WORK SAFETY POSTERS AVAILABLE FROM EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS

With many businesses beginning a staged return to work across the industry, Epwin Window Systems has produced a series of work safety posters to help support their customers and the wider industry with both social distancing and health and safety reminders.

The series of thirteen posters are available from Epwin Window Systems’ marketing...

HAFFNER MURAT COMMENCES MANUFACTURING OF SURGICAL FACE MASKS

The manufacturing team at Haffner Murat have begun manufacturing surgical face masks in response to the ongoing global battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. The surgical masks will be made and distributed worldwide from Haffner Murat’s state of the art manufacturing facility.

Dave Thomas, Managing Director of Haffner Murat, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has created a critical shortage of face masks throughout the world. We purchased the manufacturing equipment needed and thanks to the expertise of our talented production engineers, we achieved the relevant accreditations to be able to manufacture and supply surgical masks globally. Production commenced in April and we will...

FLEXIBILITY AT VBH HELPS CUSTOMERS

Hardware specialist VBH has reduced its minimum order value to just £10 per order to give fabricators and installers the flexibility to place smaller orders while they ‘get their ducks in a row’ following a return from lockdown.

The company hopes this added flexibility will help customers get back to normal working practices as quickly as possible.

VBH remained open during lockdown, with a reduced number of...

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE VITAL AS INDUSTRY RESTARTS

During the COVID-19 crisis, the GGF has remained at the forefront of breaking news and conveying key guidance to the industry. As the Government is starting to rejuvenate the economy, the GGF calls on companies to adjust to the safety guidance and ensure that all work...

Add value to the sale in a Blink!

ODL Europe began a phased and controlled reopening of their business on 4^th May, 2020 and whilst still in the early stages of business recovery, the Bootle-based business has already noticed that adding value to the sale is something that is becoming even more essential to fabricators and installers. Andy Meakin, Business Development Manager of ODL Europe, explains: “Throughout the lockdown we have continued to develop a pipeline of strong enquiries from our online portal for Blink Integral Blinds along with a steady flow of immediate orders upon our return. At consumer level, Blink Blinds answer consumers’ need for convenience,...

GGF WARNS OF COVID-19 MISINFORMATION

In the last few weeks, the GGF has observed further examples of misinformation around the COVID-19 situation and its impact on the home improvement sector.

EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS BEGINS PHASED REOPENING

Epwin Window Systems has announced a phased and controlled reopening of their Telford operation from Monday 4th May, 2020.

The phased reopening will commence with a small team of Customer Service personnel who will be available to discuss customers’ order requirements from 4th May. During that week, the production plant will fire up with a view to reopening the manufacturing facilities from Monday 11th May, 2020.

Back to Business Under COVID-19 - Your Health and Safety Responsibilities

In conjunction with Citation - HR, Employment Law and Health & Safety experts – Coastal are running a free webinar for all door and window manufacturers.

Join us at 10.00am, Friday 22nd May on this free webinar covering timely advice on how your business can return to work safely under COVID-19, protect your future and get back to business.

This webinar will:

Help you get your business up and running, whilst ensuring you comply with your new Health & Safety responsibilities under COVID-19.

Give guidance on the latest site operating procedures and workplace risk assessments.

Provide opportunity to have your specific questions answered.

MILA EXPANDS DELIVERIES IN LINE WITH DEMAND

With an increasing number of fabricators announcing their intentions to restart limited operations from 11 May, Mila is expanding the delivery service it has been offering from its Daventry warehouse.

As of 4 May, any hardware orders received before 3pm every day will be delivered within 48 hours – so orders placed...

ANGLO RE-OPENS POST-COVID19 CLOSURE

Steel reinforcement specialist, Anglo European has opened its doors as part of a safe and structured return to work.

It follows a decision by its directors to temporarily ‘pause’ operations at the end of March in response to government guidance.

Paul Sullivan, Managing Director, Anglo European, said with the position now clarified on working and with growing customer demand, the company had taken the decision to reopen...

HERITAGE TRADE FRAMES BECOMES STELLAR FABRICATOR

Picture above: from left to right: Paul Culshaw – Heritage Trade Frames, Mark Austin – Epwin Window Systems

Longstanding Profile 22 customer Heritage Trade Frames has become the latest fabricator to manufacture Stellar, the award-winning aluminium window and door system from Epwin Window Systems.

Phil Cresswell, Sales and Marketing Manager at Heritage Trade Frames, said: “The superb aesthetics of Stellar completely raise the bar in aluminium system design. First impressions are that it will be quicker and easier to fabricate than other traditional aluminium systems. But more importantly for our customers, it’s an installer’s dream, which is a huge selling point for us.”

Stellar is a...

ULTRAFRAME RE-OPENING STATEMENT, JULIAN SLADE, CEO

Following the closure of the Ultraframe factory at the end of March, we have strictly followed government advice while at the same time responding to customer queries and requests via a small number of staff working from home. As a result of listening to our customers as well as broad consultation with industry stakeholders, we now plan to re-open the Ultraframe factory week commencing the 11th May.

As we re-open we...

GGF UNDERLINES POSITIONS ON COVID-19 ISSUES

The GGF has underlined its positions on several issues around the developing COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the glass and glazing industry. In a statement to GGF Members and the Industry, John Agnew GGF, Managing Director clarified the GGF’s position with regard to the issue on whether companies should choose to close temporarily or to...

SENIOR’S MAMMOTH CHARITY CAMPAIGN PAYS OFF

A small aluminium elephant has helped to make a big difference to two South Yorkshire hospices and pay homage to an important part of Sheffield’s history in the process.

Inspired by the legend of Lizzie, the Indian Elephant that became a familiar sight around Sheffield throughout the Great War, the unusual charity challenge saw South Yorkshire based aluminium glazing systems manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems create a number of bespoke ornamental elephants that went on to be sold at various events throughout last year. In total, over £8k has been generated and split between two important local charities -St. Luke’s Hospice and...

LINIAR MOVES SWIFTLY TO HELP FRONT LINE WORKERS

Innovative PVCu systems company Liniar has developed a new supply chain whilst its extrusion facility is temporarily closed – producing protective face visors for front line workers during the COVID19 crisis.

Whilst most of the workforce was furloughed, with a skeleton team working from home...

MODPLAN DONATES ITS STOCK OF PPE TO LOCAL DOCTORS’ SURGERY

Trade fabricator Modplan has just donated its stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) to its local doctors’ surgery to help protect NHS staff as they tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.

Heidi Sachs from Modplan, said: “All our manufacturing facilities and paint plant are temporarily shut to...

LINIAR GOES FOR ‘BACK TO BACK’ AWARD WINS

We are living in uncertain times, with more still to come as our industry, and British manufacturing and construction in general, deal with navigating the disruption caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Amongst all the negativity there are still good news stories to be found, one of which came last week for industry-leading systems company Liniar – a shortlist spot in the Made in the Midlands Awards for the coveted Manufacturer of the Year award.

This follows on from the announcement in March that Liniar had also won the Midlands Business Award for Manufacturer of the Year for the second year running!

‘Stop the Cowboys’ roundtable backs calls for a licence to build

Key influencers within the UK construction industry have called upon the government to take action against cowboy building contractors by consulting on an industry-wide licensing/certification scheme to give end-users a recognisable mark of quality...

GM Fundraising moves Peak, Paddle, Pedal to 2021

GM Fundraising has announced its 2020 Peak, Paddle, Pedal charity event to raise money for Hope House Children’s Hospices has been postponed until a similar date in 2021.

ALUMINIUM CURTAIN WALLING THAT’S FIT FOR PURPOSE

Combining strength and efficiency with a sleek slimline appearance, Senior Architectural Systems’ SF52 aluminium curtain walling system has become a popular choice for use on leisure contracts of all shapes and sizes.

Repeat business with some of the major leading architects working in the sports and leisure sector has seen Senior’s high-performance SF52 system installed on various schemes across the country including the Bridge Leisure Centre in Horsham and the Slough Ice Arena. Senior has also been involved in the creation of a number of sports facilities with leading universities, such as Solent University in Southampton and the University of Warwick,...

WIDGETS AND GLAZERITE PROVIDE NHS PRODUCT SUPPORT

When Jason Thompson, group managing director of Glazerite UK Group, asked for some product assistance to support a family member operating on the frontline at St Helier Hospital, London, Window Widgets were quick off the mark to provide the much-needed support for the NHS.

The straps on the...

FORWARD-THINKING IS PRUDENT PLANNING

The world around us is changing and along with it, consumer behaviour. Property owners are more aware of the impacts that the fenestration products they purchase have on the environment – whether that’s through their manufacturing process or the environmental benefits they provide once installed. Because of this, more homeowners are requesting products that are manufactured in environmentally-friendly facilities who use...

FENTRADE’S NEW FLUSH CASEMENT WINDOW WILL OPEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR INSTALLERS WHEN THE MARKET RETURNS

Aluminium trade fabricator Fentrade Aluminium Building Products has announced it will start manufacturing the Optio 58BW Flush window from AluK when the industry reopens. Chris Reeks, Director of Fentrade Aluminium Building Products, said: “We know our installing customers will want to maximise every opportunity when the market returns. The Optio 58BW Flush window taps into the growing aluminium market and is perfect for contemporary new build and traditional refurbishment projects alike.”

The Optio 58BW Flush window offers a powerful combination of performance, versatility and security. Key features include impressive U values as low as 1.5W/m2K as well as a double rebate...

FIRST PAST THE POST

Established just before the start of a new millennium, Pearl Windows has become one of the most widely renowned PVCu window and door fabricators in the industry. This exceptional reputation is all thanks to its forward-thinking nature, high-quality products and its commitment to go above and beyond for customers. One of the early adopters of the Liniar system, Pearl Windows has always been on the front foot for fabricating the new products emerging from Liniar’s Design and...

UK manufacturers need £650m in April to survive 2020

Loans:50% of manufacturers are seeking £643.5m CBILS funding before end of April

Cash:Two-thirds report shrinking order with less than £50k cash before they run out of money

Revenues:64% have halved order expectations for 2020 but are optimistic that...

WINDOWS PLUS STEPS UP TO SUPPORT THE NHS

Profile 22 fabricator Windows Plus is fitting infection control doors and privacy screens in Warwick Hospital to support the efforts of the NHS in caring for Covid-19 patients. The doors and screens will enable staff to safely put on and take off protective clothing before entering or leaving wards.

Gary Hampton, Managing Director of Windows Plus, said: “Like everyone, we have been in awe of the amazing work NHS staff are doing in caring for patients with Coronavirus. Having previously carried out work at Warwick Hospital, I got in touch to find out if there was anything we could do to...

LINIAR MAKES A SPLASH WITH COLOUR

Homeowners are clamouring for more – more choice, more colour and the ability to personalise more of their homes. Liniar’s heard those demands – and its answer? An ever-increasing colour range with stunning shades and finishes for every property owner’s taste.

No stranger to colour, Liniar has offered...