acutely aware of 

these challenges for several years. The company 

has been (and still is) planning ahead and 

creating viable solutions across the supply chain. 

With significant investment in state-of-the-art 

Glazpart’s Dean Bradley 

“As an industry we are 

already playing catch 

up, so companies 

should be anticipating 

the changes and 

prepare in advance” 

machinery, research and product development, 

Glazpart can provide the industry with available, 

affordable and practical ventilation solutions. 

In 2013, Glazpart launched the Link Vent in two 

sizes: 2500 EQA and 5000 EQA. Equivalent Area 

(EQA) is used instead of free area for the sizing 

of trickle ventilators as it is a better measure of a 

ventilator’s air flow performance. 

The Link Vent is a compliant-ready, userfriendly 

product that more than addresses the 

aforementioned issues. 

The Link Vent smart design provides greater air 

flow control due to an innovative closure plate 

that allows homeowners to reduce draughts (and 

noise) by re-directing air away from occupants. 

A big selling point is the vast range of colours 

and finishes available which allows the Link Vent 

to be camouflaged in the profile, so it blends in 

with the window aesthetics. The colours are also 

extremely stable in weather conditions, so there 

is no noticeable fading. 

By June 2022, Glazpart added the Link Vent 4000 

EQA to meet the new ventilation requirement 

even more easily. This mid-size vent provides 

the flexibility to install an appropriate Link Vent 

for practically any type of window or door (wood, 

PVC-U, aluminium). The Link Vent 4000 is most 

commonly used for smaller rooms such as 

bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms. 

Compliant, easy to install and overcoming 

homeowner resistance, it’s no surprise that 

many companies have now integrated Link 

Vent installation into their manufacturing and 

installation processes. 

As the challenges are being met, the Link Vent 

has made millions of homes healthier and is 

winning and being nominated for numerous 

industry awards. 

However, as Dean Bradley, Sales Director, 

explained, the Glazpart team is not resting on 

its laurels: “The Link Vent continues to be a 

huge success story, however we are anticipating 

more regulation changes with the Future Home 

standard in 2025. Our major concern is company 

compliance. There’s an estimated 70% of the 

industry currently compliant. When any further 

or new changes come in over the next 12 or 18 

months, companies need to be ready. As an 

industry we are already playing catch up, so 

companies should be anticipating the changes 

and prepare in advance. ” 

Contact Glazpart: 

01295 264 533 

glazpart.com 


9:41 

1 x door unsecure 

All windows secure

Sustainability 

SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS 

Lara Coutinho, Sustainability Programme Manager at Tyman’s UK & Ireland Division, 

home to security and component provider, ERA, discusses the business case for 

partnering with suppliers aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

Last year, the Government’s Promoting 

Net Zero Carbon and Sustainability in 

Construction report stated that the UK’s built 

environment industry is responsible for 40% of 

the country’s carbon emissions. As the halfway 

point to the 2050 net zero deadline approaches, 

arguably more needs to be done to decarbonise 

the sector, of which the fenestration industry 

plays a significant part. 

Sustainability should no longer be a buzzword, 

but the foundation that underpins all modern 

business practices. While the word sustainability 

is often most strongly associated with climate 

change and carbon emissions, it encompasses 

“Finding a sustainable partner that aligns its 

products and strategies with the UN’s SDGs is a 

must for fabricators and door manufacturers” 

far more than that, as laid out in the UN’s 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The 17 SDGs are a universal call to action to end 

poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity 

for all. Businesses of all sizes can play a pivotal 

role in delivering an impactful response to the 

social, economic, political and environmental 

challenges faced the world over, and can answer 

this call to action by implementing effective 

strategies that help to tackle these issues directly. 

Fabricators and door manufacturers can not only 

respond by aligning their own business practices 

with relevant SDGs, but they can also work with 

suppliers and manufacturers that are taking their 

role in sustainability seriously too. 

And while improving the planet’s prospects is 

a good enough reason as any to partner with 

suppliers that align their business plans with the 

UN’s SDGs, what is the business case? 

What are the UN SDGs? 

In 2015, the 193 countries that make up the 

UN agreed to adopt the 2030 Sustainable 

Development Agenda. This agenda sets out the 

17 SDGs, which are a collection of interconnected 

objectives that aim to address five critical 

global areas of importance: the people, planet, 

prosperity, peace and partnership. Each goal 

impacts one of these five areas by addressing 

issues such as poverty, gender inequality, world 

health, economic growth and climate action, to 

name a few. 

ERA’s TouchKey smart security solution already aligns directly with two SDGs 

Reputation 

Consumers are increasingly conscious of the social 

and environmental impact of their purchasing 

decisions. In fact, in 2023, Deloitte reported that 

one in three consumers have stopped purchasing 

certain brands because of ethical and environmental 

concerns. Arguably, given this, businesses aligning 

their plans and products with SDGs, or working with 

suppliers that do so, are more likely to appeal to 



consumers who increasingly value sustainable 

and ethical practices. 

Compliance 

Fabricators and door manufacturers working 

with suppliers that are aligning their business 

operations to SDGs when developing products are 

also much more likely to avoid potential penalties 

and regulatory challenges in the long run. 

Regulations relating to environmental and 

social responsibility are not only becoming more 

stringent as governments continue to implement 

legislation that protects the planet, but they are 

being introduced at a rapid pace. Therefore, 

staying ahead of the curve by working with 

suppliers who are already prioritising sustainable 

practices can minimise future compliance issues. 

Investment 

Sustainability is at the forefront of the political, 

economic and social agenda, and investors 

and financial institutions are looking to 

support businesses which are demonstrating a 

commitment to sustainable operations. 

Partnering with suppliers that are aligning their 

business strategy with the UN SDGs makes for 

an attractive investment, and with investment 

comes more funding and resources which can be 

put towards better sustainable practices. 

Innovation 

Working with suppliers, such as ERA, that are 

committed to aligning their product development 

with the SDGs means fabricators and door 

manufacturers can access more innovative 

products and solutions that will create new sales 

opportunities. This is because aligning with the 

SDGs encourages suppliers to imagine new and 

innovative products that meet the evolving needs 

of consumers. 

Tyman and ERA 

In Tyman’s 2022 Annual Report, the group set 

out its growth strategy by confirming that its 

2030 Sustainability Roadmap will focus on 10 of 

the 17 SDGs and will prioritise three of these in 

particular – Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), 

Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), 

and Climate Action (SDG 13). 

ERA, which belongs to Tyman’s UK & Ireland 

Division, is already working towards aligning 

many of its products with the UN’s SDGs, 

including its most innovative smart security 

solution to date – TouchKey. 

TouchKey combines a smarter security door 

handle, an auto-firing multi-point lock, and 

an anti-bump security cylinder for use with 

composite or timber entrance doors. It is the only 

system of its kind to combine five different entry 

methods in a single handle. 

TouchKey aligns directly with two SDGs. By 

introducing innovative smart home technology to a 

wider audience, TouchKey contributes to SDG 9 – 

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which aims 

to build resilient infrastructure; promote inclusive, 

sustainable industrialisation; and foster innovation. 

It also directly contributes to SDG 11 – 

Sustainable Cities and Communities (which aims 

to make cities and human settlements inclusive, 

safe, resilient and sustainable), by improving 

urban living standards and enhancing security. 

All in all, finding a sustainable partner that aligns 

its product development and strategies with the 

UN’s SDGs is a must for fabricators and door 

manufacturers which are looking for transparency 

and commitment when it comes to sustainability. 

Contact ERA: 

01922 490 000 

www.eraeverywhere.com 

PALLET RECYCLING 

SCHEME ROLLS OUT 

Home security and fenestration component 

provider, ERA, has launched a new 

pallet recycling scheme as part of its 

sustainability commitments. 

In a bid to reduce waste to landfill, ERA has 

partnered with local Midlands company Ian 

Wootton Pallets & Packing Cases to introduce 

the scheme, which will prevent circa 60 

tonnes of disposed pallet wood from going to 

waste each year. 

Instead, the pallets, which are used as part 

of ERA’s manufacturing operations, will be 

recycled and rebuilt as new, or turned into 

smaller wooden crates which will then be 

supplied for use by other local businesses. 

ERA is part of Tyman’s UK & Ireland division 

and this scheme supports the group’s 2030 

Sustainability Roadmap, which aims to 

achieve zero waste to landfill by 2026. 

Tyman UK & Ireland has committed to reducing 

its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46.2% 

and its GHG emissions from purchased goods 

and services by 27.5% by 2030, as part of the 

Science-based Targets Initiative. 

Lara Couthino, Sustainability Programme 

Manager at Tyman UK & Ireland, said: “We 

are proud to be working towards a circular 

economy through the sharing, repairing, 

refurbishing and recycling of materials used 

during our manufacturing process, and the 

fact that this new scheme supports local 

businesses is a huge bonus.” 



Industry Analysis 


LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD 

David Jennings, CEO at UAP, reflects on the factors that have shaped the business in 2023 

and offers some positive predictions for what the future may hold... 

Across the world, businesses have faced 

economic turmoil. Rising inflation coupled 

with home improvement spikes during 

Covid have affected retail demand, making 

trading conditions challenging. But our industry 

is a broad church. Although there are issues in 

some parts, there are opportunities for growth as 

well as upswings such as ecommerce, which has 

remained strong throughout 2023. 

Expansion and diversification 

In a challenging economic climate, we have 

continued to diversify the UAP group to de-risk any 

one core market. In 2023, this strategy enabled us 

to grow our overall business by more than 50%. 

Strategic acquisitions supercharged our expansion 

with Maher London and Security Hardware joining 

the UAP family. In the year ahead, both businesses 

are set for significant growth. 

Our diversification also saw us invest in a new 

business offering us two new income streams 

in 2024. Armadillo Metal Coatings is developing 

a range of anti-bacterial hardware and will 

incorporate a specialist chemicals division. 

The launch of Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) adds 

another string to our bow and will be central to the 

UAP ecosystem. This specialist business offers fire 

door inspection and maintenance services as well 

as best-in-class training for the industry. 

Scaling up 

To improve efficiency and connectivity, we have 

moved from a multiple warehouse operation to 

a new headquarters in Dumers Lane, Bury. This 

120,000ft 2 building brings all our departments 

under one roof, helping us to increase capacity 

while streamlining our processes. 

It will also become home to FDM’s new training 

facility. This unique offer will provide everyone 

from architects and facilities managers, through 

to locksmiths and fire departments, with the 

opportunity to learn in an impressive environment. 

Another benefit of our Dumers Lane site is 

David Jennings 

“If our industry was 

football’s Premier 

League, we want to 

make it to the top” 

that it can better accommodate our growing 

workforce. Our acquisitions, diversification and 

new headquarters will count for nothing without 

significant investment in our people. At all levels, 

we have added depth and strength to our teams. 

This includes the arrival of highly experienced and 

knowledgeable people from across the industry 

thanks to our targeted acquisition strategy. 

Continuous innovation 

Our passion for new product development has 

seen us launch award-winning products and is 

why our intellectual property portfolio has more 

than 60 patents. Through ongoing research, our 

focus is on creating products that meet market 

needs. The soft launch of the IONIC electronic 

lock at the FIT Show in May 2023 resulted in 

a wish list of extra features which have now 

been developed thanks to our intuitive haptic 

technology. 

In 2024, we will also reveal our IONIC 

replacement handle, which we believe will rival 

every multipoint lock handle in the world. Aided 

by our intuitive haptic technology, the IONIC is an 

example of British engineering at its very best. 

Strengthening the supply chain 

The last few years have underlined the 

importance of a robust supply chain. That is 

why we have increased our supply chain team 

in China and India, and further strengthened our 

relationships with all suppliers. 

The massive stock holding capability at our new 

Dumers Lane site enables us to store extra stock 

in the UK too. We will also work with our suppliers 

to maximise economies of scale for every product 

we buy. 

Looking ahead 

Putting my neck on the line, my predictions are 

largely positive for 2024. I think the Government 

will introduce core policies to help stimulate the 

economy and curry favour with the electorate. 

These will help build short and mid-term 

confidence in the markets. Inflation should 

stabilise and currency will stay around the midpoint 

rate. Shipping and metal costs will remain 

stable, so I don’t see any need for significant 

price increases in 2024. 

The UK retail window market will increase slightly. 

As buyers’ confidence grows, so should the 

demand for new-build, aiding its recovery. Across 

the public sector, I believe there will be a renewed 

focus on capital projects, helping to boost the fire 

door market. 

At UAP, we will continue to seek new markets for 

our products while de-risking and building our 

teams across every department. 

If our industry was football’s Premier League, we 

want to make it to the top and secure a place in 

the UEFA Champions League. As we start the new 

year, this ambition will be front of mind as we 

keep scaling up and strengthening our business. 

Contact UAP: 

0161 796 7268 

uapcorporate.com 


STADIUM 

DOOR KNOCKER 

Magnetic Close 

Feature 

Compatible with 

Any Door 

Available in 

5 finishes 

LIFETIME Coating 

Guarantee Available 

www.uapcorporate.com 

sales@.uaplimited.com

Updates 

XR6: ELEVATING SECURITY THROUGH INNOVATION 

Holding the British Standard Kitemark as a 1* solution, the XR6 High Security Cylinder Range from Winkhaus 

boasts anti-bump, anti-pick, and anti-drill protection, among its array of features. 

With options including double cylinder, thumb-turn cylinder and half cylinders, Winkhaus says the XR6 ‘stands as a 

fortified defence against potential breaches’, complying with industry standards such as TS001-1, and PAS:24. 

Security features of the XR6 include anti-bump and anti-pick Torpedo tumbler pins, along with hardened steel 

components that resist core extraction and improve drill resistance. Practical design elements, such as the recessed key 

guide and the support channel, address issues like challenging lighting conditions and potential key breakage over time. 

Mike Rushen, Sales Director at Winkhaus UK, said: “XR6 is a fusion of innovation and assurance, where safety and 

security are of the highest priority. Designed to seamlessly integrate with the complete range of Winkhaus locking 

solutions, XR6 offers a comprehensive security ecosystem.” www.winkhaus.co.uk/en/xr6-51-cylinder 

TWO NEW DOOR KNOCKERS JOIN QUANTUM RANGE 

Window and door hardware specialist Total Hardware has introduced two new door knockers to its 

Quantum hardware collection. 

The contemporary Quantum Pony Tail knocker and the classic Quantum Doctor knocker increase the design 

choices available to complement all entrance door styles. 

Chris Pell, General Manager at Total Hardware, said: “Our high-quality Quantum range enhances the portfolios 

of fabricators and installers, and these two new designs elevate the value even more.” 

According to Total Hardware, the Quantum Pony Tail complements the trend for contemporary door design, 

while the Quantum Doctor delivers the ‘sophisticated heritage styling that is so popular at the moment’. 

Both door knockers are available in six colour options. www.totalhardware.co.uk 

MILA HANDLE ACHIEVES SILVER SOLD SECURE 'FIRST' 

Mila reports that its SupaSecure TS007 2* door handle recently became ‘the highest rated security handle in the UK’, scoring 

an ‘unprecedented’ Silver grading from Sold Secure. 

Mila says the stainless steel SupaSecure is the first handle to have been awarded the Silver grading alongside its PAS24 and SBD 

accreditation, giving Mila customers ‘absolute reassurance that they are fitting and promoting the most secure option available’ – in 

combination with either a 1* or a 3* cylinder. Previously, the highest grading achieved by a 2* handle in the Sold Secure attack test 

administered by the Master Locksmiths Association was Bronze. SupaSecure is produced using the same investment casting process 

used to produce aerospace components. It has been independently tested to BSEN1906 Grade 4 for extreme durability and corrosion 

resistance. Design features include chamfered backplate shoulders for better mole grip resistance and an integrated cylinder guard 

visibly raised within the backplate which protects against snapping. www.mila.co.uk/supasecure-door-handles 

ABACUS AGENTS CELEBRATES 21 YEARS WITH ERA 

Abacus Agents, an independent fenestration component supplier for the trade sector, is 

celebrating its 21-year partnership with hardware brand, ERA. 

With bases in both Dundee and Glasgow, Abacus Agents is described as the ‘go-to’ supplier of 

hardware and door and window furniture to fabricators and door manufacturers across Scotland, 

supplying customers with a range of ERA products for PVC-U and composite windows and doors. 

This includes ERA’s high-performance door and window locks, and premium collection of Fab&Fix 

decorative hardware. Abacus Agents’ Joe McHaffie said: “ERA not only provides an extensive product 

range that meets the latest industry standards, but the team also go the extra mile to ensure we are 

supported.” www.eraeverywhere.com • www.abacusagents.co.uk 




VBH WINDOW BUNDLE MAKES THE PERFECT PACKAGE 

Hardware manufacturer VBH says it is making things easy for its customers by offering related 

products as bundled packages, giving customers the benefits of buying from one specialist source. 

Bi-fold door lock components have long been supplied in this way and the company is now turning its 

attention to aluminium and PVC-U outward opening casement window hardware packages. 

VBH encourages customers to use ‘package deals’ as they can provide better value for money, and save 

the ‘hassle’ of sourcing hardware for the same window from two or more suppliers. 

Dan Powell, Head of Brand at VBH, said: “Our product range has evolved to such an extent that we can 

offer multiple choices of locking system, friction stay, handle, security and safety devices, and vents. The same window needs all these products, so it makes 

sense to place just one order, with all the components delivered and invoiced together. It saves so much work for the customer’s buyer, stores people and the 

accounts team.” sales@vbhgb.com 

NEW ULTION BLANKING PLATE READY FOR SHIPPING 

The latest addition to the Ultion Sweet furniture range, the Ultion Sweet Universal Blanking Plate, is now in stock 

and available for shipping. 

The Ultion Sweet Universal Blanking Plate is specifically designed for doors with an interior handle but no exterior 

counterpart, such as Juliette balconies. It features a universal fit design, with numerous fixed fixings with a lower fixing on a 

sliding boss, ensuring compatibility with nearly every fixing requirement. 

The Ultion Sweet is covered in several layers of brass and nickel, making it very tough. It has been tested thoroughly, and 

it can handle saltwater for over 8000 hours – that’s 30 times more than the usual industry standard, EN 1906:2012. The 

‘edgeless’ design of the Ultion Sweet Universal Blanking Plate also adds to its security, as there’s nothing for tools like mole 

grips, often used in break-ins, to grab onto. www.brisant-secure.com 

HIGH PRAISE FOR CARL F GROUPCO'S 

Kurt Greatrex (pictured) founded 

NEW 

Dekko Window 

3* CYLINDER 

Independent hardware distributor Carl F Groupco has reported positive feedback from its 

recently launched, enhanced variation of the Iron Guard 3* Cylinder. 

The enhanced Iron Guard 3* Cylinder by Federal was introduced to the company’s extensive 

portfolio in November last year, and Carl F Groupco reports that its ‘far-reaching benefits’ have 

already proved popular with customers. The cylinder’s advanced security features include a unique 

trap pin, which activates during attempted picking or bumping, locking the plug and preventing 

access. In both scenarios, the cylinder can still be operated safely from the inside of the property. An 

added advantage is its non-handed design, with sacrificial cut features on both sides for consistent 

anti-snap protection, regardless of the fitting direction. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk 

PATIOMASTER BOOSTS SLIDER SECURITY WITH YALE 

Epwin Window Systems says it has further enhanced the security credentials of its PatioMaster sliding 

door with the introduction of a new and exclusive 10-point locking system. 

Designed in collaboration with Yale, the new locking system delivers the equivalent of a standard lock 

plus additional shootbolts at the top and bottom of the sash. By incorporating this advanced 10-point 

locking mechanism in addition to the Yale 3* cylinder, the PatioMaster Sliding Door System has exceeded 

the stringent requirements of PAS24:2022 enhanced security accreditation, underscoring the company’s 

commitment to security excellence. Phil Parry, Technical Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “The 

introduction of the new PAS24 Yale 10-point locking system further demonstrates our commitment to 

adopting and meeting the latest industry standards.” www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk 



Glass 

GLASS PROCESSING & SEALED UNITS 

ADAPTING TO CHANGE 

No longer ‘just a distributor of glass hardware’, Bohle’s Dave Broxton explains how the 

company’s agility and ‘sustainable partnerships’ have kept it relevant for 100 years. 

Consolidation was a key theme for 2023, 

as changing trends and reduced cash flow 

caused some companies – both big and 

small – to cease trading. 

Every year companies go to the wall, Bohle’s 

Managing Director Dave Broxton argues, but little is 

said about customers who are often left high and dry. 

“Choosing suppliers is not a clear-cut process,” 

Dave says. “No matter how much you want to 

keep them at arm’s length, you end up working 

very closely with those companies that ultimately 

underpin your own offering. 

“Yes, sometimes that relationship will simply be 

about finding a company that will supply what 

will become a SKU on your database. At other 

times that relationship can help define your own 

identity. And I would argue that the glass and 

glazing industry is more about the latter rather 

than the former.” 

Importance of relationships 

Bohle turned 100 in 2023, and Dave explains 

that part of its longevity is down to understanding 

the importance of relationships, and developing 

sustainable partnerships with customers. 

“At every step of its journey since it was 

established in 1923, Bohle has constantly 

re-evaluated its offering to ensure it remains 

relevant to customers’ needs,” he says. “Those 

companies that fall by the wayside will most 

likely have cut prices, leaving less capital for 

investment, thus painting themselves into a 

corner with regards to product offering.” 

Bohle’s approach to staying one step ahead of 

demand is part of its strategy to be self-sufficient 

and sustainable, Dave explains. 

“Today, we are not just a distributor of glass 

hardware,” he says. “We are now a manufacturer 

of glass hardware with our own brands, our own 

R&D, and our own designs. 

Dave Broxton 

“Bohle has constantly 

re-evaluated its 

offering to ensure it 

remains relevant to 

customers’ needs” 

“That means as a supply partner we have stability 

running through the Bohle brand, which allows our 

customers to benefit from our core values.” 

Sustainability is one area where Bohle invested 

heavily. For example, from 2024, the company’s 

manufacturing site in Haan in Germany will 

generate the majority of its energy via solar 

power, thanks to a substantial photovoltaic 

installation. The company has also improved 

the efficiency of its operations and upgraded its 

insulation so there is less overall pressure on 

energy usage. 

“Combine this with the high quality of the 

products we produce, which means products or 

components need replacing less often, and the 

embodied energy in what we supply is incredibly 

low,” Dave points out. 

“And the fact that we produce much more of 

what we supply in-house, means we have greater 

control over who we employ and the standards 

they are trained to. This helps us to guarantee the 

quality of our products, such as our prestigious 

shower hardware.” 

Developed and designed by Bohle, the Juna shower 

door hinge combines aesthetics and functionality 

with quality. Minimum shut lines and concealed 

screws emphasize the supreme aesthetics of 

this swinging shower door hinge. In terms of 

performance, this premium hinge is made of brass 

and stainless steel. Juna also guarantees a long 

service life with 100,000 test cycles to DIN EN 

14428 and a load capacity up to 50 kg. 

Home improvement drive 

In May 2023, Bohle attended the FIT Show, where 

it targeted home improvement companies with 

a range of easy-to-install products, including its 

new Juliet Balcony System, Lyon; the FrameTec 

2.0 internal glass partitioning system; and the 

MasterTrack FT high-end sliding door system. 

“We can still give you expert advice on things like 

UV bonding, suction lifters, glass cutting,” Dave 

says. “Customers trust Bohle because we always 

give them the best advice. They can call, speak to 

anyone and know that the answer that they will 

get to any question will be accurate, and in that 

way they can progress their business, too. 

“But Bohle continues to adapt and change to 

market requirements, because this is part of 

what it means to be sustainable. And when our 

customers put their trust in the Bohle brand, they 

can use it to underpin their own offering. 

“It’s a strategy that has worked well for the last 

100 years, and I’m sure it’ll keep us thriving for 

the next 100,” Dave concludes. 

Contact Bohle: 

0800 616151 

www.bohle.com 


The online 

rooflight shop 

rooflights.com stocks a 

comprehensive range of rooflights, 

roof windows and accessories from 

market leading brands at trade 

prices. 

01379 771002 

Explore our products or find out 

more at rooflights.com 

rooflights.com-half-page.indd 1 27/10/2023 09:40:34 

Iron Guard 3* Cylinder 

Scan to View 

the Iron Guard 3* 

Cylinder Range 

t 01733 393330 (Peterborough) 

t 01236 721557 (Cumbernauld) 

e sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk 

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

IGU Components 


TOOLS FOR THE TRADE 

Thermoseal Group’s Mark Hickox argues using one reliable British supplier for all IGU 

components can prevent a host of supply chain problems. Total Fabricator finds out more. 

Slimming down your supply chain presents 

many opportunities for manufacturers that 

want a single point of contact and fewer 

deliveries, but the benefits actually go far beyond 

this, according to Thermoseal Group’s Sales 

Director, Mark Hickox. 

“Ever since we started manufacturing, we’ve 

been on a mission to supply the highest quality 

products possible,” he says. “We could just have 

a warehouse with a testing facility, but we still 

wouldn’t be able to react quickly if there was a 

problem, or if we wanted to respond quickly to 

market demands.” 

Control over the supply chain 

With four distribution warehouses around the UK, 

alongside two manufacturing sites, Thermoseal 

Group has complete control over the whole supply 

chain, ensuring that customers’ deadlines are met. 

As well as Thermobar and Thermoflex spacer bars 

for IGUs, Thermoseal Group also supplies a range 

of other products required for the manufacture 

of sealed units, including corner keys, Georgian 

bar, desiccant, primary and secondary sealant, 

and cloth tape. All components are tested at 

the company’s laboratory before distribution, 

guaranteeing that they all work together 

effectively for a long-lasting sealed unit. 

“Significantly, we can respond quickly to new 

demands, or where we see that there is a gap 

in the market,” Mark explains. “For example, 

we have just invested in new injection moulding 

machines for our new Georgian Bar Anchor 

and Thermobar Straight Connector, both of 

which promise to increase efficiencies, reduce 

waste, and improve product quality for IGU 

manufacturers.” 

The straight connectors and Georgian Bar 

Anchors are designed and engineered by 

Thermoseal Group to meet exacting tolerances so 

Above: Thermoseal Group’s Mark Hickox 

Right: the new Georgian Bar Anchor 

there is no threat to the integrity of the final unit. 

They are also regularly tested at the component 

supplier’s onsite laboratory, giving customers 

complete confidence in their ability to perform for 

the life of the unit. 

“The importance of the fact that we both 

manufacture our own products and test them inhouse 

cannot be understated,” Mark says. “In our 

R&D phase, we have full control over the testing 

of our new products, to ensure that they not only 

perform well, but that they also work in perfect 

tandem with other products in a complete unit. 

“Once they have met our testing criteria, we 

are then able to manufacture them to our own 

rigorous quality standards – guaranteeing highperformance 

products for our customers.” 

Money back in customers’ pockets 

Thermoseal Group’s new straight connector 

secures two lengths of Thermobar rigid spacer 

bar to make one continuous length, allowing 

customers to maximise the use of offcuts, 

reducing waste. This, according to Mark, will 

actively put money back in customers’ pockets 

through a higher utilisation of the product and 

reduced skip costs. 

The new Georgian Bar Anchor comes in two 

designs: a stepped version for manual application, 

and a ridged version for securing frames into 

flexible spacer systems using auto-applicators. 

This allows Georgian bars to be connected to 

flexible and rigid warm edge spacer bars without 

using staples (thus leaving the gas barrier intact), 

giving a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing 

finish than alternative methods. 

“Units with Georgian bars slow down 

automated processes, especially on 

fully automated flexible lines,” Mark 

says. “With our new Georgian Bar 

Anchors, we can accurately match the 

presets of the unit line, so there is no need to 

stop and start. This reduces your lead times and 

increases your profit in the process,” Mark says. 

Finally, the component supplier ships all 

deliveries on its own fleet of lorries, in a bid to 

remove any chance of product damage. 

Quality incentive 

“I’ve lost count of the number of times someone 

has shown me the poor state other products are 

delivered in,” he says. 

“It really is shocking that all that hard work in 

designing and manufacturing highly technical 

products can be undone because a third-party 

carrier doesn’t care. So delivering our own 

products is the important final piece of the jigsaw. 

“While customers may immediately see the 

benefit of having all goods delivered in one 

shipment, the main incentive for us to manage 

all stages of the manufacturing and supply of IGU 

components is quality. Yes, you can rely on us to 

deliver on time and in full, but you’ll also have 

fewer reasons to worry about failing units.” 

Contact Thermoseal Group: 

0121 331 3955 

www.thermosealgroup.com 


FLAWLESS 

MINIMALISM 

UP TO 31 % SLIMMER 

than market competitors 

FIND OUT MORE 

info@sheerline.com 01332 978000 

sheerline.com/lift-and-slide-patio

Updates 


NEW TOUGHENER DOUBLES CAPACITY 

A Bedford-based glass manufacturer is doubling its capacity after investing in new machinery and its HQ 

with the support of a £1.9m funding package from Lloyds Bank. 

Clearglaze has used the capital import finance loan to acquire a new glass toughening furnace from specialist 

Italian manufacturer, Mappi. The more efficient machine has twice the capacity of its previous glass toughener, 

meaning the business is saving around £10,000 on its energy bills each month and is better equipped to meet 

growing demand. Clearglaze also recently invested in a new fully automatic insulated production line, which 

automates the process of washing, adding argon gas and sealing double glazed sealed units. 

The company specialises in sealed double glazing for windows in residential and commercial developments, with 

the majority of its business secured through supplying glass to framers contracted directly by developers. 

The recent investment follows a period of significant growth for the business. Last year it reported record sales 

with turnover increasing by nearly 20% to £7m. 

MARK SAFETY GLASS 'IN SECONDS' WITH CRL KITS 

CRL says it now takes just ‘a couple of seconds’ to clearly mark safety glass, with its new Sandblast Kits. 

Significantly faster than using transfers and etching methods, the kits ensure safety glass is marked to 

European Standard requirements in just two seconds. 

Ideal for busy production environments, the CRL Blast Pack Safety Marking Kit and CRL Detailed Safety 

Blasting Machine Kit are straightforward to use and have everything needed to make clear marks on the glass. 

The CRL blast pack safety marking kit comes complete with blast pistol for use with compressed air, one 

custom-made brass stencil, stencil holder, retaining ring, grit collection bag and 2.5 kg of blasting agent. The 

lettering is contained in a 25mm circle, for a professional finish on all types of safety glass. 

The Detailed safety blasting machine, uses a stencil with smaller lettering that is contained in a 20mm circle. 

Custom logos in varying fonts are possible. Custom stencils are sold in packs of 5. www.crlaurence.co.uk 

PILKS REPORTS REEDED GLASS REVIVAL 

Pilkington United Kingdom has charted a 12-fold increase in Pilkington Reeded glass sales since 2016, pointing 

to an art deco revival by interior designers and homeowners. 

The glass giant sold more than 1,000% more Pilkington Reeded in 2023, compared to 2016 sales, as popularity 

grew for the textured glass. 

Glass merchant, Park Glass, which supplies the full range from Pilkington UK, says Pilkington Reeded glass now 

represents more than half of its sales in the texture glass category. Ollie Pryer, Director at Park Glass, said: “We’ve 

noticed that the growing preference for aluminium Crittall window and door frames correlates to the popularity of 

Pilkington Reeded glass, as when paired together a contemporary look that is both practical and visually appealing is 

provided. The resurgence of the textured glass trend, once popular in the 1920s is interesting to see, with its timeless 

character rooted in Art Deco style – history has a way of repeating itself.” www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk 

Reeded glass in situ 

CORNWALL'S MAISIE SPEARHEADS APPRENTICE SUCCESS 

The Cornwall Group has been shortlisted eight times at the 2024 Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards, reflecting 

the value the company has in investing in young talent across the south west of the UK. 

The finalists include Maisie Simpson (left) who joined Cornwall Group in July 2022 as an apprentice in the marketing 

department. Maisie is in the running for 2024 Achiever of the Year, which recognises a personal challenge or adversity that 

an apprentice has overcome to complete their apprenticeship. In October 2022, Maisie had to find her own place to 

live but rather than give up on her apprenticeship, she was determined to complete it and develop her career. 

“Maisie has taken on her extremely unique role with great passion and dedication from the moment she walked 

into the office on her first day,” Tom Julian, Managing Director of Cornwall Group, said. “We are so proud of the 

progress she has made within the last 15 months, and can’t wait to watch as her career develops further at 

Cornwall Group.” www.cornwallglass.co.uk 


OUR RUN-UP BLOCKS ARE DESIGNED TO CLIP 

FIT. THEY ARE ALSO ENGINEERED WITH STURDY 

SIDE WALLS TO GIVE ADDITIONAL STRENGTH - 

A MUST IN BS7950 SECURITY TESTS WHERE THEY 

WORK AS ANTI-LIFT DEVICES. 

Various 

designs 

adds 

strength 

Reverse 

ramp 

Smooth 

Opening 

Installer 

friendly 

OUR BLOCKS HAVE PASSED THESE 

TESTS WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT 

PVC-U SYSTEMS. THE DESIGN ALSO 

INCLUDES A UNIQUE ‘REVERSE 

RAMP’ SO WINDOWS OPEN AS 

SMOOTHLY AS THEY CLOSE AND 

EVEN HAS A DETAIL SO THAT 

DRAINAGE IS NOT IMPEDED. 

FOLLOW @windowwidgets 

Window Widgets: Your Everyday Superhero! 

01452 341 868 | sales@windowwidgets.co.uk | www.windowwidgets.co.uk

Updates 

AUTOMATION 


IDEAL CUTTING SOLUTION FOR MULTI-TRACK SYSTEMS 

Kombimatec has launched a new DGS560 large capacity Electronic Double Mitre Saw to help 

fabricators meet demand for increasingly popular larger custom windows and doors. 

The powerful and versatile DGS560 can be used to cut a variety of aluminium or PVC-U profiles 

and has an impressive mitre blade travel of over 400mm. This makes it ideal for cutting wide 

multi-track aluminium systems at 45° on the long edge. It can be configured in a 4, 5 or 6m 

version with the option of an extended cut facility to cut longer than the machine’s bed length. 

Along with this large cutting capacity, it has the option of a compact HMI (Human Machine 

The DGS560 

Interface) or colour touch screen for controlling the machine. 

Kombimatec’s MD, David Parsons, said: “Our new DGS560 Double Mitre Saw is designed to help fabricators cut large multi-track systems accurately and 

efficiently – saving them time and money. It is particularly easy to use with a number of features to make it simple and safe to operate. These include autohinging 

safety guards, two button safety start and two stage clamping.” www.kombimatec.com 

£100K MACHINERY INVESTMENT AT PREMIER ARCHES 

Arched and angled frame specialist, Premier Arches, has invested more than £100K in new machinery. 

The company has purchased a new copy router, a new four-head welder, two new ovens, additional saws and 

finishing tools. Premier Arches says this investment, funded by profits from the previous year, will allow the company 

to grow capacity ‘while maintaining the high quality finish on bespoke arched and angled frames that it has become 

famous for’. 

Director Joe Trueman said: “We’ve seen significant growth in 2023, we’ve won tons of new customers, and our 

existing customers have grown. This increased demand was beginning to stretch our capacity in Q4 of 2023, but the 

£100K of new kit allows us to deal with the current volume of orders and opens up capacity, allowing us to fulfil our 

growth plans for 2024. We’re set up for a huge year.” www.premierarches.co.uk 

TRANSOM GROOVER UPDATE SOLVES FOILING ISSUE 

Jade Engineering’s TG300 Transom Groover, has been updated in order to remedy a common foiling problem. 

The popular choice of frames that are foiled externally and white internally has caused an issue in production as 

most machines – including the Jade TG300 – will automatically groove both sides of the profiles simultaneously. On 

single sided foiled frames this causes a minor but irritating delay in the process as the foiled surface should not be 

grooved, meaning that grooving needs to be carried out manually. 

Jade responded by adding a facility to the TG300 to enable each pair of knives to be operated independently, 

allowing the top or bottom knives to be turned on or off according to production needs. 

“This is a small but significant change that ensures that the TG300 Transom Groover continues to be the leading 

machine of its type, after being in service for more than 30 years,” explained Jade Engineering Director Sean Mackey. 

jade-eng.co.uk 

WANT TO GET INTO ALI? KALLKWIK IS HERE TO HELP... 

KallKwik is urging fabricators to invest in aluminium manufacturing to maximise their profits and grow their businesses. 

Many window fabricators have been apprehensive about manufacturing aluminium products alongside their existing 

PVC-U offering, due to perceived costs and anticipated changes required in their production processes. However, KallKwik 

says it is keen to ‘debunk this myth’. 

Andy Worroll, Business Development Manager at KallKwik, said: “The misconception that aluminium manufacturing is 

costly and difficult is just not true. With a decent mitre saw, crimpers, and the right knowledge, fabricators can seamlessly 

integrate aluminium into their operations... 

“With the exceptional range from Schtec and our expert advice, fabricators have a winning combination to expand their 

product offerings and maximise their profits.” kallkwik.uk.com 


This label is not a statutory requirement. It is a voluntary label provided as a customer service to allow consumers to make informed 

decisions based on the noise reduction performance of competing products. 

© Only to be reproduced by permission of British Fenestration Rating Council Ltd 

This label is not a statutory requirement. It is a voluntary label provided as a customer service to allow consumers to make informed 

decisions based on the noise reduction performance of competing products. 

© Only to be reproduced by permission of British Fenestration Rating Council Ltd 

Your customers deserve 

a little peace and quiet 

Noise Reduction 


Window 

Company Logo Ltd 

PVC-U Casement Window 

A Rated Windows 

A++ 

A+ 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

A ++ 

Noise Reduction (R w ) 

(In accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2 or 

BS EN 14351.) Actual acoustic performance for a 

specific application depends on: the type and 

location of the external noise, the location of the 

window or door, and how the elements or fabric of 

the building perform. 

Correction for high frequency and low 

frequency (C,C tr ) 

51 

(-1,-4) 

Licence No. 123456 

Review Date: 03/08/2020 

To verify this licence please contact 

enquiries@bfrc.org 


Door 

Company Logo Ltd 

Composite Door 

A Rated Doors 

A++ 

A+ 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

A ++ 

Noise Reduction (R w ) 

(In accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2 or BS EN 14351.) 

43 

Licence No. 123456 

Review Date: 01/01/2019 

To verify this licence: enquiries@bfrc.org 

British Fenestration Rating Council 

Prove acoustic performance with BFRC ratings 

BFRC Noise Reduction Ratings let you prove the 

acoustic performance of your window and door 

products with our highly recognised ‘rainbow’ 

rating label - independent, impartial, trusted. 

Homeowners no longer select new windows and 

doors simply based on price. They want to know 

what they purchase will improve their home’s 

comfort, so product performance is now a priority. 

Find out more at bfrc.org 

By using the renowned BFRC rating scale to 

demonstrate the noise reduction properties of your 

windows or doors, you can show installers and 

consumers the quality of your products. 

Your products will stand out from your competitors’ 

and you’ll be able to avoid a race to the bottom 

on price. Sell using BFRC proven performance and 

leave your customers in no doubt.

Updates 

AUTOMATION 


FRAMEXPRESS INVESTS £300,000 IN NEW MACHINERY 

Framexpress has recently invested more than £300,000 in new machinery, helping the trade 

fabricator continue to deliver its ‘Higher Spec as Standard’ products to its customer base. 

Housed in its 50,000ft 2 Telford manufacturing facility, the new Urban SV 500 Corner Cleaner, Urban 

AKS1860/4 Verti Quad Welder and Urban AKS 5550 Inline Welder are helping meet the increasing 

demand for Framexpress products, following a ‘record-breaking’ year of business. 

The new additions have also helped prepare the company for its new product developments, including 

its recently launched FIRE DOORS BY FRAMEXPRESS range of 30 minute composite fire, smoke and 

security doorsets. 

Stuart Green, Joint Managing Director at Framexpress, said: “We’re always looking for ways to 

continue upholding our exceptionally high standards, and our latest investment into new machinery is 

just another example of that.” www.framexpress.co.uk 

BM ALUMINIUM LAUNCHES SIMPLY TAG USP FOR FABS 

Simply Tag is a brand new module available in the latest version of BM Aluminium’s LogiKal software which allows 

fabricators to provide full traceability of their products, and eliminate the need for ‘cumbersome’ printouts and 

paper documentation 

The software automatically generates a QR code from the fabrication assembly list, which is paired with a self-adhesive 

tag ready to be applied to the inside of the frame once it is complete. When this code is scanned, the trade customer or 

end-user can instantly access all the information they need about that product – from the CE/UKCA mark and the U-value 

certificate, to the size and specification, including the glass, finish and hardware. It enables fabricators to meet their 

obligations in terms of showing compliance with standards and helps installers and end-users with any questions they 

might have about maintenance, repair or replacement at any point in that frame’s lifecycle. www.bmaluminium.co.uk 

'ALL THE REASSURANCE YOU NEED' FROM EMMEGI UK 

Emmegi (UK) says its proven track record supplying machines for steel fabrication is what gave architectural 

and industrial door specialist Design & Supply ‘all the reassurance it needed’ to invest in a Phantomatic T3 

Star machining centre. 

The Merthyr Tydfil-based fabricator has replaced a mix of manual milling and drilling machines with the Emmegi 

4-axis Phantomatic. Scott Davies, Design & Supply’s Director, said: “From the initial enquiry all the way to the final 

installation, Emmegi (UK) filled us with confidence that they were the right choice for this investment. The other users 

we spoke to were very positive about the machine’s capabilities and the potential ROI. We also liked the fact that it could so easily be linked with our LogiKal 

processing software and give us even better value from that as well. 

“[Emmegi] have helped us with everything, from how to manage cutting lists to how to utilise Emmegi’s own CAMPlus 3D software, and have provided really 

useful ongoing training.” www.emmegi.com/en/home 

'DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN A RACE TO THE BOTTOM' 

Greg Beachim 

Greg Beachim, First Degree Systems’ Sales Manager, has asked if there are more efficient ways of maintaining 

profit than simply competing on price, in an open letter to the industry. 

‘A race to the bottom on price does not work; swapping out quality components for cheaper alternatives doesn’t work (buy 

cheap buy twice); and not controlling your overheads will leave you with a beast that is too expensive to feed, while not offering 

your customers quality service,’ he writes. 

‘If you were to subscribe to a Window Designer package, it will pay for itself almost immediately. Talk to one of our technical 

team, and they’ll give your business a health check, but ultimately, Window Designer – along with various add-on modules 

– will be able to improve your product quality, greatly reduce errors, reduce stock holding, and give your customer relations a 

boost. All while boosting your bottom line,’ he adds. www.firstdegreesystems.com 


“Hey Insight, 

find me window 

installers in 

London” 

Forget Google, old customer lists, or directories. If you want to 

find new customers, ask Insight. 

From fabricators and installers to builders and architects, if you 

supply the trade, commercial or new-build sectors Insight Data 

has all the information you will ever need. 

Simply subscribe to our online database Salestracker, and 

start contacting new customers today. 

Discover 

T: 01934 808 293 • E: hello@insightdata.co.uk 

www.insightdata.co.uk

Factory Floor 

'LOW-PROFILE IMPACT PROTECTION' FROM SNICKERS 

Delivering ‘low-profile impact protection’, the AllroundWork Stretch Trousers with Capsulized Kneepads 

from Snickers are an innovative combination of cutting-edge sportswear technology coupled with wellestablished 

workwear know-how. 

They’re ideal for craftsmen and women on site; for people in logistics and warehousing; industry, engineering 

and maintenance, who are constantly on the move and want the continuous protection of welded-into-place 

Kneepads. Designed and engineered in partnership with YBC, the Capsulized kneepad components comprise 

six protection layers that work with each other to dissipate the energy created by the impact of working on your 

knees or through bumps in the workplace. 

Snickers says the garment is ‘the world’s first’ built-in, certified kneepads completely integrated into a pair of 

Snickers Workwear’s premium stretch Trousers. www.snickersworkwear.com/campaign/capsulized 

BSIF: 'CHECK FOR THE SHIELD' WHEN SOURCING PPE 

FIRST BUILT-IN, CERTIFIED KNEEPADS 

Snickers Workwear has launched what it says is the ‘world’s first’ certified kneepads completely 

integrated into a pair of Snickers Workwear’s premium stretch Work Trousers. 

The unique AllroundWork Stretch Trousers with Capsulized Kneepads and Holster Pockets deliver lowprofile, 

comfortable impact protection. 

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is urging specifiers and buyers of PPE and safety equipment 

to ensure they check for the BSIF Registered Suppliers shield when buying PPE and safety equipment in 

the year ahead. 

BSIF statistics show the availability of non-compliant PPE and safety equipment is a serious problem. The BSIF 

completed tests on 127 non-BSIF member products, which included checking their compliance with relevant 

standards, to find that just 18 products were fully compliant, with 85% failing to meet regulatory criteria. 

Alan Murray, BSIF CEO said: “Unfortunately there is a significant volume of substandard and poor quality PPE 

and safety products finding their way onto the market in the UK, potentially leaving workers and workplaces 

unprotected. We urge anyone responsible for buying these goods to make 2024 the year they take the risk out of 

buying PPE and safety equipment and always check for the shield.” www.bsif.co.uk 

Described as an ‘innovative combination of cutting-edge sportswear technology coupled with Snickers 

Workwear’s world-renowned comfort, functionality and sustainable fabric design technology’, Snickers 

says these ‘street-smart’, ‘hard-working’ slim-fit Trousers combine enhanced flexibility and comfort with a 

two-way stretch fabric, plus additional four-way stretch panels at key stress points. There’s also CORDURA 

reinforced holster, ruler, and cargo, pockets. www.snickersworkwear.com/campaign/capsulized 

'NO COMPROMISE ON PROTECTION OR COMFORT' 

Carhartt says its Michigan Rugged Flex S1P Mid-cut Safety Boot (F700909) is designed for ‘hardworking 

tradespeople who refuse to compromise on protection or comfort’. 

With a sneaker-inspired design, Carhartt says the Michigan Safety Boot blends advanced safety and 

smart design features with lightweight materials, setting a whole new standard in occupational safety in 

dry environments. 

This shoe has a strong fibreglass safety toe that meets the stringent EN ISO 20345:2012 S1P standards, 

providing solid protection from 200 joules of weight and impact. As comfort is so important for long days at 

work, the design includes a fully cushioned footbed with shock absorption to reduce fatigue, while the fit is 

carefully engineered to give enough space for your feet to expand over time, ensuring lasting comfort. 

www.carhartt.com 


Fabricators 

Grow Your Business! 

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MAY/JUNE 2019 

PRACTICALCONTENTFORTHEGLAZINGINSTALLER & HOMEIMPROVEMENTSPECIALIST 

JULY/AUG 2019 

PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST 

SEPT/OCT 2019 

PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST 

TI Talk: Pro-Fitter 

Product Updates 

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Top Tips: Bi-folds 

Total Talk Q&A 

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FEATURES 

• FIT & FOCUSSED: WHAT’S IN STORE 

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Winkhaus XR6 Cylinder Range 

XR6 1 Star Cylinder Range: 

Unrivalled Security, Uncompromising Quality 

The XR6 cylinder range is meticulously designed, 

engineered, and produced in our state-of-the-art Munster 

facility. Renowned as a centre of excellence for mechanical 

and electronic access control solutions, our XR6 cylinders 

are crafted with precision and commitment to unparalleled 

security standards. Holding the esteemed British Standard 

Kitemark with a 1-star rating, XR6 sets the benchmark for 

high-security profiles. The cylinders feature anti-bump, 

anti-pick, and anti-drill protection, ensuring an 

impenetrable defence against security threats. 

Our commitment to excellence extends to the materials 

used in production. XR6 cylinders are crafted from 

premium materials, boasting a brass body, steel cam, and 

hardened steel anti-drill pins. Supplied with nickel-plated 

brass keys, our cylinders not only deliver robust security 

but also exhibit superior craftsmanship. Designed to 

seamlessly integrate with the complete range of Winkhaus 

locking solutions, XR6 offers a comprehensive security 

ecosystem. Choose XR6 for a fusion of innovation and 

assurance, where your safety is our top priority in the 

ever-evolving landscape of security solutions. 

Find out more about 

XR6-51 

winkhaus.co.uk/en/ 

xr6-51-cylinder 

Find out more about 

Access Control 

winkhaus.co.uk/en/ 

access-control 

winkhaus.co.uk

Jan/Feb 2024

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