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Profile 22 and Swish fabricators 11 per cent up on 2011

5/17/2012

Profile 22 and Swish fabricators have continued to perform strongly to record an on average 11 per cent increase in number of frames manufactured per week, quarter one 2012 compared to the same period last year.

The results, based on figures for the systems houses top 20 accounts, come despite a suggested contraction in the market of around nine per cent between April 2011 and April 2012.

Rob McGlennon, divisional sales director, at Profile 22 parent, the Epwin Group, said: “It’s very easy in the current economic climate to lose sight of the positives.

“And while it may have become a little more hard work, there is still business to be done as long as you have the right products and team behind you.

“We remain committed to exacting levels of service and support and we believe that is making a difference. Our customers aren’t on their own and we will do everything we can do to ensure that they maintain and increase performance right throughout this year, whatever may come our way.”

The findings follow hot on the heels of a new customer survey, which revealed Profile 22 and Swish customers saw new and more flexible ordering on foiled products as a major asset.

Reflecting the findings of independent research, which found significant demand among fabricators for a flexible and affordable foiled product offer, the new service trims lead times from 14 working days to just 10 calendar days.

The new and highly flexible offer also includes a rapid turnaround five day short run ‘emergency’ service, giving far greater flexibility on short lead times.

The systems leaders have also completely done away with set-up costs and minimum order requirements, helping fabricators to minimise waste by only ordering what they actually need.

“Having raised foil offers with our customers in previous surveys, it came back pretty loud and clear that the major barrier to growth in colour was inflexibility at an industry-wide level.

“We were able to take this feedback, apply it to our own delivery model and to give our customers access to a new and more flexible offer, something which has delivered a direct commercial advantage”, said McGlennon.

With more than 99 per cent full and on time delivery on standard products complaints from Swish and Profile 22 customers were comparatively few and far between. Where they were made, the survey revealed that fabricators rated the systems companies’ responses, as ‘good’ to ‘excellent’.

McGlennon said: “If we don’t get it right on the very rare occasion, then we put it right and quickly. Fabricators can’t afford downtime, we know and understand that.

“The 11 per cent growth that they have seen is testimony to their hard work and innovation. We’re growing with them and that’s allowing us to invest in better service and a better product offer which will continue to support them in the future.”

To find out about Profile 22’s advanced performance energy efficient window and door systems visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Recycling scheme creates more than 100 manufacturing apprenticeships

5/15/2012

A PVC-U window recycling scheme launched in partnership between private sector suppliers and supported by Kirklees Council, has created more than 100 new manufacturing apprenticeships.

Northwood Environmental was launched at the beginning of the year to collect and reprocesses recyclable material collected from across the North of England, giving jobs and training to young unemployed people.

This includes the recovery and reprocessing of ‘end of life’ PVC-U windows and doors collected from PVC-U window manufacturers and installation businesses.

Alongside this core activity, Northwood is offering training up to NVQ Level 3 in resource management as part of a wider commitment to support UK manufacturing more broadly.

James Jennings, Northwood Environmental, said: “We’re here to give young people a job. They go home each and every week with a wage.

“But we are also committed to training and developing everyone coming into the scheme, so that if they leave and go on to their next employer, they have a transferrable skills set that will not only support them but also support the manufacturing industry in the UK.”

Northwood has been supported in the scheme’s launch by national PVC-U recycler, Dekura and Kirklees Council.

Ahmed Khan, Kirklees Council Investment and Regeneration Service, said “There are 960 manufacturers in the area – that’s a third of all UK manufacturing businesses. We have to have a real stake in any programme which supports the creation of jobs and which delivers the skills that UK manufacturing is going to need to be competitive in the future. This is an opportunity for the local economy, for Kirklees and for UK manufacturing.”

The scheme is underpinned by Dekura, which reprocesses post-consumer PVC-U windows and doors after they have been de-glazed and sorted by Northwood Environmental Training and Recycling.

Part of building products manufacturing group, the Epwin Group, this material is then used in a new generation of thermally efficient products, including the fully recycled low carbon RECO22 window system from Dekura sister-company and social housing specialist Profile 22.

Richard Morris said: “This is sustainability in its truest sense - social, economic and environmental.

“We would urge housing associations and neighbouring local authorities to support the scheme. They need to demonstrate a responsible approach to waste management across all major building or refurbishment works that they commit to. Through Northwood and our wider network we can offer them full-cycle traceability on all of the material that we collect. That’s not something that is delivered across the board.

“This is a superb scheme that is giving young people a future but it also gives social housing providers access to a fully accountable and transparent waste recycling service. It should be a win win situation for all those involved.”

For more information on Dekura visit www.dekura.co.uk, email enquiries@dekura.co.uk or call 0800 652 7585.

Epwin Group launches Green Deal ‘tracker’

5/10/2012

The Epwin Group has launched a dedicated Green Deal ‘tracker’, creating a ‘no-nonsense’ guide to the Green Deal for window fabricators and installers.

The Green Deal will be launched by the Government in October with the aims of cutting the carbon footprint of the UK’s housing stock, eliminating fuel poverty and delivering a shot in the arm to the home improvement sector.

It aims to encourage, millions of householders to install energy-saving home improvements, by eliminating the up-front charge. Instead the work will be funded with loans of up to £10,000 (possibly more) and paid back though a saving on household electricity bills.

To support the window industry in understanding the scheme and the commercial opportunities it offers, the Epwin Group and its individual brands, including systems companies Profile 22, Spectus and Swish, have launched a new Green Deal information hub http://epwin.greendealsupplychain.co.uk/ .

Unveiled at GreenBuild, Manchester, at the beginning of this month [May], the online hub provides information on how the scheme works, key deadlines for delivery while identifying potential obstacles to market entry and how to overcome them.

It also contains links to additional resources and tracks and provides regular analysis on significant developments.

Martin Althorpe, technical director Epwin Group Systems Division explained: “There is a wealth of information out there but it’s almost too much to comprehend. The Green Deal tracker ‘boils’ this material down to the just the bits that are relevant to the window industry, giving fabricators and installers the information they need to make informed commercial choices and to tap into the opportunities that it offers.”

The resource was created after a poll by the Epwin Group in March found that small construction companies, building product manufacturers and suppliers did not understand and had failed to get to grips with the workings of the Green Deal and on this basis, may find that they are excluded from it.

When asked to rank their ‘preparedness’ on a sliding scale of one to five, one being least prepared, 84 per cent of businesses employing 50 people or fewer admitted to a low level of readiness.

This was in stark contrast to the responses given by large business employing 250 or more people. Representing a little over half of all those polled, 61 per cent indicated that their plans for the Green Deal were advanced.

Althorpe said: “If they don’t invest in developing a basic understanding of the Green Deal installers and fabricators are going to miss out on new business opportunities.

“It doesn’t have to be an arduous process and even qualification as a Green Deal installer is comparatively straightforward as long as you apply a little discipline.

“This is a huge opportunity and one which as a Group and as individual brands we’re fully focussed on supporting our customers in accessing.”

For more information on the Green Deal and opportunities for the window industry visit [No www’s!]:

http://epwin.greendealsupplychain.co.uk/

http://profile22.greendealsupplychain.co.uk/

http://spectus.greendealsupplychain.co.uk/

http://swish.greendealsupplychain.co.uk/

Alternatively visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

Profile 22 and Swish cut non-standard foil lead times

5/1/2012

Epwin Group systems houses Swish Window and Door Systems and Profile 22 have unveiled a new affordable and rapid turnaround foiling service for non-standard orders.

The new and highly flexible offer will also include a rapid turnaround five day short run ‘emergency’ service, giving far greater flexibility on short lead times.

The systems leaders have also completely done away with set-up costs and minimum order requirements, helping fabricators to minimise waste by only ordering what they actually need. This service is again underpinned by research findings which reveal that of this increasing demand for foiled product, demand for the sale of non-standard product is growing fastest.

Rob McGlennon, sales director, Epwin Group Window Systems, said: “We believe this is a step change for the UK PVC-U window industry. The expanded range delivers greater design flexibility but the much bigger commercial advantage for fabricators is the flexibility to process lower volume orders in a rapid time frame.

“This removes the biggest single barrier to the growth of the PVC-U colour market and gives trade and front end retail businesses an opportunity to pitch PVC-U far more effectively against either timber or aluminium also delivering an opportunity to up-sell to a premium price point as part of a complete offer.”

The new offer is launched following significant investment by Epwin in its foiling operation, including a switch to a continental shift pattern to create a new twenty-four seven operation.

In addition to already established wood grain options Profile 22 and Swish ranges include white wood grain, three shades of grey, Beck Brown (black), Chartwell Green, cream, blue, red and green. It also includes, a premium offering of subtle pastel shades including Willow Green, delicate off-whites, Barley Water and Vanilla, Sienna PN and Sienna PR.

Going forward from the beginning of this year a new and improved service will also mean that Profile 22 and Swish will hold Irish Oak in stock.

McGlennon continued: “We’re now into second time replacements and that’s a market that is unlikely to be driven by distress purchases. Aesthetics consequently take on far greater importance, as consumers replace windows and doors through choice because they will improve the appearance of their property rather than because they have to.

“In exactly the same way in new build, developers are looking to add kerb appeal to their offers to support sales.”

And Profile 22 and Swish report significant and still growing demand for foiled products including a 300 per cent increase in demand for non-standard foils in the past 12-months.

This was underpinned by full and on time delivery of foiled products of 98.7 per cent for the year. Non-foiled products recorded an FOTD of 99.9 per cent.

McGlennon concluded: “We’re very proud of our delivery and performance and even more so as it has been achieved against a context of significantly increased demand for foiled products.

“While we have invested in our operation we have also spent significant time and effort in putting in new systems to make sure these high levels of service don’t slip as we meet what we expect to be increased demand throughout the coming year.”

For more information visit www.swishwindows.co.uk , www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Swish Building Products Light Oak specified on home transformation

4/23/2012

Light Oak foiled wood grain cladding from Swish Building Products has been specified on the full-scale renovation of a prestigious property in an exclusive Hertfordshire post code.

The 6,000 sq ft property was originally built as a Swiss chalet style home. Appointed to deliver its wholesale re-design, architects practice Design Team Consultants, specified Light Oak foiled cladding from Swish.

Andrew Hayward, Design Team Consultants, explained: “The property was originally built in a ‘Swiss-chalet style’ and its appearance had become really quite dated. Our brief from the owner was to create in a sense, a completely new home from that original footprint and fabric.

“There are a number of quite strong features, the red roof, grey aluminium windows and white render and we have used the cladding to hold it together and combined it to give the property an exceptionally modern appearance and feel.”

The cladding has been used on the main gable at the front of the property, both inside and outside a second gable fronted porch and on gable windows in the roof at the front and rear of the five bedroom home.

Swish Building Products offers a recently expanded range of foiled fascias and soffits including, Light Oak, Irish Oak, Mahogany, Black and Rosewood. Sitting alongside window board and trims, this includes a full 16mm square fascia and soffit system, offering a perfect match across individual elements of roofline installation work.

Also carrying a full Swish 10-year guarantee, the roofline specialist has reported a growing demand for wood foil and coloured finishes, specified as hard wearing low maintenance alternatives over traditional timber.

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products: “It’s been an uphill struggle trying to persuade architects that PVC foils can deliver a great long life alternative timber.

“Life time cost savings alongside the A+ material sustainability rating the material has been awarded by the Building Research Establishment, have perhaps supported us in persuading architects and specifiers of the advantages of using PVC and we are now seeing a definite increase in its use in specification.”

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

PatioMaster increases market share to claim almost 30 per cent of UK and Ireland sliding door market

4/23/2012

PatioMaster, the inline sliding door specialist has increased its share of the patio door market year on year from 24 to 29 per cent.

Speaking at the PatioMaster National Conference, Chris Jones, national sales manager, said the regional patio door network continued to perform strongly despite challenging market conditions on the back of its expanded offer and established reputation for product reliability.

He said: “Reliability is a huge value to our trade customers. They can sell it, fit it and forget it. In a market that’s tight, that quality and performance is critical. Call backs and problems can simply blow away margin.

“Fabricators buying in inline sliders don’t want the grief from the installers and installers don’t want call backs to site.

“We have an established and highly engineered product, where those problems just don’t happen. And on those rare occasions that there is a glitch, wherever you are in the country we’re just down the road to put it right.”

Held at the Park House Hotel, Shifnall, Shropshire and attended by more than 25 guests, the day also included the launch of a new sculptured sash detail, developed to compliment sculptured systems offered by many of the UK’s leading systems houses.

Network members were also briefed on the launch of a new and flexible colour offer, giving them access to non-standard foils in as little as 10 calendar days, plus top Door Energy Rating ‘A’ rating specification.

Presentations were also delivered on regulatory change as well as potential opportunities under the Green Deal. Later, a seminar and workshop explored themes including value-based pricing.

Rob McGlennon, divisional sales director at PatioMaster parent, Epwin Systems Division, said: “We’re not going to be the cheapest, we don’t want to be the cheapest, we want to be the best and to give our customers the best.

“We have an innovative new product and service offer but it’s built around a tried, tested and highly engineered basic proposition. We believe the quality of product we offer, the product choice, its advanced performance add value.

“This is underpinned by a regional network of specialists whose expertise and after sales support is second to none not to mention a brand name which most definitely ‘does what it says on the tin’.”

To find your nearest PatioMaster or for more information on the PatioMaster network call 0808 178 3370 or visit www.patiomaster.co.uk.

Top class in glass: Profile 22 Building Centre CPD

4/17/2012

Profile 22 will give a CPD seminar on window specification for the education sector as part of a series of events to mark the Building Centre’s 80th anniversary.

Opening its doors for the first time in 1932, the construction expo in Store Street London, is a centre for innovation, giving specifiers, architects and other industry professionals access to the latest in building product technologies.

As a specialist supplier of low maintenance building products and specification support to the education sector, Profile 22 will deliver a CPD on window and door specification on Thursday 3 May, as the Centre celebrates almost a century of development.

Andrew Reid, commercial development director, Profile 22 said: “Renewable technologies are fine but without investment in thermal efficiency, they will never deliver the carbon or financial savings that schools managers and LEAs are looking for. Schools need to consider energy efficiency first.

“After wall and roof insulation, windows and curtain walling exert the single biggest impact on the energy that a building will use yet with a raft of regulatory requirements, operational and health and safety issues to factor-in, their specification can be hugely complex.

“The seminar will guide specifiers through the process, highlighting the pitfalls but also the areas of opportunity.”

Offering specifiers, LEAS and schools a comprehensive support programme from the very beginnings of the replacement process to project completion, Profile 22 supplies a range of thermally efficient and low maintenance products to the education sector.

This includes the advanced SK200 thermally broken aluminium system which delivers unparalleled thermal performance and weather tightness and is fully tested by the British Standards institute.

Profile 22 also offers a range of low maintenance and secure window systems, including triple-glazed options capable of achieving u-values as low as 0.8 W/m2K.

A dedicated specification guide, developed to support architects and specifiers find their way through the window and door specification process.

Also featuring straightforward information and support on the specification of curtain walling, the guide includes everything from the specification of hardware through to compliance with building regulations and energy efficiency.

Reid concluded: “PVC-U replacement windows can slash maintenance budgets delivering year-on-year savings, improve security and sound insulation - the benefits are immediately tangible.”

The Profile 22 window and door CPD specification seminar will be held at the Building Centre, Store Street, London 10.30am to 11.20am, Thursday May 3.

Registration is 20 minutes before the start of the event and booking is free. To reserve a place call, 02076926234 or email events@buildingcentre.co.uk.

To find out about Profile 22’s advanced performance energy efficient window and door systems visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Stopping things from going ‘bump in the night’: Sierra launches new high security specification

3/28/2012

National trade fabricator Sierra has launched a new ‘anti-bumping’, ‘anti-snapping’ high security door cylinder and handle specification option across its PVC-U panel and composite door ranges.

This new enhanced security option features an anti-pick, anti-bump and anti-drill Yale cylinder and high security Hoppe handle, designed to meet the requirements of PAS23 and PAS24.

The offer comes as national and local media highlights the increased use of bumping and cylinder snapping as a means of forced entry by burglars.

Brian Webb, Sierra said: “Cylinder bumping and snapping isn’t completely new but its use as a means of forced entry is up, as the technique is broadcast and is available online.

“Ahead of the impact that this and broader exposure in the media is having we have launched an enhanced security option which as anti-pick anti-bump, anti-snap and anti-drill which will allow our customers to target the market with an effective solution.”

The ‘bumping’ method uses a skeleton key readily available and bought cheaply over the Internet to gain access to the cylinder lock mechanism. There may be a risk that a householder’s insurance won’t cover the break-in if the lock has been ‘bumped’ as there will be no evidence that the householder didn’t just leave the door unlocked.

Snapping and the forcing of cylinders is now beginning to rival the number of break-ins through bumping. Handles are removed and the protruding part of the cylinder is forced either through the force of an impact or the use of tools, commonly mole grips.

Webb continued: “If there is a silver lining here, it is that the raised awareness of this threat among homeowners should generate sales of second-time round door sales. While it may be possible in many cases to go in and sell replacement cylinders and handles, the far bigger opportunity is to push a full replacement and accompanying advances in aesthetics and thermal efficiency.”

According to independent research conducted by Sierra last year, security is the major driver for door replacements. In particular those respondents aged 60 or above, highlighting it as the determining factor (53 per cent), followed by appearance (38 per cent), price (6 per cent) and low maintenance (3 per cent). This trend was largely followed by the 45 to 60 and 30 to 45 age groups.

For the 18 to 30 category price took on proportionally more importance, cited by 15 per cent as the determining factor in their purchase while security was listed by 45 per cent in this group as their priority and appearance by 40 per cent of respondents, low maintenance and energy efficiency making up the remainder.

Webb continued: “The pitch to the homeowner needs to be handled sensitively and I would urge retailers to adopt a measured approach and avoid scaremongering.

“There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the products that the industry has supplied in the past. If you draw an analogy with anti-virus computer software, there is nothing wrong with a product supplied in 2008. It was designed to protect against known risk and threat. Install it on your computer today and hackers would make mincemeat of your laptop.

“In the same way there is nothing wrong with cylinder locks installed over the past decade, it is simply that some criminals have successfully ‘hacked’ them. The positive for our industry is that we haven’t stood still either and we have a solution.”

Swish Building Products cuts the ‘hot air’ in building products

3/26/2012

Swish Building Products has trimmed tonnes of CO2 from its footprint as part of a commitment to continuous environmental improvement.

The roofline and rainwater systems specialist cut almost 60 per cent from its carbon footprint on heating fuel last year and a further 33 per cent from its gas consumption.

Its use of electricity was also reduced to deliver a seven per cent saving while Swish also successfully shaved 3.5 per cent from the carbon footprint of its low emission fleet. Waste to landfill was also down by 3.5 per cent.

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products, said: “Sustainable and efficient manufacture and importantly, a commitment to continual improvement, is a fundamental part of our business strategy - good environmental practice has simply made good business sense.”

Swish was among a pioneering grouping of building product suppliers to secure the environmental management standard ISO14001 in 2007 to add to it’s quality management standard ISO9001. The occupational health and safety OHSAS18001followed in 2009.

It’s most recent accreditation, BES6001Responsible Sourcing Certification, awarded last year across Swish’s roofline range, builds on its commitments under ISO14001, ‘pulling’ together it and other standards to demonstrate a commitment to responsible sourcing of materials.

One of a handful of companies to have secured the new standard, meeting a range of strict criteria ensuring responsible sourcing of construction products, in specifying PVC fascias, soffits and cladding plus ancillaries from its range, developers can score maximum points under the Code for Sustainable Homes (tier level 1).

This represents to date a unique achievement for a PVC company, matching FSC timber specifications in Mat2 and Mat3 of the Code.

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

Spectus vertical slider is first for aesthetics with the launch of new through horn

3/26/2012

A new through horn for the Spectus Vertical Slider has been launched by Spectus Window Systems in response to requests from its fabricators and installers. The through horn, which helps installers to maintain traditional aesthetics in period properties, is the latest addition to the Spectus product range and is available immediately.

As a natural choice for Georgian and Victorian buildings, Spectus’ Vertical Slider already offers distinct advantages to rival timber sash frames when it comes to energy ratings and thermal efficiency. In fact, PVC-U thermal inserts, made from 100% recycled PVC-U, are available to help achieve the highest possible levels of Window Energy Ratings. Now the easy-to-install Spectus Vertical Slider, which is even accepted in certain heritage sites, rivals timber on aesthetics more than ever before.

The through horn is available in a wide range of coloured foils to give a solid-colour or wood-effect finish. And now, with the optional choice of moulded clip on horn or through horn detail, fabricators can cater for many different specifications. Chris Powell from Spectus explains: “Vertical Sliders with through horns are a natural choice for a period home because they replicate the traditional architecture and design of Georgian and Victorian properties. During these periods the through horn design was functional, but also added to the aesthetics of the popular sash windows.

“With the advent of PVC-U Vertical Sliders which challenge timber frames in many ways – from cost and performance to functionality and sustainability credentials – our task is to ensure they also keep performing aesthetically. Our customers told us that we could improve our offering even further by adding a through horn to the range, and we’ve delivered.”

Spectus through horns will be available from stock in a range of foils including white on white, cream on cream, rosewood on white, rosewood on brown, light oak on white and light oak on tan, meaning quicker delivery times.

Spectus’ sought after Vertical Slider, kitemarked to B S EN 12608 and B S 7950 and BBA approved, also comes with an optional deep bottom rail to emulate the aesthetics of many traditional timber Vertical Sliders. With a wide choice of hardware available, two cill sizes to suit different building details, and two sizes of Georgian bar, the Vertical Sliders are the optimum frame dimensions for traditional box sash window replacements – and are available directly from Spectus in over 50 non-standard colours on request too.

The Vertical Slider through horn matches the Spectus Elite casement window through horn, giving a consistent look across the product range. Also the consistency in dimensions of the through horn and the moulded horn allows the use of one extended horn pivot bar and carrier across both horn types to help fabricators. Sold in kits containing prepared VS03 jamb stile, mouldings and mechanical jointing components, fabricators will be required to supply the outstanding components and also mechanically joint the top sash bottom rail.

For more information about the new through horn from Spectus, contact contacting@spectus.co.uk or call 0800 328 5273.

Spectus Window Systems is on the right side of the law

3/26/2012

The refurbishment of Barnsley District Police HQ, part of South Yorkshire Police, is the latest in a series of work which will deliver long-term cost savings for the Force’s building estate across the region. With clear guidelines to develop a cost-effective programme of work to reduce future maintenance cycle budgets and cut energy bills – whilst improving the environment for the station’s 400+ staff - the project has been a resounding success.

Architects at Yorkshire-based Clayton Rodgers were briefed to deliver a strategy to benefit financially while improving the overall look and performance of the district HQ building too. Reflecting the importance that windows play when it comes to future savings, the retrofit project saw half of the budget allocated to high performance, double glazed PVC-U window profiles from Cheshire’s Spectus Window Systems.

The work involved the refurbishment of several elements of the three story building, with re-roofing and the installation of upgraded heating and energy systems carried out in addition to the installation of approximately 250 new windows which used Spectus’ Elite 70 PVC-U window profile.

Delivering the project in accordance with the strict criteria set out in the Home Office’s Police Buildings Design Guide, as well as with consideration to Part L of the 2010 Building Regulations with its more stringent requirements around U-values, Bob Clayton from Clayton Rodgers said: “Much thought was put into the fenestration strategy, which was not only produced to comply with the requirements of Part L and meet Home Office requirements, but also to improve energy efficiency at the station in order to reduce future heat loss and fuel costs.

“We put the contract out to tender and, having taken all of this into account, fabricator and installer Jade Windows came up with the ideal solution – the Spectus’ Elite 70 range – due to its durability, ease of maintenance and replacement, thermal efficiency and exceptional value.”

Dewsbury’s Jade Windows replaced the original 1960s single glazed, aluminium profiles at the police station with white PVC-U opening casement frames. Following the original specification, floor to ceiling windows were fitted with a fixed, insulated PVC-U bottom panel and double glazed top unit.

In addition, Jade Windows carried out further installations which used the Elite 70 range at Hackenthorpe police station in Sheffield, and Dodworth and Hoyland police stations in Barnsley.

Jade Windows’ David Fozard explained: “As a Spectus fabricator, we’ve worked with its products for years now and know the systems are cost-effective. They can deliver a band A Window Energy Rating (WER) and excellent U-Values as low as 0.8W/(m²K), all of which will help South Yorkshire Police realise its objectives and even help boost its sustainability credentials too. The Elite 70 has a multi-chambered profile that provides increased thermal efficiency - the windows are therefore key to driving down energy load requirements at the station.”

Although Nick Cutts, Building Survey at South Yorkshire Police was relatively flexible about which window system was installed, he did insist on PVC-U and is happy with the choice of Spectus Elite 70: “I was very keen to have PVC-U windows having been unhappy with the previous aluminium windows, which had various expensive maintenance issues including drafts and mechanical faults,” he says.

“Air tightness was crucial and PVC-U gives an improved fit, and therefore less draft and greater levels of comfort for the staff using the building. With the improved mechanics I anticipate less need for repairs and, as the cost of the PVC-U profile was lower than rival building materials, it meant we were able to carry out the full planned refurbishment to budget.

“Spectus’ Elite 70 system suits our criteria exactly; not least because it helps us meet acoustic and weather performance requirements too, and helps cut our carbon emissions.”

The South Yorkshire Police force works across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. In Barnsley alone there are over 350 police officers and 100 members of support staff working together to keep crime at a minimum across the borough

Deal or no deal?’ - ecobuild poll suggests small businesses are unprepared for the Green Deal

3/22/2012

A new poll reveals that small construction companies, building product manufacturers and suppliers do not understand and have failed to get to grips with the workings of the Green Deal.

When asked to rank their ‘preparedness’ on a sliding scale of one to five, one being least prepared, 84 per cent of businesses employing 50 people or fewer admitted to a low level of readiness ahead of the scheme’s launch in October.

Of this grouping only four per cent said that they believed that they were fully geared to win new business through the Government’s dual targeted programme to cut the carbon footprint of UK housing stock and kick-start economic growth in the UK building sector.

The reminder of this grouping (representing 29 per cent of all surveyed) claimed some awareness but admitted that they had more work to do.

Commissioned by building products manufacturer and supplier, the Epwin Group and conducted at ecobuild held at Excel, London in March, the study revealed that this was in stark contrast to the responses given by large business employing 250 or more people.

Representing a little over half of all those polled, 61 per cent indicated that their plans for the Green Deal were advanced, 16 per cent reported a ‘moderate’ readiness while only 23 per cent said that they were unprepared.

Medium sized businesses, those employing between 50 and 250 people, were also more advanced than small companies in their plans to take advantage of business opportunities generated by the scheme with 42 per cent indicating a high level of readiness.

Of this grouping (19 per cent of all respondents) 16 per cent said that they had plans in progress, while 42 per cent cited a low state of readiness.

The findings came as climate change minister Greg Barker, speaking at ecobuild reiterated the Government’s commitment press ahead with the Green Deal’s October launch despite concerns surrounding elements of its operation.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Group said: “What is concerning here is that the Epwin poll suggests Government is so far failing in its efforts to engage effectively with smaller businesses and this may equate in their exclusion voluntarily or involuntarily from scheme.

“The impact of this is all the more significant as it is this very grouping that it has identified as important in delivering job creation and supporting recovery in construction and the UK economy overall.

Attending the green building expo for the fifth year in succession, the Epwin Group reported high levels of interest in its energy efficient, window and door offer.

With a carbon footprint of extruded profile of just six per cent of that manufactured using virgin material plus a triple glazed option, products on show included the Group’s ultra-energy efficient and fully recycled window system RECO22. Its’ new vertical sliding sash window with through-horn detail and recycled rainwater ranges were also featured.

Rawson continued: “The opportunities represented by the Green Deal to improve the condition of the UK’s housing stock and to support economic recovery are vast. Greg Barker has alluded to the imminent unveiling of new initiatives to encourage wider participation in the scheme by smaller contractors and suppliers.

“The findings of the Epwin survey suggest that these may be of critical importance to the Green Deal’s success more broadly.”

For more information visit www.epwin.co.uk alternatively the Epwin Group has a permanent stand at the Building Centre, Store Street, London and will attend Greenbuild Expo, Manchester Central 9th and 10th May.

PatioMaster launches DER 'A' rated - Inline sliding door

3/5/2012

PatioMaster, has become the first inline sliding door manufacturer to secure a top Door Energy Rating (DER) ‘A’ rating option across its product range.

Adapted from PatioMaster’s high performance and thermally efficient standard range and following rigorous testing, the regional network was awarded the accreditation at the beginning of this month [January].

An independent measure of a door’s energy efficiency, DERs are based on the U-value (rate of heat transfer) and air leakage. Performance ratings range from A (most energy efficient) to G (least energy efficient) and follow the same ‘traffic light’ scale commonly used on domestic appliances and by the well-established Window Energy Ratings (WERs) scheme.

Rob McGlennon, divisional sales director, Epwin Group Extruded Products, said: “Despite a less than auspicious start, Window Energy Ratings are today an essential part of doing business. Going forward we can expect exactly the same from the DER scheme.

“It’s a significant sales platform for anyone supplying inline sliding doors and creates a complimentary product offer alongside security and aesthetics. Energy ratings won’t sell patio doors on their own but will add value to an already highly engineered product.”

To this end, PatioMaster launched its Secured by Design (SBD) option early last year. Enhanced security features build on the inherent strength in the PatioMaster inline sliding door. This includes the addition of two patio interlock bolts which lock the sliding panel to the fixed frame and which mean that would-be burglars cannot force the door apart.

The SBD door also features a full width security head rail, which runs across the full width of the top opening panel and a full height security keep rail, designed to strengthen the sliding sash at the corners plus enhanced hardware.

As part of this combined offer the network also offers installers access to a choice of 19 different wood grain and colour options.

McGlennon concluded: “Energy efficiency is the next stage in the reinvention of the inline sliding door. Improved security and aesthetics are already generating new opportunities in a wide range of applications.

“On the provision that the scheme is used to add margin, rather than to be given away, energy ratings on inline sliding doors will be a valuable addition to the sales toolkit.”

To find your nearest PatioMaster or for more information on the PatioMaster network call 0808 178 3370 or visit www.patiomaster.co.uk.

Swish specified on ‘Code 4’ eco-development

3/5/2012

Energy efficient windows and doors manufactured in Irish Oak-on-white profile from Swish Window and Door Systems have been specified on a Leicestershire ‘eco-development’.

Fabricated by Affordable Window Systems and installed by Elizabethan Windows, Regional developer Cawrey Homes specified the WER ‘A’ rated thermally efficient windows for its 36-home eco development, Fielding Meadow, Ratby.

Constructed to exacting standards, the two, three and four bedroom, homes have been designed to incorporate the latest energy saving technology to achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes level four rating.

Including a focus on long-term maintenance savings, the properties also feature low maintenance fascias and soffits from Swish Window and Door Systems sister company, Swish Building Products.

Dave Walgate, Cawrey, said: “We wanted a development which delivered significant energy and lifetime savings at a sensible cost.

“More broadly, the development features air source heat pumps, highly insulated floors incorporating under-floor heating and ‘green’ sedum roofs.

“We put a lot of emphasis on a ‘fabric first’ approach for example, increasing cavity wall insulation from 75mm to 200mm plus the specification of thermally efficient windows but also looked at the long-term maintenance costs of the properties.

“Natural wood finishes clearly look good but need regular maintenance and that equates to higher costs. The Swish products in Irish Oak delivered a strong aesthetic quality and critically required little to no future maintenance.”

New bead options mean Swish is also able to offer a window system which can accommodate a 44mm triple-glazed unit, capable of achieving U-values as low as 0.8 W/m2K, supporting specifiers in achieving Code Level 6 and beyond.

Andrew Reid, commercial sales development director, Swish Window and Door Systems, said: “Developers clearly face growing pressure to deliver more sustainable developments at a time when fiscal and budgetary pressures make that all the more challenging.

“The Swish offer, whether triple or double-glazed delivers a high level of thermal efficiency but equally new colour and foil options mean that PVC-U can offer the new build sector access to a more affordable and energy efficient alternative to aluminium without compromising on the design of new homes.”

For more information about the Swish Window and Door Systems 0808 178 3040, email info@swishwindows.co.uk or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

PVC-U windows deliver ‘eight-year pay back’ - new report

1/19/2012

A new pan-European report has found that PVC-U windows can pay for themselves in as little as eight years when assessed against the total cost of ownership.

The study found that when the cost of purchase, installation, maintenance repair and ultimately replacement were assessed – ‘true’ lifetime product cost – PVC-U windows delivered significant savings compared to other material types.

In comparison the payback period on hybrid wood and aluminium products was 24 years, aluminium alone 14 years and wood nine.

Commissioned by the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM) and conducted by Althesys Strategic Consultants, it also found that on average, initial purchase costs of PVC could be up to 41 per cent less than aluminium and up to 36 per cent less than wood.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Group, said: “As a Group we welcome the findings of the ECVM/ Althesys report. The PVC-U industry has redefined its attitude towards sustainability. It is a widely recovered and recycled material and the commitments the industry has made are now widely recognised.

“It is the downstream activity, however, that is so exciting where a new generation of PVC-U products are delivering real change. In what it can deliver in thermal efficiency and in-life carbon reduction, in new architectural flexibility and in cost effective delivery.”

The study carried out last year at locations in Germany in the North and Italy in the South, was based on an analysis of PVC-U, wood, aluminium and wood/aluminium hybrid windows, with a U-value of 1.3 W/m2K.

The eight year pay back cited in the report on PVC windows is drawn from results from German test sites where the colder climate meant energy consumption was higher so savings through the installation of energy efficient windows greater.

With a carbon footprint of extruded profile of just six per cent of that manufactured using virgin material plus a triple glazed option, the Epwin Group launched its ultra-energy efficient and fully recycled window system RECO22 last year.

Available from Group company Profile 22 it achieves a u-value as low as 0.8 W/m2K, easily reaching Code level 6 and beyond, while also becoming the first window system to secure a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications from the BRE.

Rawson concluded: “PVC-U windows and doors are a low maintenance, affordable, thermally efficient and sustainable product.

“I would also hasten to add they are not simply ‘white’ but come in a vast range of wood grain and colour finishes - a thermally efficient, lower maintenance and affordable alternative to aluminium and wood.

“We believe PVC-U building products can support the construction and social sectors in extracting the maximum return on budgets and not least in delivering not only environmental but economic sustainability in the built environment.”

For the full results of the study please visit www.pvcconstruct.org

For more information visit the Epwin Group at ecobuild on stand N1310 at London’s Excel Centre March 20th to 22nd. The Epwin Group has a permanent stand at the Building Centre, Store Street, London or alternatively visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

Epwin Group and Latium merge

1/17/2012

The Epwin Group and Latium have merged with immediate effect [17/1/12] to create a significant and diverse new UK building products group.

Including established Epwin brands, Profile 22, Swish Window and Door Systems, Swish Building Products and Sierra amongst others, alongside Latium companies Spectus, Kestrel-BCE and glass processing business CET - the agreement creates a new group with a combined turnover in excess of £275m.

With more than 2,500 employees, the company, Epwin Holdings, will be led by a new senior board chaired by Epwin Group founder Jim Rawson and including Latium owner, Brian Kennedy, the existing shareholders.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Holdings, said: "This is a major opportunity for the UK building products industry. In bringing together many of its leading businesses, in a British run, British owned group, we have the resource to invest in individual brands, product innovation and service, grow our business and most importantly, support our customers across sectors in doing the same.

He added: "We don’t expect any significant changes to the operational structure of Group businesses in the medium term – this is very much business as usual for customers, employees and suppliers."

The Epwin Group was founded by Rawson in 1976. Floated on the Stock Exchange in 1987, it was brought back into private ownership in 2000. More than a decade on, it continues to deliver a lead in technology and sustainable innovation to the UK building product industry.

Latium companies, owned by entrepreneur and investor Brian Kennedy were acquired, in part, from Heywood Williams in 2005.

Funding for the merged group has been provided exclusively by Barclays Corporate, Bristol.

Brian Kennedy, said: "There is a very strong commercial fit between Latium and Epwin businesses and the merger creates tremendous new opportunities for both employees, customers and suppliers.

"It has both the stability and financial resource to see out challenges and to secure new opportunities, something which we are confident will deliver advantages for not just its member businesses but customers and the building products industry more broadly."

New national survey shows ‘sustainability’ ranked as low priority for UK households

1/16/2012

A new poll reveals that UK householders rank the ‘sustainability’ of building products as among their lowest priorities when choosing home improvements.

Released just ahead of the green building expo ecobuild, the findings of the poll reveal that the less immediately tangible elements of ‘sustainability’, including the responsible sourcing of materials and recycled content, were consistently listed as their lowest priority by homeowners.

This was manifest in attitudes towards the purchase of new windows and doors where sustainability was listed as a low influence on purchasing decisions across age groups behind price, aesthetics, security appearance and finance.

But while these ‘softer’ elements of ‘sustainability’ registered low in their psyche, energy efficiency as something that delivered an immediate and quantifiable saving was consistently listed as among their top priorities by cash-strapped householders.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group, which commissioned the study, said: “People are feeling the pinch of austerity and against these very real pressures, the less immediately tangible – although by no means less important - elements of sustainability, for example recycling and responsible sourcing, appear a less significant influence on purchasing decisions than they did pre-downturn.

“Those elements which delivered by contrast an immediate benefit, for example energy efficiency, something that could be converted into an immediately quantifiable financial return in lower fuel bills, remained a significant influence.”

Rawson continued: “Rising gas and electricity prices mean that energy efficiency is the area of sustainability messaging that is getting through to householders, if nothing else because it’s hitting them in their pockets. These same pressures apply equally to the social sector.”

But while energy efficiency was a significant influence for respondents, the poll showed that this did not translate into demand for renewable energy.

Despite a significant level of exposure late last year, solar panels ranked as the lowest priority for home improvements firmly behind new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, extensions and loft conversions by those households responding to the survey.

The thermally efficient RECO22 system from Profile 22 will be on show at ecobuild this March. Also available as a door framing option through Profile 22 sister company, Permadoor it will be featured alongside Permadoor’s range of ‘A’ energy rated GRP composite doors. Swish Building Products’ pioneering, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system will also form part of the Epwin exhibit.

Rawson concluded: “The findings of the Epwin poll suggest householders face acute financial pressure. Against this context and continuing turmoil in the renewables sector, it is those building products that are affordable and which deliver a direct and importantly, tangible benefit to the end user that may be most effective in driving sustainability in the built-environment.”

Profile 22 fabricators scoop ‘double’ at G11 Awards

12/5/2011

Profile 22 fabricators Nolan uPVC and Stafford have claimed top retail and public sector accolades at the G11 Awards.

This year held at the Hilton Park Lane, the G11 Awards celebrate the best of the window industry across disciplines from promotional activity to installation.

Having been short-listed in the finals in 2009, Nolan uPVC scooped the award for Promotional Campaign of the Year in Retail with its ‘guess the identity of the Nolan Panda’ competition.

Meanwhile Stafford won the Public Sector Installation Year Award for its energy efficient window and door replacement programme in Bournville, Birmingham.

Rob McGlennon, divisional sales director, at Profile 22 parent, the Epwin Group, said: “It’s very easy in the current economic climate to lose sight of the innovation and exacting service levels that the window industry today delivers. G11 is a timely reminder of exactly that.

“On behalf of all at Profile 22 we would like to wish Nolan uPVC and Stafford our congratulations and look forward to offering them our full support in the coming year.”

Nolan uPVC launched its Nolan Panda competition in March with the dual aim of establishing direct brand engagement with consumers while also extracting more from budgets. Instantly securing more than 100 followers on twitter and 90 ‘likes’ on Facebook, more than 3,000 people visited a dedicated website landing page attracting more than 1,500 competition entries.

Sarah Cleevely, marketing manager, Nolan, said: “We took a decision early in 2011 to explore alternative channels for our marketing spend and to move away from traditional spend on print, TV and radio to make that spend go further.

“This in particular, has seen an increased spend on our website www.nolanupvc.co.uk which now accounts for more than 35 per cent of marketing budget compared to just two per cent in 2008.

“The Nolan Panda has been around as a brand character since 2008, a lot of people were curious to his identity and so we launched the competition to guess who he was, primarily online but also integrating that activity with promotion on traditional channels.”

And it was a double win for Nolan uPVC as at home in Wales the campaign claimed the Institute of Welsh Affairs Creative Marketing Award the same evening.

Illustrating the spectrum of activity and achievement of the Profile 22 customer base, Stafford, part of the systems company’s Approved Commercial Manufacturer Scheme claimed the accolade of Public Sector Project of the Year Award.

Appointed in early 2011 to deliver an energy efficient window replacement programme across its 314 property portfolio by Bournville Works Housing Society, Stafford began the two-year project in May.

Representing the first large scale specification of PVC-U windows and composite doors to period properties in the historic area, the preservation and restoration of the character of individual properties and the area more widely, were prioritised as part of project delivery.

Dee Benning, commercial development director, Stafford, said: “We’re delighted to have secured the Award for Public Sector Installation of the Year despite some very tough competition.

“A few years ago we took a conscious decision to set in place a number of long term plans for the business. These included plans to cut overheads, invest in quality people and focus of the commercial sector rather than relying solely on a dwindling retail market place. This change of ethos has begun to pay dividends and seen us secure number of high profile projects including the G11 award winning project at Bournville.

“It means that the long term future for Stafford has never looked better despite some of toughest trading conditions the industry has seen for years.”

To find out about Profile 22’s advanced performance energy efficient window and door systems visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

For more information on Stafford Aluminium visit www.staffordaluminium.co.uk, email sales@staffordaluminium.co.uk or call 01785 246 516.

For more information on Nolan visit www.nolanupvc.co.uk email sales@nolanupvc.co.uk or call 0845 600 90 80.

GRP composite doors: an untapped opportunity - new poll

3/5/2012

A new national consumer poll by super-fabricator Sierra suggests the retail GRP composite door market remains a still largely untapped commercial opportunity.

The survey of almost 1,000 households found the majority of consumers had only a limited understanding of the make-up of GRP composite doors, selecting PVC-U panel, timber and steel doors as their preferred material type.

Brian Webb, divisional sales and marketing director at Sierra Parent, Epwin Group Building Products division said: "It's clearly down to interpretation but I don't believe that for one minute that if homeowners understood the thermal efficiencies, the strength, security and just how good an aesthetic match GRP delivers to timber without the maintenance, that they would select timber or steel above it."

"I'm convinced that this is an issue of awareness and that the inference has to be that installers aren't taking the product offer to the home owner. if this is the case, and I believe it is, GRP doors represent a significant and comparatively untapped retail opportunity."

According to the Sierra study, security is the major driver for door replacements. In particular those respondents aged 60 or above, highlighting it as the determining factor (53 per cent), followed by appearance (38 per cent), price (6 per cent) and low maintenance (3 per cent). This trend was largely followed by the 45 to 60 and 30 to 45 age groups.

Webb continued: "The qualities that we see consumers list as importance in a door are strengths delivered in GRP, security and strong aesthetics. The relatively slow take up in retail may come down to price point but affordability is increasing all of the time. The composite door market is a very real area of opportunity."

More broadly, figures for the composite door market provide one of the few positive areas of reading for the window and door industry. Describing it as 'the success story for the UK window industry' in its 2011 Annual PVC-U Window Industry Report published at the end of the summer, D&G Consulting forecast consistent growth in composite door volumes from 620,000 units this year to 664,000 units by 2014.

It adds that this rate of growth can be expected to increase as retail markets catch up with the social sector.

For more information on Sierra, its product range and installer support programme visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk or call 0808 1783455.

‘(S)i(lent)-pad’: Swish specified on unique development

11/29/2011

Swish Window and Door Systems has been specified and supplied to an innovatively designed new property, built on the site of a former toilet block and featuring advanced levels of thermal and acoustic insulation.

The corner plot in a Bristol suburb has been transformed as the site of a modern sedum-roofed and cedar-clad three bedroom property.

Its position in close proximity to a dual carriageway meant the acoustic performance of the building envelope was a critical part of the design process.

Windows in dual-colour grey on white supplied by SG Windows and manufactured in Swish, were specified by developer Inglerock to provide an enhanced level of noise insulation, achieving a reduction of 39 decibels (RW39dB).

Neil Rogers, managing director and owner, Inglerock, said: “The acoustic insulation was very important to us. We’re not very far away from a dual carriage way and we didn’t want that to impact on the living space. For that reason we specified a high level of wall insulation – 120mm behind double thickness plasterboard - roof insulation, including a sedum roof and high performance windows.

“The other element to the window installation of course was the aesthetic side. These are dual colour, white on the inside to support the sense of light and space inside and grey on the outside to blend with grey render and cedar which will grey with age.”

A Swish Approved Commercial Manufacturer, SG Windows manufactured and installed a total of 13 high performance windows to the project. Alongside the thermally efficient Swish frames, these featured specially developed acoustic DGU manufactured from an 8.8mm sheet of Standip Silent Glazing, 14mm cavity and 6mm low-e thermal glass.

Installation and manufacture were also made more challenging as SG Windows had to accommodate an 11 degree curve in windows installed at the front of the property.

Steve Rubotham, director, SG Windows explained: “Part of the front of the building actually curves including one window aperture. The large window at the front of the building is consequently manufactured from three separate products fitted on a pre-welded cill and then joined with coupling bars.

“Alongside this there was a demand for an exceptionally high level of acoustic performance which was achieved through the use of acoustic glass.

“Combined this was certainly a more unusual project and one which created a unique set of challenges.

The building also features a heat recovery and ventilation system. This meant that windows could be designed and installed without the inclusion of trickle vents which would have impacted on the effectiveness of sound proofing.

Neil, a former procurement manager for Redrow Homes, added: “The aesthetics are very strong throughout the property, the windows fit in and compliment the definition that exists between the different material types and deliver the practical performance that was so important to this project.

“We’re delighted with them.”

For more information about the Swish Window and Door Systems 0808 178 3040, email info@swishwindows.co.uk or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

Low carbon fully recycled windows supplied to sheltered housing scheme

11/22/2011

Advanced performance thermally efficient windows, featuring frames manufactured solely from recycled PVC-U, have been supplied to a Birmingham sheltered housing scheme.

Manufactured by Framexpress and installed by lead contractor, Berben Group, 128 recycled windows were specified by Yardley Great Trust at its Foliot Fields site, a supported living scheme for older people.

Made using the new recycled low carbon RECO22 window framing system from Profile 22, the carbon footprint of the extruded window profile is just six per cent of that manufactured using virgin material.

The first window system to secure a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications from the BRE earlier this year, the specification of RECO22 by the Trust, provides a strong fit to its own commitment to the sustainable management of its property portfolio.

Lynn Bailey, housing manager, Yardley Great Trust, said: “We try and instil a positive approach to sustainability in all of our activity from supporting residents in reducing waste to working with local suppliers and the specification, wherever possible, of products that we feel fit with our own commitments to the environment.

“At Foliot Fields we wanted to make properties warmer and importantly more secure for residents but we also looked at environmental impact and ongoing maintenance costs. We felt that this particular specification was the strongest fit to our own values.”

The 31 properties at Foliot Fields were built by Yardley Great Trust in 1984. A registered charity, the Trust was founded in 1355 and aims to relieve poverty through grants, as well as providing care and housing to older people throughout the Birmingham area.

As residents remained in occupancy throughout the project, full consultation with them and close working between partners formed a central tenet of project delivery.

Barry Nunes, commercial sales manager, Berben, said: “Window replacement isn’t in itself disruptive but as the residents were elderly and some had mobility issues, the project team worked closely with Yardley Great Trust to make sure that disruption was kept to an absolute minimum and that the specific requirements of those individuals were met in full.

“We found that once installed the feedback we had was very positive, residents felt warmer but also fed back positively as to the ease of use and in particular an increased sense of security and sound proofing.”

RECO22 was launched by Profile 22 last year, bringing together the commercial window systems specialist’s expertise in extrusion and innovation in recycling and the recovery of waste and end of life PVC-U, developed by parent company, the Epwin Group.

In addition to cutting the carbon footprint of extruded framing material to just six per cent of that of virgin material, a triple glazed option means that RECO22 delivers an advanced thermal performance achieving u-values (the measure of thermal insulation) as low as 0.8 W/m2K.

Andrew Reid, Commercial development director, Profile 22 said: “In recovering and recycling old material and closing the loop on the recycling process by re-using that material in an advanced generation of low maintenance and energy efficient products we believe we are adding value in our offer to social housing providers.

“In RECO22 we are able to offer social housing providers a low maintenance, low carbon and energy efficient window option. We believe that goes a long way to supporting them in meeting targets, not just of environmental sustainability but also the long termer sustainability of housing maintenance budgets.”

To find out about Profile 22’s advanced performance energy efficient window and door systems visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

For more information on Berben visit www.berben.co.uk or call 0121 7896369.

To find out more about Framexpress visit www.framexpress.co.uk or call 01952 581100.

Regional developer heads for greener pastures with Swish

11/14/2011

Regional developer Cawrey Homes has specified Swish fascias, soffits and cladding in hazy grey for its new eco development, Fielding Meadow.

The Leicestershire-based house builder is now in the closing stages of the 36 home development in Ratby.

Also including a focus on long-term maintenance savings, the properties feature low maintenance fascias and soffits from Swish Building Products and external cladding, used by Cawrey to house solar panels.

Dave Walgate, Buyer for Cawrey, said: “We wanted a development which delivered significant energy and lifetime savings at a sensible cost.

More broadly, the development features air source heat pumps, thermally efficient windows, insulated floors and ‘green’ sedum roofs.

“We put a lot of emphasis on the building envelope and energy efficiency for example, increasing cavity wall insulation from 75mm to 200mm but also looked at the long-term maintenance costs of the properties.

“Natural wood finishes clearly look good but at height need regular maintenance and that equates to higher costs. The Swish products in hazy grey delivered a strong aesthetic quality and critically required little to no future maintenance.”

Swish Building Products recently joined a handful of companies that have secured the responsible sourcing standard BES6001 delivering instant point gains to house builders under the Code for Sustainable Homes and Eco Homes.

In securing the standard across its PVC fascia, soffit, cladding and window board ranges Swish Building Products is able to offer developers maximum points under the Code (tier level 1), matching FSC timber specifications in Mat2 and Mat3.

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products, said: “Roofline maintenance costs can be significant, in part because roofline products are in exposed locations and because maintaining or repairing them at height is more complicated and therefore more costly.

“PVC is low maintenance and as such, as long as they’re installed properly, once fitted roofline products require little to no maintenance.

“They’re also increasingly the sustainable option. Swish offers BES6001, across its roofline offer after its commitment to responsible sourcing of raw materials was recognised by the BRE. It gives developers those few extra points which can make all the difference in tipping the balance in favour of a higher code rating.”

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200. Swish BES6001 certification can be viewed on the Green Book Live website www.greenbooklive.com .

Epwin Group unveils Central London showcase

11/10/2011

The Epwin Group, will unveil its new permanent exhibition at the Building Centre, London on the 1st December.

It gives the specialist low maintenance building products group a new presence at the Store Street construction expo and specifiers and architects improved access to innovations in low maintenance and sustainable building technologies.

This includes details on the low carbon recycled window offering RECO22 Epwin Group window systems operation, Profile 22, which became the first window system to secure a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications from the BRE in February this year.

With a carbon footprint of extruded profile of just six per cent of that manufactured using virgin material, a triple glazed option means that it achieves a u-value as low as 0.8 W/m2K.

Alan Calverley, Epwin Group, said: “Technology, as in many industries, is moving exceptionally quickly in the window and door sector. Nine or 10 years ago PVC-U wasn’t widely recycled, now we’re able to offer a fully recycled, low carbon in manufacture and thermally efficient and by implication low carbon in life, product range.

“As one of a number of product types specifiers and architects have to get their heads around it can be very difficult to stay abreast of the latest technology. We hope to make that process easier with a permanent exhibition right in the heart of London at the Building Centre.”

RECO22 is also available as a door framing option through Profile 22 sister company, Permadoor. Details on its range of ‘A’ energy rated GRP composite doors will also feature on the Group’s Building Centre stand.

Featuring a tough fibreglass skin emulating the appearance of timber but without the associated maintenance, entrance doors from the Permadoor range can achieve u-values as low as 0.7W/m2K.

Swish Building Products’ pioneering, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system will also form part of the Epwin exhibit. Bringing tons of end of life material back into use the company offers a range of rainwater and guttering profiles manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material.

Calverley added: “We’re launching what we hope will be an important platform for us as a Group in engaging more effectively with the specification sector but also to offer architects and specifiers improved access to product innovation and development. Things which we believe will help them in meeting the increasing expectation among their own clients, to deliver more for less.”

The Building Centre and Epwin group permanent exhibition is open six days a week. A team of industry experts will also be in attendance for the launch on Thursday 1st December.

The Epwin Group will also attend ecobuild 2012, stand N1310 at London’s Excel Centre March 20th to 22nd. Alternatively for more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

GRP composite doors: an untapped opportunity - new poll

11/3/2011

A new national consumer poll by super-fabricator Sierra suggests the retail GRP composite door market remains a still largely untapped commercial opportunity.

Brian Webb, divisional sales and marketing director at Sierra Parent, Epwin Group Building Products division said: “It’s clearly down to interpretation but I don’t believe that for one minute that if homeowners understood the thermal efficiencies, the strength, security and just how good an aesthetic match GRP delivers to timber without the maintenance, that they would select timber or steel above it.

“I’m convinced that this is an issue of awareness and that the inference has to be that installers aren’t taking the product offer to the home owner. if this is the case, and I believe it is, GRP doors represent a significant and comparatively untapped retail opportunity.”

Webb continued: “The qualities that we see consumers list as importance in a door are strengths delivered in GRP, security and strong aesthetics.

“The relatively slow take up in retail may come down to price point but affordability is increasing all of the time. The composite door market is a very real area of opportunity.”

More broadly, figures for the composite door market provide one of the few positive areas of reading for the window and door industry. Describing it as “the success story for the UK window industry” in its 2011 Annual PVC-U Window Industry Report published at the end of the summer, D&G Consulting forecast consistent growth in composite door volumes from 620,000 units this year to 664,000 units by 2014.

It adds that this rate of growth can be expected to increase as retail markets catch up with the social sector.

For more information on Sierra, its product range and installer support programme visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk or call 0808 1783455.

Safedoors launches unique online promotion tool

11/1/2011

Safedoors customers can now create their own personalised promotional flyers, using a unique new design tool on the Safedoors website.

Available at www.safedoors.co.uk, the new facility allows fabricators and installers to tailor a template Safedoors flyer to their own business. Customers can select from 12 composite door images and add their own retail prices, discounts, logo and contact details. Printing can also be arranged online, with flyers delivered to customers within 3 days.

The online design tool is accessed via the special password-protected area of the Safedoors website, where trade customers can also place orders using a door selector and download order forms, price lists, literature and images.

Safedoors is the new dedicated retail offer from the original composite door manufacturer, Permadoor, supplying a range of high quality GRP composite doors in a choice of finishes, glass and hardware options.

Commenting on the new online promotion tool, Adrian Wyatt, Trade Sales Manager for Safedoors, said: “This is an industry first that allows trade customers to create and run promotions on their terms to suit their business. Customers can use the template artwork as often as they wish, using the door styles and retail prices of their choice, and we will be adding more template artwork in the future, including brochures and alternative flyer designs.

“This is the latest support initiative for Safedoors customers, designed to make it easier for them to do business and maximise sales opportunities.”

The Safedoors range is available in red, blue, green, white and black finishes, plus antique oak and rosewood woodgrain effects. All doors come complete with a full multipoint locking system and a choice of suited hardware including a knocker, letterplate, numerals and spyhole in gold, chrome, black, white or satin chrome finishes.

Each door has a fully reinforced 70mm PVC-U outer frame, high insulation foam core and slim, low step over aluminium thresholds with twin seals, plus strong through-coloured GRP facings.

Part of the Epwin Group, an independent British business with substantial manufacturing and processing plants in the UK, Permadoor has a full suite of accreditations including ISO 9001(quality), ISO 14001 (environmental) and OHAS 18001 for health and safety.

For further information, visit www.safedoors.co.uk.

New Retail Brochure From Safedoors

10/26/2011

A new retail brochure showcasing Safedoors' extensive range of high quality GRP composite doors is now available for fabricators and installers.

Specifically designed for use with homeowners, the 28-page brochure features all 12 door designs as well as the colour, glass and hardware options available with each style.

The brochure also contains useful information on the performance and maintenance benefits of GRP composite doors, together with a 'frequently asked questions' section, covering guarantees, security, environmental credentials and design options.

Safedoors is the new retail offer from Permadoor, the UK's original composite door manufacturer, providing reliable, friendly service and a proven product range, all supported by the £multi-million Epwin Group.

The doors are fully compliant with the latest Building Regulations and are proven to be thermally efficient, with some of the lowest U-values in the marketplace.

Each door has a fully reinforced 70mm PVC-U outer frame, high insulation foam core, strong through-coloured GRP facings and slim, low line aluminium thresholds with twin seals.

For further information on the new Safedoors retail offer, visit www.safedoors.co.uk

Rotherham Firm Expands Into New Location

10/26/2011

Rotherham-based building supplies company, Quay Plastics has moved to impressive new premises, following a successful sales year.

The new location in Kaldo Court at Parkgate in Rotherham is five times the size of the branch’s previous address on the Thornhill Industrial Estate on Hope Street, providing Rotherham trade professionals with an improved service and greater choice of stock.

Quay Plastics, who have been in Rotherham for over 10years, specialise in supplying PVC-u building products to the trade. General Manager, Tim Fawcett, explains why he thinks this move will benefit local Rotherham businesses:

"Our new premises are very impressive, five times the size of our previous location and in a much more prominent and accessible position.

"The look and feel of the new branch is more appealing for customers and this move will enable us to offer a greater product choice and more competitive prices.

"We recently held an open day to celebrate the move, and the feedback from customers, old and new, was very positive. In times of economic uncertainty, it's refreshing to see a Rotherham business doing well and providing a better service for our trade professionals."

Open to all trade customers, Quay Plastics stocks a wide range of PVC-u building materials from soffits and fascias to conservatory roof systems and composite doors.

With helpful and friendly staff, the Rotherham branch is open 8.00am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to noon on Saturdays. Alternatively, you can contact the branch on 01709 821618 or log on to www.quayplastics.co.uk to find out more.

Hidden long term cost of austerity - warning

10/14/2011

Public sector organisations are sacrificing best value in pursuit of low prices with potentially significant long term budgetary costs, according to a new warning.

In the face of significant financial pressure many local authorities, schools and RSLs are issuing contracts on price alone, something which Swish Building Products warns could cost the public sector hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The roofline specialist reports, in particular, that it has seen a growing number of roofline maintenance and refurbishment programmes awarded to unsuitable and unskilled contractors based on price.

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products, said: "In the past few months cut backs appear to have really started to bite. We've seen more contracts awarded to less skilled lower cost suppliers but most worryingly suppliers without any relevant experience or suitable qualification at all.

"For example, we were recently asked to help out on an installation where initial works had been awarded to a decorator who having been appointed by a social housing provider to paint the exterior of a number of its properties then tendered for and won on price, the roofline refurbishment contract.

"They encountered a number of difficulties and installation became very problematic, leading to additional cost and disruption. They're not alone - price is becoming an increasingly determinate factor for many RSLs and local authorities."

Swish Building Products has supplied the social housing sector for more than 20 years offering best value through partnering arrangements, quality products and full technical support.

Products include fascias and soffits, guttering and cladding systems, for refurbishment or new-build, while Swish Building Products also operates a specialist Commercial Contractor scheme, which puts local and education authorities, along with social housing providers in touch with experienced and reliable roofline installers.

Wilde continued: "The downturn and austerity measures are essentially having two main impacts. We're seeing a lot of cash-strapped public sector organisations who are trying to extract all they can from squeezed maintenance budgets and contractors who may be short of work and more inclined to try their luck at work which they simply aren't qualified to undertake.

"That's a dangerous combination, one which undermines the principles of Best Value but very fundamentally means that the public sector and not least the tax payer isn't getting value for money."

Swish Building Products holds a host of accreditations and standards most recently the new BES6001 standard ensuring responsible sourcing of construction products. This comes in addition to the quality management standard ISO9001, the environmental management standard ISO14001 and occupational health and safety OHSAS18001.

Wilde concluded: "The majority of public sector organisations are responsible and are committed to best value but the temptation to make finite budgets go a little bit further can be great.

"We'd simply urge maintenance mangers to think about the long term costs of working with unqualified partners and conversely the long term savings a good job well done can deliver, especially in roofline where the specification of PVC can near enough eliminate ongoing maintenance costs."

For more information on Swish's full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk <http://www.swishbp.co.uk/> or call 01827 317 200.

New Safedoor Retail OFFER from Permadoor

10/14/2011

Builders' merchants can make the most of rising demand for composite doors with the new Safedoors retail offer, available exclusively from the original composite door manufacturer, Permadoor.

Sales of composite doors have risen dramatically over recent years and demand is set to increase further, as growing numbers of trade professionals and homeowners opt for composite entrance doors, thanks to their high thermal efficiency, minimal maintenance requirements and replica timber appearance.

Safedoors offers an extensive range of high quality GRP composite doors with a choice of glass, hardware and finishes. The doors are fully compliant with the latest Building Regulations and are proven to be thermally efficient, with some of the lowest U-values in the marketplace.

The Safedoors offer is supported by the £multi-million Epwin Group and a new Safedoors trade sales team is in place, led by Adrian Wyatt who has 17 years experience working for composite door specialist Permadoor.

Commenting on the launch of Safedoors, Adrian Wyatt, Trade Sales Manager, said: “Permadoor has been supplying composite doors to the commercial sector for 22 years and has manufactured over one million doors in that time. The new Safedoors offer brings this experience together with a carefully selected product range to builders' merchants dealing with private housing projects.

Sales of composite doors are forecast to steadily increase over the next few years, reaching 664,000 in 2014. To make the most of these lucrative opportunities, it's essential that merchants partner with a composite door supplier, which can provide a consistent and reliable 'made to order' service."

"Thanks to the backing of the Epwin Group, merchants can have absolute confidence in our service, the quality of our doors and the 10 year guarantee which comes with every door from the date of installation."

The Safedoors range offers 12 designs available in red, blue, green, white and black finishes, plus antique oak and rosewood woodgrain effects. All doors come complete with a full multipoint locking system and a choice of suited hardware including a knocker, letterplate, numerals and spyhole in gold, chrome, black, white or satin chrome finishes.

Each door has a fully reinforced 70mm PVC-U outer frame, high insulation foam core,strong through-coloured GRP facings and slim, low line aluminium thresholds with twin seals.

For further information on the new Safedoors retail offer, visit www.safedoors.co.uk.

Changing with the seasons: Swish launches new lead generation site

10/14/2011

Swish Window and Door Systems has launched a new website firmly focussed on consumer lead generation for its fabricator and installer network.

Created as part of an on-going commitment to drive consumer leads to its installer network, an introductory animation on the new Swish home page www.swishwindows.co.uk guides homeowners through the system company’s advanced performance product offer.

Easy-to-navigate drop down menus give home owners access to a wealth of supplementary information on Swish and its fabricator installer network, commitments to quality and guarantees alongside more detailed product specifications and environmental commitments. It also includes a new ‘find an installer’ function and quoting facility.

Rob McGlennon, sales director, at Swish parent, Epwin Group Extruded Products said: “Swish is a national brand but one that’s designed to compliment rather than overshadow local delivery by local installers.

“The new website reflects this commitment, focussing on consumer lead generation for local Swish Authorised Installers. We believe that as a retail brand, this focus on frontline activity is the best way for us and our fabricators to grow.”

The website has also been developed to include feature ‘themes’ which will change with the seasons, starting this month with autumn.

The website also features a dedicated trade section detailing the benefits and support package offered by Swish to fabricators and installers from technical through to marketing support, plus details on how to become a Swish Authorised fabricator or installer.

For more information on Swish Window and Door Systems call 0808 178 3040, email info@swishwindows.co.uk or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

Profile 22 simplifies window specification

10/10/2011

Profile 22 has launched the latest version of its specification guide, developed to support architects and specifiers find their way through the sometimes complex process of window and door specification.

This includes details on its low carbon recycled window offering RECO22 which became the first window system to secure a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications in February this year. With a carbon footprint of extruded profile of just six per cent of that manufactured using virgin material, a triple glazed option means that it achieves a u-value as low as 0.8 W/m2K.

Andrew Reid, commercial development director, Profile 22, said: “Technology, as in many industries, is moving exceptionally quickly in the window and door sector. Nine or 10 years ago PVC-U wasn’t widely recycled, now we’re able to offer a fully recycled, low carbon in manufacture and thermally efficient and by implication low carbon in life, product range.

“As one of a number of product types specifiers and architects have to get their heads around it can be very difficult to stay abreast of the latest technology, let alone specify the right mix of that technology for their project. The specification guide from Profile 22 is about simplifying that process.”

The specification guide also details the full specification support offered by Profile 22’s in-house technical team including training and specification programmes plus how to find a commercial window contractor through the Profile 22 Approved Window Contractor scheme.

To find out about Profile 22’s advanced performance energy efficient window and door systems visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Order Safedoors online via new website

10/4/2011

A new Safedoors website is now live, featuring an online ordering facility for the full range of high quality GRP composite doors now available as part of Permadoor’s new dedicated retail offer.

Visitors to www.safedoors.co.uk can access details of the extensive Safedoors range, together with information on side panels, top lights, finishes and glass and hardware options.

The website features a special password-protected trade login area, where fabricators and installers can order online, using a door selector. Trade customers can also download order forms, price lists, literature, images and promotions for their own use.

The website features details of Safedoors’ accreditations, which include Secured by Design and PAS23/24, as well as information on the doors’ environmental credentials, including U-values by door type.

Safedoors is the new retail offer from Permadoor, the UK’s original composite door manufacturer, providing reliable, friendly service and a proven product range, all supported by the £multi-million Epwin Group.

Commenting on the new website, Trade Sales Manager for Safedoors, Adrian Wyatt said: “The new website is a one-stop shop for Safedoors customers who can order online, download promotional materials and use the site with homeowners to showcase the extensive Safedoors range.”

Each door has a fully reinforced 70mm PVC-U outer frame, high insulation foam core, strong through-coloured GRP facings and slim, low line aluminium thresholds with twin seals.

For further information, visit www.safedoors.co.uk.

Cutting the risk out of regulatory compliance

10/5/2011

Dekura has launched a new certificate which can be used by fabricators and installers to demonstrate their compliance with a raft of regulations governing responsible disposal of waste.

As an accredited and full member of Recovinly, Dekura provides a complete recycling service with the capacity to collect and recycle both post-industrial and post-consumer waste.

Having invested significantly in its own accreditation processes, the recycler has launched a new certificate designed to simplify and support its trade customers in demonstrating that in working with it, they are doing the same.

This includes meeting all current legislative requirements as set out in the Environment Protection Act and commitments made by the PVC-U industry in the Vinyl 2010 Charter.

Tony Moore, business development director, Dekura, said: “It can sometimes be pretty difficult to keep up with environmental legislation, it changes regularly and as such it can easily trip up medium and smaller businesses who are probably juggling a dozen or more things at any one time.

“But the cost of not being up to speed can be significant. Some of this legislation has real teeth, for example the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations: SI 1991/2839 carries significant costs for companies who breach it.

“We have also seen cases where installers and fabricators have fallen foul to the Advertising Standards Authority because a clear ‘gap’ has existed between green claims and actual environmental commitments.

“The Dekura certification scheme supports fabricators and installers in avoiding these pitfalls but also helps them to make the most of the positive sales messaging that a commitment to recycle off-cuts and end-of life PVC-U can deliver.”

At an average of £85 per tonne at landfill, Moore suggests it also simply doesn’t make any economic sense to throw old PVC-U frames away.

He continued: “Skipping PVC-U off cuts and end of life products just doesn’t make any sense at all when you can get them collected at no charge. The financial savings are significant and you get the sales messaging to boot.”

Dekura is the largest and the UK’s leading PVC-U recycler, collecting waste from more than 1,000 window and door fabricators and installers nationwide and offers full-cycle traceability on all material that it collects.

The company is one of only two recyclers currently recovering and reprocessing not only waste generated in the fabrication process but also post-consumer waste generated from old early generation PVC-U windows and roofline products that have reached the end of their natural life cycle, in the UK.

Alongside its membership of Recovinyl, other memberships include the European Plastic Processing Association, while it holds a full waste carrier licence, waste regulation certificate, BSi Certificate of Registration and NAWDAC Certificate.

For more information on Dekura visit www.dekura.co.uk, email enquiries@dekura.co.uk or call 0800 652 7585.

New Safedoors retail offer from Permadoor

9/28/2011

The original composite door manufacturer Permadoor has launched a new dedicated retail offer, providing fabricators and installers with reliable, friendly service and a proven product range, all supported by the £multi-million Epwin Group.

A new Safedoors trade sales team is in place, led by Adrian Wyatt who has 17 years experience working for composite door specialist Permadoor.

Commenting on the launch of Safedoors, Adrian Wyatt, Trade Sales Manager, said: “Permadoor has been supplying composite doors to the commercial sector for 22 years and has manufactured over a million doors in that time. The new Safedoors offer will bring this experience to customers working in the trade and retail market.

“Our aim is to provide fabricators and installers with a proven range of quality composite doors from an approachable, friendly team who consistently deliver a reliable service, providing customers with complete peace of mind that doors will arrive exactly when they are needed.

“Thanks to the backing of the Epwin Group, fabricators and installers can have absolute confidence in the quality of our doors, the expertise of our customer services team and the 10 year guarantee which comes with every door from the date of installation.”

Each door has a fully reinforced 70mm PVC-U outer frame, high insulation foam core,strong through-coloured GRP facings and slim, low line aluminium thresholds with twin seals.

For further information on the new Safedoors retail offer, visit www.safedoors.co.uk.

Appearance and security biggest sales drivers - national survey

10/3/2011

A new national consumer poll by super-fabricator Sierra reveals appearance and security are the single most important factors for homeowners when buying new windows and doors.

The survey of almost 1,000 households found broadly that appearance, security and then price, were the single biggest priorities for home owners when buying new windows and doors followed by energy efficiency.

This was reflected in the 30-45 year old category where 28 per cent of respondents cited security as the single biggest purchasing driver followed by appearance (25 per cent), price 23 per cent and energy efficiency (21 per cent).

Finance and low maintenance qualities were listed by the remaining three per cent of respondents as the major influences on their purchasing decisions. This proved an anomaly as 56 per cent of respondents overall cited PVC-U as their preferred material choice for its low maintenance qualities over timber (28 per cent), aluminium (10 per cent) and steel (5 per cent).

The survey also found that 23 per cent of respondents in this age grouping said that they were currently actively considering the replacement of their existing windows and doors.

In the 45-60 age category 27 per cent of respondents said that they were considering replacing windows and doors. While security still came top, energy efficiency took on increased importance, cited as the most important feature that they looked for by 25 per cent of respondents. Low maintenance qualities also taking on more importance for this grouping. Respondents aged 60 and over listing similar drivers.

Brian Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, at Sierra parent, Epwin Group Building Products Division said: “The findings we have suggest that energy efficiency still isn’t quite striking the chord with consumers that you might expect it to given the significant investment that we have seen from the BFRC and the Window Energy Ratings Campaign.

“What will be interesting is how the governmental push, the Green Deal and significant increases in energy prices will impact on households’ awareness of the energy efficiency agenda in the next few months going into the winter. My money would be on far greater consumer awareness of energy efficiency by spring.”

This was also reflected in findings 18 to 30 category. Here, while energy efficiency and security remained important, price took on greater significance, cited by 31 per cent of those responding as the major influencing factor on their purchasing decisions, followed by appearance.

More broadly the survey did suggest that despite broader economic instability and market maturity, there were some grounds for optimism for the UK window industry. In particular home improvements, were ranked as the number one spending priority by households aged 18-30, 30-45 and 45-60.

Of these the 30-45 year old age group placed most importance on home improvements, with 45 per cent citing it as their major spending priority, closely followed by the 45-60 category (40 per cent).

Only those households aged 60 or above listed home improvements (38 per cent) as a second placed spending priority behind holidays (44 per cent).

And there was additional solace in the study for the window industry. Window and door replacement was ranked by both the 30-45 and 45-60 year old categories as among their top home improvements after extensions, kitchens and bathrooms.

Webb, added: “While we’re seeing a tightening of consumer spending, particularly on the high street, home improvements remain a spending priority for many of us, whether that’s because we’re spending more time at home or perhaps because we’re looking for more space, in addition to distress replacement.

“With focus on market contraction and maturity alongside, wider economic turmoil it’s sometimes a little too easy to lose sight of the opportunity that remains out there if you have the right product portfolio, backing and support and you know who to target. On a personal level, I’m quietly encouraged by what we have seen.”

For more information on Sierra, its product range and installer support programme visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk or call 0808 178 3455.

Black wood grain roofline from Swish adds elegance to Norfolk development

9/21/2011

Developer Norfolk Homes has completed the installation of fascias, soffits and cladding in black foiled PVC from Swish Building Products.

The first phase of the 64 unit Manor Reach development in Norwich was completed this summer to create a mix of new homes from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom executive properties.

Featuring windows and Doors from Swish Building Products sister-company, Swish Window and Door Systems, the development also successfully matches the low maintenance roofline products with timber on porch installations.

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products, said: “Norfolk Homes use of PVC black foiled roofline, particularly on porches where it is subtly married with traditional timber, serves as a demonstration of innovation in PVC roofline aesthetics.

"Very simply people like the appearance of timber but don’t want to have to climb a ladder to deliver the associated maintenance. This is a product that delivers exactly that."

In addition to black Swish Building Products offers a range of foiled wood grain finishes including cream and Irish Oak, mahogany, rosewood, light oak, and white wood grain.

Ancillary products including cappit board, window board and trims are also available from its foil range, all of which carry the Swish 10-year guarantee.

In addition to innovation in aesthetics, the PVC roofline specialist has also recently joined a handful of companies to have secured the green standard BES6001 meeting a range of strict criteria ensuring responsible sourcing of construction products.

As part of the Code for Sustainable Homes the accreditation means that those developers who select accredited products from Swish can score maximum points for sustainability (tier 1) - a first for a PVC product offer and matching FSC timber specifications.

For more information on Swish's full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

Prioritising sustainability in schools

9/20/2011

Window, door and curtain walling schools specialist Profile 22 has warned many schools property managers are investing in green energy technologies without corresponding investment in the thermal efficiency of the fabric of school buildings.

With unparalleled experience in the supply of low maintenance, high security and sustainable PVC-U windows, doors and curtain walling to the education sector Profile 22 is at the forefront of innovation in building technology.

The company has warned that a failure to invest in improvement to the thermal performance of school buildings means their carbon footprints are still high and hundreds of thousands of pounds are being wasted despite investment in renewable energies.

Andrew Reid, commercial development director, Profile 22 said: “Renewable technologies are fine but without investment in thermal efficiency, they will never deliver the carbon or financial savings that schools mangers and LEAs are looking for. Schools need to consider energy efficiency first.”

Offering specifiers, LEAS and schools a comprehensive support programme from the very beginnings of the replacement process to project completion Profile 22 supplies a range of thermally efficient and low maintenance products to the education sector.

This includes the advanced SK200 thermally broken aluminium system which delivers unparalleled thermal performance and weather tightness and is fully tested by the British Standards institute.

Profile 22 also offers a range of low maintenance and secure window systems, including triple-glazed options capable of achieving u-values as low as 0.8 W/m2K.

Reid concluded: “PVC-U replacement windows can slash maintenance budgets delivering year-on-year savings, improve security and sound insulation - the benefits are immediately tangible.”

New Permadoor Eco Options Offer Improved Door Performance

9/14/2011

Social housing specialist Permadoor has introduced a choice of new Eco Options to its GRP composite door range to help specifiers improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of housing stock through improved door performance.

Each door in the Permadoor range can be specified with up to three Eco Options: energy efficient glazing, an innovative recycled doorframe system and recycled composite reinforcement. The options can be specified individually or in combination to achieve the desired performance criteria.

The glazing options include Low E glass, which gives an average improvement in U-values of up to 0.4 W/M2k, and warm edge, Low E, 90% Argon filled glazing units, which deliver an improvement of up to 0.5 W/M2k, compared with the standard door glazing specification.

The doorframe can also be fabricated from Reco22, which is the first framing system of its kind made from 100% post-consumer PVC-U waste, fully closing the recycling loop. Reco22 was the first window system to be awarded the Building Research Establishment (BRE) A+ rating for all sectors including domestic housing and is now being used in doorframe manufacture. The frame profile has an aesthetically appealing white woodgrain effect finish to complement the door leaf.

The third Eco Option is a choice of frame and door cill options reinforced with recycled composite material (RCM), as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to steel or aluminium. RCM is already included as standard in the front, rear and outhouse frame profiles.

Commenting on the Eco Options, Adrian Sunter of Permadoor said: "Despite budget cuts, improving the energy efficiency of housing stock remains a high government priority. Entrance doors can be one of the main sources of energy loss within properties, especially if door construction is poor, there is insufficient draught proofing or if there is excessive inset glazing, which can be thermally inefficient.

"It is therefore important that specifiers consider energy efficiency when undertaking door replacement programmes, plus, by specifying doors manufactured with recycled material, social landlords can improve the sustainability credentials of housing stock.

"Permadoor’s new Eco Options can be used individually or in combination to make a significant difference to door replacement programmes, delivering recycling, carbon reduction and thermal efficiency benefits. Plus, with price rises already announced by the major energy suppliers this winter, property improvements that will enhance energy efficiency and help to reduce fuel bills will be welcomed by residents."

The original composite door manufacturer, Permadoor has supplied composite doors to the social housing sector for 21 years. The company’s GRP composite doors replicate the appearance of timber doorsets but offer low maintenance with high performance. Highly resistant to denting, warping and splitting, the doors are secure and durable.

For more information on the choice of Eco Options available from Permadoor, visit www.permadoor.co.uk.

‘Can’t get no satisfaction?’ switch to Swish

9/20/2011

More than 95 per cent of roofline stockists supplied by Swish Building Products reported the company’s overall performance as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’, according to a new customer satisfaction survey.

The figures for 2011 show continuing improvement on 2010, when 89 per cent of respondents used the same categories to describe Swish performance.

The independent research study also revealed that product quality was rated as ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ by 99 per cent of respondents.

Dave Watts, Quality Manager, Swish Building Products, said: “We’re committed to the continual improvement of our business and the service we offer to our customers; understanding what we do well and what we could do better is a fundamental part of that process.

“The findings suggest that our customers place value on our product offer, technical and market expertise. We will invest in these strengths throughout the current market challenges, as we did with our recent acquisition of the New BES6001 Responsible Sourcing Standard which helps developers with more materials points under the Code for Sustainable Homes.”

The satisfaction survey was commissioned as part of Swish’s commitment to continual improvement under its ISO 9001 quality management system.

The study also found that if problems did arise, 97 per cent of Swish stockists rated the company’s response and resolution of those issues as ‘good’ to ‘excellent’.

Dave Watts added, “It’s a cliché but you’re only as good as your last delivery. We’re committed to continual improvement. That includes better and more efficient manufacture underpinned with what we believe to be unparalleled service and support, but we recognize that we have to work at it and will continue to do so.”

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

Dekura announces six-figure investment

8/30/2011

Dekura, the UK’s leading PVC-U recycler, has announced six figure investment in its recycling plant as part of the first phase of major growth plans.

As an accredited and full member of Recovinly, Dekura provides a complete recycling service with the capacity to collect and recycle both post-industrial and post-consumer waste.

It has announced this summer that it has completed the first phase of investment to bring increased operational efficiency to its Telford recycling plant.

Richard Morris, managing director, Dekura, said: “As a pioneer of PVC recycling technology in the UK we have already delivered multi-million pound investment. Things, however, move on and we’re committed to continual improvement across all aspects of our operation.

“This investment increases our capacity and efficiency but also quality of recyclate and that brings new flexibility of use in a new generation of advanced and sustainable products. At a time when oil and raw material prices are on the increase this is something that we believe is of significant importance for the whole of the PVC building products industry.”

The first recycler to recover not only post-industrial but post-consumer PVC-U in the UK, this latest round of investment from Dekura includes new compounders, storage silos, resin silos and cold mixers. Alone this represents a spend on new efficiency totaling almost half a million pounds.

Morris concluded: “Recovery of off cuts and end of life material has always been important for the PVC building products industry, it would have simply been excluded from markets had it not put its house in order environmentally.

“But it’s taken on dual importance not just in supporting environmental sustainability but economic sustainability. Recycled material has a critical part to play in warding off price hikes driven by rising raw material prices at all levels of the industry.”

For more information on Dekura’s PVC-U recycling service visit www.dekura.co.uk, email enquiries@dekura.co.uk, 0800 652 7585.

Grey finish roofline from Swish Building Products delivers at contemporary development

9/14/2011

Essex-based developer Parkland Developments has completed the installation of fascias and soffits in the Hazy Grey coloured finish from Swish Building Products.

The Riverside development in Braintree was commissioned by Chelmer Housing Association and Braintree District Council last year.

Delivered by Parkland Developments, the first two phases of the project are nearing completion, with fascias and soffits from Swish now installed to roofline on all 73 units.

Highly insulated and featuring photovoltaic panels on each property, the contemporary units have been designed to maximize efficiency and minimize ongoing maintenance and running costs.

Steve Crow, production manager, Parkland Homes explained: “We have designed the units to be as efficient as possible. They’re highly insulated and all feature solar panels.

"The roofline fits in with that. We have tried to design out ongoing maintenance costs and so PVC roofline was a good fit."

"The hazy grey finish from Swish Building Products was also a good match to the overall appearance of the project. We had grey rainwater and grey windows so it was important to achieve a good match."

"Clearly the product has moved on significantly in recent years and it shows how flexible PVC can actually be."

Swish Building Products offers a range of co-extruded PVC colours. Alongside Hazy grey this includes Light Grey, Anthracite, Bright White and White.

The cellular PVC specialist also offers a range of foiled wood-grain finishes including cream and Irish Oak, mahogany, rosewood, light oak, white wood grain and black.

Ancillary products including cappit board, window board and trims are also available from its foil range, all of which carry the Swish 10-year guarantee.

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products, said: “Some of the colour options have actually been around for some time but in it is only now that we’re seeing them widely specified with new focus on life time cost savings and affordable delivery.

“Some of the new wood grain foil finishes are by comparison recent innovations but they’re having a significant impact. The Irish Oak finish for example enjoys significant consumer appeal.

“We’re also seeing growth in the commercial sector where wood grain foils are being specified over traditional timber alternatives, where they offer a more durable and lower maintenance alternative.”

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

When time is money

8/25/2011

Seal-Lite Group has reported manufacturing efficiencies of up to 25 per cent since signing to the TwentyFour-Seven system from Swish Window and Doors late last year.

Time and motion studies by the West Country trade fabricator revealed that since switching to the five chamber window system it had successfully trimmed eight to 10 minutes off its door manufacturing process – cutting manufacturing times by a quarter.

Using the Epwin Group’s patented recycled thermally efficient PVC-U reinforcement in place of steel reinforcement in window manufacture, the fabricator reported average time savings of between 10 and 20 per cent.

Chris Shearn, managing director, said new manufacturing efficiencies, supported the fabricator’s aim to bring a more flexible approach to its trade customers.

He said: “The single biggest efficiency that we have seen has been in manufacture of doors, purely because the Swish system comes with fully integrated hardware including a full one-piece keep. We don’t have to fit profile packers or separate shoot bolts top and bottom, a few screws and it’s there.

“When you actually look at the labour involved simply in collecting individual components and pulling them together then it’s really quite a significant time input, if you can eliminate that by using integrated hardware then it’s a very quick win but one which has knock-on effects on the whole production line.”

Manufacturing 350 frames per week, Seal-Lite has grown its trade business in just a couple of years so that it now accounts for almost 60 per cent of turnover. Its decision to switch to Swish’s TwentyFour-Seven system part of a longer term strategy to strengthen its retail and trade credentials.

Shearn continued: “The TwentyFour-Seven is a strong aesthetic match to the system we were using so installers liked it and the transition for them was as smooth as it could be.

“But very simply from our perspective it’s good to work with. As mentioned RCM delivers us a time saving in the factory and our trade customers think it’s great because they don’t have to screw into steel so often, it’s simply easier to work with. It just goes around the factory quicker and that means we can offer shorter turnaround times.”

Seal-Lite’s push into trade has also included the launch of its new Web Designer. This allows installers to place orders at anytime through a dedicated web portal. The system prompts customers for product dimensions and specification and then gives them an instant price, “they simply click to agree and it’s ordered”, added Shearn.

Seal-Lite, which supplies trade customers throughout the South West and as far North as the Midlands, has also committed to offer its trade customers access to a new and far broader choice of finishes by tapping into the extensive colour range offered by Swish.

Developed exclusively for the systems company it features bespoke finishes including off whites, Barley Water and Vanilla, Willow Green. This exclusive offer is launched in addition to wood grains, Irish Oak, Antique Oak, Rosewood, Chartwell Green, Siena, Gale Grey, Beck Brown (black) and other standard offers to give Swish customers access to 20 finish options.

For more information on trade frames visit www.seal-lite.co.uk or call 01275 345 841.

For more information on Swish Window and Door Systems call 0808 178 3040, email info@swishwindows.co.uk or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

New North South composite door set offer unveiled

8/10/2011

Safedoors and Safedoor Scotland have unveiled two distinct new composite door set offers specifically developed to serve markets north and south of the border through dedicated ranges.

From the Epwin Group stable Safedoors will supply trade markets in England and Wales, while Safedoor Scotland will supply fabricators and installers North of the border, operating as a completely independent business.

Paul Lindsay, director, Epwin Group Extruded Products Division, said: “We don’t believe a ‘one size fits all approach works’ in the composite door market. It represents a growth area but your offer has to be right for the end user and there are clear regional variations which can be very difficult to manage if you’re supplying products on a national basis.

“We’re drawing together a lot of collective expertise and resource but it’s being delivered independently by companies and businesses that are far closer to the markets they serve. That delivers increased flexibility on delivery and service but equally a far stronger understanding of what installers need from us to support sales.”

Door sets from Safedoors and Safedoor Scotland feature a dedicated fully reinforced 70mm outer frame from Profile 22, a thermally efficient fully prepped GRP slab, full face aluminium hinges and lock plates, a low threshold with twin seals and 98 per cent recycled cill.

Buying north or South of the border, doors from the Safedoors Network also achieve PAS23/24 and are fully weather tested to BS6375. All doors are also guaranteed for 10 years from the date of installation.

Styles, glass and hardware are selected by Safedoors and Safedoor Scotland independently of each other to reflect differences in end user tastes, climate and regulatory requirements.

Lindsay continued: “The composite door market has changed and evolved and Safedoor has evolved with it, from beginnings as a loose network of local dealers when it was launched by the Epwin Group in 2009, to two independent geographical operations fully geared towards identifying and servicing the specific needs of their target area.”

Safedoor Scotland, is headed by business manager, Chris Connelly. “We’re a Scottish owned, Scottish-run business serving the Scottish composite door market. It’s an offer that we know works and which is already delivering results for a growing number of Scottish installers and fabrication businesses.

“We’re not resting on our laurels but simply by being here at the heart of the Scottish road network in Perth, we can reach our customers far more quickly than UK-wide suppliers and because we can be flexible installers and fabricators can be more flexible and that can win business.”

In England and Wales Safedoors represents a new trade composite door offer from the Epwin Group. Delivered through its composite door manufacturing business Permadoor, it draws on more than two decades experience in supplying the social housing sector to deliver a new dedicated trade offer.

Alan Calverley, marketing manager, Safedoors, said: “We obviously have a lot of heritage in the composite door industry but the trade range is completely new. We’ve underpinned that dedicated product offer with the creation of a team of trade sales specialists and new customer service centre, there to support our trade customers.

“What they’re getting is all of the service and support they would get and more from a trade supplier but are also able to tap into more than 20 years manufacturing experience and the quality that that brings to product manufacture.”

For further information on Safedoor Scotland please visit www.safedoor-scotland.co.uk or call 01738 441 565.

For more information on Safedoors call 01684 595200 or visit www.safedoors.co.uk

‘Double-decker’ WER and foils campaign delivers ‘Boost’ to PVC-U aesthetics

9/14/2011

Profile 22 fabricator, Stafford has secured a two-year contract to supply foiled WER ‘A’ rated windows to Bournville Works Housing Society.

Set up in 1919 to provide housing for employees and pensioners of chocolatiers, Cadbury, Bournville Works Housing Society (BWHS), manages and maintains 314 properties in the Bournville area of Birmingham.

The project which began early this summer and will run for two years, will see Stafford, a member of Profile 22’s Approved Commercial Manufacturer Scheme, replace old timber, aluminium and PVC-U installations, with new Window Energy Rated ‘A’ rated windows across BWHS’ entire portfolio.

This represents the first large scale specification of PVC-U windows and composite doors to period properties in Bournville. As such and in the interest of preserving the character of inpidual properties and the area more widely aesthetics were prioritised as part of project delivery.

Working in partnership with Stafford, members of the committee opted to select a cream wood grain effect foil finish from Profile 22, emulating the appearance of original timber windows.

Dee Benning, commercial sales and operations manager, Stafford, said: “I actually grew up not very far from here and you always knew Bournville was a bit special. On a personal level I’ve felt a lot of responsibility to get this one ‘spot on’ and to make sure that what we’re installing is as strong a match to original windows as possible.

“That we’re able to do that in PVC-U shows just how far our product has come. It’s still low maintenance but the aesthetics are far advanced.”

The committee and Stafford also worked closely alongside the specification team at Bournville Architects to refine window frets to deliver a strong match to timber originals.

Sam Chatterley, chair, Bournville Works Housing Society, said: “The aesthetics were important to us. We didn’t want to damage or undermine the character of inpidual properties or the area at large.

“The original product from Profile 22 was 90 or 95 per cent there when we got it. The cream wood grain delivered a strong match to the old timber windows - it was simply an issue of refining it a little, for example hardware and fret bars to deliver a near perfect match to originals.”

In February Profile 22 became the first and to date the only PVC-U window systems company to secure a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications for its low carbon recycled window system RECO22.

The system, developed specifically for the commercial sector, features profile extruded from 100 per cent recycled PVC-U and a thin foiled colour or wood grain finish, added to ensure colour uniformity and to deliver an enhanced aesthetic.

Andrew Reid, commercial sales development director Profile 22, said: “None of us are under any illusions, the market remains tough but contracts are still out there in the commercial sector to be won providing that you have the right product portfolio and are committed to putting in the work to pick up new business.”

For more information on Stafford Aluminium visit www.staffordaluminium.co.uk, email sales@staffordaluminium.co.uk or call 01785 246 516.

For more information on Profile 22’s range of next generation high performance products visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Forward thinking, traditional values: Epwin Group records more than 35 years in business

8/17/2011

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building products supplier has recorded its 35th year in business in what remains a turbulent year for the UK window industry.

Set up by Group chairman Jim Rawson in 1976, the group has grown to become one of the leading innovators in sustainable PVC-U building technology recording its 35th year of continuous trading this summer.

With flagship brands including Profile 22, Swish Window and Door Systems, Swish Building Products, Quantal, Sierra and Permadoor among more than 30 Group businesses, the Epwin Group remains a leader in sustainable innovation in PVC-U building technology.

RECO22 the Epwin Group’s latest offering, is a new window profile manufactured solely from recycled material. It became the first and to date the only window system in any material type to secure a dedicated A+ BRE rating across domestic applications earlier this year.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Group, said: “After 35 years we’re still very much holding our own in what is without doubt an exceptionally difficult market for any one in it. If there are green shoots of recovery they’re looking pretty fragile and will need to be carefully nurtured if they are to blossom.

“I don’t believe we should be looking for or resting our hopes on the prospect of any quick governmental fix. October 2012 and the Green Deal is still some way off and how much of a part windows and doors will have to play in it is still unclear, although we obviously wish the current GGF campaign well.

“Instead it will be those companies who pursue steady and sustained growth through effective sales strategies and relevant product innovation who will make it to the other side, whenever that may be. As for us, well we’re quietly getting on with doing business. We see product development and innovation as integral to that strategy and we continue to invest in product innovation across our inpidual brands within a sustainability mindset.”

The Epwin Group’s origins can be traced back to the 1975 Hanover Building Materials Exhibition. Featuring PVC-U, a new product to the UK building industry, Jim was quick to spot its potential applications as a flexible, durable and low maintenance material, two years later showing his prototype PVC-U window at the Ideal Home Show in London.

Floated on the Stock Exchange in 1987, the Epwin Group was brought back into private ownership after more than a decade of success as a public company to give the management team greater opportunity to focus on the business and customers.

Claiming many industry firsts, including the manufacture of the UK’s first window system made solely from recycled PVC-U in 2004, the Group continues to fly the flag for the PVC-U window industry and will attend Ecobuild at London’s Excel centre on 20-22 March 2012.

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

New Swish Building Products accreditation ‘scores’ developers Code points

8/10/2011

Swish Building Products has secured the green standard BES6001 across its roofline range, delivering instant point wins to house builders under the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The PVC roofline specialist joined a handful of companies to have secured the new standard in the summer meeting a range of strict criteria ensuring responsible sourcing of construction products.

Including an assessment of organisational governance, supply chain management and social and environmental impact, the new standard was written into the Code for Sustainable Homes in late 2010.

In securing the standard across its PVC fascia, soffit, cladding and window board ranges Swish Building Products is able to offer developers access to a product offer that gives them maximum points under the Code (tier level 1).

This represents to date a unique achievement for a PVC company, matching FSC timber specifications in Mat2 and Mat3 of the Code. The Swish certification can also be viewed on the Green Book Live website www.greenbooklive.com .

Greg Wilde, Swish Building Products, said: “We believe that the standard is confirmation of just how serious Swish is about its responsibilities to its customers and to the wider construction industry.

“In ensuring that we source our materials in a responsible and ethical manner we’re able to support our customers in delivering sustainable new homes efficiently and effectively and with minimal impact on the environment.”

BES6001 ‘pulls’ together a number of other standards to demonstrate a commitment to responsible sourcing of materials. Swish Building Products only secured the new standard after previously securing the quality management standard ISO9001, the environmental management standard ISO14001 and occupational health and safety OHSAS18001.

Swish also had to demonstrate that it had policies and management systems in place to make sure that the raw materials it purchases come from responsibly and sustainably managed sources.

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

Swish sales coordinator leads England to victory at the golf World Team Cup

7/26/2011

Swish Window and Door Systems sales coordinator Tony Lloyd has led the England team to an historic victory at the golfing World Team Cup.

Organised by the Scottish Disability Golf Partnership the competition brought top disabled golfers from around the globe to Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort, Glasgow for a four day challenge.

The Shropshire-based golfer, led the 12-strong England team to an historic first victory in the competition this month [July], piping Scotland by just two points with 36 points to claim the cup.

Tony said: “The scores were changing so often it was hard to follow. Huge credit has to go to Scotland as they pulled it back to level a few times and it went right down to the wire. But when it came down to it my team once again made me proud to be amongst them pulling in 21 points on the final day.

“The tension was unbearable at times and I walked away from the scoreboard to watch the matches coming down the 18th hole. But the elation that I think we all felt once the final card was in, counted and verified was overwhelming.

“Receiving the beautiful crystal trophy as World Cup winners on behalf of Team England is easily the highlight of my sporting life.”

Tony, who was born with arms ending at the elbows [COR] started playing golf as a child, taking up the sport in earnest in 2005 representing England in the Home Nations Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010. He has also finished third two years running in the British Open.

For more information visit Tony’s website www.tonylloydgolf.co.uk.

For more information on Swish Window and Door Systems call 0808 178 3040, email info@swishwindows.co.uk or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

New social housing brochure from Permadoor

7/20/2011

Social housing specialist Permadoor has introduced a new brochure covering its extensive range of composite and fire doors for housing, flats and outbuildings.

The 16-page brochure contains full details of Permadoor’s high performance GRP and thermoplastic-faced composite doors, as well as information on the company’s growing range of independently tested Premier Fire doors.

The brochure includes a quick reference U-value calculator to help specifiers meet energy efficiency requirements, together with a gallery of door styles for each range.

The original composite door manufacturer, Permadoor has supplied composite doors to the social housing sector for 21 years.

The company’s GRP composite doors replicate the appearance of timber doorsets but offer low maintenance with high performance. Highly resistant to denting, warping and splitting, the doors are secure, durable and also available with sustainable ECO options for lower U-values, improving the thermal insulation and with frames and cills made from recycled material.

Permadoor’s Premier Fire doorsets offer 30 and 60 minutes fire resistance and have been successfully tested to BS476 (Parts 22 and 31). Available with GRP or thermoplastic facings, the fire doors are ideal for properties where Building Regulations require a fully approved FD30S fire doorset in flats, shared entrances and multiple entrance dwellings, for example.

Alongside the new brochure, Permadoor has also introduced a new door selector poster to make it easier for customers to specify the right door style for each building project.

To request a copy of the new Permadoor brochure and poster, telephone 01684 595200. For information on the Permadoor range, visit www.permadoor.co.uk.

Wrekin Windows on display at Manchester Eco-House

7/18/2011

Wrekin Windows, the specialist supplier of low maintenance PVC-U windows to the social housing sector, has a new range of sustainable windows and doors on display in Manchester’s pioneering eco-house project.

The eco-home project in Penzance Street, Manchester, features two terraced properties from the 1900s that Manchester City Council knocked together, re-developed and brought up to the standards of a new-build eco house, meeting BRE Ecohomes criteria.

The properties were in a poor state of disrepair and had “hard to heat”: solid wall construction, typical of the period but the work led to the property achieving a “Very Good” EcoHomes rating for this type of home.

Wrekin Windows’ latest window range is fabricated from RECO22, an innovative 100 per cent recycled window system, which achieves an ‘A+’ rating in the BRE Green Guide.

The double doors installed in the eco-house also feature a doorframe fabricated from Reco22,, which has an aesthetically appealing white woodgrain effect finish to complement the door leaf.

The eco-house was designed to showcase the concept of energy efficiency in a practical ‘hands on’ environment. Wrekin Windows had previously been involved in projects at Liverton Court, with Manchester Working and Northwards Housing, and the Manchester team were impressed with the Reco22 concept.

Available in a triple-glazed bead and featuring a centre pane u-value of as low as 0.8W/m2k, Wrekin Windows’ RECO22 windows and doors range delivers significant in-life energy and CO2 savings.

The Manchester eco house in Miles Platting showcases simple, everyday examples of how residents can reduce their energy consumption, with products ranging from low-energy light bulbs to solar-powered hot water and the improved insulation values and recycled content in the Wrekin Windows product range fit perfectly into this environment.

The Manchester eco house has also joined the 'Old Home Superhome' project - a national network of homes that are open to the public to show great examples of energy-efficient measures in action.

As a result of the refurbishment work, the Manchester City Council Energy Group calculated that both energy costs and CO2 emissions were cut substantially. In the case of Number 28, the carbon emissions fell from 5.2 to an estimated 2.2 tonnes per annum and the estimated fuel cost fell by over 50%.

John Williams, Sales and Marketing Manager at Wrekin Windows, commented:

“The new RECO22 window range together with our commitment to a sustainable environment fits perfectly with the ideals of the eco-home in Manchester. We were delighted to work with the local teams and the City Council Energy Group to help drive forward the use of environmentally friendly products and services at a community level.”

Part of the Epwin Group, an independent British business with substantial manufacturing and processing plants in the UK, Wrekin Windows holds a full suite of accreditations and operates a stringent quality management system to ensure all products comply with industry standards and building regulations.

For further information on the full range of products from Wrekin Windows, call 01952 205000, email info@wrekin-windows.co.uk or visit www.wrekin-windows.co.uk.

To visit the eco house or to find out more information, please email energy_team@manchester.gov.uk or telephone Diana Clayton on 0161 234 5312.

Dekura appoints new MD

7/14/2011

Dekura, the UK’s leading PVC-U recycler, has appointed Richard Morris as its new managing director.

He joins the business on an internal transfer from Epwin Group lamination specialist Foilex, appointed to oversee significant new investment in the recycling operation.

Richard Morris, managing director, Dekura, said: “Rising oil prices plus uncertainty surrounding security of supply make the recovery and recycling of manufacturing ‘waste’ and end of life material not only the environmentally sustainable option but also the only commercially sustainable option.

“For that reason it’s an exceptionally exciting time to join Dekura. I look forward to working with what is a hugely dedicated team, to meet future challenges and capitalise on new opportunities to continue to deliver an unparalleled service to our existing and new customers.”

As an accredited and full member of Recovinly, Dekura provides a complete recycling service with the capacity to collect and recycle both post-industrial and post-consumer waste. The company is at the forefront of PVC-U recycling innovation including all aspects of waste planning and management.

The first recycler to recover not only post-industrial but post-consumer PVC-U in the UK, no recoverable material is sent to landfill by Dekura. Importantly, the company also offers full-cycle traceability on all material it collects.

Tony Williams, operations director, Extruded Products Division, said: “In his new role Richard will help to ensure Dekura continues to lead the market in the recycling of PVC-U and provide the Epwin Group with a sound basis for the manufacturing of sustainable products. I wish him well in his new position.”

For more information on Dekura’s PVC-U recycling service visit www.dekura.co.uk, email enquiries@dekura.co.uk, 0800 652 7585.

Quantal launches new sun room GRP fascia detail

7/14/2011

Quantal has unveiled its new sun room fascia detail and ‘orangery’ flat roof façade, developed to deliver enhanced aesthetics and more closely emulate the appearance of a traditional orangery installation.

The sun room roofing system was launched by Quantal earlier this year, developed to facilitate access to new markets by emulating the interior appearance of an orangery but at a price more affordable to the end user.

An internal soffit emulates the internal aesthetic of an orangery using a traditional conservatory construct with the aim of tapping into the aspirational consumer appeal of an orangery but combining it with increased flexibility and lower cost delivery.

The system, the first to be launched to the conservatory market, now also boasts a new timber grain effect GRP fascia detail. This features a relief detail at its bottom edge, and cornice detail at the top.

The fascia hides rafter ends and end stops, while a flat roof façade emulates the appearance of the flat roof section of an orangery roof.

Ian Cocken, general sales manager, Quantal, said: “Externally the fascia and soffit sits 300mm proud of the window frame so to all intents and purposes looking at the sun room system from outside or in, its appearance emulates that of an orangery but at a fraction of the cost and that gives it far broader commercial appeal.

“The other significant advantage is that ‘conservatory rules’ apply. If you’re fitting the Quantal Sun Room system you’re still fitting a conservatory roof so there simply aren’t the barriers to entry that exist to entry to the traditional orangery market.

The sun room system more broadly, is built around Quantal’s box section eaves system. Engineered to accommodate twist-fit brackets eaves sit on top of the window frame and forms the anchorage for an internal soffit.

This is built around plywood timber webs, pre-cut to accommodate cross members, cable cut outs and the Quantal Heritage internal cladding.

Timber cross members are then fixed to create an internal frame and fix for plasterboard. An internal heritage cladding option means that a decorative internal cladding can be added to deliver an alternative decorative finish to the more contemporary ‘flat’ plasterboard option.

An internal top cladding is added to close the soffit from above. Alternatively Quantal also supplies a DGSU, which features a translucent film pre-fixed to the internal pane to hide fixings around sun room eaves.

Cocken concluded: “The additional benefit that the system delivers is that the sun room’s construction is significantly lighter than that of a traditional orangery. This means that it can be installed on original footings where an earlier conservatory is being replaced. This flexibility clearly has an impact on price, increasing affordability and market accessibility.&rdquo

For further information about Quantal and its product range, call 01626 832355, email info@quantal.co.uk or visit www.quantal.co.uk.

Profile 22 secures Sustainable Housing Awards short listing for its low carbon recycled window system

7/12/2011

Profile 22, has been short listed in the sustainability innovation category of the Sustainable Housing Awards 2011 for its low carbon BRE rated recycled window system RECO22.

The fourth year in succession that the Epwin Group PVC-U windows systems company has achieved a short listing, RECO22 is manufactured solely from recycled material.

Using just six per cent of CO2 in production compared to profile manufactured using virgin material the system secured a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications from the Building Research Establishment in February this year.

This is a first and to date the only award of a dedicated A+ BRE rating for any window system in any material type. The system also boasts its own listing in the BRE’s Green Book Live.

Achieving a u-value of as low as 0.8W/m2K, RECO22 also delivers significant energy and by implication CO2 savings in life.

Andrew Reid, commercial sales development director, Profile 22 said: “We have a window that in using recycled profile dramatically cuts the CO2 used in production and by combining recycled content with advanced thermal performance will help cut CO2 during its service life.

“It supports the sector in hitting targets in new build in the Green Guide, the Code for Sustainable Homes and for cutting the carbon footprint of existing social housing.”

The Sustainable Housing Awards, organised by Inside Housing magazine and its sister publication Sustainable Housing, focus on the best green social housing projects and innovations. Last year nearly 600 people attended the event, which was hosted by comedian Mark Watson, and in 2009 Jon Snow was the master of ceremonies.

Nick Duxbury, editor of Sustainable Magazine said: “Now in their fourth year, the Sustainable Housing awards 2011 have, once again, been inundated with entries from the leading green organisations featuring the most innovative and impressive projects in the UK.

“It is a fantastic achievement for Profile 22 to be shortlisted in the face of such fierce competition. We are thrilled to be able to host the awards ceremony that recognises the work of the housing sector’s sustainable pioneers.’

This year’s event will be hosted by comedian, actor and climate change campaigner Marcus Brigstocke and held at the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Friday 21st October.

For more information on Profile 22’s range of next generation high performance products visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Shooter Targets London 2012 With Window Store Support

7/6/2011

Olympic hopeful Charlotte Kerwood has received backing from PVC-U building products expert, Window Store, in her bid to represent Great Britain at London 2012.

A former European and Commonwealth champion, and currently the top ranked female shooter in Great Britain, Charlotte is working hard to ensure qualification for next year’s games.

This has been made all the more likely thanks to a regular donation by The Window Store’s Eastbourne branch. Suppliers to the trade and DIY enthusiasts of a wide range of windows, doors and conservatories, the company have been regular financial supporters of Charlotte’s local shooting club, which has helped Charlotte in her Olympic training.

Commenting on her Olympic aspirations and the support that has helped her so far, Charlotte said:

“All the training and competitions I have undertaken over the past four years has been about reaching London 2012. I think it’s the same for most UK-based competitors – to represent your country is a real honour but to represent them in your home country is the ultimate.

“I’ve been a member at Northall Clay Pigeon Club for many years and the role it’s played in helping me achieve my various accolades should not be under-estimated.

After the Beijing games, shooting budgets were cut and a lot of work has had to be put into securing funding ahead of next year’s games. Whilst larger organisations like Sport England have been fantastic, it is the backing of companies, like The Window Store, that have made me feel very proud of my community.

Every year the money they generously donate goes toward improving facilities at Northall CPC and ensuring that it is there for the next generation of Olympians.

Karl Lodwick, South East Regional Manager for The Window Store, added:

We’re all tremendously proud of Charlotte’s fantastic achievements to date and wish her every success in her Olympic bid.

Northall is a great shooting club and a fantastic facility for the local community, ensuring that sporting diversity is maintained. Here, at The Window Store, we feel it is important to support local clubs in and around our branches, which do a great job in providing a service to local communities.

The Window Store has 15 branches across the southern counties, the midlands and Wales and supplies a wide range of plastic based home improvement products. The company is part of the Epwin Group, a leading independent British company, based in Cheltenham.

For more information on The Window Store and to find other branches, visit www.windowstoreplastics.co.uk.

Sales coordinator to lead English team at the Golf World Team Cup

6/27/2011

Swish Window and Door Systems sales coordinator Tony Lloyd will captain the England team at this summer’s golfing World Team Cup.

The competition organised by the Scottish Disability Golf Partnership brings top disabled golfers from around the globe to Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort, Glasgow for a four day competition.

Tony, aged 40, who works as part of the sales support team at Swish Window and Door Systems, will lead out the 12-strong England team on July 15th.

The Shropshire-based golfer who finished third two years running in the British Open, said he was looking forward to the challenge.

He said: “It’s a fantastic honour to lead the England team out. It’s one of the biggest events in the disabled golfing calendar and attracts players from as far afield as the United States and Canada to Pakistan.

“It’s run on a similar format to the Ryder Cup with four teams including a world team, each with 12 players, it’s a fantastic setting and should be a superb event.”

Tony, who was born with arms ending at the elbows [COR] started playing golf as a child, taking up the sport in earnest in 2005 representing England in the Home Nations Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010.

Successfully cutting his golfing handicap from 22 to 14.3 in the past 18 months his current rich vein of form and previous experience as captain of the England diabled cricket team, made him a popular choice for the national captaincy.

“I played a lot of cricket through the mid-nineteen nineties through to 2000 or so and as captain I learnt a lot about helping people to get the most out of their game”, said Tony.

He continued: “I think I probably have a bit of a big mouth but if you really get behind someone, encourage and support them you can really lift them to a new level and I’ll be doing my best to do that in July.”

While national and international competitions are among the highlights of Tony’s sporting calendar, he has also recorded a number of successes at his home club, Horsehay Village Golf Club near Telford.

He said: “I play at least 99 per cent of my golf at Horsehay and as the only disabled golfer play against able-bodied opponents but despite that have still managed to record a few club competition wins.

“But that’s beside the way first and foremost it’s the support that has been important. It’s a great club, everyone is incredibly friendly and welcoming and if it wasn’t for that and the people there I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today, I can’t thank them enough.”

Tony is also looking for additional sponsorship and support from local Midlands and Shropshire-based businesses. For more information visit www.tonylloydgolf.co.uk.

For more information call 0808 178 3040, email info@swishwindows.co.uk or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

Tony will be in action July 15th to July 19th, the World Team Cup, Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort, www.sdgp.co.uk

ENDS

Profile 22 unveils new triple glazed 'Code 6' window system

9/14/2011

Profile 22, the commercial window systems specialist, has launched a new triple glazed bead options capable of achieving U-values as low as 0.8 W/m2K.

Developed specifically for the commercial and specification sectors the triple glazed bead allows specifiers to achieve Code Level 6 and beyond.

Fully tested on an industry standard side hung fixed combination 1230mm by 1480mm window, development also included hardware trials and full opening/closing cycle testing.

Andrew Reid, commercial sales development director, Profile 22, said: “The new triple glazed option offered by Profile 22, allow developers to specify an exceptionally high performing and thermally efficient window and one that will deliver against criteria set out under Code level 6.

“What’s also significant is that the product that we have tested is the industry standard window for the calculation of U and WER values. That’s to say it’s not an ‘artificial’ specification that’s been manipulated to achieve a low U-value and ‘headline claims’.”

The triple glazed bead option means that Profile 22’s systems can accommodate a 36mm unit. A triple-glazed option is also available in system specialists new RECO22 offering. Again, capable of achieving U-values as low as 0.8 W/m2K, the system is manufactured solely from recycled material. A thin foiled colour or wood grain finish is then added to ensure colour uniformity and to deliver an enhanced aesthetic.

Its manufacture from 100 per cent recycled material means that the system cuts the carbon footprint of extruded profile to just six per cent* of that manufactured using virgin material. This has secured RECO22 a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications from the Building Research Establishment – a first for the window industry.

Reid continues: “Specifically developed for the new build and commercial sector RECO22 is available in 18 different wood grain and colour finishes, plus dual colour options. This includes a range of finishes, for example light-oak, white and cream wood-grains delivering a strong aesthetic match to timber.

“With a dedicated A+ rating from the BRE across domestic application and low U-values, it also wins developers points under the Code.”

For more information visit www.swishwindows.co.uk; www.profile22.co.uk, or call 01952 290910.

ENDS

Worth far more than the paper it’s written on

9/14/2011

Swish Window and Door Systems has added a new and highly cost effective consumer insurance backed guarantee to its authorised installer scheme designed to tip the ‘sales’ balance in the favour of its members.

Available to qualifying retailers, the scheme has been developed to give installers access to new sales platforms including full deposit protection alongside 10 years guaranteed ‘peace of mind’ on works undertaken.

Rob McGlennon, sales director, Swish Window and Door Systems, said: “Consumer confidence is always critical and particularly at a time when many retail businesses are struggling and in the worst case scenario, going out of business.

“Swish is one of the very few, if not the only window and door systems company to enjoy national brand reputation outside the industry and for that reason it’s that little bit easier to generate leads.

“But more importantly being able to sit down with the homeowner and offer 10 year’s peace of mind on the product that they’re buying and the quality of work that’s being delivered, those leads are that much easier to convert.”

Including conservatories and conservatory base work, in addition to windows and doors, the scheme starts from just £19.75 per installation, under-written by the only UK domiciled insurance provider QANW.

To qualify, Swish Authorised Installers have to register each installation with QANW. For those already registered with Certass, this single registration allows them to meet their obligations under building control at the same time.

Certass is also offering Trustmark status – the Government backed responsible trades people campaign – to those installers registered with both it and the Swish Authorised Installer Scheme.

The insurance backed guarantee is also open to FENSA and BSi registered installers, however, they must register their installations with their member schemes separately to secure appropriate building regulation compliance certificates.

McGlennon added: “Consumers want to buy with confidence and the Swish logo acts as that stamp of assurity. The new insurance backed guarantee strengthens that proposition, something which we believe will give retail businesses a distinct commercial advantage going forward.”

The new insurance backed guarantee has been launched as part of a major re-invigoration of its authorised installer scheme by Swish. Under the re-designed offer a percentage of the value of each installation registered to QANW goes back to the installer towards a monthly marketing and support ‘fund’ from Swish.

Swish Authorised Installers can also access Swish’s U-comply thermal ratings calculator via their fabricator, accessing labels and ratings at no additional charge.

For more information about the Swish Window and Door Systems Authorised Installer Scheme on 0808 178 3040, email info@swishwindows.co.uk or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

ENDS

ISO14001: Fuelling efficiency

4/18/2011

Roofline and rainwater manufacturer Swish Building Products has achieved an 8.5 per cent cut in fuel consumption of its fleet per tonne of product delivered despite increasing sales volumes.

Completed as part of a broader commitment to reduce its environmental impact under the green management system ISO14001, Swish employed computer modeling and increased frequency of servicing to deliver the saving.

Richard Lacey, transport manager, Swish Building Products said, “2010 was a tough year and as we all know transport costs aren’t improving in 2011. That’s why we’re doing all we can to keep our costs down.

“We’ve got clever planning software in the office, all our drivers have been through training to sharpen up their thinking about economy, we get the trucks in for tuning and servicing come what may and we can see now that all the work is paying off.”

The company reports other environmental and efficiency successes during its fourth year under ISO14001 certification. On top of its diesel savings, electricity and water consumption has been cut and it sent a third less waste of any kind to landfill.

In total since gaining ISO14001 in 2007, Swish has reduced the amount of waste which cannot be recycled on site by 72 per cent.

Richard added: “There’s no doubt that ISO14001 has made us greener and more competitive at the same time. Going forward we continue to invest and a new fleet of ultra efficient Euro5 compliant trucks are being delivered soon which will help us achieve ongoing targets.”

For more information on Swish’s full range of rainwater, roofline and cladding products visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

ENDS

‘Security by design’ – PatioMaster announces SBD offering

4/4/2011

PatioMaster has been awarded the security standard Secured by Design (SBD) for its new enhanced security inline sliding door range.

Following rigorous testing, the door adapted from PatioMaster’s high performance standard range, was awarded the accreditation at the beginning of this month [April].

Enhanced security features build on the inherent strength in the PatioMaster inline sliding door. This includes the addition of two patio interlock bolts which lock the sliding panel to the fixed frame and which mean that would-be burglars cannot force the door apart.

The SBD door also features a full width security head rail, which runs across the full width of the top opening panel and a full height security keep rail, designed to strengthen the sliding sash at the corners.

The SBD specification also comes with enhanced performance hardware including the Euro Profile anti-bump cylinder AND a PAS24 handle, fully tested to withstand three minutes of manual attack.

Rob McGlennon, sales director, PatioMaster said: “Our standard specification has always performed strongly, has been rigorously tested and delivers a high standard of security.

“What we have done is to build on those very firm foundations to address and meet the specific criteria set out by Secured by Design because we believe that the accreditation, already widely recognized in the commercial sector and increasingly in the retail market, gives our customers additional commercial advantage.”

Employing multiple locking points, combined with a built-in ‘anti-jacking’ system, reinforced profile and high performance hardware, the standard inline sliding door offer from PatioMaster meets rigorous security standards and comes complete with a 10 year product guarantee against wear and tear rather than just break-in.

Standard and SBD specifications also include a multi-chamber 60mm sash and a slim stepped 86mm outer frame designed to reduce plaster cutback, plus low threshold options. Again, both systems are also available in 19 different colour and woodgrain foiled finish options.

Owned by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Secured by Design aims to improve home security through the performance and design of buildings and building products.

Richard Childs, managing director, SBD said: “Secured by Design gives end users an assurance that the product that they are purchasing performs to the highest security standard. That gives them peace of mind and those companies who make the investment in SBD a strong sales platform.

“Inline sliding doors haven’t always historically enjoyed the best of reputations from a security perspective but the industry has responded and delivered a new generation of enhanced performance products.

“It’s a prime example of how by working with responsible manufacturers we are together able to make homes safer and more secure.”

According to the latest figures published by the British Crime Survey there were 710,000 house break-ins in the year to September 2010. Up nine per cent on the previous year, this equates to more than one break in every minute.

PatioMaster boasts ten authorised manufacturers nationally from East Kilbride in Scotland to Paignton in Devon and from Lowestoft in Suffolk to Kidderminster in Worcestershire, PatioMaster offers a unique national network of specialist regional manufacturers coupled with the back up of a comprehensive national customer support strategy.

To find your nearest PatioMaster or for more information on the PatioMaster network call 0808 178 3370 or visit www.patiomaster.co.uk.

FACTBOX: SBD enhanced security performance from PatioMaster:

Patio Interlock bolts - two bolts located at the top and bottom of the door lock the sliding panel to the fixed frame. This means that the doors can’t be forced apart.
Security head rail – a full width rail running across the top of the opening panel builds on performance in the standard specification to stop the door being lifted off and out of its track.
Full height security keep rail – supports and strengthens the sliding sash at the corners
PAS24 handle – high security handle with a thicker and stronger back plate fully tested to withstand three minutes of manual attack
Euro profile anti-bump cylinder – Prevents entry through disabling of locking mechanism.

PatioMaster boasts ten authorised manufacturers nationally from East Kilbride in Scotland to Paignton in Devon and from Lowestoft in Suffolk to Kidderminster in Worcestershire, PatioMaster offers a unique national network of specialist regional manufacturers coupled with the back up of a comprehensive national customer support strategy.

Inline sliding doors from PatioMaster include a multi-chamber 60mm sash and a slim stepped 86mm outer frame designed to reduce plaster cutback. Employing multiple locking points, combined with a built-in ‘anti-jacking’ system, reinforced profile and high performance hardware, the system also meet rigorous security standards and comes complete with a 10 year product guarantee against wear and tear rather than just break-in.

Rob concluded: “The inline sliding door has gone through a reinvention and colour choice is latest innovation as part of this process sitting alongside low-thresholds, six-point locking, improved thermal performance, draft proofing and low-line gaskets – it’s a complete sales proposition.”

To find your nearest PatioMaster or for more information on the PatioMaster network call 0808 178 3370 or visit www.patiomaster.co.uk.

Ends

Epwin Group to showcase flagship BRE A+ 100 per cent recycled window at Greenbuild

3/28/2011

The Epwin Group will showcase its award winning range of sustainable and low maintenance building products at Greenbuild Manchester.

Attending the show this year under a Group umbrella, Wrekin Windows, Permadoor and Swish Building Products will profile their extensive PVC-U building products ranges.

This will include RECO22 the Epwin Group’s new window profile, which manufactured solely from recycled material, uses just six per cent of CO2 in production compared to profile manufactured using virgin material.

Having won national recognition as winner of the Best Recycled Product 2009, the system secured a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications from the Building Research Establishment in February this year.

This is a first and to date the only award of a dedicated A+ BRE rating for any window system in any material type. The system also boasts its own listing in the BRE’s Green Book Live.

Achieving a u-value of as low as 0.8W/m2K, RECO22 also delivers significant energy and by implication CO2 savings in life.

Also available in a door framing eco option from Wrekin sister company and composite door specialist Permadoor, the system features a thin foiled finish and is available in a choice of wood grain and colour options.

John Williams, sales director Wrekin Windows, said: "RECO22 uses just six per cent of carbon in production as profile made from virgin material and can achieve u-values as low as 0.8W/m2K. It represents a real opportunity for the commercial sector to specify a product that is both low carbon in manufacture and low carbon in life."

Swish Building Products, the Epwin Group's specialist roofline business is also represented as part of a new combined group offer and will showcase its pioneering, 'low CO2', recycled PVC rainwater system.

Short-listed in Best Recycled Product category, the National Recycling Awards 2010, it brings tons of end of life material back into use rainwater and guttering profiles are manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material.

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group visit stand C27 Greenbuild Manchester June 29th to 30th or visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

Redefining sustainability in an age of austerity

3/11/2011

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building products group, has warned that choices of building material and products in a new age of austerity could exert an adverse impact on the built environment for generations to come.

Speaking at ecobuild, Excel, London, David Wrigley, managing director, Epwin Group Extruded Products, argued that faced with growing fiscal constraint the choices made by specifiers would have a far reaching impact.

Urging contractors, developers and the public sector to come together, he argued it was imperative that a new approach to project delivery was adopted if future works were to deliver not just environmental sustainability but social and economic too.

He said: “Reality is biting for the construction sector. The money simply isn’t there in the volume that it was and it needs to tighten its belt accordingly. This needs to begin with a re-think. Re-thinking the supply chain and re-thinking material choice – austerity increases responsibility for prudent spend. It doesn’t have to equate to cutting the number of projects that are delivered.

“We are here today at ecobuild surrounded by example on example of how innovation in building product technology is offering the construction industry and the social and public sectors affordable and sustainable building solutions. Present challenges need to be seen less as a reason for non-delivery and more as an opportunity to reassess material and product use in modern construction.”

This theme was developed by the Epwin Group at this year’s building expo - the fourth year in succession that Group had showcased its award winning product portfolio at ecobuild. This included RECO22, the low carbon window system from Epwin Group business Profile 22.

Featuring profile extruded from 100 per cent recycled PVC-U and a thin foiled colour or wood grain finish, added to ensure colour uniformity and to deliver an enhanced aesthetic, the system is the first and only window system to date, to have secured an A+ listing from the Building Research Establishment in the Green Book Live.

It’s manufacture from 100 per cent recycled material also means that the award winning system cuts the carbon footprint of extruded profile to just six per cent* of that manufactured using virgin material.

Profile 22 sister company and roofline specialist Swish Building Products also attended this year’s event with its pioneering, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system - short-listed in the same category for the National Recycling Awards 2010. The Epwin Group’s specialist door business Permadoor also exhibited at this year’s event, showcasing the new RECO22 door frame.

Wrigley concluded: “Technical innovation means that solutions are there at the disposal of specifiers. They can deliver the same strong aesthetics, the same or enhanced thermal performance, and importantly, lower life time costs but to do so they need to face the reality that that may involve something of a reconsideration.

“The economic climate will remain hostile for the near future. The economic landscape has changed and the construction industry needs to change with it or we run the risk of leaving a whole generation of building projects from schools and colleges to social and affordable housing, undelivered.

“Conversely the technical innovation is there amongst building products suppliers to meet this challenge if the appetite is there among specifiers to do so.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

Epwin Group WER and U-value calculator wins BSi approval

3/2/2011

U-Comply, the U-value and WER calculator and Part L compliance tool from the Epwin Group has secured approval from professional standards body BSi.

The cost-effective and easy route to Part L compliance was launched in October by Epwin Group extrusion businesses, Profile 22 and Swish Window and Door Systems.

Having already secured approval from both CERTASS and FENSA, the scheme gives fabricators access to an easy to use online calculator, which allows them to demonstrate compliance on any number of specifications.

This significantly reduces the cost involved in approving products while providing fabricators and installers with a clear and demonstrable route to compliance with the last October’s regulations.

Lawson Price, divisional technical sales manager, Epwin Group Extruded Products Division, said: “The honeymoon period is now over, Part L compliance is a very real issue – you can’t fit a window without being able to prove compliant performance.

“U-Comply simplifies this process. Capable of generating results against almost any combination of components it eliminates cost and brings new flexibility to compliance with building regs through either the WER or U-value route - all fabricators have to do is input the specification to see if a product combination complies.”

Fabricators who subscribe to U-comply are given unlimited access to the password controlled calculator allowing them to input any combination of frame, reinforcement, components and glass unit configurations. The calculator generates both U-values and WERs and also allows fabricators to print off certification and specification documents.

Installers who buy both glass and frames from their supplier can simply ‘piggy back’ on their fabricator’s accreditation. Those buying in glass and frames separately can access the scheme through their frame fabricator, providing that they can demonstrate through an auditable trail that the glass they use is the same as used in the calculated model.

Price added: “U-comply simplifies compliance. It using figures cross referenced against figures from actual simulations collated over a period of four or more years. Results are exceptionally accurate so fabricators don’t have to ‘over-specify’ products simply to be sure of compliance, manufacturing costs are as a consequence restricted to a minimum - it helps to deliver the efficiency that today has to be a priority wherever you sit within the window industry.”

For more information visit www.swishwindows.co.uk; www.profile22.co.uk, or call 01952 290910.

Profile 22 secures BRE A+ rating for its low-carbon recycled window system

2/23/2011

Profile 22 has become the first and only PVC-U window systems company to secure a dedicated A+ rating across all domestic applications for its low carbon recycled window system RECO22.

The system features profile extruded from 100 per cent recycled PVC-U and a thin foiled colour or wood grain finish, added to ensure colour uniformity and to deliver an enhanced aesthetic.

Although PVC-U as a building material has secured an A+ Green Guide rating from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in a commercial application, this is the first time a PVC-U window system has secured a dedicated A+ rating extending across all domestic applications. It is also the first and only window system to date to secure an A+ Listing in the Green Book Live.

Pitched by the Epwin Group systems house as offering house builders, social housing providers and specifiers access to a new generation of low carbon PVC-U windows combined with its unique rating, the system has been specifically developed for the commercial sector.

David Wrigley, managing director, Epwin Group Extrusions Division said: “We have a great product and a great proposition for the commercial sector. We’re offering it a window that in using recycled profile dramatically cuts the CO2 used in production and by combining recycled content with advanced thermal performance will help cut CO2 during its service life.

“It supports the sector in hitting targets in the Green Guide, the Code for Sustainable Homes and for cutting the carbon footprint of existing social housing.”

Produced as a concept in 2004, Profile 22 has drawn on the expertise of Epwin Group sister company and leading UK recycling operation Dekura, to make a significant contribution innovation in PVC-U building technology.

This includes, as highlighted, PVC-U’s material ‘A’ and ‘A+’ Green Guide rating but also wider recognition in the National Recycling Awards, where the Group scooped the Best Recycled Product Award 2009 for its showcase Manchester installation for social housing provider Northwards Housing.

Wrigley concluded: “As an industry we have a unique product offer, with the recycling infrastructure behind it, to support the commercial sector in delivering new and more sustainable homes but also perhaps more importantly to improve the energy efficiency of older properties through refurbishment.

“This is a product that reduces carbon input in manufacture and delivers significant and ongoing CO2 savings inline with the carbon reduction agenda.”

For more information on Profile 22’s range of next generation high performance products visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Epwin Group to return to ecobuild with award winning product portfolio

12/1/2010

Attending the green building expo for the fourth year in succession, the Group will profile amongst other products its new fully sculptured 98 per cent recycled window system.

Available from Group company and systems leader, Profile 22, it features a centre pane u-value of as low as 0.8W/m2K, delivering significant energy and by implication, CO2 savings. But manufactured solely from recycled “end-of-life” early generation PVC-U window frames, the profile uses just six per cent of carbon in manufacture compared to that of a window profile manufactured from virgin material, bringing new sustainability to PVC-U building product technology.

The system, which scooped the Best Recycled Product Award at the National Recycling Awards 2009, is also available in a range of colour and dual-colour options including wood grains, white wood grain and greys amongst others. Developed to bring new design flexibility to commercial specification, it offers in particular a strong but lower cost and more thermally efficient aesthetic match to aluminium.

Jim Rawson, Group chairman, said: “Since becoming the first company to manufacture a new PVC-U window from fully recycled material in 2004, we have gone through an evolutionary process, developing a product portfolio that is not only sustainable but which also features built in value, making more efficient use of resource, which is easier to manufacture, more efficient to install while also delivering energy and maintenance savings in life.”

Profile 22 sister company and roofline specialist Swish Building Products will also attend this year’s event with its pioneering, “low CO2″, recycled PVC rainwater system – short-listed in the same category for the National Recycling Awards 2010.

Bringing tons of end of life material back into use rainwater and guttering profiles are manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material. This includes old post-consumer material that has reached the end of its life.

And because they are manufactured from recycled material, rainwater pipes and gutters from Swish produce 70 per cent less CO2 than would be created in manufacture from virgin material.

This pioneering development in PVC-U building product sustainability has made a significant contribution in PVC-U’s recent “A” and “A plus” Green Guide rating from the Building Research Establishment.

Other products on show will also include the Group’s fully recycled cavity closer and 98 per cent recycled cill ranges, plus the low maintenance and secure composite door offer from Epwin Group door specialist Permadoor.

The Epwin Group will also be showcasing its recycled underground drainage and soil range from recent group acquisition, Amazon Civils.

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or call 01242 243444.

Quiet optimism despite squeeze on margins – Epwin Group market barometer

2/21/2011

The Epwin Group has unveiled new research which suggests the window industry remains quietly optimistic about its prospects in 2011, despite continuation of tough trading conditions.

The research, carried out in late October and early November, found 40 per cent of those fabricators and installers questioned forecast sales growth in the coming year.

A further 37 per cent predicted conditions across markets would remain static, 17 per cent believed conditions would toughen and sales decrease, while six per cent said that they remained uncertain as to their prospects through 2011.

Looking back at the first three-quarters of 2010, 33 per cent of those polled reported a decrease in sales, while 32 per cent reported an increase. 34 per cent said that sales volume had remained the same.

This was largely mirrored by figures for turnover with 35 per cent of respondents reporting that they had seen turnover remain the same as in 2009. A further 30 per cent reported an increase, while 26 per cent said that they had seen a drop in turnover.

There was, however, wide agreement that margin had decreased (49 per cent) with just five per cent of fabricators and installers reporting an increase. Of 200 companies polled, only 38 per cent reported that they had been able to maintain margin at the 2009 rate.

Andrew Kerr, Epwin Group, who headed the research programme said: “We conducted the research in the weeks immediately after changes to Part L came into force as it represented a watershed period for the window industry. What we found was a reasonable amount of optimism about the coming year, despite looming cuts in public spending.

“All respondents reported tough conditions throughout the first three-quarters of 2010 and while many had maintained volume, the value of those sales had been eroded leading to falling margins.”

As part of its rolling development programme the Epwin Group has continually realigned its product range to support fabricators and installers in maximising margins and production efficiencies.

To this end its systems companies Profile 22 and Swish Window and Door Systems, significantly expanded their colour ranges earlier this year which gives fabricators and installers a choice of 19 colour and foiled wood grain finished options.

Available in as little as a 14 working day turnaround with delivery to fabricators on their next scheduled vehicle, the expanded service has also been developed to bring new flexibility to manufacture. This includes far greater flexibility on lower volume orders.

Rob McGlennon, sales director, Profile 22, said: “Research findings show that almost across the board margins are under pressure. We’re developing products that allow fabricators and installers to maintain margin.

“Colour, for example sold alongside other innovations: enhanced security, sustainability and thermal efficiency, strengthens PVC-U’s appeal in the retail and commercial sectors allowing installers to up-sell on aesthetics as part of an advanced product offering.”

In a similar vein the Epwin Group has also recently unveiled its thermal rating register, U-comply, which allows fabricators to demonstrate Part L compliance through either a u-value or WER rating across any number of specifications, eliminating expenditure of testing and to avoid the significant additional cost associated with over specification of product.

McGlennon concludes: “Maintaining margin is going to be critical going forward, even if you are one of those companies reporting volume growth, because things are going to remain tough out there. Across our systems business and throughout the Epwin Group we see continual and flexible product and service innovation to support fabricators and installers in maintaining prices as our strategic priority for the next 12 months and beyond.”

For more information on low maintenance, sustainable and energy efficient building products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or call 01242 243444.

Epwin Group listed in Sunday Times Top Track 250

2/21/2011

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building products group, has been listed as one of the UK’s top 250 mid-market businesses.

In its sixth year, The Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 annual league table is compiled by Oxford-based research company Fast Track.

It places the Epwin Group among a select number of UK businesses – including amongst others Harrods, Selfridges, Virgin Active and Arsenal Holdings which it identifies as adopting an innovative approach to the downturn.

An introduction to the study in the Sunday Times states: “The Top Track 250 identifies the mid-ranking private businesses that have taken steps to survive and even thrive through the recession and its aftermath.”

It continues: “Without doubt, Top Track 250 companies have been hurt by the banking crisis and the recession. . . but what is heartening about this year’s league table is the ambition, ingenuity and sheer strength on display as firms face the fall-out. “

Appearing in the Top Track 250 for the fifth time and with an annual turnover of £171.7million at its last published accounts, the Epwin Group was listed by Fast Track as the ninth largest business in the South West and 191 nationally.

With unparalleled experience in the supply of low maintenance, energy efficient PVC-U products to the home improvement, social and new build markets, Epwin Group companies have collectively offered a lead to the building products industry in sustainable innovation.

This commitment was recently recognised with a short-listing this October by Group Company Profile 22 in the Sustainable Housing Awards 2010 for the supply of energy efficient windows and the recovery and recycling of waste PVC-U on behalf of Watford Community Housing Trust.

Sister company, Swish Building Products was also short-listed in the National Recycling Awards Best Recycled Product 2010 category earlier this year for its pioneering low maintenance, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system – a category won by the Group in 2009 for the installation of windows manufactured from 98 per cent recycled material in Manchester.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Group said: “Few businesses have escaped the downturn but while we have had to make difficult decisions along the way we have managed to maintain an unparalleled level of financial stability. This is the foundation on which we have built and continue to build our award winning lead in product innovation and sustainability in building products.

“We are particularly pleased with our PVC-U recycling business Dekura, which has developed well over recent years and is a clear industry leader.”

“We also look forwards. We are fortunate to boast a wealth of talent and experience on which we continuously draw to build-in greater efficiencies and added value to our product ranges to ensure that we are in a position of strength to support our customers and geared for growth as the economy recovers.”

For more information on low maintenance, sustainable and energy efficient building products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or call 01242 243444.

No ‘second thought’ – the Epwin Group gives its backing to new plastics safety initiative

10/1/2010

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building products group, has signed-up to a new initiative to cut the rate of injury within the plastics industry.

Figures for 2008/09 show that one person was killed and 1,158 were injured in a sector that employs more than 143,000 people giving it – and in keeping with the manufacturing sector more broadly – one of the highest rates of industrial injury.

The Safety in Manufacturing Plastics (SIMPl) program has been launched in partnership between the Health and Safety Executive, industry-bodies and individual businesses. The aim is to significantly cut the sector’s injury rate over a three-year period by embedding a health and safety culture within individual businesses.

Lynn Edwards, Epwin Group and chair, British Plastics Federation, Health and Safety Committee, said: “It’s easy to forget how intrinsic health and safety is in supporting business operations and employee welfare – even the smallest failure can have drastic consequences.

“The SIMPL initiative offers industry wide support to those companies that have either realised the benefits of good health and safety management and have started to implement change, or guide those that aren’t sure of where to start through the first all important steps.

“It should be seen for what it is – an opportunity for positive change and as a tool to deliver practical safety management across our industry.”

Those companies who sign-up to SIMPl will receive support to achieve long-term improvements. An accident reporting format will also be set up for each area of industry, against which year on year reduction targets will be set.

Manual handling and slips and trips were responsible for the majority of injuries reported across the plastics industry in 2008/09.

Kevin Myers, deputy chief executive, HSE said: “The injury rate in the plastics industry, like the rest of the manufacturing sector, is well above the all industries average. It’s essential that senior management recognises the importance of developing a positive health and safety culture, but we also need to draw on the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm of those closest to the risks, the employees.”

For more information on the SIMPL initiative, visit www.hse.gov.uk/plastics

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

‘No Fuss’ WER and U-value solution launched by the Epwin Group

9/1/2010

A new cost-effective and easy route to Part L compliance has been unveiled by Epwin Group extrusion businesses, Profile 22 and Swish Window and Door Systems.

Approved by CERTASS and FENSA, the scheme gives fabricators access to an easy to use online calculator, which allows them to demonstrate compliance on any number of specifications.

This significantly reduced the cost involved in approving products while providing fabricators and installers with a clear and demonstrable route to compliance with the new regulations that come into force this month (October).

These changes to Part L state that all replacement windows will have to achieve either a U-value of 1.6W/m2K or a WER ‘C’ rating of above. Doors have to achieve a minimum U-value of 1.8 W/m2K. In all cases a burden of proof is placed on retailers to establish as fact, through a clear audit trail, that what they install fully complies with regulations.

Gary Millership, specification engineer, Epwin Group Extrusions Division, said: “The challenge for many fabricators and installers to date is that existing routes to compliance have been so specific that even the slightest variation to outer frame meant that product has to be tested and a full audit trail specific to that window or door had to be provided”.

“Epwin Group Extrusions Division has developed an accurate calculator which can generate results against almost any combination of product”.

“Results from the calculator have been approved independently by CERTASS and FENSA and through them we are able to offer Profile 22 and Swish customers, whether fabricators or installers a low cost and effective route to full compliance with building regs whether they opt to go down the WER or U-value route”.

Those subscribing fabricators are given unlimited access to the password controlled calculator allowing them to input any combination of frame, reinforcement, components and glass unit. The calculator generates both U-values and WERs and also allows fabricators to print off certification and specific documents.

Installers who buy both glass frames from their supplier can simply ‘piggy back’ on their fabricator’s accreditation. Those buying in glass and frames separately can sign-up to the scheme through their frame fabricator, providing that they can demonstrate through an auditable trail that the glass they use performs to the same level as that used in the calculated model.

John Smyczek, operations manager, Swish Window and Door Systems, said : “This is simply the most comprehensive and straightforward route to compliance with Document L. It eliminates both the overhead and the headache whether going down the U-value of WER route, while on the latter allows fabricators and installers to realise the full marketing collateral that the WER scheme offers”.

For more information visit Swish Window and Door Systems; Profile 22, or call 01952 290910.

Watford Community Housing Trust and Profile 22 shortlisted for top award

6/1/2010

A commitment by Watford Community Housing Trust and window systems leader Profile 22 to recover and recycle 25,000 old PVC-U window frames has been shortlisted for a top award for sustainability in housing.

The Sustainable Housing Awards 2010 recognises cutting edge innovation and sustainable development in the built environment and social housing.

The joint entry by the Trust and Profile 22 is among a select number of submissions to have been short-listed in the Waste Initiative Award category for works to recover and recycle end of life-cycle early generation PVC-U windows.

Diane Lee, chair, Watford Community Housing Trust, said: “We have made a commitment to make homes better for tenants and to manage and maintain our properties as sustainability and as energy efficiently as possible.

“Our rolling programme is now into its third year having already delivered considerable improvements. The installation of new energy efficient windows is driving this process onward, making homes warmer and more secure for tenants.

“But we’re also conscious that what we take out, and the ‘waste’ that we generate as part of delivery is managed responsibly and in specifying that the windows we’re taking out are recycled we’re able to do that, that commitment is being recognised on a national stage is a great achievement.”

Set up as a pioneering partnership between tenants and leaseholders in 2007, Watford Community Housing Trust owns and manages 4,700 homes previously owned by Watford Borough Council. Founded as a community Gateway (the first in the South) the Trust works alongside tenants, leaseholders and communities, to provide quality improvements to homes together.

As part of this promise – and facilitated by lead partners Mears Group and Mulalley – the Trust commissioned Profile 22, to deliver a unique and ongoing project to replace and recycle 25,000 early generation PVC-U windows with new thermally advanced Window Energy Rated (WER) ‘A’ rated windows. The UK’s largest WER ‘A’ rated window refurbishment programme, the project began in summer 2009.

Collected and reprocessed by Profile 22 through it’s parent company, the Epwin Group, the Trust has been able to recover almost 200 tonnes of ‘waste’ PVC-U generated by the project that might have otherwise gone to landfill.

Re-extruded for use in a new generation of advanced performance, low maintenance and thermally efficient products by Profile 22, the window systems leader and the Trust have worked in partnership to effectively close-the-loop on the recycling process.

Andrew Reid, sales department director, said: “PVC-U windows are a great fit for the social sector, delivering direct and tangible benefits for the social landlords but equally importantly, by making properties warmer, more comfortable and secure, better for tenants.

“Now in addition to all these positives they are fully recyclable at end of line. Achieving an ‘A’ and ‘A’ plus rating for material sustainability in the Building Research Establishment’s Green Guide and delivering substantial carbon savings in life, they have become not only a low maintenance but also hugely sustainable choice for refurbishment.”

The winners will be announced in front of an audience of sustainability experts, social housing providers, journalists, architects and contractors at a lunchtime event at the Park Lane Hilton on the 22nd October 2010.

Epwin Group nominated in top national product award for the second year in succession

5/1/2010

The Epwin Group, the low maintenance building products supplier, has been nominated by judges in the National Recycling Awards Best Recycled Product category for the second year in succession.

Having claimed the National Recycling Awards Best Recycled Product 2009 for the installation of windows manufactured from 98 per cent recycled material in Manchester, group company Swish Building Products has been short-listed in the same category for its pioneering low maintenance, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system.

Bringing thousands of tons of end of life material back into use the rainwater and guttering system is manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material. This includes not only factory off cuts but old post-consumer material that has reached the end of its life.

And because they are manufactured from recycled material, rainwater pipes and gutters from Swish produce 70 per cent less CO2 than would be created in manufacture from virgin material.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group, said: “PVC-U is an exceptionally flexible material that is low maintenance in life and can be effectively recycled and re-extruded at end of life and then go through the process again and again.

“Our priority is first and foremost to offer our customers products that don’t just ‘do the job’ but which do it exceptionally well whether that’s a large scale commercial development or residential installation – we look to build in value and we see sustainability as a fundamental part of that process. We’re committed to combining product efficiency and sustainability, in manufacture, in life and at end of life.”

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has already awarded PVC-U an ‘A’ and ‘A plus’ Green Guide rating – for a large part in recognition of the growing volume of PVC-U now being recycled. The activity of Epwin Group companies has played a fundamental part in this shift – closing the loop on the recycling process.

The new guttering range from Swish features a grey core and co-extruded outer skin to enhance the external appearance and to aid colour matching. This technology gives it exactly the same weather resistance and longevity of products manufactured from virgin material.

The system which is already commercially available has been successfully trialled in a number of projects across sectors.

This includes a pioneering project to see how far retrofitting could take the Manchester semi-detached Victorian property towards carbon neutrality. Delivered by urban design and sustainability specialist URBED, the scheme has achieved an 80 per cent cut in the property’s CO2 emissions, achieving national recognition as an example of best practice.

Wrekin Windows claimed last year’s top spot for its installation of energy efficient windows featuring 100 per recycled PVC-U profile, manufactured from recycled material re-processed and then re-extruded by sister companies Dekura and Profile 22.

Attended by more than 500 guests from across a wide range of sectors last year, the award ceremony this year will be held at the Hilton, Park Lane on July 15^th 2010.

The language of business – Epwin Group reports successful ecobuild 2010

3/21/2010

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building products group, has reported new recognition of PVC-U sustainability among attendees at ecobuild 2010.

Showcasing its extensive range of award winning, low maintenance, sustainable building products and its third year in attendance, the group reported a recognisable shift in attitudes among visitors to the green building expo.

Jim Rawson, group chairman, said: “We came to ecobuild for the first time in 2008. Then we raised a few eyebrows as one of the few PVC-U building products businesses to attend.

“In those three years we have seen the sustainability debate move on. PVC-U has achieved an ‘A’ and ‘A plus’ rating PVC-U in the Building Research Establishments Green Guide – for a large part in recognition of the growing volume of PVC-U now being recycled.

“The real debate today is how we as suppliers to the construction industry can work with it to develop products that deliver increased efficiency and enhanced in-life performance.”

The first window company to manufacture a fully recycled window in 2007, the Epwin Group went one better last year to claim the Best Recycled Product Award at the National Recycling Awards for the UK’s first commercial installation of windows manufactured from 98 per cent recycled material.

Products on show at this year’s event reflected that ongoing commitment to innovation and included the new dual colour range from group systems company Profile 22, the low carbon recycled rainwater system from Swish Building Products and a raft of ancillary products including recycled reinforcements, cavity closers and cills.

Group company Permadoor also attended, showcasing its range of low maintenance, thermally efficient GRP doors and launching a new new build door offer.

Jim continued: “We believe we have taken some steps in the right direction – our thermally efficient windows achieve a U-value as low as 0.8 and can deliver significant savings on CO2.

“We have also developed products that drive efficiency on site – our 98 per cent recycled cavity closer has been developed to be ‘green’ but also to facilitate more effective delivery of new homes.

“Sustainability is today a given in the manufacture of building products and the language of business in the construction industry. It’s the efficiency of products in construction, their performance in-life and their effective recovery that we see as being most important, not least as the building industry begins its tentative recovery from the downturn.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or email info@epwin.co.uk

Profile 22 – advanced performance dual colour option windows that are ‘green’ all the way through

3/1/2010

Profile 22 has unveiled its new range of dual colour and finish option windows that combine advanced thermal performance and high recycled content with enhanced aesthetics.

The range, part of the window systems company’s award winning product portfolio, gives architects new opportunity to specify low maintenace and thermally efficient PVC-U windows more sympathetically to a wider range of applications and designs by ‘mix-and-matching’ internal and external finishes.

Alongside a spectrum of colours and woodgrain finishes, the new offer includes a range of greys and black which have been developed to give the specification and new build sectors access to a more energy efficient and cost-effective alternative to aluminium.

Andrew Reid, sales development director, Profile 22, said: “Profile 22 has developed a range of product options that support flexible design and which deliver end user appeal but which can be delivered at a comparatively modest cost.

“Our new dual-colour option gives specifiers and architects new flexibility, for example they might choose a grey external foil as a more cost-effective alternative to aluminium on a ‘traditional’ white interior.

“We also continue to focus our development programme on products that feature engineered-in efficiency on site, in life and which support them in delivering on Code targets.

“As part of this commitment our ranges feature high-recycled content and deliver advanced thermal performance, achieving top ‘A’ Window Energy Ratings (WER) and system combinations capable of achieving U-values as low as 0.8.”

As an Epwin Group company, Profile 22 was the first window systems company to manufacture a fully recycled window. It also extruded profile used in the Group’s award winning installation of windows manufactured from 98 per cent recycled material in Manchester in 2009 (National Recycling Awards 2009 Best Product category).

This pioneering development has made a significant contribution in PVC-U’s recent ‘A’ and ‘A plus’ Green Guide rating from the Building Research Establishment.

Other sustainable products within its range include the company’s 98 per cent recycled cavity closer. Also on show at ecobuild it combines this commitment to sustainability with significant efficiency gains on site.

Developed to work with all modern methods of construction it provides a template for window apertures, simple and effective frame location and built-in sealing. This means that windows can also be fitted internally, improving thermal performance and overcoming a raft of health and safety regulations.

Reid concluded: “If there’s one thing that we would like developers and specifiers to take away from our attendance at ecobuild this year, it’s that PVC-U building products have moved on and they have moved on considerably.

“PVC-U windows can help them win points under the Code for Sustainable Homes, component systems can make delivery of new homes more efficient and colour and finish options can have a not insignificant impact on budgets when specified as an alternative to other traditional materials.”

For more information on Profile 22’s range of next generation high performance products visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.

Epwin Group to showcase award winning ‘green’ innovations

12/1/2009

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, will be showcasing its award winning range of advanced sustainable and energy efficient PVC-U products at ecobuild 2010.

This will include its pioneering new window, which manufactured from PVC-U profile made entirely from recycled material and installed commercially in social housing in Manchester, scooped the Best Recycled Product Award at the National Recycling Awards 2009.

At the forefront of sustainable development in PVC-U building technology, other innovations from the group on show will include the low carbon rainwater system from Swish Building Products. Manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material the rainwater pipe and gutter range produce 70 per cent less CO2 than would be created in manufacture from virgin material.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group said: “The Epwin Group is fully committed to working in partnership with all those with an interest in the construction industry, whether residential new build, social housing refurbishment or home improvement, to deliver more sustainable but also warmer and more secure homes.

“In pursuit of this aim we have and continue to invest in an extensive research and development programme, to deliver a new advanced generation of products. At the same time we continually review our own house keeping operation to drive efficiency and minimise the impact of our businesses on the environment.”

As part of this ongoing programme of investment the Epwin Group through its window systems company, Profile 22, has also launched a ‘green’ new build window system. This features the very latest in advanced performance energy efficient window technology combined with a cavity closer manufactured from 98 per cent and a sill system with a 92 per cent recycled content,.

This innovation has made a significant contribution in PVC-U’s ‘A’ and ‘A plus’ Green Guide rating from the Building Research Establishment, which recognises PVC-U as one of the most sustainable building materials.

Jim added: “The challenge to the construction industry is clear – we must take responsibility for the impact our industry has on the environment but moreover we have a responsibility to develop and deliver innovative new products and new buildings that that can actively contribute to a more sustainable future.

“The Epwin Group is fully committed to supporting this process.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group come and see us at stand 1660, ecobuild at Earls Court London from
March 2 to 4 2010.

Recycled energy efficient PVC-U window by the Epwin Group scoops top product award at the National Recycling Awards 2009

11/1/2009

The Epwin Group, the low maintenance building products supplier, has claimed the Best Recycled Product Award at the National Recycling Awards 2009.

Manufactured from window profile made from 100 per cent recycled PVC-U, the pioneering energy efficient windows were installed in a pilot project, completed for Manchester social housing provider, Northwards Housing in March.

The recycled profile, a first for the sector, was extruded by Epwin Group systems business, Profile 22, which along with its sister recycling company Dekura, has long been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in PVC-U window and building technology.

Manufactured by Wrekin Windows and foiled with a thin virgin skin (two per cent) by Foilex, both Epwin Group businesses, the product achieves a total recycled content of 98 per cent, also delivering an advanced thermal performance.

This joint commitment to recycle PVC-U building materials and deliver a new generation of thermally efficient products was highlighted by judges at the award ceremony, held at the Hilton, Park Lane in front of an audience of more than 500 guests from across a wide range of sectors.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group said: “To win the Best Recycled Product Award 2009 against some very stiff competition from a wide range of sectors, is a fantastic achievement and shows just how far we, not only as a Group but as an industry, have moved forward.

“PVC-U is an exceptionally flexible material that is low maintenance and thermally efficient in life and can be effectively recycled and re-extruded at end of life. It simply makes sense to recycled and to use recycled product, both environmentally but as part of an effective business or estate management strategy.”

Profile 22’s thermally efficient RCM (recycled composite material) reinforcement ranges, for example, is already in extensive use. It also offers a range of future generation fully recyclable and energy efficient products, including a unique green new build window system.

This features a cavity closer manufactured from 98 per cent recycled ‘waste’ PVC-U and a sill system with 92 per cent recycled content, co-extruded with a virgin skin to deliver superb weather performance. Combined with an energy efficient and advanced performance PVC-U window and the system can achieve a recycled content of up to 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, Swish Building Products, also a Group business, has launched its new rainwater and guttering system which Swish has manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material. As recycled products, these rainwater pipes and gutters produce 70 per cent less CO2 than would be created in manufacture from virgin material.

Jim concluded: “For the moment, while Manchester remains a pilot project, what has been achieved is representative of a new offer from the PVC-U window and building products industry. That offer is a new generation of not only secure, energy efficient windows and doors and low maintenance roofline but also sustainable products that can be fully recycled at end of life.

“This, we believe, gives our products huge currency in delivering sustainable innovation within the construction and building industries and across sectors, whether retail, social housing refurbishment, new build or home improvement.”

UK’s first ‘closed loop’ PVC-U window recycling project completed in Manchester

7/1/2009

The UK’s first installation of PVC-U windows, manufactured from 98 per cent recycled old post-consumer end of life PVC-U window frames, has been completed by a Manchester social housing provider.

Northwards Housing, which manages and maintains almost 13,000 properties across the North of the city, completed the pioneering refurbishment program in March.

Delivered by preferred partner and principal contractor, Manchester Working, social housing specialist, Wrekin Windows and New Charter, the project drew on the technical innovation in PVC-U technology to recover and recycle old ‘waste’ material.

Installed in 18 properties, the windows frames were manufactured solely from old end of life recycled material, other than for a thin virgin foiled ‘skin’, added to ensure colour uniformity. This represents a first for the social housing sector but also marks a significant leap forward in PVC-U building material sustainability.

This old material was recovered and reprocessed by Wrekin Windows and its sister companies, leading PVC-U recycler Dekura and window systems leader Profile 22, both part of the Epwin Group, from the replacement of windows on a nearby tower block.

Elliot Simm, home improvement service manager, Northwards Housing, said: “We have two main priorities: to improve the properties that we manage to make them a more, comfortable and secure home environment for our residents and second, to manage and maintain those properties sustainably.

“We have committed to a wholesale replacement of single glazed timber windows across our portfolio with energy efficient PVC-U windows and doors and this pilot project sits within that program.

“The recovery, reprocessing and ultimately installation of new PVC-U windows manufactured from what was waste material from our earlier tower block refurbishment by lead contractor Manchester Working, Wrekin and our other supply partners, is testimony to our commitment to drive sustainable practices throughout our estates management program.

“More widely, we believe that it represents a significant step forward for sustainability in refurbishment in social housing but also PVC-U as a building material.”

The Dekura service is unique in the UK, able to offer a post-consumer end of life recycling service in addition to the reprocessing of manufacturing off-cuts. A fully accredited member of Recovinyl, the recycler also offers full cycle traceability on all of the material that it collects.

This allows social housing providers and contractors to follow old material through the recycling process, providing demonstrable and auditable trail that can be used to support the site waste management planning process.

PVC-U windows have achieved top ratings with an ‘A+’ rating for commercial and ‘A’ rating for domestic windows in the Building Research Establishments Green Guide, to building material sustainability published in the summer.

Energy efficient, low maintenance and fully recyclable, the guide recognises that PVC-U products can play an important part alongside other materials in modern construction.

David Wrigley, technical director, Dekura said: “Massive advances have been made in PVC-U sustainability in the past 10 years. It’s still low maintenance, its energy efficient and it can be and is being recycled.

“What is now critical is that we are able to intercept waste material at end of life and that means working with the social housing sector to make sure that as part of their refurbishment programmes they make sure that the supply partners they select have the capacity to recycle post-consumer waste and are committed to doing so as part of project delivery.”

Epwin Group reports growing market share

4/1/2009

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, has reported continuing growth in market share.

Publishing its Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2008, the company said against a backdrop of a 20 per cent contraction in window and door markets, the Group continued to perform strongly.

Turnover for 2008 was £188.5million – only four per cent down on last year – with an operating profit before goodwill of £5.7million, down from £10.2million last year.

Investment in capital expenditure of £4.7million, including product research and development, was consistent with last year. The window and door industry leader was also able to reduce net debt by £10.9million, reinforcing the Group’s already strong financial position and its reputation for prudence.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Group said: “The challenges that exist within construction are well chronicled. Clearly no business is immune from these wider economic forces, however, we have continued to perform strongly, increasing market share and consolidating our position as leader within the industry.

“Delivering a substantial reduction of Group debt by £10.9million has strengthened our financial foundation. From this platform we continue to build, maintaining capital investment at £4.7million.

“We also remain at the forefront of technical innovation within the industry leading the drive to make PVC-U more sustainable through our recycling business and re-processing plant – a unique facility in the UK.

“We are bringing a new generation of more advanced, secure, energy efficient and sustainable products to the market, something that directly benefits our customers but also the industry more widely.”

Recent innovations by Epwin Group companies include Profile 22’s expansion of its RCM (recycled composite material) range and the launch of a new cavity closer system, manufactured from 98 per cent recycled content.

Group business, Swish Building Products has also recently launched a new low maintenance, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system. Unveiled for the first time at ecobuild 2009 in March, the rainwater and guttering system is manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material, cutting CO2 emissions in production by 70 per cent compared to manufacture from virgin material.

Jim said: “Although we are not immune from market and wider economic challenges, as one of the largest and most stable players in the industry, we are to a degree insulated by our scale.

“We know our markets inside and out and we are at the forefront of innovation, research and development in each bringing new products to our customers, which support them in winning business now and in the future. The Epwin Group remains committed to the long term.”

Swish cuts carbon footprint with recycled rainwater system

3/1/2009

Swish Building Products has launched a new low maintenance, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system, bringing thousands of tons of end of life material back into use.

Unveiled for the first time at ecobuild 2009, the rainwater and guttering system is manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material. This includes not only factory off cuts but old post-consumer material that has reached the end of its life.

And because they are manufactured from recycled material, rainwater pipes and gutters from Swish produce 70 per cent less CO2 than would be created in manufacture from virgin material.

Greg Wilde, of Swish Building Products said: “Swish rainwater systems are ideal for designers who want to specify quality products that have a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

“By manufacturing a product that effectively marries a recycled core and virgin skin we’re able to deliver a highly efficient, low maintenance and long life product with minimal environmental impact.”

The new guttering range is available in round, ogee or square profiles. These and down pipes have a two-tone appearance featuring a grey core and co-extruded outer skin to enhance the external appearance and to aid colour matching. This technology gives it exactly the same weather resistance and longevity of products manufactured from virgin material.

Each system also features a full range of joints, corners, outlets and brackets and is available in white and black, is BS Kitemarked and also manufactured to the full raft of BS EN accreditations.

Specialising in the supply of low maintenance roofline and cladding systems, Swish operates two state of the art manufacturing facilities in the West Midlands at Tamworth. These secured full certification for Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001 in 2007, while the company remains committed to continued environmental improvement.

In addition to its rainwater offer, Swish’s roofline and cladding systems also deliver significant environmental advantages. A more sustainable alternative to low-grade soft timber components, roofline and cladding products from Swish won’t warp, rot or flake, and eliminate maintenance problems associated with working at height or in exposed and inaccessible locations.

Greg concluded: “The combination of Swish roofline and guttering systems form the most sustainable option for domestic eaves protection and rainwater disposal.

“Roofline systems from Swish will last the lifetime of the building with little to no maintenance and as we’re demonstrating with the launch of our new rainwater system, can be recycled at the end of their life with a greatly reduced energy and CO2 input – that’s good for the developer, the end user and the environment.”

For more information on Swish’s full range of roofline and cladding products visit us on stand 1660, ecobuild, March 3 to 5, Earls Court, London. Alternatively visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

‘Green innovation can support economic recovery’ says poll of ecobuild attendees

3/1/2009

The Government must do more to support green innovation in building to help the sector climb out of recession, according to the findings of a new survey.

The poll conducted at ecobuild, held at the beginning of this month [March] at Earls Court, found that 96 per cent of respondents believed that the Government should introduce new incentives to support green building.

The study carried out by the Epwin Group suggested an extension of tax breaks on green home improvements, for example VAT at five per cent, could get the construction industry back to work.

But it also revealed that without greater government support almost half of respondents believed that recession threatened green gains in building.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group said: “The great irony is that while the recession eats away at green gains, the green economy could support the UK plc in dragging itself out of the economic down turn, providing it receives backing now from Downing Street.

“Considered and well thought out intervention from Government can prove a critical support to business and could create a long term green legacy by supporting the private sector in delivering more energy efficient and as a consequence sustainable, housing and building.”

By sector, the study by the low maintenance building products supplier, found that forecasts for the future for green gains in construction were most positive in the public sector, with 56 per cent of respondents suggesting green innovation would continue despite the economic downturn.

Their optimism was not, however, shared among their private sector partners, 50 per cent of whom suggested recession posed a direct threat to sustainability in building.

Calls to cut VAT on green building products and improvements received greatest support from home owners (88 per cent).
The findings of the poll come just weeks after Lord Turner, chairman of the Climate Change Committee was appointed to conduct a report on ways the Government can relieve the recession at the same time as tackling climate change, due for publication this September.

Ideas to date include retraining people who have lost there jobs in the construction industry because of a lack of building work to fit new boilers, lagging and double-glazing.

With unparalleled experience in the supply of low maintenance PVC-U products to the home improvement, social and new build markets, Epwin Group companies are at the forefront of innovation in PVC-U building technology.

As part of this ongoing programme of investment, group companies have developed an extensive range of advanced ‘eco-products’ featuring ‘A’ rated thermally efficient windows through to rainwater goods manufactured from old ‘waste’ material.

Jim continued: “There are two issues to consider here. Three-quarters of the homes we live in now will still be in use in 50 years time. It means that while new build is important, improvement and refurbishment of existing housing is arguably more important, if the Government is to have a hope of hitting targets to cut CO2 emissions.

“Second, in delivering those improvements we have an opportunity to not only create a long lasting green legacy but in the short term to get people back into work.

“Window installation or replacement programs and other green home and commercial improvements need manpower. Support for homeowners and for the commercial sector to improve the energy efficiency of their properties could drive recovery.”

Epwin Group to showcase ‘green’ innovations

1/1/2009

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, will be showcasing its new generation of advanced sustainable and energy efficient PVC-U products at ecobuild.

As part of this ongoing programme of investment, group companies have developed an extensive range of advanced products featuring ‘A’ rated thermally efficient windows and doors in a vast choice of colours, through to fully recycled rainwater goods manufactured from old ‘waste’ material.

The building products leader will also unveil its ‘green’ new build window system. It features the very latest in advanced performance energy efficient window technology combined with a cavity closer manufactured from 98 per cent post-consumer material. It also features a sill system with a 92 per cent recycled content, co-extruded with a virgin skin to deliver superb weather performance.

Significantly, this development has included major investment in its recycling operation as part of an ongoing commitment to drive forward more sustainable modes of manufacture by cutting the amount of waste PVC-U going to landfill.

Its national recycling facility means the Epwin Group is uniquely placed to collect and recycle ‘old’ first generation PVC-U products that have reached the end of their natural lifecycle and are being replaced with more energy efficient and aesthetically stronger products.

This technology has made a significant contribution in PVC-U’s recent ‘A’ and ‘A plus’ Green Guide rating from the Building Research Establishment, which recognises PVC-U as one of the most sustainable building materials.

“The Epwin Group is fully committed to supporting this process.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group come and see us at stand 1660, ecobuild at Earls Court London from March 3 to 5. Alternatively visit www.epwin.co.uk

Sierra sees green

11/1/2008

Super-fabricator Sierra Windows has launched a new range of low-maintenance, energy-efficient products that are not just green on the inside but green on the outside too.

This includes the company’s new A and C rated energy efficient windows and a fully comprehensive recycling service provided through its sister-company Dekura. Sierra is also the only fabricator currently supplying the exclusive ‘Chartwell Green’ foil.

Sierra’s customers now have access to the most advanced, low-maintenance, thermally-efficient and ‘green’ products available on the market.

Brian Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows said: “More and more, at home and in the workplace, we are being encouraged to cut our carbon footprint and become more environmentally-conscious.

“Sierra is currently the only company to provide a green foiled A-rated window and through our sister company Dekura, the UK’s leading PVC-U recycler, we are also able to offer our customers access to a dedicated recycling service, saving them money on ‘waste’ disposal.”

In recycling old first generation PVC-U windows this also means that Sierra is giving installers a powerful ‘green’ message at a time when every additional sales tool counts.

Brian said: “Installers need to recognise the valuable opportunities that green issues and the widest choice of products can generate. For example, by adding new foiled colours to their range, installers can increase new business sales, particularly amongst homeowners wanting a more ‘sympathetic’ look to their properties.

“Our exclusive Chartwell Green foil, which is already seeing impressive sales, also compliments our existing roof offer, meaning that we can supply a wide choice of coloured conservatories as well.”

Window Energy Ratings (WERs) can also support the ‘green’ message. Higher energy-rated products can result in significant reductions on heating bills for consumers and with the recent rises in energy prices this makes the message all the more relevant.

Brian said: “Consumers are starting to recognise the Window Energy Ratings approved label and this is giving energy-efficient products stronger consumer appeal.

“Sierra is able to predict and respond to changing demands in the marketplace and research has shown that adopting a greener approach to your business can help to increase market share.

He added: “In a maturing market, few can afford to ignore products and services that can add value to their business.”

Epwin Group listed in Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250

10/1/2008

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, has been listed as one of the UK’s top 250 mid-market businesses.

In its fourth year, The Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 annual league table is compiled by Oxford-based research company Fast Track.

It places the Epwin Group among a select number of UK businesses that it suggests are in a stronger position than other areas of the economy to see out current market instability.

An introduction to the study in the Sunday Times states: “If the health of the mid-market is any guide, then British business may be in better shape than headlines about collapsing banks, plunging stock markets and plummeting house prices might suggest.

“In a sector where firms are typically more nimble and less highly leveraged than their larger counterparts, signs remain encouraging.”

With an annual turnover of £196.2million, Epwin Group was listed by Fast Track as the tenth largest business in the South West and 196 nationally.

This includes the launch of a unique post-consumer waste recycling service, while the company has also showcased the World’s first window manufactured solely from recycled material.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Group said: “The Epwin Group boasts a wealth of talent and experience which we must draw on to ensure that we are geared not just to meet future challenges but to thrive and to continue to grow.

“The market is tougher and we face some difficult decisions but there is still opportunity out there – we must make sure that we’re ready to go out and grab it with both hands.

“Our size and scale gives us huge strength and stability. We know our markets inside out and we are at the forefront of innovation, research and development in each.”

Epwin Group warns of the long term cost ‘eco-disinformation’

2/21/2008

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, has reported a successful first outing to Eco-build but warned confusion surrounding the sustainability of PVC-U products could cost the construction industry dear.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group said: “This year was our first attendance at Eco-build and we have all been impressed with its vibrancy. If not already, it will soon become the major showcase for the construction industry and we’re delighted to have been a part of what for the Epwin Group has been an exceptionally successful show.

“But what will be of concern for the plastics industry is the huge amount of ‘disinformation’ in the market place surrounding the product’s sustainability. The Eco-build show was a success for us because it gave us as a group the opportunity to address and set right much of this confusion. But more must be done to educate and in many cases re-educate the construction industry as to PVC-U’s strengths.”

The Epwin Group is committed to driving forward more sustainable modes of manufacture by cutting the amount of waste PVC-U going to landfill. Its national recycling facility means the Group is uniquely placed to collect and recycle ‘old’ first generation PVC-U products that have reached the end of their natural lifecycle and are being replaced with more energy efficient and aesthetically stronger products.

Alongside off-cuts and waste from the manufacturing process, this post-consumer waste is then processed and refined, before being used in the manufacture of the Group’s new advanced range of window, door, roofline and rainwater products – closing the loop on the recycling process.

As part of this research and development programme the Epwin Group has become the first manufacturer to make a new advanced window from 100 per cent ‘post-consumer waste’.

Jim added: “The facts speak for themselves. PVC-U is hugely recyclable, in fact research suggests it can be recycled up to 10 times without losing performance – based on a BRE recognised life span of 35 to 40 years and each product could have an overall life cycle of up to 400 years.

“This makes it one of the most sustainable products available to the construction industry but there is a very real risk that these opportunities may be missed because of misinformation and because the PVC-U industry as a whole is failing to communicate effectively with the market.

“Our attendance at Eco-build and that of a select number of other PVC-U window companies is if nothing else a step forward in delivering this message.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient building products from the Epwin Group visit www.epwin.co.uk or call 01242 243444.

The retail ‘authority’ – Swish reinvigorates its authorised installer scheme

2/1/2008

Swish Window and Door Systems has reinvigorated its authorised installer scheme, delivering unparalleled support to installers in the home improvement market.

Swish announced a £6.5million programme of investment in its new TwentyFour-Seven system and brand last summer.

As part of this rolling programme of investment the systems company has unveiled a major re-launch of its authorised installer scheme.

The scheme gives qualifying installers access to a dedicated marketing, advertising and sales support programme developed to exploit each and every opportunity for new business growth.

But it isn’t open to everyone. To secure maximum value for its members, the Swish Authorised Installer Scheme is only available to companies that meet set standards of service. This includes current FENSA certification and a documented complaints procedure.

Swish also reserves the right to inspect the quality of installations before membership is agreed and to carry out periodic inspections of installations carried out by ‘authorised’ installers to ensure standards are maintained.

Paul Lindsay, general manager, Swish Window and Door Systems explained: “Swish is one of the very few, if not the only window and door systems company to enjoy national brand reputation outside the industry and as it’s a household name it’s that much easier to generate leads, convert them and justify a premium and to secure a greater margin.

“This gives those who manufacture and install Swish products, whether in the Traditional 70 or TwentyFour-Seven systems a direct commercial advantage over their competitors.

“The Swish brand is, however, only of value to those who carry it because of its association with quality, service and innovation in the consumer psyche.

“It’s therefore, clearly important that we protect the our brand reputation and by implication add-value to the Swish proposition, by making sure that those installers who are admitted to the scheme meet and maintain standards of service to the householder.
“Consumers want to buy with confidence and the Swish logo acts as that stamp of assurity.”

Those who do qualify for the scheme get the full backing of the Swish sales, marketing and advertising machine. This includes access to a wide choice of ‘ready-made’ advertising and direct marketing material. Alternatively Swish also offers full support to develop bespoke campaigns.

Swish also offers a choice of brochures designed to match the individual preferences of different businesses. This includes ‘Fresh Living’ a magazine style brochure plus the more minimalist ‘Your Home, Your Choice’ brochure. Authorised Installers also get to grow their online presence from initial development through to search engine optimisation.

Paul said: “If you spend a little on advertising and develop consistent themes in marketing literature and online you can start to develop a consistent message. This needs to be underpinned by service and product quality but if it is, a few simple steps can help you grow your reputation.

“This process can be accelerated by associating your business with an already established brand. And that is what Swish is about – our name and the support that we give Swish Authorised Installers will not only open the door but can directly support installers in closing sales.”

Epwin unveils World’s first fully recycled window at Eco-build

1/21/2008

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, will be showcasing the World’s first fully recycled PVC-U window at Eco-Build this February.

As part of its research and development programme the Epwin Group has become the first manufacturer to make a new advanced window solely from ‘post-consumer waste’.

Recovered from a major social housing refurbishment project where old single glazed first generation PVC-U windows were being replaced, the window’s construction posed a number of technical challenges. Chief among these was the removal of old building debris, including wood, concrete, sealants and paint.

David Wrigley, technical director, the Epwin Group said: “PVC-U in itself is hugely recyclable, in fact research suggests it can be recycled up to 10 times without losing performance – based on a BRE recognised life span of 35 to 40 years and each product could have an overall life cycle of up to 400 years.

“What is much more challenging is how you clean and process this material to remove building debris prior to reprocessing.

Having started out with something pretty basic, relying very largely on time consuming manual processing, today we have a sophisticated and technically advanced processing system giving the group the unique capacity to recycle not just factory off-cuts but ‘old’ first generation PVC-U products that have reached the end of their natural lifecycle.”

The Epwin Group’s recycling process is delivered by its recycling operation, Dekura. A fully accredited member of Recovinyl, Dekura is able to recycle a complete range of low maintenance PVC-U building products, removing all traces of rubber, metal and glass to create a near ‘virgin’ quality material.

Wrigley said: “We have come a very long way as an industry and Dekura is at the very forefront of this revolution. PVC-U products are low maintenance, they won’t rust, rot, warp or twist, they don’t need to be painted and come in a huge variety of finishes and architectural styles – white PVC-U is still there but now just one of a huge variety of options from timber effects to heritage colours.

“Most importantly PVC-U is now sustainable in the truest sense. Old products can be recycled, re-processed and recovered material used in a new generation of advanced sustainable and energy efficient products.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group come and see us at stand E514 Eco-build at Earls Court London from February 26 to 28.

For further information please contact:

John Warren
Tel 01242 225803
Fax 01242 233548
E-mail: jwarren@epwin.co.uk

New Year – new advanced system

1/1/2008

Swish Window and Door Systems has started commercial production of its new advanced TwentyFour-Seven system featuring technical innovations specifically designed to meet shifting consumer expectations.

Developed to sit alongside the systems company’s existing Traditional 70 offer, the new TwentyFour-Seven suite went into full production bang on schedule at the beginning of this month [JAN].

Complete with integrated hardware, the fully sculptured suite has been developed as a state-of-the art system designed to appeal to both retail and new build markets.

Underpinned by a £6.5 million programme of investment in the Swish product range and brand, the company argues every aspect of the Swish offer is geared to support fabricators and installers in securing maximum margin against a backdrop of changed market conditions.

Paul Lindsay, general manager, said: “Swish is a high street brand and that gives our customers whether manufacturing and installing in the Traditional 70 or new TwentyFour-Seven suites an edge on their competitors.

“TwentyFour-Seven has been designed to have strong USPs that will give it major appeal to consumers in addition to technical advances that make it both easier to manufacture and install.

“Designed to sit alongside the existing Traditional 70 offer we believe it will give our customers new choice and to support them in reaching new markets.”

Swish took full control of its manufacture and supply process earlier this year, ending a supply contract with Aluplast to bring its operation in-house, as part of a programme of initiatives to deliver an improved service to its customers.

As part of this process Swish developed the TwentyFour-Seven system, designed to offer fabricators and installers a number of ‘quick wins’, simplifying production and generating new retail opportunities.

For example, with a five chamber system coupled with unique low line gasket, the suite helps to secure maximum glass area making it much easier to achieve an ‘A’ class energy rating.

This is further enhanced by the system’s use of the RCM reinforcement. Manufactured form recycled composite material RCM closes the loop on the recycling process bringing old ‘waste’ PVC-U material, including old post-consumer windows back into use. Less conductive than steel or aluminium reinforcements, RCM makes it much easier to achieve a higher energy efficiency rating.

Other efficiencies designed to make fabrication and installation easier and faster include self-locating hardware, clip-in glazing bridges and a pre-gasketing system.

Contributing to an overall recycled content of almost 30 per cent (depending on installation type) RCM also strengthens TwentyFour-Seven’s ‘green’ credentials. Add manufacture from a calcium organic formulation, TwentyFour-Seven is one of the most sustainable systems on the market.

Lindsay says: “The market is changing and Swish is changing with it. End users want a choice of styles and finishes and they want products that are energy efficient and sustainable.

“In the Traditional 70 and TwentyFour-Seven suites, we’re able to support fabricators and installers in meeting that demand.

“Underpinned by our investment in the Swish brand and we’re able to offer our customers an added value proposition that simplifies production and delivers new manufacturing efficiencies but moreover, allows Swish fabricators and installers to take that same added value proposition to their customer base.”

Epwin reinforces its ‘green’ credentials at Eco-build

12/1/2007

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, will unveil its new recycled composite material (RCM) reinforcement at Eco-Build this coming February.

Replacing steel or aluminium reinforcements in the manufacturing process, the RCM reinforcement has been introduced to all PVC-U window and door ranges from the Epwin Group.

Manufactured from old first generation post-consumer PVC-U windows, the material closes the loop on the recycling process and is the only product of its type to secure approval by the Government backed Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) in their guide to recycled content in construction products.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group said: “RCM not only brings waste material back into use but by replacing steel and aluminium sections in the window construction process it delivers a wide range of benefits.

“Far less conductive than traditional steel or aluminium reinforcements, RCM is much more energy efficient, forming an integral part of our next generation of advanced performance product ranges.

“In short, we are not merely paying lip service to our environmental responsibilities but acting on them to drive forward technical development throughout our business to ensure that we deliver the most sustainable and high performance products to our customers.”

Alongside RCM reinforcements, the Epwin Group has also introduced recycled content across its window, door, cavity closer, cladding and rainwater ranges. This activity is underpinned by major investment in the Group’s recycling operation Dekura which is able to offer a post-consumer waste recycling facility to the industry.

Unique in the UK Dekura has the capacity to recycle not simply factory off cuts but ‘old’ first generation PVC-U windows and doors that have reached the end of their natural lifecycle and which are now being replaced with more energy efficient and aesthetically stronger products.

Jim added: “We’re delivering a new generation of advanced performance products that are making homes warmer, more secure and energy efficient.

“We see cutting the amount of waste material going to landfill and in so doing making our products more sustainable, a fundamental part of this process.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group come and see us at stand E514 Eco-build at Earls Court London from February 26 to 28.

For further information please contact:

John Warren
Tel 01242 225803
Fax 01242 233548
E-mail: jwarren@epwin.co.uk

Swish the ‘one-stop-shop’ for home improvements

10/21/2007

Swish the specialist window and door and roofline and rainwater company will showcase its extensive range of low maintenance PVC-U products at this years Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC April 10th to 13th.

With a huge choice of advanced, energy efficient windows and doors, plus a choice of rainwater systems, low maintenance facias, soffits, cladding and fixings, the Swish family of products is a one-stop-shop for home improvements.

Swish not only offers the very latest and most technically advanced products but also provides a dedicated installer and supplier network. Rigorously enforced and with a strict code of conduct, it means homeowners can make improvements to their properties with absolute confidence.

Alan Calverley, Swish said: “Swish has been structured to make the whole process of making improvements to your property easy.

“We have put together an extensive range of secure, durable and sustainable products so that whether you’re buying new windows or doors, or fascias and guttering, you can do so with confidence because we have done the groundwork for you.

“By creating a network of approved suppliers we have cut the ‘hassle’ out of the home improvement process. The quality and workmanship of our approved installers reflects directly on us and our business. And as our reputation is the foundation of our success we’re not prepared to take any risks and that means our customers don’t.”

The Swish windows and doors and building products ranges can also help homeowners do their bit for the environment. Swish operates a unique recycling service that means it can not only recycle off-cuts from the production process but will collect and recycle old PVC-U windows and other PVC-U products that have come to the natural end of their lifecycle.

This post-consumer waste is then processed and refined, before being used in the manufacture of the new advanced range of Swish window, door, roofline and rainwater products - closing the loop on the recycling process.
And as a fully recyclable product PVC-U is one of the most sustainable products on the market place. In fact with a minimum forecast life of between 35 and 40 years and recyclable up to 10 times, PVC-U has an overall life span of up to 400 years – all this without the need for painting.

Swish is not only at the forefront of PVC-U recycling technology but also the delivery of a new generation of advanced ‘A’, ‘B, and ‘C’ rated energy efficient windows.

According to the latest research the average UK home produces six tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. Multiply that nationally and you get a total of 83 million tonnes.

Studies by Swish reveal that fitting advanced performance windows, for example a C rated window, will save 852kg of CO2 per year, per property – the equivalent of five double decker buses filled with gas - and over a 35 year period this rises to 29.8 tonnes. Fit an A rated window and the carbon saving becomes even higher, even positively adding heat to the property.

Alan added: “Fitting new windows doors, rainwater systems fascias, soffits or cladding can transform the appearance of any property. Advanced PVC-U products are not only available in a range of styles, finishes and colours but moreover are fully recyclable, sustainable and critically durable, saving homeowners both time and money.”

Epwin Group to showcase ‘New Generation’ of sustainable PVC-U products

10/1/2007

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, will be showcasing its new generation of advanced sustainable and energy efficient PVC-U products at Eco-Build this coming February.

As part of this ongoing programme of investment, group companies have developed an extensive range of advanced products featuring ‘A’ rated thermally efficient windows through to rainwater goods manufactured from old ‘waste’ material.

The Epwin Group is not only at the forefront of PVC-U recycling technology but also the delivery of a new generation of advanced ‘A’, ‘B, and ‘C’ rated energy efficient windows.

According to the latest research the average UK home produces six tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. Multiply that nationally and you get a total of 83 million tonnes.

Studies by the Epwin Group reveal that fitting advanced performance windows, for example a C rated window, will save 852kg of CO2 per year, per property – the equivalent of five double decker buses filled with gas – and over a 35 year period this rises to 29.8 tonnes. Fit an A rated window and the carbon saving becomes even higher, even positively adding heat to the property.

“The Epwin Group is fully committed to supporting this process.”

For more information on sustainable and energy efficient products from the Epwin Group come and see us at stand E514 Eco-build at Earls Court London from February 26 to 28.

For further information please contact:

John Warren
Tel 01242 225803
Fax 01242 233548
E-mail: jwarren@epwin.co.uk

Epwin invests £6.5million in Swish brand growth

8/21/2007

The Epwin Group has unveiled its plans for a £6.5 million programme of investment in Swish Window and Door Systems that will re-launch the Swish brand to the consumer market.

Under the proposals the Epwin Group will commit to a multi-million pound spend on Swish’s manufacturing operation in Rhymney, South Wales, creating new and safeguarding more than a hundred jobs.

As part of this process the systems company will launch TwentyFour-Seven, a new advanced profile suite that will sit alongside its existing Traditional 70 offer.

Announcing his ambitions for Swish, Jim Rawson, chairman of the Epwin Group said the Swish business was uniquely positioned to support fabricators and installers in the retail and new build markets.

He said: “This is a hugely exciting project for all at Swish, for the Epwin Group and the industry as a whole. The Swish brand has major resonance with the consumer and that gives those who choose to fabricate using it and to install it, a significant advantage over their competitors.

“Although maturing, the window and door market still presents major opportunity as long as you are prepared to add value to your offer.

“Our confidence in the Swish brand is manifest in the investment we are announcing today, which will further strengthen not only Swish’s reputation for quality and that of all Swish fabricators and installers but also support us in delivering a greater choice of products and ever higher standard of service to them.”

Swish took full control of its manufacture and supply process earlier this year, ending a supply contract with Aluplast and bringing its operation in-house, as part of a programme of initiatives to deliver an improved service to its customers. As part of this decision Swish announced major investment in the Rhymney plant, including new tooling, equipment, and fleet to support improved quality and service.

This also signaled an ongoing programme of investment in the existing Traditional 70 profile system, which will continue alongside the launch of the TwentyFour-Seven system.

The latest announcement represents an additional investment in the 9,000 sq metre extrusion operation. With support from the Welsh Development Agency it will create 30 new and secure more than 100 jobs in an area of significant economic deprivation.

This includes purchase of new state of the art extrusion lines and associated tooling dedicated to deliver the new TwentyFour-Seven suite at a multi-million pound spend. They are added to Rhymney’s existing 19 main extruders, plus a number of smaller extruders dedicated to applying the gasket to the main frames and beads. Further improvements to infrastructure delivered through the investment will give the plant an overall capacity in excess of 20,000 tonnes of profile per year.

Complete with integrated hardware, the fully sculptured, TwentyFour-Seven suite is a state-of-the art product designed to appeal to both retail and new build markets. Its five chamber system coupled with unique low line gasket helps to secure maximum glass area making it much easier to achieve an ‘A’ class energy rating.

The TwentyFour-Seven system also has major consumer appeal, featuring modern curved lines, in-built security including dedicated internal beading and fully integrated locks and handles. Using reinforcements manufactured from RCM (recycled composite material) which contribute to an overall recycled content of almost 30 per cent (depending on installation type) and manufactured from a calcium organic formulation, TwentyFour-Seven also scores highly against sustainability and environmental criteria.

It has also been designed to make fabrication and installation easier and faster featuring self-locating hardware, clip-in glazing bridges and comes complete with a pre-gasketing system.

Jim added: “Swish is a high street brand and that gives our customers whether manufacturing and installing in the Traditional 70 or new TwentyFour-Seven suites an edge on their competitors.

“TwentyFour-Seven has been designed to have strong USPs that will give it major appeal to consumers in addition to technical advances that make it both easier to manufacture and install.

“Designed to sit alongside the existing Traditional 70 offer we believe it will give our customers new choice and to support them in reaching new markets.”

The launch of TwentyFour-Seven will be underpinned by a major marketing campaign designed to build on and strengthen consumer awareness of the Swish brand. This includes the appointment of a leading specialist consumer consultancy, which will implement a campaign to raise awareness of the Swish brand in the national consumer media and lifestyle press plus targeted regional activity. This will be delivered in addition to the redesign of the Swish Window and Doors consumer online portal and direct mail and advertising campaigns.

The Swish approved installer scheme will also be re-invigorated to give greater consumer credibility.

For more information on TwentyFour-Seven and how it can give your business the edge or on the Traditional 70 call Swish Window and Door Systems on 0808 178 3040 or visit www.swishwindows.co.uk.

For further information please contact:

John Warren
Tel 01242 225803
Fax 01242 233548
E-mail: jwarren@epwin.co.uk

Epwin unveils investment in a greener future

8/1/2007

The Epwin Group has announced the acquisition of Celuplas, giving it new and increased capacity to recycle post-consumer waste PVC-U.

The purchase of the Birmingham-based recycling operation comes as part of the Epwin Group’s ongoing commitment to drive forward more sustainable modes of manufacture by cutting the amount of waste PVC-U going to landfill.

Celuplas is a leading recycling business with an established network of customers. Moving forward the business will specialise in the processing of post-consumer waste, dovetailing with the Epwin Group’s existing recycling operation Dekura.

Trading under the new name of Dekura Midlands, the acquisition of Celuplas will give Dekura new presence in the region, strengthening its nationwide network. As part of the agreement all Celuplas assets and employees will transfer to Dekura.

Jim Rawson, Group chairman, said: “As an industry we need to invest in making our products more sustainable.

“This means making sure that we take every opportunity to recycle the waste PVC-U that we generate, whether that’s waste generated from manufacturing off cuts or old early generation PVC-U windows that have come to the end of their lifecycle.”

With more than 30 years experience Epwin Group companies are at the forefront of research and development in the low maintenance window and door and cellular building products sector, manufacturing a wide range of advanced, sustainable and energy efficient products.

The new RCM reinforcement is the Group’s latest innovation. Introduced to PVC-U window and door ranges throughout the Group, RCM is manufactured from post-consumer waste PVC-U generated by the growing replacement of replacement market. Its launch not only brings waste material back into use but by replacing steel and aluminium sections in the window construction process it delivers a wide range of benefits.

This includes cutting out a substantial slice of the labour involved in the recycling process. Old windows inevitably contain steel which needs to be separated from PVC-U before it can be recycled. By contrast windows that have been strengthened with the RCM can be recycled as whole products, saving time, cutting costs and delivering a better quality of recycled material.

Jim added: “We’re delivering a new generation of advanced performance products that are easier to manufacture and install and are making homes warmer, more secure and energy efficient.

“We see cutting the amount of waste material going to landfill and in so doing making our products more sustainable a fundamental part of this process.

“Our acquisition of Celuplas and the facility and the expertise that the Celuplas team brings with it will strengthen our capability still further so that we in turn can offer our customers a better service, strengthening their green credentials and safeguarding markets.”

For further information please contact:

John Warren
Tel 01242 225803
Fax 01242 233548
E-mail: jwarren@epwin.co.uk

Epwin acquires injection moulding business

7/1/2007

The Epwin Group has announced the acquisition of injection moulding business KB Plastic Mouldings.

Based in Erdington, Birmingham, KB has been manufacturing injection mouldings since the 1970s.

The company will become part of the Components Division, changing its name from KB Plastics Mouldings to KB Plastics. The existing KB team will also become Group employees.

Jim Grant, Divisional Managing Director, Components Division said: “The acquisition of KB Plastics strengthens the Group’s offer, in particular giving us greater control of the supply chain.

“This generates the opportunity to improve both the quality of the products we supply and the service that we are able to offer our customers.”

Jim Rawson, Group chairman, said: “We welcome the staff of KB to the Epwin Group and look forward to the development and expansion of the KB Plastics business.”

For further information please contact:

John Warren
Tel 01242 225803
Fax 01242 233548
E-mail: jwarren@epwin.co.uk

Epwin launches new advanced RCM reinforcement

5/1/2007

The Epwin Group has unveiled its new recycled composite material (RCM) reinforcement introduced as part of its ongoing commitment to drive forward sustainable modes of manufacture.

The new RCM reinforcement is the Group’s latest innovation. Introduced to PVC-U window and door ranges throughout the Group, RCM is manufactured from waste PVC-U. Its launch not only brings waste material back into use but by replacing steel and aluminium sections in the window construction process it delivers a wide range of benefits.

Not only is the RCM reinforcement fully recyclable but as part of an advanced new generation of windows it also makes it easier to deliver higher window energy ratings. With a thermal resistance value of -0.17 W/mk RCM is an excellent insulation material, especially in comparison to traditional reinforcement materials including steel and aluminium, which have thermal resistance values of 50W/mk and 160W/mk respectively.

This is helping group companies and its customers to develop a new generation of energy efficient windows that are cutting the amount of energy lost from our homes, helping to make them warmer and more comfortable but also to cut energy consumption and by implication, carbon emissions.

Jim Rawson, chairman, the Epwin Group said: “The Epwin Group is fully committed to minimising the impact our operation has on the environment.

“While we are investing in a new generation of energy efficient and sustainable products which will make homes warmer and more comfortable for the consumer, we are also looking at all aspects of our business for opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint.

“Many of the Epwin Group companies have already completed the ISO14001 environmental accreditation while others will complete it shortly. And while we are doing are utmost to reduce waste, that which we do create is now being recycled and put back into use through RCM, closing the loop on the recycling process.”

RCM also has additional benefits over traditional reinforcements. Although steel reinforcements are galvanised to guard against corrosion, when cut the tip is left exposed and this can lead to rusting. RCM is made from PVC-U and doesn’t corrode or oxidize, therefore there is no risk of rusty swarf deposits post drilling. And because it can be welded, it can increase corner weld strength by 20 per cent, while also delivering a greater screw pull out value than steel.

Rawson adds: “As a Group we are constantly developing new innovations which benefit our customers whether fabricator, installer or social housing provider or end user.

“The RCM reinforcement is an important innovation, closing the loop on the recycling process and driving greater efficiency within our operations and externally in supporting our customers in developing advanced new products that are easier to manufacture and that deliver tangible benefits to the end user and the environment.”

For further information please contact:

John Warren
Tel 01242 225803
Fax 01242 233548
E-mail: jwarren@epwin.co.uk