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Builders’ Merchants Sales Confirm Strong V-Shaped Recovery |
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Britain’s builders’ merchants sales to builders bounced back strongly in the three months May to July, with value sales surging 38.9% ahead compared with February to April, as reported in July’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) report.
Compared with the same three months of 2019 sales were down 13.4% overall, but July sales were only 1.3% below July 2019 and some categories were ahead. Landscaping (+25.4%), Workwear & Safetywear (+21.3%) and Timber & Joinery Products (+1.5%) were up on the same month last year.
“Released this week, these sales figures demonstrate the resilience and strength of a V-shaped recovery in the sector,” says Mike Rigby CEO of MRA Research which produces the BMBI reports. |
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Stronger Sales Team For profine And KÖMMERLING |
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profine UK have expanded their sales team following the purchase of the Evolve, Legend and Warmcore brands earlier this year and following on from an 18-month period of strong growth for the KÖMMERLING brand in the UK.
The sales function of profine UK is led by Brian McDonald, sales director, who has been with the company for over five years and is supported by area managers, Gareth Parton, Ian Smith, Gary Tamburro and newly appointed Neil Coutts, who had been the customer service manager in both the previous businesses. Completing the team are Leigh Cooper as commercial manager, Jason Scrivens as national sales manager for fabricated products, along with an internal sales team under Paula Wilson, sales administration manager and Katie Wilson, sales integration manager. |
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Yale Sponsors National Home Security Month To Raise Awareness For British Homeowners |
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Yale has announced that it will be sponsoring National Home Security Month (NHSM) for its eighth consecutive year.
The annual campaign, which this year is themed ‘You call it home, we keep it secure’, aims to raise awareness around the importance of home security. Offering advice, breaking down technical jargon, and debunking myths for homeowners across the UK, NHSM helps to drive demand for security products and installation services nationwide.
Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director for Yale commented: “At Yale, NHSM has become a highlight of our calendar each year because of the good it does for homeowners and for the industry. It’s truly a great initiative to be involved with. |
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21.2% Increase In Contract Awards In August |
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The total value of construction contract awards in August 2020 was £4.4 billion based on a three-month rolling average. This is 21.2% higher than for July but is a decline of 8.5% compared with August 2019.
The rolling three-month average data is positive, but examination of the raw monthly data shows that contract awards in August were 37.6% lower than for July with value of £3.9 billion. However, July was particularly buoyant and the raw monthly data for August perhaps reflects a return to more normal growth levels, however, is still 146.9% higher than the recent low point of £1.6 billion for May 2020.
The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain. |
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Morley Glass Launches Bumper New Retail Brochure |
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Morley Glass & Glazing has launched a new asset to give its customers another string to their bow, in the form of an updated brochure for its Uni-Blinds® product range.
The 96-page brochure is ideal for retail showrooms and provides a wealth of information on the company’s popular ScreenLine integral blind systems. Within the brochure, you’ll find sections covering the different control options, colour choices and information regarding different glazing specifications, as well as an outline of the company’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) credentials.
The brochure features a variety of high-quality lifestyle images of the product in situ, as well as an insight into Morley’s own manufacturing processes along with background information on ScreenLine® manufacturer Pellini’s operations in Italy. |
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CDW Systems Add Flat Roof Lights To Portfolio |
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Specialist aluminium fabricator CDW Systems has added flat roof lights from Smart to its product offering in response to demand from customers.
The Gloucester-based CDW, part of the East Manor Group, is offering Smart Systems’ high-performance, high-quality Aliver Rooflight system, a fixed, flat solution which creates a contemporary look for any property.
Jeremy Phillips, Group Chairman, said: “Our customers have been asking for roof lights so being able to offer the Aliver Rooflight system fills a gap in our portfolio. We were buying in an alternative fabricated system but we’re now fabricating Smart Aliver ourselves.
“The rooflight market is really big now and we’ve had good demand. We’re offering set sizes at a quick turnaround in standard colours.” |
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Artificial Intelligence Investment Boosts Cmostores.Com |
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investment in improving customer experience on its six e-commerce sites, with recommended product purchases doubling since the company invested in a new onsite personalisation solution.
In the six months since CMO partnered with artificial intelligence (AI) pioneer Peak, its onsite personalisation solution is driving twice as many transactions as the site’s original non-AI recommender tool. The solution, part of Peak’s Customer AI offering, creates hyper-personalised product recommendations at the point of sale across CMO’s web superstores.
What’s more, over a fifth of all transactions on the sites have involved an interaction with the solution, proving that customers are using and benefiting from the new technology. |
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Spectus Elite 70 Specified For High Profile Affordable Housing Development |
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150 Spectus Elite 70 flush tilt and turn windows were specified in the development of 26 two bed flats for social rent, including 10 amenity homes on an urban site in the heart of Paisley, Renfrewshire. The new development replaces the former Arnotts department store in the town’s new Abbey Quarter.
The project was secured by Spectus Approved Window Contractor Walker Profiles Ltd, a leading manufacturer, supplier and installer based in Motherwell.
The high-profile city centre location of the flats meant the aesthetics of the windows were paramount. The flats had a streamlined design aesthetic with a carefully selected materials palette and well-planned interior spaces offering generous daylight from the windows. |
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From The Home Of Ferrari… |
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By Ian Latimer, Managing Director, Emmegi (UK)
Compare the Emmegi product line up with most of the competition and you’ll see it’s considerably more extensive. Where our competitors might have one model in each category, we will almost invariably have two, three, or even four.
I think that’s because Emmegi in Italy is fundamentally a company run by engineers, in a country where engineering flair and ingenuity is celebrated and admired. It’s no coincidence that Emmegi is based in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, also the home of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati. |
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Jim Blanthorne appointed as MD for Keylite Roof Windows |
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Keylite Roof Windows (Keylite), part of The Keystone Group, has appointed Jim Blanthorne as Managing Director, with effect 1st September 2020.
With over 18 years’ experience in operations and senior management roles within the building products market, including four years as Operations Director for Keylite, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the role.
Jim commented: “In my new role I’m looking forward to building on the successes of previous years. Keylite is a multi-award winning, global supplier committed to manufacturing innovative products supported by extensive R&D and exceptional quality. |
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Major Investment At Dekko In Brand-New Vehicle Fleet |
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With a commitment to improving every area of the business, trade fabricator Dekko Window Systems has made a significant investment in a brand-new fleet of 11 commercial vehicles.
Dekko, which specialises in premium uPVC, aluminium and timber-effect glazing products, has enhanced their operation with three 18-tonne lorries, five 7.5-tonne trucks and three 3.5-tonne Luton vans. The move is designed to improve Dekko’s logistical capabilities, allowing them to effectively meet the supply demands of their nationwide network of trade partners.
Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director at Dekko comments: “We can make all the manufacturing upgrades we want, but without effective investment in our operation, it will all be in vain. We are therefore delighted to introduce our brand-new fleet of Dekko branded commercial vehicles. |
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Growth Prompts A Further New Appointment At Mercury |
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Specialist fabricator Mercury Glazing has announced a further new appointment to support its ambitious growth strategy. Kevin Edmond has joined the Gloucester-based fabricator in the position of Order Processor.
Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kevin to Mercury. Kevin’s appointment further strengthens our internal sales processing team. He is well respected in the industry, and his extensive knowledge and experience will be of benefit to our growing customer base.”
Kevin is well-known in the industry having spent nine years working for the Customade Group and building a close relationship with many installers and builders throughout the UK. |
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TuffX Drives Forward With Fleet Expansion |
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Leading safety glass specialist TuffX is looking to the road ahead, recently adding four vehicle upgrades to its fleet ready to offer customers its best-ever service with increased delivery capacity and flexibility.
The new vehicles include a sprinter van, a 7.5-tonne truck, a 10-tonne truck and a 13-tonne truck – a range of sizes that complement the existing fleet and ensure TuffX can continue to be relied on to deliver products economically on a large scale, along with rural deliveries on routes with potentially restricted access.
The improved vehicle fleet means TuffX’s customers are now served better than ever when it comes to fulfilling orders on its popular conservatory glass and processed glass products, such as balcony and balustrade glass. |
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SMART Balustrades Expands Product Range As Demand For Outside Space Soars Following Lockdown |
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Due to an increased demand for outside space from home owners and house builders, handrail and balustrades specialist SMART Balustrades has expanded its services – adding the installation of platform balconies to its portfolio.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Staffordshire-based SMART Balustrades experienced an increase in enquiries for its bespoke installations, particularly from home owners and house builders looking to add outside space and new living areas to existing properties.
A recent report by YouGov found that 14% of home buyers now see a balcony as more important following the pandemic*. |
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60% Of Local Authorities Delay Fire Door Maintenance And Inspection Programmes – Leaving Safety To Chance
Over half (52%) of UK local authorities responding to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reported delays to planned fire door maintenance and replacement in the first half of 2020.
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Victorian Sliders Celebrates 15th Birthday
Award-winning sash window manufacturer Victorian Sliders has celebrated 15 years in the business.
It was back in September 2005 that Scot Starkey first founded what would become Europe’s biggest sash window manufacturer,
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REHAU One Of “50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders” Worldwide
Decades of sustainable innovation across the entire value chain have been recognised of REHAU as the company joins “50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders”, an initiative by media production agency TBD Media Group in conjunction with the United Nations.
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New Decoroc Paint Line Opens Doors For Fastframe
Fastframe, one of Deceuninck’s leading commercial fabricators, has invested over £150,000 in a state-of-the-art Decoroc paint line for Deceuninck commercial windows and doors. The Decoroc line is the first of its kind outside Deceuninck’s head quarters in Belgium and, since opening the line, Fastframe has
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Glazerite Joins Certass Trade Association
The latest company to join Certass Trade Association (TA) is Glazerite UK Group. The leading uPVC fabricator has signed up for Supply Chain membership to take advantage of the information and advice that is being shared with manufacturers and component suppliers by Chair Jon Vanstone and the Certass TA team.
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VEKA Recycling’s Latest Investment Introduces Refinement To An Otherwise Violent And Noisy Process
VEKA Recycling Ltd is entering the third phase of the development plan for its new Wellingborough UK Headquarters, during which sophisticated refinement processes will be introduced towards the goal
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REHAU Echoes Eco-Conscious Call To Prioritise Building Retrofitting Over Demolition
Following calls from architectural experts to save on carbon emissions by upgrading older buildings instead of knocking them down, building designers and specifiers should consider retrofitting solutions to improve overall sustainability.
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Shelforce Tackles Covid-19 Workplace Challenges Head-On For Disabled Workforce
A Birmingham window and door manufacturer has been making sure its disabled employees have been as protected as they possibly can during their return to work after the Covid-19 lockdown.
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Aluminium ‘Designer Doors’ Now Available From CDW Systems
Gloucester based aluminium fabricator CDW Systems has added Designer Doors to its range, helping installers tap into the increased demand for premium quality aluminium entrance doors.
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Quickslide Introduces Seamless Corners On Casements And Etl Joints On Its Flush Sash Range
Quickslide is introducing seamless corner joints to its casement window range from Autumn 2020, as well as announcing External Timber Look (ETL) joints as a new option on its flush sash range of windows.
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Avocet Partner With Endurance Doors
The Avocet Hardware Group has announced a new partnership with Endurance Doors as the award-winning ABS cylinder will now be fitted as standard to all Endurance composite doors.
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Social Media Platforms Perfect For Emerging Door Trends
An emerging trend for pink doors has gathered huge traction during lockdown thanks to social media, and platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are providing the perfect place for door styles and trends to gain popularity.
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New MD Brings 35 Years’ Experience To Central
One-stop shop fabricators Central RPL are welcoming an experienced new managing director, who wants to drive greater efficiency and growth in the months ahead.
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Enrolment Now Open For Door Hardware Qualification
Architectural ironmongers are being encouraged to demonstrate their competence for specifying door hardware by gaining a diploma in architectural ironmongery in preparation for industry changes.
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A Virtual 360 World For The Residence Collection
The Residence Collection have created a virtual 360-degree environment for their showroom, so that installation and manufacturing partners and even consumers can navigate and explore the product range, which includes R2, R7 and R9 luxury windows and doors.
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ODL Europe Confirms Presence At FIT Show 2021
ODL Europe has announced it will be exhibiting at the FIT Show 2021, which will be held 25-27 May 2021 at the NEC Birmingham. Nathan Barr, Managing Director of ODL Europe, said: “I’m delighted to be announcing we’ll have a presence at FIT 2021.
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Exlabesa Releases New Product Catalogue
Aluminium systems company exlabesa has released its new catalogue for 2020.
Available to download from the company’s website, the catalogue
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