AUGUST 2012THE FABRICATOR

76 Flowline sawing & machining centres were installedthroughout the UK and Ireland before this model was replacedby the ZX3. These machines were installed between January2000 and April 2006 and whilst every single one is still fullyoperational the technology has moved on a long way. Thesemachines sometimes become available to Stuga as trade-ins fornewmachinesandwhenthishappenstheyarestrippedbacktothechassisandrebuiltintoeitheraFlowline-4oraZX3specification.The only difference between the two models is price and outputas everything else is identical. The Flowline-4 can produce500 to 550 casement windows per week and the ZX3 600 to 700per week. There are now many customer references for thesetop quality, exceptional value for money, rebuilds that comewith a full 12 months ‘no-quibble’ parts and labour warranty.

www.stuga.co.uk

Machinery

0845652 8685

Fabricator Front Cover.qxp 21/08/2012 17:05 Page 1

The VEKA UK Group www.vekauk.com

The VEKA UK Group Farrington Rd, Burnley, Lancs, BB11 5DA. Tel: 01282 716611 Fax: 01282 725257e: salesenquiry@veka.com e: ukrecruitment@veka.com w: www.vekauk.com

• Largest manufacturer of PVC-Uprofile in the UK

• Global leader in technology andenvironmental issues

• Every style and WER – the rightproducts for every situation

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It's a one horse raceAs the industry's most powerful force, make a safe bet with The VEKA UK Group

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SINGLE Page layout33207.qxp 17/08/2012 12:02 Page 1

Contents

News – 4Green Deal Q&A; Auto feed atVeka;Veka – 50 years in the UK;Burgess steps down; Grew at SWA;Torchbearer; Queens award

Cover Story – 10Stuga automating Britain’s fabricators

Machinery – 12News,products and installations

The CAB Column – 18Comment from the DG

Glass & Structural Glazing – 17-22Dessicant issues; sealing with silicone; news and products

PVC-U – 20Kommerling’s record half and investment by its new owners; new specifier guides

Garden Rooms – 26Large conservatories and orangeries

Products – 30

The Fabricator 2012 1

THE FABRICATOR

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Editor John RoperTel: 079677 666794Email: john.roper.demon.eu

Associate Editor Brian ShillibeerProduction Editor Jac Roper

Advertisement salesSteve AnthonyTel: 07967 585475Email: steve.anthony@profinder.euTony BondTel: 07767 626789Email: tony.bond@profinder.euMehreen HaroonTel: 07814 209789Email: mehreen.haroon@profinder.euAlan AustenTel: 07854 403535Email: alan.austen@profinder.eu

Advertisement Production6 Glencoe Apartments, 15 Harold Road,Frinton-on-Sea CO13 9BETel: 01255 673311Fax:: 01255 678364Email: fabricatorcopy@profinder.eu

The Fabricator is published in the UK byProfinder Magazines Ltd.

Admin: chris.sims@profinder.euOpinions expressed inThe Fabricator are those ofthe contributors and do not represent editorial policy.The Fabricator accepts payment for colour pictures.Subscription rates: UK £45; rest of EC £60;worldwide £105

The Fabricator Vol 8 No 7ISSN: 1752-2145

www.profinder.euCopyright © 2012 Profinder Ltd.

❐❐❐

The Fabricator 2012 3

In associationwith

CommentI suppose I should write about the Olympics. Everyone else seems to be; youwill find references all over this edition of The Fabricator.

Of course it is all over now and here in East London folks are able to getabout again. (I should probably declare an interest here: I find the wholeOlympic thing about as interesting as a week old ham sandwich.) It was a bitof an imposition on us.We were told to change our schedules, not to go out.A colleague from my martial arts club was stuck in South London for theduration and a young friend of ours, who took to cycling to work, was killedby an Olympic media bus. In normal times neither he nor the bus would havebeen on that bit of road!

We don’t yet know what ‘legacy’ we will get from the event.There certainlyhasn’t been any boost to business and, so far, the contractors who worked onthe Olympic site haven’t been allowed to talk bout their work.There are a lotof windows over there and somebody had to make and install them. It’s allvery hush-hush and I’m sure the PROs are gagging to get to grips with thestories.

Having been sold the idea that the Olympics is good for us and would savethe country – actually the idea probably was that it would save the ineptpoliticians we have been saddled with – we are still being told that we are ina double dip recession. A bit of running and jumping is unlikely to sort that.On the other hand do we believe the figures? Unemployment is still fallingand, actually, the retail sales figures for June and July have been revised up-wards.We haven’t heard too much about the retail figures – potentially goodnews so nobody bothered to cover it much – but the falling unemploymenthas the rent-a-gob economists turning cartwheels to explain the trend. Bestthey seem to come up with is “Wrong kind of job.”

Add to this that companies are reporting record performance –Koemmerling this month reports a 30% sales boost for its first half and canlook forward to a big investment from the Profine Group’s new owners.Recently Solidor company Nice Door Panels reported similar growth. Inanother part of the economy engineering in general seems to be doing ratherwell.There have been reports in the media to that effect and a firm I knowpersonally reports the same.

The job-market enigma is compounded by what we all know: finding goodpeople is a nightmare.The engineering company I mentioned took 18 monthsto fill just two posts.

For the media this is officially ‘the silly season’. Every one is away, nothingmuch is happening. We wait for September when normal service will beresumed and maybe we’ll hear about those Olympic windows.

The young man who was killed by the Olympic bus – Dan Harris, he was 28 – hasa memorial fund which will be distributed between RNLI and Shelter. If you wouldlike to contribute to his Olympic legacy the details are:Account no. 38395614 sortcode 60-50-09.

If you do make a donation and need a receipt email: john@roper.demon.co.ukand I will arrange it

John Roper

THE FABRICATOR

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A new high-tech powder feed system hasbeen installed at VEKA’s Burnleymanufacturing site as part of its plans forinvestment in the UK market. The newsystem, which cost over £1m, transferspowder direct from silos to profile extrusionlines as part of a fully automated system.

This investment means that VEKA willnow be capable of processing in excess of 50thousand tonnes of powder every year,which will soon be mixed on-site at a newmulti-million pound mixing plant thecompany is currently building.

The new automated feed system replacesthe old method of depositing powder at thelines by lifting large day bins of PVC-Ucompound by forklift truck up to amezzanine floor, located above theextrusion lines. ❐

Veka Invests

NEWS

The Fabricator 20124

The Glass & Glazing Federationhas recently expressed key

concerns about the Green Deal andhow it could impact on the glass,windowandhomeimprovements industry.

Since August 2010, the GGF hasbeen lobbying and working withGovernment to ensure glass, windowand home improvements companiesof all sizes are included in the GreenDeal – the government’s plan to make14 million homes in the UK energyefficient by 2020. The GGF has beenrewarded with several successes –most notably the probable inclusionof replacement windows in the GreenDeal.

The potential exclusion of SMEsMany small companies fear that theGreen Deal will be just for the majorindustry players. SMEs haveexpressed concern they’ll be squeezedout of the market in the long term; onprice, difficulties in meeting GreenDeal legislation, Governmentbureaucracy and also because theybelieve the Green Deal assessment,which is likely to be paid for byproviders, will not be impartial.

Unfair VAT issuesThere is still no parity in the VAT

when it comes to Green Deal

products. Energy efficient glazing anddoors are still at 20% while otherenergy efficient products are currentlyat a reduced rate of 5% VAT.(However recent news from Europesuggests that 5% VAT may be illegal.)This anomaly will affect the outcomeof the ‘Golden Rule’ (the calculationsin the assessment that shows the costof the work undertaken is less than thefuel savings anticipated). Fuel is alsoat a reduced rate of VAT.

The bureaucracyThe many layers of involvement in

Green Deal, may prove a tough sell toconsumers and for companies. At themoment for a customer to make apurchase it will take 11 differentstages.

Fair Green Deal assessmentThe independence and impartiality

of those conducting Green Dealassessments is still under scrutiny withquestions such as: ‘how will assessorsbe paid?’ ‘who will pay them?’ and‘how much will it cost?’ still to beanswered.

The threat of new entrantsSeveral new (large) entrants have

arrived in the market with little or noknowledge or experience of

construction or windows. Howeverthese new entrants have significantmarketing clout and could squeezeprices and affect the whole market.

Proving the skills of the workforceMany companies in the glass and

glazing industry may not have toupskill their work force but will haveto pay to prove their competence.

ECO funding and the industryAccording to The Electricity and

Gas (Energy Company Obligation)Order 2012, it was assumed that‘glass’ would be fully considered.However, the conditions forreplacement windows states that ‘theinstallation of the replacementwindows must exceed the minimumenergy efficiency standard applicableto that measure’. In effect, this meansthat qualification for funding forreplacement windows under ECO isunlikely for most consumers.

Will Green Deal work?Across the UK in the glass and

glazing industry and in the broaderconstruction industry, the $64,000question is ‘will the Green Dealactually work?’ ❐

ggf.org.uk/green-deal-faqs

Green Deal – FAQs

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NEWS

Neil Douglass, financialcontroller for RenolitCramlington was honouredfor his charity works bybecoming one of the Olympictorchbearers ahead of thisyears London 2012 Olympics.Nominated by someone theyknow, in Douglass’ case hissister, 8,000 inspirationalpeople carried the OlympicFlame as it journeyed acrossthe UK.In October 2010 Douglass’world was turned upsidedown when he was diagnosedwith Chronic MyeloidLeukaemia (CML). CML is anextremely rare type of bloodcancer and had it goneundetected, he could havebeen dead within three years.In the short time he has been living with this disease his thoughtsturned to raising money for a charity which is trying to find a cure.Douglass chose Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research who offerpatients like him hope for the future, hope for a cure and supportin the meantime.So far Neil has raised nearly £10k since his diagnosis. he has donethe Coast 2 Coast Cycle Challenge, completed his 8th Great NorthRun and organised a charity games night which rose over £3k. ❐

If you would like to make a contribution to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Researchdetails can be found at www.beatbloodcancers.org.uk

As Rehau celebrates its 50thanniversary in the UK and the

25th year of PVC-U profile productionat its factory in Blaenau, North Wales,it is taking the opportunity to thank allthose customers who have played andcontinue to play such a significant partin its success.

One such customer is DessianProducts, based in Belfast, which hasbeen fabricating in Rehau profile since1985.To mark this achievement and theongoing strength of the partnershipbetween the two businesses, Rehau’sCEO Martin Hitchin visited Dessian’sBelfast HQ recently to present acertificate and engraved trophy to MDNigel Bothwell. Speaking at thepresentation, Martin Hitchin said:“Dessian and Rehau have grownalongside one another in the PVC-Uwindow and door sector.

“After 27 years, the partnership isstronger than ever and Dessian remainsone of our leading trade fabricators.” ❐

David Grew is the new presidentof the SteelWindow Association

(SWA), taking over from JohnChamberlain of REA MetalWindows. A director of Bermondseybased West Leigh, Grew has been inthe steel window industry for 27years and is looking forward tohelping members grow theirbusinesses while ensuring that thelatest steel windows continue to meetthe thermal efficiency requirementsof British Standards. ❐

Grew looking forgrowth

Step from chairJubilee jauntMasterframe MD Alan Burgesshas stepped down from thechair of the homeimprovement executive at theGGF. Long-time member anddirector since January 2008,Burgess has decided the HIEchair, which requires Fensa,BFRC and GGF boardattendance, is a full time role ifit is to be done effectively.

“I still need to do a day job topay the mortgage,” jokedBurgess on his final day in therole.“ Including runningMasterframeWindows anddoubleglazingcompanies.com” ❐

6 The Fabricator 2012

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VEKA has shown its support for London 2012 with aseries of new sports themed adverts. A campaign willbe appearing in trade issues to coincide with theLondon 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.Themes including athletics are being used to promotethe newly-formedVEKA UK Group and how its numberone position in the industry reflects the success theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland(orTeam GB for short) is hoping to achieve. Accordingto brand manager, Rebecca Mayhew, the recentlyreleased adverts have already been receiving positivefeedback:“We have had a great response to the newadverts so far; which highlight products and services aswell as the many benefits of NetworkVEKA.We will berunning the campaign throughout the UK’s summer ofsport – so watch this space!” ❐

NEWS

The Fabricator 20128

Keri Merilo, an engineer at RenolitCramlington has been awarded a

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond JubileeMedal for recognition of servicesprovided to the Blyth all-weatherlifeboat of which he is head ofoperations and a coxswain.

The Queen Elizabeth II DiamondJubilee Medal was awarded for havinghonourable service in the military,police, prison, and emergency forcesor for outstanding achievement inpublic service.

In 2004 the RNLI (Royal NationalLifeboat Institution) announced thewithdrawal of their all-weatherlifeboat from the busy port town ofBlyth in Northumberland. As soon asKeri (an experienced marine engineerwho previously worked for themerchant navy) heard the news he setabout forming a group of people toraise enough money to buy and runtheir own lifeboat. It is believed to bethe only all-weather boat amongst thefew lifeboats operating independentlyfrom the RNLI in the UK.

Since its launch, the Blyth all-weather lifeboat has been called outon numerous occasions and in someof the worst weather imaginable, torescue stricken boats, fishermen,stranded divers, water-skiers andswimmers and has undoubtedly saved

Bowater Doors has appointed JohnPark-Davies as national composite

door sales manager. he has worked inthe construction industry for 27 years,starting as an apprentice joiner beforegraduating through to senior roles atdirector level in business developmentwithin the composite door andfenestration industry.

Commenting on his new role, Park-Davies says: “I can clearly see there aresignificant business opportunities in thecurrent fenestration sector. With thesupport of Veka and building onBowater Doors’ significant strengths,while enhancing customer relationships,I believe the company is well placed tomeet the challenges ahead.”

Bowater Doors offers a range ofenergy efficient, composite doorsincluding entrance doors, fire doors, aflood defence door and utility door.Door slabs feature through-colour GRPskins in up to 21 styles and sets areavailable in either Veka or Halo profileoptions. The collection offers acombination of aesthetic appeal withthe benefits of high security, robustness,low maintenance and weatherperformance. ❐

many lives. The Blyth all-weatherlifeboat is a registered charity (No.1124987) and relies completely ondonations. ❐

If you would like to make acontribution details can be found at

www.blythallweatherlifeboat.com

QE II medal

Keri Merilo of Renolit has beenawarded a Queen Elizabeth IIDiamond Jubilee Medal

Opening filled

Sporty Ads

Pg04, 06, 08_thefabricator - News.qxp 22/08/2012 09:44 Page 3

Following on from the recent launch ofthe ModLok™ modular hardware systemby leading industry innovator Liniar, the

company is delighted to announce that its firstapplication will be on their brand new fivechambered Patio Plus. With an unparalleledrecord of bringing new and exciting productsto market Liniar is launching the Patio Plusfollowing the incredible success of its Bi FoldPlus and Casement Plus ranges.Patio Plus contains no fewer than twenty

new features for this kind of product, and withPatio Doors often making it no further thanthe drawing board these days it is refreshingto see one of the leading independent systemscompanies bringing a new patio to market.Speaking for Liniar Managing Director Roger

Hartshorn stresses that the new Patio Plus isdesigned specifically for Liniar fabricators.“Unlike some systems we will not let our keynew products out to anybody but fabricators ofour whole system. It is important that we repayour fabricators’ loyalty to us by bringing out newproducts which will give them an advantageover their competitors in the market place; andwith over 20 USP’s, we are extremely hopefulthat the new Patio Plus will do just that. ThePatio Plus is designed as a system, profiles andhardware working together to create a fantasticproduct for the market. It is also designedwith one of our key principles in mind, to drivefabrication cost out of all our products”.Key features of the new Patio Plus include

a revolutionary four wheeled bogey systemwhich gives the product a uniquely smoothrunning action and which Liniar thinks willhave outstanding consumer appeal. With aslim-line five chambered sculptured sash and asculptured glazing bead as other key featuresof the range, the company also believes it hasbrought patios into line with the rest of themarket where modern sculptured windowsystems are increasingly the norm. Alreadycapable of meeting the thermal requirementsof the proposed building regulations due forrelease in 2013 using just the most competitive

of sealed units, the Patio Plus is also extremelysecure, benefitting from being designed foruse with the ModLok ™ modular hardwaresystem which the company has developed withYale Hardware.Combining hardware and reinforcement

into one modular part, ModLok™ providesincreased strength and rigidity whilst alsoincluding the highest security six point lockingmechanism, including two genuine shoot-bolts.It is also a true anti-ligature product, even withthe lock engaged in the open position.Working with Yale Hardware as a partner was

the ideal solution for Liniar; Yale’s experienceof developing the highest quality locks over 150years of business gives ModLok™ an immediatemarket pedigree as well as its unique designfeatures, and as the most well-known brand inthe eyes of the public it gives Liniar customers agreat advantage when selling the product intothe market.Speaking for Liniar Technical Director Adrian

Redshaw re-emphasised the thinking of thecompany “our path is clear, we are committedto designing innovative products that give ourcustomers something better performing thanthe products which are already in the market.At the same time we are helping them toreduce fabrication time and overall productioncosts whilst giving them products with agenuine sales advantage over those of theircompetitors. Partnering with Yale Hardwarewas a natural fit for us and brings all theirexperience to the development of a brandnew industry concept. Fitted to our new PatioPlus it gives our fabricators something verydifferent to offer the market.”With the product available in the autumn

the company is hosting two open days for itsfabricators during the first week of September. Afull fabricator support pack including consumerbrochures, features and benefits brochure,trade price list, and fabrication and installationmanuals will be available during the open days.Liniar fabricators can look forward to havinganother fantastic new product at their disposal.

A quiet and smooth actionyou’ll have to shout about!

ModLokModular Hardware

New Liniar Patio Plus

01332 883900 www.liniar.co.uk @

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

From being a tool making business Stuga startedmanufacturing CNC machinery for manufacturing

aluminium window components and as the PVC-Umarket ignited moved on to manufacture machinery forthat sector. The first machine was the Routermaster CNCrouting machine for aluminium windows, doors and

curtain walling and this

machine is still in production today.From the success of the Routermasterthe company moved on to the Autocutautomatic PVC-U saw center which, like therouter, was the first machine of its kind in theUK market. Soon a design was put together for anautomatic drainage machine with a rotating head.This had some degree of success but was quicklyupgraded to a full rotary headed machining center.

COVER STORY

The Fabricator 201210

The Stuga brand has been in existence for 26 years and although theownership has changed during that time the company is still

manufacturing the same type of products in the same factory and even withsome of the same people

Automating Britain

The designers at Stuga had long realised that thecomplexity of UK windows required far more than thefixed tooling head systems offered on European machinesand a design was created for the first rotary headedmachining center. With a grant from the DTI Stugadeveloped the stand-alone rotary tooled machining centerthat would form the basis of the next generation of Stugamachines.

Not suitedWhen some of the German machinery manufacturers

adapted their sawing centers to machine as wellas saw and offered them in the

UK market, Stuga couldsee that this

equipment wasoften not reallysuited to thewindow styles.They were alsovery expensive andtherefore it seemeda good idea tocombine thesawing andmachiningtechnology toproduce an

automated sawing andmachining center with rotary tooling.

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Stuga constantly updates its machines to ensure theynever become obsolete and no matter how technologychanges this is always possible. All automated Stugamachines are available brand new or rebuilt (subject toavailability) and the company is always prepared to ensurethe right machine is sold to potential customers and theongoing support is what is required and expected for frontline equipment. Stuga encourages customers to visit theproduction unit in Gt Yarmouth so they can see forthemselves what the company is about and exactly whoand what they are dealing with. ❐

COVER STORY

11The Fabricator 2012

TTeell:: 00885566 552288668855wwwwww..ssttuuggaa..ccoo..uukk

This proved so popular that orders were received from sixPVC-U fabricators just from seeing the prototype workingat the Stuga factory in Gt Yarmouth. These early ordersformed the basis of what has become a major success storywith nearly 150 automated lines sold in the British windowmarket.

Medium firstStuga aimed the first automatic sawing and machining

center at the medium part of the output range, around 600windows per week, but later developed machines toproduce 1,000 per week for bigger fabricators and a 400per week version for the smaller ones.This latter machinewas designed with a very small footprint in order to savespace which is often at a premium for smaller companies.

Early Stuga customers reasoned that buying Britishwhen possible is a good policy as spares are readilyavailable and it is easier to get hold of the technical staff ina British based company than in a factory more than athousand miles away where they speak a differentlanguage, have a different time zone and different workingpractices.

RebuildThe double-dip recession has brought a number of old

Stuga machines back to the market many of which thecompany has rebuilt into new machines but every one ofthe machines produced by Stuga over the last 26 years canbe rebuilt and re-used until technology eventuallychanges.

Early Stugacustomers

reasoned thatbuying British

when possible isa good policy

page 10-11.qxp 21/08/2012 11:36 Page 3

MACHINERY

The Fabricator 201212

Known worldwide for providingleading technology and expertK

customer care in the glass and stonesector, Intermac has built its entirebrand on this reputation whichencourages brand loyalty from itsworldwide customer base.

New launchThe company is part of the Biesse

Group, the world’s largest producerof CNC machinery, and investsheavily in R&D to bring the latestadvancement in technology to themarket that empowers its customersto achieve more. Recently, afterseveral months of trials Biesse GroupUK has launched its latest product,one that saves its customers moneyand provides complete peace ofmind.

FirstBiesse’s five years Total Care

Warranty is the industry’s first fiveyear manufacturer’s warranty. It’s aproduct that’s included in the priceof all new machinery from Intermac,a product that gives owners andoperators complete peace of mind forfive years or 10,000 working hours(whichever comes first), knowingtheir investment is protected andunder complete warranty.

To ensure that the Total Care

warranty is applicable Intermac isalso including five years servicing inthe Total Care package, whichenables Intermac to ensure that the

ConfidentWhen a customer buys a machine

from Intermac they can feelconfident that the cost of ownership

F i ve yea r ca re

machinery is working to BiesseGroup’s high standards and validatesthe warranty every year or every1,000 hours.

is reduced, having eliminated the costof servicing charges and anyunforeseen machinery break-downsthat occur during the Total Carewarranty period. All customers haveto pay for is the machine, the toolingand the wear and tear parts that amachine uses during the warrantyperiod.

On stand-byFurthermore if there is an issue

with any Intermac machine BiesseGroup UK’s team of expertengineers are on stand-by to get theircustomers, machines working asquickly as possible either via phonewhere the engineers can connectdirectly to the machine over theinternet or through a site visit. Toassist Intermac’s service departmentthe spare-parts department holdsover two million pounds worth ofstock in the UK to ensure parts canreach customers on a next daydelivery. ❐

TTeell:: 0011332277 330000336666

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SAWSGRAULE TC170N Compound Mitre SawPERTICI DMS200 Double Mitre SawEMMEGI 450 COMPUCUT Double mitre sawPERTICI 40AI Semi-aut Single Mitre SawWELDERSSTB SLV Variable angle single head welderSTB SL3 UNI 3 Head combination welderTECHNOPRIMA PR230TVH 3 Head combination welderSOMECO 504FM 4 Head combination welderELUMATIC STURTZ Vertical Quad welderCLEANERSJADE TG3 Self centre transom grooverJADE JBC Reverse butt cleanerURBAN SV280 – 3 Cutter corner cleanerROTOX 379 CNC Corner / Transom cleanerROUTERSBURK & LANG SK8/2 Water slot routerDELTA FC1 Aluminium / PVC Copy routerKOMBIMATIC 2 Head Door Router Aluminium / PVC

WE HAVE OVER 100 MACHINES IN STOCK

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£2,500.00£6,250.00£6,995.00£10,500.00£12,500.00

Suppliers of window manufacturing machineryto the aluminium and PVC-U trades

GEMSKILL

HORIZOPNTAL page horiz.qxp 22/08/2012 15:23 Page 1

MACHINERY

The Fabricator 201214

Telford based Libra Systems hasinvested in the latest Mecal

MC305 Kosmos TM DPM – CNCmachining centre, supplied byAddison Saws of Stourbridge. Theacquisition is part of Libra’scontinuing drive to reduce costs,raise production efficiency levels andreduce energy consumption.

A well known manufacturer of coldrolled metal products, which are allused in the construction of wallpartitioning and suspended ceilings,Libra Systems, purchase of thisadvanced floor-type, vertical spindle,4-Axis CNC machining centre,complete with its dedicated toolsfacility, makes it a highly efficient,flexible and compact unit.

Peter Allen, sales and marketingmanager of Libra Systems says: “Thislatest investment will not only gotowards helping us to furtherimprove the operational efficienciesof our current production processes,but more significantly, support ourdrive to expand and gain new productsand customers in the longer term.”

The latest MC305 Kosmos TMoffers a normal useable workinglength of up to 4,000mm. For longerwork pieces, the differentialmachining cycle can also be used to

double its useful working length to8,000mm, which along with itscentrally located and well protectedtooling magazine, storing up to eightmilling, threading, cutting, end millingand angular heads, makes it anextremely accurate, fast and positivelycost-effective machining centre.

The ‘Electro-Welded Base’ designof these machining centres, alsoensures a highly rigid framework forits multi-functional capabilities,where for instance, work pieces areheld by four pneumatic vicesmounted on the machine’s mobilebeam, which slide on ballrecirculation screws and can rotate

Flexible centre efficiency

Gemskill, supplier of UPVCand aluminium windowmachinery in the UK, has awide range of high-quality,used and refurbishedmachines that are available atgreat prices.If a machine is not in stockthe company may be able tosource it from othermachines it has available.In the present financialenvironment it is becomingever more common formanufacturers to takeadvantage of the good secondhand machinery available onthe market rather thanbuying new.Gemskill claims that its customers can expect first-rate service every step of the way. It will guidethem through everything they need when purchasing window machinery.As well as machinery Gemskill claims it is one of the largest stockists of window machinery spares fornew and old in the UK.Its service engineers are able to work on most types of machinery in use. ❐

wwwwww..wwmmdduukk..ccoomm

(4th Axis) through any angle between+125°. The two primary benefits tothis facility, are that all workings canbe done with the main spindle,thereby cutting out the need for costlyangle drive heads, and that the fullcomplement of the machining centre’stooling magazine, are also all availableto work on all the work faces.

The Mecal ‘Kosmos’ range usesstandard industrial PC hardware,monitors and keyboards, which arerobust, easy to use and less sensitiveto industrial environments and a loteasier and less expensive to repair orreplace, if anything goes wrong. ❐

TTeell:: 00004444 ((00)) 11338844 226644 995500

–

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An ASSA ABLOY Group brand

ShootboltWindowLocks

EncloserWindowLocks

With two all new high performance window locks and a 10 year securityguarantee, Yale are now truly in the frame for casement window security.Whether you prefer bi-directional twin-cam systems or traditional shootboltwindow locks, Yale has a system to suit both your security andmanufacturing needs. Suitable for all PVC systems and fully compliant withBS7950 and Secured-by-Design, can you afford to be fitting anything else?

For more information call Yale on 0845 2232128 orvisit www.yale.co.uk

After years of securing your doorswe’re now securing your windows.

HORIZOPNTAL page horiz.qxp 22/08/2012 15:13 Page 1

GLASS & STRUCTURAL GLAZING

The Fabricator 2012

Well done Thermoseal, the short article Angstrom Anguishin February’s “Fabricator” is accurate and important. In

our business travels we find far too many buyers and even QCpersonnel labour under the kind of illusions Thermoseal referto.

Most commonly, there is a misleading perception that highDelta-T test results mean the desiccant has a high adsorptioncapacity.Not so.Delta-T is important of course, as a quick andeasy test method to check that desiccant is active, but it hasno direct relationship with useful capacity.

Low capacity desiccants like those based on calciumchloride can still register high Delta-T readings. They are ofcourse unsuitable for I G. Others, like those we recommend,are designed to have a high overall capacity but are engineeredto display a deliberately slow adsorption speed.A slow rate ofadsorption means less moisture is adsorbed from the factoryatmosphere during I G manufacture; there can often be threehours or more between opening a desiccant container, andsealing the filled I G units,during which time available desiccantcapacity is being wasted.

And well done again for reminding everyone that ISO 9000is not related to product quality in any way, it is a QAprocedure primarily for traceability, allowing faulty batches ofproducts to be identified and traced back to the raw materialsthat went into them. In theory a company can have full ISO9000 traceability regardless whether their products are goodor not.

I agree too on the most important aspects that constitutehigh quality I.G. desiccant, especially adsorption capacity

although I would look for a minimum of 19-20% rather than16%. One new specialist 3-Angstrom I G desiccant has beenindependently tested to 28% and excels also in terms of highactivity and low gas desorption (water displacement) so thereis no need to compromise.The overall capacity of a desiccantis the single most important factor for seeing I G unitscomfortably through their guaranteed lifespan.

Ashton Industrial has a stringent routine for double-checking and verifying the properties of every single batch ofdesiccant that passes through the warehouse. Batch numbers,Delta-T activity, electrostatic charge and gas desorption areall recorded and added to the manufacturer’s own qualitycertificate provided to customers with each delivery. ❐www.ashton-industrial .com

Anguish responseFrom Iain Britain of Ashton Industrial

page 17.qxp 21/08/2012 11:27 Page 1

The Olympics are behind us, with great resultsand a British medal feast. It offers us some light

(but probably tense in many cases) relief from whatthe statisticians tell us is still a declining market(5.2% fall in construction in Q2). While we watchedin awe as athletes pushed themselves to the limits ofhuman endurance, we might have reflected on therange of iconic buildings where many of the eventstook place as well as their enduring aluminiumcontent (that we are not allowed to say much about).However, government being only too aware of thedrop off in major projects since their completion andthe stalling of a number of private-public partnershipschemes and significant infrastructure, hasintroduced two new support schemes in the form ofUK guarantees and a temporary lendingprogramme. With no actual investment being madehere, I believe our own sector will be far moreinterested in the £2.4bn priority schools buildingprogramme that will soon be out for tender.

With this in mind, Maber Associates who haveworked on a number of high profile educationprojects in both the East Midlands and London willbe speaking at our next regional members’ event inCoventry at the end of October. Continuing ourtheme of specification they will be exploring Thejourney of a specification from concept to site. One of thekey areas will be looking at some of the lessons to belearned if you want to be successful in getting yourproducts selected and this will include for examplecurtain walling and ironmongery. There will be thenuances of the journey itself, how products getchewed-over by clients, with some manufacturersexcellent at supplying very compelling information to thespecifier in a variety of forms.

There are many objectives to CAB’s RegionalMembers’ events, but one underpinning them all ishighlighting to members across our wide supply chain justhow, in practise, they can gain competitive advantage. Inthe current climate it is still a case of focusing on what youcan change and improve within your own business. Insightinto product development such as Maber’s work with podmanufacturers and the architect’s perspective onspecification can offer inspiration as to how companies canboth improve to compete better in the current recessionand more importantly how to position themselves readyfor a predicted upturn in the second half of 2014. By thistime we must hope that the aluminium in building andwider construction sector will have been allowed topromote their product’s involvement in London 2012 toOlympic proportions. ❐

The Fabricator 201218

ALUMINIUM – THE COLUMN

An Olympic specification

Justin Ratcliffe

For more details of CAB’s events orhow to become a member contactCAB on 01453 828851 or emailjulie.harley@c-a-b.org.uk

Some lightrelief from whatthe statisticians

tell us

Page 18.qxp 21/08/2012 11:39 Page 1

SINGLE Page layout33207.qxp 21/08/2012 16:07 Page 1

gas loss rate is one per cent per year. Some warm-edgesystems may have proven gas tightness to this standardeven with silicone sealant. But with many of those newwarm edge spacer systems, large façade units are not asimple thing to produce. Furthermore, there is a growingdiscussion about the durability edge bonds in morechallenging climates and edge loads.

For more than 15 years, Kömmerling Chemische

GLASS & STRUCTURAL GLAZING

20

With a spacer profile, whether conventionalaluminium or a warm edge spacer, with silicone for

secondary sealant, the butyl is fully responsible for thetightness of the sealed unit. Butyl is applied on both sidesof the spacer profile and pressed to a thickness of 0.2 to0.3 mm, to create the lateral diffusion barrier on bothsides of the spacer profile. But where the spacer ends

come together, every bent frame has a junction with aconnector piece. A larger frame might even have two if anendless junction of two spacer bars is included. Theseprofile junctions have to be sealed carefully, withadditional work, to avoid gas loss through this gap.

Gas fillings play an important part for superior thermaltransmission coefficients of double or triple glazing. Tomaintain the low Ug-values for the whole working life of aunit, only the smallest gas loss rates are acceptable.According to the European product standard forinsulating glass EN 1279 part 3, the limiting value of the

Sticking with siliconeSilicone sealant has no gas retention capability so it is somewhat difficult to produce gasfilled insulating glass sealed with silicone. However, there is a growing demand for suchunits for structural glazing façades.The gas will only stay inside the insulating glass unitswith an absolutely tight primary, butyl, seal – for conventional edge bond with spacerprofiles a nearly impossible task.With the thermoplastic edge bond Ködispace 4SG,Kömmerling reckons it has succeed in squaring the circle

Modern structural glazingfaçades, like this DaemyongHotel in Yeosu, SouthKorea, cannot workwithout noble gas fill andwarm edge. Due to thesilicone sealing, thedemands for quality of theedge bond are high(Image source: KömmerlingChemische Fabrik GmbH)

Climate loads create a constant stress on the primarysealant butyl by elongating and pressing it. Overstrain willfinally lead to cohesive breakage inside the butyl strips. Thiswill open diffusion channels for gas loss and intrusion ofhumidity (Image source: Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH)

Because of theirelasticity, thermoplasticspacers like Ködispace4SG are less susceptibleto climate loads. Thepumping movements ofa sealed unit are spread

over the whole width of the butyl-like material. Therefore,the stress within the material and the danger of cohesivebreakage is considerably smaller(Image source: Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH)

Fabrik has been supplying TPS-lines with apolyisobutylene-based thermoplastic spacer. Thismaterial is extruded as a spacer directly onto the glasspanes and sealed with a secondary sealant.The material isextremely gas and water vapour tight which is why nometal is required.The thermoplastic spacer is an excellentwarm edge system with very good Psi values. But up tonow, there was always a possibility of chemicalincompatibility with glazing silicones.

The new development from Kömmerling, Ködispace4SG, is a warm edge solution for silicone sealed units.Different to conventionalTPS-material, this reactive butylbuilds a chemical bond with both the silicone sealant andthe glass surface. As a result a dislocation of the spacermaterial is impossible. Furthermore this material has anextended temperature range up to +90 °C. According toKömmerling, Ködispace 4SG has proven to be totallyunsusceptible even when used with glazing materials thathave proved incompatible with conventionalthermoplastic spacers.

Ködispace was subjected to a series of compatibility testcycles with alternating climate from -20 °C to +80 °C at98% relative air humidity. The cycles were stopped after64 weeks without any negative findings. The units werestill in working order and perfectly tight. However, inpractice only tested and approved materials should beused.

The Fabricator 2012

page 20.qxp 22/08/2012 08:40 Page 1

Main component of thethermoplastic spacerKödispace 4SG isPolyisobutylene, which ispolymerised fromIsobutylene. It has an

outstanding temperature resistance and chemical stability(Image source: BASF)

CChheemmiiccaall bbaacckkggrroouunnddPolyisobutylene (abbreviation: PIB) is synthetically

produced rubber. It was first produced in 1931 by theBadischen Anilin- und Sodafabrik (BASF) and sold underthe brand name Oppanol. Depending on the molecularweight it varies from viscous oil to rubber like products,characterised by low density, high temperature resistanceand strong chemical stability. PIB is used in many versatileapplications, as essential raw material in the manufactureof fuel additives and lubricant additives, in coatings ofroofing membranes, sealants for insulating glass, medicalapplications like glue for plaster and even in chewing gum.

WWaarrmm eeddggee aanndd ssuussttaaiinnaabbiilliittyyBesides energy efficiency, one of the main targets of the

upcoming years will be the sustainability of buildings.With international evaluation and certification systems asLEED (Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign), more and more projects are analysed for theirenvironmental friendliness. Categories like facilitymanagement, water- and energy consumption, materialand resources, environmentally friendly interior work aswell as innovation and design are evaluated. Exceptionallysustainable buildings are decorated with a silver, gold orplatinum label. This certification is demanded for more

GLASS & STRUCTURAL GLAZING

21The Fabricator 2012

and more large projects. Glass producers are askedincreasingly for information required for such evaluationsystems.

In 2008 the raw material producer BASF conducted aneco-efficiency analysis for window spacer systems, basedon the ISO 14040 standard for environmental life cycleassessment. Result of this study was that thermoplasticspacers such as Ködispace 4SG perform best in allenvironmental categories. The thermoplastic spacertechnology can contribute to precious points for the(LEED) assessment system.

Comparison of physico-chemical properties of thermoplasticspacers with Ködispace 4SG(Source: Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH)

FFlleexxiibbllee iinnssuullaattiinngg ggllaassss pprroodduuccttiioonnWith maximum automation, the direct application of

thermoplastic spacers onto glass makes for a highlyefficient insulating glass production system. There is noneed to sort frames before setting or to sort sealed units atthe end of the line. No material change is necessary inproduction, which can run exactly according to customerorders. Standard units or special shapes are all possible onthe same line.

Producers with TPS-lines appreciate the simplicity oftheir stock.All spacer sizes, from 1mm to 20 mm are takenfrom the same drum. Corner keys or linear connectors arenot required, desiccant is already included in the materialand further to Henry Ford’s dictum, any colour is possibleas long as it is black. Installed inside a window frame, thecolour of the frame is reflected in the black spacer material

- no more need for theinconvenient stockingof spacers in variouscolours. Athermoplastic spacerlike Ködispace 4SGallows the preciseadjustment of glasspackage thicknesses aswell as the productionof free shapes andsmallest radii of downto 100 mm.

Ecological footprint for windowspacer systems (Image source:BASF)

The material isprecisely appliedalong the glassedge. This allows aproduction of tripleunits withoutmisaligned frames(Image source:Bystronic Lenhardt)

As the application robot is following the glass edge, thespacer material is always precisely positioned, even forlarge frames. Having to have operators on ladders toposition large-scale bent spacer frames are history.This iswhy a thermoplastic warm edge system is so convenientfor large façade units. And for triple units there is nomisalignment of the two frames – a fact that is oftencausing complaints with bent frames made of warm edgespacer profiles.

Ködispace 4SG allows a production of façade units withgas fill and silicone edge bond with no risk at all.Structural glazing façades with best psi- and Ug-valuesare now possible. ❐

TEL: 01895 465600www.koemmerlinguk.com

page 21.qxp 22/08/2012 17:37 Page 1

The Glass MachineryCompany hasbecome the sole UKdistributor for Italiancompany, Keraglass.The Keraglass brandis well establishedworldwide for itsquality andreliability. Thecompany providescomplete industrialsolutions for the flatglass and benttempered glass sectors whilst also providing a broad range ofproducts for screen printing and drying.Phil Birhall, managing director atThe Glass Machinery Companysays:“As Keraglass is a prestigious company it gives us a strongadvantage when approaching existing and potential customers.” ❐

Tel: 01630 638555

GLASS & STRUCTURAL GLAZING

The Fabricator 201222

As Bedford High School in Leigh,Greater Manchester, struggled to

seat its 1,200 pupils – over a 45 minutelunch period and in a dining room builtfor just 240 – the only solution was toextend.

The school was established in 1976with the merger of Leigh Boys’Grammar School and Manchester RoadSecondary Modern School, which werelocated next to each other. Itimmediately doubled its quota of pupils,who were all vying to be seated duringlunch breaks. With only 45 minutes to

School dinnersQuickslide put over £50,000 into the

latest phase of glass plant includingautomated gas filling equipment and anew Superspacer line.

The company’s glass unit output hasalso been simplified by offering two highefficiency specifications. The standardIGU specification is a ‘B’ window energyrating when installed in Quickslide’s VSframes. ‘A’ rated units are available for anominal additional cost.When installedin Quickslide’s VS windows the latteroffer the most energy efficient PVC-Uvertical sliding frames available in theUK, achieving ‘A+8’.

Quickslide chairman AdrianBarraclough says: “With the glass plantand the other services that we maintainin house, such as applying our ownfoiling, we are able to control andcontinuously improve every aspect ofour production. The improvements wemake provide stability in pricing and

allow us to maintain and improve ourservice to customers,which is especiallyimportant in tough trading conditions.We provide stable prices and a serviceour customers can depend upon whichin turn they may pass on.We do this bydoing things better, not making cuts.” ❐

www.quickslide .com

Glass gassed

get its pupils fed and watered, lunchtimes were becoming bothuncomfortable and stressful due to alack of space and time.

Budget constraints meant a fullextension wasn’t an option, particularlyas the school was quoted £250,000 forthe work to be carried out. Premises

Edgetech has recently completed thefirst stage in a new customer

satisfaction survey it has established andis pleased to report excellent results.“Just weeks after the BFRC released itsconductivity figures which showedEdgetech’s Super Spacer as the topperforming spacer product, we arepleased to see that we are still gettingthings right for our customers in otherareas of the business too,” says Alan

Fielder, director of sales and marketingat Edgetech.

“We all think we know whatcustomers like and what they don’t likeabout us but the truth is we don’t knowuntil we ask. ❐

www.edgetechig.co.uk

Edgetech tops

manager, Ceri Jenkins, therefore wentback to the drawing board and came upwith a solution that would providedining space for a further 400 pupils.His plan was to build an extension onone side of the existing dining roomwith a fabric canopy and three walledsides, utilising windows from SpectusWindow Systems.

Bedford High School contractedfabricator and installer, TyldesleyWindows in Leigh, to provide thewindows, which sit over dwarf walls onall three sides of the new dining room. ❐

www.spectus.co.uk.

page 24.qxp 21/08/2012 17:52 Page 1

As part of its support packages forfabricators,Veka brand Halo – one ofthe UK’s leading manufacturers ofenergy efficient doors, windows andfenestration packages – has producedtwo new guides on its System10 andEclipse systems which are designed tomake marketing the systems’ benefitsto architects and other specifiers thatmuch easier.Both ranges are also updated on NBSPlus, the online library of buildingproduct manufacturer details linked toclause guidance in the NBS specificationproducts, so clients can save timewithout compromising quality.Architects and specifiers can drag and drop these product specifications directly into projectspecifications and be sure that what they specify is accurate and suitable for the purpose intended.The two systems have been widely specified throughout the public sector over the past 25 years,offering fenestration solutions that are proven to combine cost-effectiveness with energy efficiency asthey are based around a tried and tested range of windows and doors.The System10 Specification Guide and the Eclipse Specification Guide provide specifiers with athorough review of the technical improvements that have so improved the thermal performance ofthe windows and doors including thermal inserts, more energy efficient glazing options and theintroduction of triple glazing.Both systems produce windows that are tested to meet the performance requirements of BS6375wind and water testing – classification severe, meet latest security standards of BS7950 and canachieve U-values as low as 0.8W/m2K with triple glazing or 1.3W/m2K using double glazing as well asreducing noise by up to 30dB (BS EN140).System10 also incorporates a curtain walling system that is primarily used in the refurbishment ornew building of schools, hospitals, office blocks, and other commercial constructions.The systemprovides for U-values as low as 1.0W/m2K using triple glazing and can incorporate photovoltaic panelsand solar shading options.The 32-page full colour guide covers the full System10 product range: from casements and top swingwindows, through to curtain walling, fire doors and the company’s stunning high-performanceSmartSash system. It also details optional elements such as coloured foils and ancillary items. ❐

www.halo-uk.com

PVC-U SYSTEMS

The Fabricator 201224

Kömmerling has built on its 2011 performance with agreat set of results for the first half of 2012. Sales

were up 30% on the previous year and the company hasadded 12 new fabricators to its expanding nationwidenetwork.

This year has also seen a change in ownership withFrankfurt-based Hidden Peak Capital purchasing theshares from Arcapita Bank BSC of Bahrain. The newowners have already put into place a further investmentprogramme of e130m for the next three years as part of along-term growth strategy across Europe.

Hidden Peak Capital is a private German investmentcompany run by its owner and makes long terminvestments in enterprises that they believe haveconsiderable potential, as their name suggests.This ownerled investment is in stark contrast to typical private equitybased investment companies that often seek short-termreturns, often at the expense of long-term gains.

Profine UKmanaging directorRobert Thiroff,says: “We’ve had ahighly impressivefirst half of 2012and I fully expectthis trend tocontinue as weinvest further in theUK market. Thelong-term prospectsfor us and ourcustomers look verybright indeed, withfurther newdevelopments in thepipeline.” ❐

Profine’s new owner invests

page 26.qxp 21/08/2012 11:40 Page 1

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GARDEN ROOMS

26

Aprivate home, in Jersey, required special planningpermission for its recent orangery construction which

is 8m x 8m and incorporates a 6.2m x 6.2m lantern.Aesthetics were extremely important to match the style ofthe stone property.

The house which is situated in one of Jersey’s mostprestigious areas is one of the largest properties on theisland encompassing more than 15,000sq ft. Thehomeowners specified a thermally efficient, self cleaningglass roof which would add value to the home and providea room that could be used all year.

Contract gainTuffX won the contract with Orangery Solutions

Limited. Orangery Solutions had used the Ambi-Max 4mglass lengths for a number of other projects. The Jerseyproject has led to other referrals on the island with afurther large orangery installation to be completed soon.

The Ambi-Max glazing option from the Ambience rangeprovides a 1.2 U-value and this combined with a patentedOrangery Solutions system ensures the specification foryear round usage can be achieved.

Paul Nellis, MD at Orangery Solutions, comments: “Asan extremely high specification job, it was essential toinstall units that would ensure any issues relating to leaks

were completely eliminated. Now TuffX offers these largerunits, we have a huge advantage as they create fewertechnical problems after installation.

“We also needed to manage heat loss and gain. TheTuffX units give us different solar control options and inconsultation with their team we came up with the rightsolution. With such an impressive installation we had toknow that our supplier could match the standards weprovide for our customers.”

One leads to anotherNellis continues: “The homeowner is delighted with the

finished project and this has led to his neighbour orderingan even larger orangery. Seeing is believing!”

Growing nicheGraham Price, MD at TuffX comments: “Ambi-Max

was developed as a product to eliminate problemsregarding leaks and it is growing in popularity as a nicheoversize product that eliminates the need for muntin bars.Increasingly we have seen this become very popular forboth orangery and conservatory projects because of theaesthetic benefits it offers.” ❐

www.ambiglass.co.ukPictured: The Jersey homeowners specified a thermally

efficient, self cleaning glass roof

Island in the sun

The Fabricator 2012

Ambi-Max superlength units, only available fromTuffX, proved to be ideal for a prestigiousorangery project in the Channel Islands

p28, 29_theinstaller August 2012 Garden Rooms.qxp 22/08/2012 10:16 Page 1

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GARDEN ROOMS

The Fabricator 201228

Conservatories are evolving – and garden rooms areblooming – driven by the more progressive fabricators

in the industry, along with consumer demand for a newgeneration of living space and homeowners seekingsomething more in keeping with house design.

The ‘Gardenroom’ roof from Prefix has been indevelopment for some time and is designed for both newinstallations and the emerging replacement market. Thestructure uses fixed joints at the ridge which are more incommon with traditional methods of roof construction,helping to provide a very stable structure.

FeaturesPitches from 12.5 to 40 degrees are available as

standard, with lower pitch variations available on request,with roof designs in lean-to, Georgian/Edwardian, gableand Victorian variants. The Gardenroom roof has alsobeen designed with a number of features including newoak struts, which provide a contemporary twist to atraditional truss or tie bar in a conservatory, to increase thespanning capabilities. Further design features include aneaves overhang to mirror traditional roofs. Where thecustomer wants the Gardenroom roof to match the

existing house tiles or slate, Prefix can supply its Retro-fixposts to support the larger roof loads with slate or tiles.

Quick buildInstallation time is quick thanks to the pre-engineered roof

panels, which have the insulation already fixed and simplydrop into place between the aluminium frame, leaving theinside ready for the plaster board to be fitted. Velux rooflightsare also available, with the panels pre-prepared for these to fitin without any on site preparation. ❐

prefixsystems.co.ukPictured: Prefix Systems has just launched a garden

room roof which it expects to prove very strong in a newand blooming market

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p28, 29_theinstaller August 2012 Garden Rooms.qxp 22/08/2012 10:18 Page 2

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new house ad page.qxp 22/08/2012 14:01 Page 1

CompositedoormanufacturerSolidor hasjust issued anew 44 pagebrochure thathighlights thewide choice offeatures fromthe solidtimber corebased doorrange. Thecompositedoor market may be buoyant but it is also packed with standardGRP doors, in stark contrast to the engineering and innovationwithin the Solidor composite door.This new brochure highlightsthe designs, Green Promise, 14 internal and external colours andwide range of accessories.The new brochure also details framecolours, edge banding colours, glass types and a number ofhardware and locking options. Solidor has also been quick to tie-upexclusive deals with hardware suppliers, alongside the company’sown DorPro range to help customers sell the benefits of theproduct.The door designs also extend to stable doors, French doorsand even matching side panels.The brochure is also completed withdetails on Solidor’s luxurious Italia Collection, which is a range ofcontemporary designed doors inspired by Italian design. ❐

The Fabricator 201230

Cutting Edge has recently achievedthe PAS 23 and PAS 24 industry

accreditations with BSI in relation to allPVC-U doors within the range.With aneye on future market direction and anyprospective directives to be introducedregarding CE marking, seniormanagement wanted to ensure thattheir customers would be in anadvantageous position in relation toboth quality and sales generation.

After rigorous testing the companyachieved the new industry standardswith BSI which will provide a number ofbenefits for installers including superiorsecurity standards.

Cutting Edge customers will be in theenviable position of providingconsumers with an advanced productthat already achieves the requirementsfor CE marking. Whilst the company hasalways been recognised for providingquality products combined withexcellent services, managementconsider this will be an advantage intoday’s fiercely competitive industry. ❐

www.cuttingedgewindows.co.uktoday’s fiercely competitive industry.

The i3 glazing system, developed byi3 glazing system, developed byTremco illbruck for Passiv HausTremco illbruck for Passiv Haus

projects and other developmentsrequiring excellent airtightness, has nowachieved BBA approval.

Already widely used

Renolit Exofol’s metallic range offersa collection of stylish metallic

surface finishes available in a widespectrum of colours divided betweenRenolit Exofol FX and Renolit ExofolMX qualities.The range includes as manyas five different shades of silver,distinctive colour tones and otherrealistic metallic elements.

The foils offer a new design quality for

plasticwindowswhile alsoopening up newoptions in façades – for example, RoyalPlatinum matches sandstone very well,while bright red Cardinal Platinumparticularly emphasises the matter-of-factness of white industrial buildings. ❐

www.renolit.com/exterior

Metalic for plastic

PRODUCT PAGES

At the Cutting Edge

across a number of sectors, the illbrucki3 system for perimeter sealing ofwindows and doors incorporates atriple combination: breathable illbruckCompriband TP600 external weatherseal works on the outside junction;while the thermal and acousticinsulation layer, closing the gap aroundthe frame, comes in the form of illbruckFM230 window seal foam; then theairtight illbruck ME500 duo flexiblewindow membrane offers an internalairtight seal.

"There is now every reason toprovide robust sealing to increasinglyhigher quality windows,when otherwisethe energy efficiencies provided by thewindow could be significantlycompromised by inferior installationmethods," says a spokesperson. ❐

www.tremco-illbruck.co.uk

Introducing the i3s

Page 30_thefabricator - Products.qxp 23/08/2012 09:23 Page 1

PRODUCT PAGES

31

Hardware manufacturer Hoppe (UK)has introduced duravert, duraplus

and duranorm.The company claims thatthe new segmentation offers a fasterand easier way to find the right productfor the right application - each productline achieves a technical specification tosuit its price level.

Stewart Lamb, national sales andmarketing manager says: “For ourduranorm range we have reduced theproduct line down to the basics forthose operating in the price drivensector. The functionality and design ofthe duraplus hardware has reached astandard not usually found at this pricelevel. While at the top of the range,allowing for individual design, theduravert range offers some partiallyhand crafted handles." ❐

Tel: 01902 484 400

Thousands of windows and doors ata new affordable housing project in

south London have been air andweather tight sealed using highperformance sealant technology fromISO-Chemie. Six thousand metres ofISO-Connect Vario SD humidityregulating foil and 150 litres of ISO-TopFlex-adhesive XP were used for the mixof 212 one, two and three bed homesbeing built in a contemporary style atThe Meadows in Mitcham in the Londonborough of Merton.

Specified because of its ability toprovide rapid and effective year roundhigh performance sealing of window anddoor frame connecting joints, ISO-Connect Vario SD will offer ‘intelligent’humidity control for The Meadowsscheme which also features roofmounted solar panels, a communal playarea for children and under-croft car

Zoom Liniar has produced a 40 pagestructural design guide so its customers

can fabricate strong, trouble-freeconservatories to withstand the most extremeweather in the UK, says the firm.

Roger Hartshorn, managing director ofZoom Liniar says: “Zoom has limitless designoptions but roofs need to be stable andwithstand the worst of weathers. This guideshows fabricators and their installer customersexactly how this can be achieved, illustratinghow versatile the Zoom system is.” ❐

www.liniar.co.uk

parking. The foil comes from a newgeneration of window sealing productswhich not only adapt to seasonalvariations but also provide an excellentexternal weather seal that surpasses thecurrent and proposed UK BuildingRegulations for air tightness in domesticand commercial buildings when used asan internal seal. ❐

www.iso-chemie.co.uk

Merton flats sealed

Structuralguide

Door and window security hardware specialist ERA hasintroduced a new range of keyless door lockingsolutions suitable for both single and multi-pointlocking doors. The new iLock range is thefirst on the UK market to offerfingerprint technology to multi-point locks.

Describing the iLockrange, Brett Evans ofERA, says: “This is thefirst product on the UKmarket that does away withthe need for both keys andkey fobs. To operate an iLock, users simply use their fingerprint orenter a digital access PIN code. – and they can delete prints orcodes if users change, ideal for the buy-to-rent market.” ❐

www.era-ilock.co.uk

Locit, the high-level safety window anddoor restrictor product range, will

appear on RIBA Insight’s on-lineproduct directory. The Locit range ofwindow and door safety restrictors,exclusively distributed by sales agentSashjack, complied with stringent listingrequirements to gain access on‘ribaproductsselector.com’.

The directory is designed to supply avast vault of data including, photos,technical sheets and contact

information,helping guidevisitors tothe mostrelevant andappropriateproduct orservice forthem. ❐

RIBA online

The Fabricator 2012

www.sashjack.co.uk

Pg31_thefabricator - Products.qxp 22/08/2012 13:43 Page 1

Solidor has recentlysigned an exclusivedeal withAvantisInternational for anew door lock,whichthe firm believesprovides the largestand strongest hookand bolt system inthe door sector.Thisnew lockingmechanism carriesthe industry’s first25mm triangulateddead bolt,whichmakes for greatercompression on aclosed door.Anotherkey feature is thedeadlock,which alsooperates from theaction of lifting the handle, rather than a key turn.TheAvantis lockeasily passed PAS 24 for security which requires that the lock cansustain a manual attack for three minutes.

According to the testing house it was ‘the strongest composite door yettested’ thanks to the hardware and the fact that the Solidor slab is a solidtimber core, rather than a foam filled GRP door. ❐

www.solidor.co.uk

PRODUCT PAGES

The Fabricator 201232

Coloured foils and the wide productchoice available from the

frameXpress range were pivotal towinning a new contract worth in excessof £9,000.The renovation project had tobe specifically tailored in the ChartwellGreen foil with all windows and doorsmatching to meet the homeowners’requirements. This had to be reflectedthroughout and included not only allwindows but also both a front door andstable door which both needed to bemanufactured in their chosen colour.The new Fuhr lock with thumbturn bolt

security provided added securityreassurance on the stable door.The newlocking system, which reduces theamount of hardware required to securethe stable door, made it the ideal choicefor Mr and Mrs Dennis who wereconcerned about too many locks havingto be incorporated but who still wantedthe feeling of security. The property hasbeen substantially improved with bettersoundproofing and a considerablereduction in energy bills since theinstallation thanks to the thermallyefficient FS70 mm units and doors fromthe frameXpress range. ❐

www.frameXpress.co.uk

Chartwell winner

Kenrick has unveiled its newInterceptor high security

espagnolette. The Interceptor multi-point lock is quick and easy to install andbenefits from twin adjustablemushroom cams and a 62mm unhandeddie-cast gearbox. For ease of usecoupled with added security, it featuresuni-directional twin locking and profilerelated keeps with a night vent facility.Interceptor has been designed to fitmost Eurogroove systems and, foradditional flexibility, is available in a20mm and 22mm backset, 7.5mm and9mm cam height and in bar sizes from280mm to 1400mm.

Interceptor assists in BS7950compliance and is Secured by Designapproved. It comes with a 10 yearmechanical guarantee and has beensuccessfully tested to more than

100,000 operations of opening andclosing the window. It also providesmore than 240 hours of intense saltbased corrosion testing to exceed therequirements of BS7412.” ❐

Window security

Renolit Exofol’s Siena range of foils isa sophisticated and realistic Italian

walnut in three natural colours andsuperior surface texture that has wondesign awards in both Europe and theUK. The end result emulates a finelypolished and perfectly varnishedprecious wood.

Siena PN is a deep dark brownwalnut; Siena PR is an attractive warm

autumnal red; Siena PL is a neutral shadeof golden tan. ❐

Wood foils

www.renolit.com/exterior

www.kenricks.co.uk

TThhiiss iiss aann eexxaammppllee ooff tthhee ffrraammeeXXpprreessss ssttaabbllee ddoooorraanndd iiss nnoott tthhee oonnee mmeennttiioonneedd iinn tthhiiss iitteemm

Pg32_thefabricator - Products.qxp 22/08/2012 14:08 Page 1

You are losing business to the internet EVERY DAY.

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SINGLE Page layout33207.qxp 17/08/2012 11:57 Page 1

Tel: 07814 209789 Email: mehreen.haroon@profinder.euColours

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class prod finder 01.qxp 10/08/2012 08:15 Page 1

The FIT Show Sales Professionalof the Year competition has been

organised in association with Quotatis.Entrants will be whittled down to 20 ofthe very best the industry can yield.The final 20 will each be put througha series of tests in which they will havethe opportunity to show-off their salesabilities to be judged by a team of

experts. A‘commission’of £5,000for the winnerwill providethe incentivefor entering.

Additionally,the winner’semployer willenjoy an

incentive – a cheque for a further£5,000.

TrainingThere will also be an

additional prize of aone day sales masterclass worth £1,500from one of the UK’sbest known sales

trainers, Paul Clifton.

Signing upSaint-Gobain Glass and Rehau are

the latest big names to sign contracts totake part at the event to be held at theTelford International Centre (pictured)16-18 April 2013. SGG signedfollowing close analysis of how theevent will complement the company’sPlanitherm marketing campaign. “Webelieve that the show will provide uswith an opportunity to meet potentialmembers of the Planitherm InstallerNetwork face-to-face and have a two-way dialogue about the merits ofjoining,” says Susan Lambeth, seniorproduct manager for SGG.

Uk audienceRehau signed forThe FIT Show as the

giantFensterbauexhibitionclosed.WolfgangGorner,director,windowdivision says

that The FIT Show is poised to reachdoor, conservatory and window,fabricators and installers that don’ttravel to the German event: “It is clearthat the UK market wants its ownexhibition. It has been some time sincewe participated in a show in the UKbut this is the right event at the righttime.”

Product launchesLB Plastics is the latest big name to

take space – with a significant stand inone of the event’s key locations.Whereas its focus in recent years hasbeen on broader building industryshows, the company has decided tolaunch several new products underthe company’s Sheerframe andMasterdor brands. A spokespersonsays: “The exhibition comes along atjust the right time as we will havesome new products to show.

Nine other firms signed contracts inJuly including: Sierra Windows;Colourcode; BM Trada; RitecInternational; GQA Qualifications;Dyer Environmental Controls;UniqueWindow Systems; Certass andthe Fenestration College. ❐

fitshow.co.uk

£11,500sales pro prize

The King of ColourPVCu & Glass Colour Coaters

We can colour your frames/rooflines, or alternatively,we offer a full Supply, Colour Coat & Delivery Service

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TEL: 01924 454856FAX: 01924 438606Dale Works, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury,West Yorkshire WF12 9HUemail sales@kolorseal.co.uk

FIT SHOW NEWS

Pg30_thefabricator - FiT Show News.qxp 22/08/2012 08:55 Page 1

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class prod finder ad 02.qxp 21/08/2012 15:24 Page 1

“”

The question isn’t do we care. I knowwe all care. The question is do we careenough to actually do something?

Britain’s PVC-U industry has a lot tobe proud of. We make great products.Our windows, doors and conservatoriesnot only look great, they are alsoextremely durable. And they are 100%recyclable. In fact, PVC-U out-performsrival materials such as timber acrossthe board - particularly where itreally matters in areas such as energy

whole life costs.

Our products are fantastic. Our products aren’t the problem. The problem is we nolonger bother to tell anyone just how good they are. As an industry we’ve stopped

threat to our future prosperity. I’ve been in the windows industry for 25 years.I started out as an installer. I now run a successful fabricating business, CrystalDirect. I care about the future of the industry. And I’m prepared to put my moneywhere my mouth is.

This isn’t about promoting my own business. I want to create a platform that willbring fabricators and installers together to promote PVC-U. I don’t wish to excludesystems companies or anyone else who wants to support the campaign. However,we cannot rely on anyone else to do this for us. Installers and fabricators are

Fabricators and installers have a vital role to play and a vital interest at stake - it’stime we stepped up to the plate.

material. We also need to challenge the inaccurate and misleading claims putabout by manufacturers of alternative materials who, instead of improving theirown products, would rather spread scare stories and misinformation about ours. My

asking for your support.

in helping to promote PVC-U, please visit or emailme at Martin@pro-PVC.com

Martin Randall, Chairman, Crystal Direct

PVC-U

LIMITED

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