The Door Industry Journal: January 2019

Thursday, 31 January 2019

Black Millwork fits the Bill for Stonebridge Homes

After being impressed by the company’s product range at a construction trade show, Stonebridge Homes decided that Black Millwork’s range of window and door profiles were the perfect fit for an upcoming project they were working on.

As one of the leading names in residential development and commercial office space, the team at Stonebridge Homes has vast experience in producing skilfully designed, soundly constructed homes to suit the lifestyles of a wide range of customers.

In June 2017, its team was tasked with working on another amazing project, which it has now completed after overcoming a number of challenges.

The large detached home is situated in an expansive ground, which contains a substantial garden and an external pool-house. The main house is built from natural stone, which gives the property a real sense of character, but made fitting windows and doors challenging.

One of the issues that Stonebridge Homes had to overcome on this project was the imprecise coursing across a number of the masonry units. The irregular nature of the coursing meant that the developers needed a window and door supplier who could produce bespoke units that fitted directly into the natural stone.

Stonebridge Homes commented:

“This property presented a relatively unique challenge. Much of the stone masonry used across the home was uneven and as a result it was difficult to marry the coursing on the stone with the imperial sizing of the windows.

“When it came to specifying window units we took great care in finding a supplier who could go above and beyond just offering us units that looked great and performed well.

“We needed a supplier with real expertise and technical know-how about the intricacies of working with natural stone. We found that with Black Millwork and they were on hand to help us every step of the way.”

The Stonebridge Homes’ team first discovered Black Millwork’s comprehensive product offering at a trade show. With the project in mind, the team was on the lookout for various building products to specify in the home.

The developers were impressed with the company’s wide range of window and door products, which includes high performance wood, clad and aluminium windows and doors. After speaking with Black Millwork’s technical experts about the challenges associated with the project the developers sensed they would be the ideal choice.

A range of products including Andersen A-Series sash windows, Andersen A-Series panel patio doors and a range of composite entry doors were supplied by Black Millwork to the project.

The company also supplied a number of aluminium products to the property’s pool-house including a large aluminium screen, an aluminium roof lantern and an aluminium glazed gable above the door.

Working closely with Stonebridge Homes’ team, Black Millwork was on hand each step of the way to provide technical advice and expertise on how to properly install the products into the home.

Speaking about the project, General Manager at Black Millwork, Gary Hutton, commented:

“We’ve been on quite a journey with the Stonebridge Homes’ team since meeting them at a construction trade show last year, but it’s been an amazing experience. This was a special project to be involved with and the end results look great.

“Our work on this project underlines how we’re much more than just a window and door manufacturer. Working closely with the developers, we’ve been on hand to impart technical advice, installation tips and have also supplied a number of bespoke aluminium units in the home’s pool-house.”

For more information about Black Millwork, please visit: www.blackmillwork.co.uk

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Low Cost and Free Publicity - Your company can easily benefit from some publicity like this in return for a contribution towards our layout costs (£55 to £75 plus VAT), payable in advance via PayPal or credit card or receive the service absolutely free of charge if you advertise (see below).

We post articles up to twice a day and never delete them - we only archive them each year so that they continue to remain visible to search engines.

To have your story published - just send us your news item, logo and image(s) and we will review the material, make any necessary changes to the wording / wordcount and then advise you when it will be published.

If you are a regular advertiser placing series bookings or subscribing to our VIP Packages in our printed and online publications, you will qualify for a specific number of free postings on this blog while you continue to advertise with us.

Also, if you purchase one of our Online and Print Combo packages, Featured Articles or Advertorial packages, posting on this blog is included in the price.

For details and rates for all of our advertising options in print and online, download our media pack contact us or visit our website.

Door Industry Journal is a trading style of Avalon Innovations LLP Company Registration No. 06807833

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Wednesday, 30 January 2019

UNION secures University of Essex’s new student accommodation with keyPRIME

UNION’s keyPRIMETM reversible key cylinder platform has been installed at the University of Essex’s new student accommodation, providing assured key control for the university and security for undergraduates.

The new accommodation, named The Copse, consists of 643 new single ensuite rooms and studios across two accommodation blocks: The Oaks and The Poplars.

UNION worked with main contractor Bouygues to identify the best platform to help meet the university’s needs for these two buildings. After careful consideration, Bouygues selected UNION keyPRIMETM, due to the brand’s extensive experience in master keying, how cost-effective the solution was, and the longevity of the product’s patent.

Offering a patented lifetime to 2036 – one of the longest available on the market – UNION keyPRIMETM keys and cylinders can only be ordered, cut or assembled by authorised partners.

The product has a solid 3mm thick key, and is offered as a master key, keyed alike or keyed to differ, in euro, single, double, or key and turn cylinders. Certified to the toughest requirements of BS EN 1303:2015, the platform offers anti-pick, anti-drill, anti-bump and anti-pull protection as standard.

Regional Sales Manager Rob Moore said:

“UNION keyPRIMETM is ideal for the education sector, as it can be keyed for just one or multiple doors, and cylinder upgrades or replacements are easy to install.

“We are delighted that UNION keyPRIMETM has been selected for the University of Essex’s new student accommodation, continuing our extensive work in the education market.

“Delivering greater value for money than more costly master key solutions, UNION keyPRIMETM features symmetrical faces and no sharp edges so the key works easily at all times, no matter which way it is inserted.

“While facing some tough competition from other brands, our UNION keyPRIMETM platform came out on top due to its performance capabilities, the overall cost and UNION’s established heritage and reputation in this field, covering more than 100 years’ experience in master keying. We are thrilled that the platform has been chosen for this prestigious institute.”

For further information on UNION, please visit www.uniononline.co.uk.

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Tuesday, 29 January 2019

Steel door & security solutions manufacturer invests £8m in new production facility

Leading UK manufacturer of steel doors and physical security solutions, Bradbury Group, are announcing their move into their new headquarters located on Foxhills Industrial Estate in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, totalling an investment of around £8 million.

The new 135,000 sq ft production facility is an integral part of a mass expansion plan to be rolled out by the company, which is now in its 28th year of production.

As part of the expansion, the company have invested several million pounds into new state-of-the-art machinery, including a new Salvagnini punch form line and a new fully-automated powder coating paint line, to provide service levels unlike any other in the UK.

This innovative, streamlined process achieves unrivalled production timescales and product quality, and has significantly reduced any work in progress and the need for heavy manual handling by its employees.

As a result of this investment, Bradbury Group have also announced their new three-day express steel door service, called M2MGO, for those customers that require an immediate, rapid solution or replacement security door.

The vast scale of the new premises means it can store up to 4,000 finished units, 10 times more than the previous facility, meaning that the Bradbury Group can accommodate and distribute larger orders more quickly and efficiently.

Last year alone, the business produced around 17,000 doorsets to clients throughout the UK, and with the capacity to produce circa 100 doorsets on the new system in an average working day, higher levels of production can be achieved to satisfy increased demand.

Managing Director, Tim Strawson says:

“The decision to move to a new facility became a necessary investment as we simply outgrew our previous production facility.”

“Since 2010, Bradbury Group has secured a fivefold increase in turnover, and we predict a continued growth of around 20% per year.

“This investment marks the start of a new journey for Bradbury Group. We are aiming high, with the aspiration to be the best and most trusted steel door manufacturer in the world. We’ve invested in infrastructure, machinery and our people, and we’re very proud to continue the company’s growth in our home town of Scunthorpe.”

The Bradbury Group operates three divisions: steel door manufacturer Bradbury Security; Newton Security Doors, based in Scotland specialising in communal entrances in the public and housing sectors; and Martin Roberts, who have installed doors in some of the London’s most iconic skyscrapers, including the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie and the Cheesegrater.

The group produce an extensive range of steel doors, including Bradbury Security’s M2M range of security, fire, flood and acoustic doorsets, and provide security solutions to a vast array of sectors, including utilities, transport, retail, energy, commercial, finance, construction, and many more. Alongside steel doors, the Bradbury Group operates a grilles and cages arm of the business through their sister company, Cross-guard.

Paul Sweeting, Technical Director at the Bradbury Group, highlights the group’s ability to adapt to new markets as playing an integral role in keeping the business going from strength to strength over the years.

“We have not only developed our product range, but have also invested heavily in automation and the purchasing of new machinery to make our manufacturing process as lean as possible. We’re very grateful to our customers, partners and staff for their support and patience during the move to the new facility.”

Recently, the company have also been developing its export programme, and have built a strong presence in the Middle East. In line with the company’s vision to be ‘the world's best steel door manufacturer’, they are keen to expand the brand’s global presence, and have appointed a team dedicated to continuing the group’s growth internationally in the next phase of their expansion.

Find out more at: www.bradburyuk.com or call 01724 271999.

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Monday, 28 January 2019

Hörmann UK celebrates 40 years of First Class Sales and Service

Europe’s leading door provider, Hörmann UK, is recognising a significant business milestone in 2019, marking its 40th anniversary with a range of events and incentives to celebrate both its customers and employees.

Founded in 1979 following the success of its German counterpart, Hörmann UK has firmly established itself as the number one provider of industrial products, domestic garage doors, front entrance doors and timber internal doors, as well as loading technology and much more besides.

Over the last four decades Hörmann UK has built a strong relationship with, garage door and industrial door installers, architects, specifiers, homeowners, warehouse owners and construction professionals, reflected in its diverse and ever-expanding product and service offering.

Throughout 2019, Hörmann UK will be hosting trips for both its employees and customers to its headquarters in Steinhagen, Germany, for an opportunity to find out more about its German heritage and latest product developments, whilst also hosting a “40 years of Hörmann UK” gala event, following the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in March at the NEC.

Wolfgang Gorner, Managing Director of Hörmann UK, said:

“Each year as a business we continue to go from strength-to-strength, with our 40 years in operation testament to the hard work and commitment of every single one of our employees.

“This iconic milestone presents us with the ideal opportunity to recognise each of them individually throughout the year with a special series of events.”

The 40th Anniversary follows successful and continued growth in the service department, which has doubled over the last year to now offer a 20 strong fleet of engineers, available to both existing and non-clients.

This has been achieved whilst also maintaining its impressive market share in the domestic sector, offering the highest standard in garage and entrance doors via its nationwide network of stockists.

Wolfgang continued:

“2019 is an extremely exciting year for us as a business as we launch our new timber composite internal doors to the market, whilst also continuing to expand our dedicated projects team, working with some of the nation’s most high profile clients.

“The future is looking very positive for Hörmann UK and we are looking forward to building on this further throughout the year across all areas of the business.”

To celebrate the anniversary, Hörmann UK will also be giving away the 40th domestic garage door order it receives each month to a lucky end user, as a way to thank its customers for their continued loyalty and support.

To view Hörmann UK’s complete offering for the industrial and consumer markets, visit https://www.hormann.co.uk or call 01530 513000.

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Sunday, 27 January 2019

Five Fibs which could Invalidate your Car Insurance

GoCompare Car Insurance is warning motorists not to try and cut the cost of cover by lying about their driving and has highlighted five of the most common ‘white lies’ used by motorists.

Last year 449,000 confirmed or suspected dishonest insurance applications were detected by insurers*. Of these, most were for car insurance where drivers either lied or withheld information in an attempt to get cheaper cover. The most common lies applicants made included the nature of their occupation, their driving record and previous claims and motoring convictions that were not disclosed.

The consequences for drivers caught being economical with the truth are severe. Depending on the circumstances, their insurer may cancel the policy, refuse to pay a claim or prosecute them for fraud.

When applying for or renewing car insurance, drivers are under duty to disclose information and truthfully answer the questions put to them. Insurers use this information to decide whether to offer insurance to the applicant, on what terms and at what price. If subsequently an insurer discovers that information has been withheld or given dishonestly then they may reduce or refuse to settle a claim and/or cancel the policy.

If the driver is found to have been fraudulent then the insurer may treat the policy as if it had never existed. The applicant could also end-up in court and find they are unable to get insurance in the future.

Five fibs which could invalidate your car insurance

How the car is used
There are three types of car usage: social; social and commuting; business use. Social usage excludes any travel to and from work or other business use so, if you use your car to get to work then you need to make sure your policy covers commuting. Insurers tend to charge a higher premium for commuting and business use because drivers are more likely to be on the road at the busiest times of day.

‘Fronting’

To get cheaper cover for a young driver, some parents arrange insurance for their son or daughter, listing them as an additional driver as opposed to the main driver. This is known as ‘fronting’ and insurers consider it fraud. The person who uses the car most often should be listed as the main driver on the policy, additional drivers should only be added if they drive the car occasionally.

Occupation
Your occupation and the way you describe it will impact on the price you pay for car insurance. You will also need to tell your insurer if you change your job.

Withholding information about previous claims or damage to your car

In addition to more serious accidents, you should declare details of minor knocks and dents – even if you didn’t claim for the accident.

Failing to own-up to penalty points or other driving convictions

Deliberately failing to disclose driving offences is fraudulent. Drivers should declare penalty points and other motoring convictions when applying for a policy. Drivers should also notify their insurer immediately of any penalty points received during the term of their cover – rather than waiting until it comes up for renewal.

Lee Griffin, Founder and President at GoCompare commented:

“Honesty is always the best policy when applying for or renewing your car insurance. To make decisions about your application and the terms they offer you - insurers require information about you, your car and any other drivers who use it. Drivers are required to answer all the questions on the application form as fully and accurately as possible.

“A common area of potential misrepresentation concerns claims and losses. Some drivers mistakenly believe that they do not have to declare damage to their car if they paid for the repairs out of their own pocket or for a claim which was not their fault and was settled by the ‘at-fault’ driver’s insurer. Typically, insurers require information on all incidents within the last 5 years - so, both of these types of incidents would have to be declared.

Lee continued, “Drivers also need to remember to keep their insurer up-to-date with any changes over the course of their policy. For example, if they change their occupation, receive any motoring convictions or points or make any changes to their car.

“The consequences of withholding or giving false information to obtain cheaper car insurance can be severe. Far from saving money, being untruthful can be costly should you need to make a claim and may even lead to your policy being cancelled or invalidated. There are significantly better ways of reducing the cost of your cover - including shopping around at renewal, opting for a larger excess, limiting your mileage or, opting for a blackbox ‘telematics’ policy.”

For more information on insurance declarations and non-disclosures visit: www.gocompare.com

*Source: ABI annual detected insurance fraud report (2017)

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Saturday, 26 January 2019

Livingston Building Supplier to open 12 new Trade Centres across the UK

A Livingston-based supplier of doors and windows is set to open 12 new trade centres across the UK, in a move to create the UK’s leading distribution company of its kind.

Stevenswood aims to grow turnover by £10million as it increases its geographic footprint and expands its range of products and services throughout the country.

The firm has seen significant growth since being acquired by Cairngorm Capital in November 2016 – merging with trade-suppliers Polyframe Trade Centres, Sameday Trade Frames and Truemans and organically adding five new trade centres to its portfolio in 2018.

By providing access to capital, sector experience, and by backing a buy-and-build strategy, Cairngorm Capital has supported Stevenswood’s growth, with the firm now generating turnover of more than £35million. Today, the company has a portfolio of 38 trade centres across the UK and employs 180 people – representing one of the largest windows distributors in the country.

After a short period of infrastructure and system consolidation, which will act as the backbone for organic growth, the medium-term aim is to double the number of trade counters across the UK. An additional 12 branches are expected to create 50 jobs and boost the company’s turnover by £10million. The growth programme will be led by Managing Director, Joe Trueman – appointed in 2017 following the Truemans acquisition.

Joe Trueman commented on the firm’s ambitious plans:

“In the past year we’ve continued to fine-tune the business, expanding the product range available to our customers and creating the platform for future growth by investing in our infrastructure and systems. Going forward, our strategy will shift towards organic branch opening. In the coming months we will finalise new locations but expect the majority to open in the South of England. We will be looking to take on an additional 50 staff to help manage and operate these centres. In addition, we will be looking to expand the range of services we provide our trade customers, using technology to make it easier to buy and collect our products.

“We have ambitious growth plans, but that’s what has driven the success of the business to this point. The strength of the organisation is testament to the hard work and talent of our workforce, combined with support from Cairngorm Capital. We look forward to continuing to grow our geographic footprint, providing more jobs and access to our products across the whole of the UK.”

Neil McGill, managing director of Cairngorm Capital and who currently sits on the board of Stevenswood, added:

“Stevenswood has grown into a key player in the sector and is one of the largest distributors of doors and windows in the country. As the sector continues to consolidate there has been a shift away from independent integrated fabricator/installers towards specialist distribution companies that can provide trade customers with access to a full range of quality products at attractive pricing. We expect this trend to continue, and believe that Stevenswood, under the leadership of Joe Trueman, is perfectly positioned to capitalise.

“Cairngorm Capital will continue to work with Stevenswood to help support growth by complementing the existing leadership team with our own network of industry experts.”

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Friday, 25 January 2019

New Rainstop Seal Delivers Total Accessibility

Door seal specialist Norseal is launching RainStop, a seal which delivers total protection against rain and weather combined with completely zero-threshold, barrier-free access.

RainStop eliminates wind and rain penetration around doors, improving thermal efficiency, increasing comfort, and reducing energy bills. This is achieved while maintaining a completely flush threshold since the seal self-adjusts, coping automatically with frame gaps.

Norseal RainStop reliably delivers tightness against wind, and driving rain while its zero-barrier design helps specifiers to meet the accessible threshold requirements of Approved Document M.

Norseal’s RainStop can be fitted to timber, PVC, composite or metal doors that open inwards and outwards. It is simple to fit and can be easily adapted to any door size or hardware configuration. This makes it perfect for use in care homes, social housing, hospitals, schools as well as residential settings, especially as it maintains the highest aesthetic appeal.

RainStop has been thoroughly and independently tested for withstanding rain penetration, resistance to wind load and acoustic insulation, achieving sound reduction values of up to 54dB. Norseal has also successfully carried out extensive salt-spray testing on doors fitted with RainStop. It is available in 750, 900, 1050, and 1,200 mm lengths as standard but lengths of up to 2m can be produced when required.

Part of the European Athmer Group, Norseal is the leading provider of specialist door seal solutions, plus a wide range of ancillary door products. The company has a long track record of innovation, developing products which meet and exceed the latest industry standards for fire and smoke protection, acoustic properties, accessibility and thermal insulation.

Products are backed by a qualified and experienced technical team offering advice and guidance on all aspects of intumescent and acoustic seals. As well as its core range of seals, Norseal supply a wide range of supplementary door products including fire-rated glazing, electrical and plumbing solutions, fire rated ventilation, letter plates, door viewers, threshold plates, weather seals, and finger protection products.

For more information visit www.norseal.co.uk or contact Michael Spoors at Norseal Ltd on 01661 830088 or e-mail: support@norseal.co.uk

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Thursday, 24 January 2019

Assa Abloy UK unveils new Opening Solutions name

ASSA ABLOY UK, a division of ASSA ABLOY Group, the global leader in door opening solutions, has unveiled its new name, with the business now being known as ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland.

The new business descriptor reflects ASSA ABLOY Group’s on-going commitment to strengthening the ASSA ABLOY brand, and helping its customers to better understand the organisation’s solutions, services and capabilities.

Alongside the launch of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, the Group has also launched two other business descriptors – ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems and ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions which will be gradually introduced in UK & Ireland, and globally.

The change will enable the company to maintain a segmented and focused approach, easily guiding customers to the division that is best positioned to help meet their needs, while ensuring ASSA ABLOY continues to grow as a recognised brand.

In line with the introduction of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, the business units that form ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions in the UK, are also being re-named to better meet their customers’ requirements and provide clarity to their offerings.

Security Solutions and Access Control will now combine to create the Door Hardware & Access Control Group. Meanwhile, UK Specification will be renamed as the Project Specification Group, and Security Doors will now be simplified to the Door Group.

These three Groups will also join the newly-formed High Security & Safety Group, which includes the renowned Chubb Locks Custodial Services and Pickersgill Kaye brands, which will also transition to ranges from ASSA ABLOY.

The company’s well-known global brands, such as Yale, Abloy and Mul-T-Lock remain the same.

Tina Hughan, Marketing Director for ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions in the UK & Ireland, explains:

“The launch of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions will help us more clearly communicate our knowledge, experience and expertise to our customers. The new business descriptor encompasses what we offer in a simple, easy-to-understand way, while our new business unit names will help make it easier for customers to do business with us.

“We are always focused on what we can do to improve the customer’s experience. We believe this approach will help strengthen our existing offering and consolidate our position in the market as a world leader, so we can better support our customers.”

For more information visit: www.assaabloy.co.uk

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Wednesday, 23 January 2019

Hörmann return to Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2019 as Headline Sponsor

The UK’s leading door manufacturer, Hörmann, will be returning to the Homebuilding and Renovating Show this year as a headline sponsor.

Visitors to stand D131 will have an exclusive look at Hörmann’s latest range of products. On display will be products from the whole portfolio including two new sectional garage doors, timber internal door sets and steel entrance doors.

Experts from Hörmann will be on hand throughout the show to talk through the benefits of the range and offer advice on the key things to consider when choosing doors for upcoming property renovations.

For anyone wanting advice specifically on choosing internal doors, Mark Lester, Internal Door Manager at Hörmann, will also be conducting a ‘Timber Internal Door Masterclass’ session on Thursday 28th March.

During the session he will be highlighting the key things to think about when choosing internal doors. He will also take guests through Hörmann products, including the timber door sets, which were launched at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show in 2018.

Commenting on their attendance at this year’s show, Hörmann’s marketing manager, David O’Mara said:

“We have been attending the Homebuilding and Renovating Show for over ten years and every year has been a huge success, so coming back this year as the headline sponsor made perfect sense.

“2019 marks our 40th anniversary and this iconic milestone reflects decades of continued commitment to producing high-quality and innovative product. This year, our investment in market leading products continues with the launch of a new range of sectional garage doors.”

Available from hundreds of UK locations, visit www.hormann.co.uk for more information, or call 01530 516 888 to find details on your local distributor.

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

P C Henderson Expands its Range of Sliding Barn Door Style Hardware

P C Henderson has this month introduced a number of new additions to its range of Rustic sliding barn door hardware – including a new top mounted version and a new ‘antique rust effect’ finish.

The new Rustic Top Mount offers a stylish, contemporary twist on the company’s classic Rustic 80 system with its matt black hangers being mounted to the top of the door.

The company has also introduced a new ‘antique rust effect’ finish to its classic Rustic 80 system to further complement the range.

Stephanie Lee, Marketing Manager, at P C Henderson commented:

“Since it was launched in 2015, Rustic 80 has grown to be one of our most popular products. Expanding the range provides our customers with increased versatility and the ability to create some very distinct and creative applications.

“The new Rustic Top Mount is perfect for more contemporary applications whereas our new ‘antique rust effect’ finish helps create that classic vintage, reclaimed look that so many people wish to achieve”.

The company has also recently launched its new Rustic Soft Stop system – an extremely easy to fit accessory which can be installed onto new or existing applications.

The sophisticated system catches the door in its final moments of travel and pulls it gently into its final position, preventing slamming and adding to the overall longevity of the product.

“Expanding our range of Rustic systems ensures that we are providing our customers with a market leading range of high quality sliding barn door style hardware– catering for virtually any application.

Whether teaming our hardware up with a reclaimed barn door, a contemporary cottage door or a modern glazed door – we will have the hardware to suit”, continued Stephanie.

Ideal for barn and warehouse conversions, period properties or simply for a distinctive feature in the home, the system caters for interior wooden doors weighing up to 80kg and is available in 2000mm and 3000mm track lengths.

Tested to over 100,000 cycles, the system guarantees a smooth and quiet system which will withstand the test of time. The classic Rustic 80 system is available in matt black, stainless steel or the newly added antique rust effect and the Rustic Top Mount available in matt black.

The new range of hardware is out now and can be viewed at P C Henderson’s website - www.pchenderson.com

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Monday, 21 January 2019

HorizAL “Portalier” Network Continues To Grow

The partnership between HorizAL – the French-based manufacturer of high-quality aluminium gates – and British company Alucorb Ltd is proving a huge success.

An an increasing number of installers are signing up to HorizAL’s innovative “Portalier” installation concept, which is run in the UK by Nick Corbett, M.D. at Alucorb Ltd.

In France, “Portaliers” are gate installation experts who are trained, approved and regulated by HorizAL and are licensed to install the product in their own designated, and exclusive geographical area.

Adopting the same business model as the French, each regional UK “Portalier” is trained by Alucorb Ltd. in all technical aspects of swinging, sliding or cantilevered aluminium gates, as well as all other associated products - such as matching pedestrian gates and fencing.

Gates are delivered straight to site as and when requested, with Alucorb also assisting with each “Portalier’s” first installation.

“Portaliers” also receive a comprehensive sales start-up package. This includes their own homepage on the horizal.co.uk website, which personalises the content as their own, full colour brochures and business cards – printed with the relevant company details - price lists, technical brochures, colour catalogues and demonstration cases with all swing and sliding gate profiles, handles, colours, fencing parts, glass inserts and hinge samples.

Two sample gates – normally one powder-coated and one woodgrain finish – are also provided, in padded protective bags.

In addition, “Portaliers” benefit from on-going marketing support, such as exhibitions run by Alucorb Ltd., to promote brand awareness of the HorizAL name and products.

A growing number of companies are now part of the “Portalier” network, with many others in advanced talks regarding the opportunity.

“The success of the network so far has been astonishing and our “Portaliers” cannot believe the benefits and level of support that’s offered,” reports Alucorb Ltd. Operations Director Darren Weatherill.

“Truth be told, I think many were sceptical at the beginning - having previously tried poor quality aluminium gate products - but when shown the HorizAL product, they can’t believe the difference.”

One “Portalier” – Darren Harrison of Edinburgh Gates – is certainly impressed with the concept:

“Once I had met with the team at Alucorb and looked at the product and everything being offered to the “Portalier”, I knew this was something I wanted to be part of. I had seen the demand grow in my area for an alternative to wooden gates and since signing up only six months ago, this has already become an incredibly important sector of my business.”

“With the level of support we receive from Alucorb, ours is a selling and installation role because approval drawings, production and site delivery is all taken care of for us. I would urge any company wanting to expand, or just add an alternative option to what they already do, to make contact with Alucorb sooner rather than later.”

The majority of potential “Portaliers” – and their customers - are looking for a serious alternative to wooden gates, due to the continuous aftercare issues and cost and hassle of maintaining them.

By contrast, aluminium gates require little or no maintenance, as they are naturally rust-free, and boast an incredible level of weather resistance. It is also an eco-friendly option as each gate is 100% recyclable, so can quickly and easily be turned into something else when no longer needed.

And, as Darren Weatherill explains, this increasing demand is another factor fuelling interest in the “Portalier” concept:

“There is a massive amount of interest out there from consumers and I can see aluminium taking over in popularity from wooden gates in the near future, so it’s understandable that so many installers want to be involved,” he says.

“Our “Portaliers” also like the fact that they have their own exclusive geographical area. That’s why we’re urging any interested parties to get in touch with us as soon as possible - before they lose “Portalier” rights to a competitor!”

Don’t lose miss out – call 0161 4065912 today to discover more about becoming a “Portalier”. Or visit Horizal’s UK website: www.horizal.co.uk

HorizAL will be exhibiting at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show – 28th to 31st of March 2019 at the NEC.

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Sunday, 20 January 2019

131 miles in 28 years - ‘Time-Warp’ Peugeot to go under the Hammer at Barons

An immaculately-preserved, totally original one-owner 1991 Peugeot 309 GTi with a remarkable 131 warranted miles on the clock is among the early entries for Barons’ Classic Winter Warmer sale at Sandown Park on February 26.

The vendor bought the car new in 1991 but was working overseas a great deal and had a second car, so the Peugeot was barely used, as the mileage so clearly shows. Throughout its life the car has been kept garaged and it is in showroom condition.

Engine, electricals, interior, bodywork etc. are as-new and, with a guide price of £8,000-£11,000 it represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a ‘new’ classic family saloon that can only prove to be a sound investment for the future.

American car fans will be drooling over the immaculate 7.5-litre 1976 Lincoln Continental Mk IV - which could also appear to music fans, as it was owned for 12 years by the drummer Mark Brzezicki who is mainly known for his work with Big Country but how has also played with The Cult, Ultravox, Roger Daltrey, Brian May, Peter Gabriel, Lionel Richie, Peter Gabriel and Procol Harum.

The Lincoln is the extremely rare and luxurious Versailles model, with Cartier interior clock - which still works perfectly. At £10,000-£13,000 it’s a huge amount of gloriously over-the-top luxury American motoring for the money, and comes complete with a fantastic amount of history, including rare workshop manuals.

Other well-presented early entries for February 26 include a 1992 Ginetta G33 and a 1973 Volvo P1800 ES. One of just 70 still in existence, the Ginetta has been restored to original specification by the vendor, who likes this car so much that he has owned it three times! (£15,000-£20,000).

The P1800 has been meticulously maintained, comes with a very comprehensive history folder and has a guide price of £11,500-£13,500.

Entries also include a 48,000-mile 1981 Range Rover Classic 2-door. This highly desirable 4x4 comes with the rare power steering option and Friary overdrive and has already had a great deal of money spent on it, including a full body respray, new fuel tank, Holley carburettor and full new interior.

It’s a real eye-catcher, in Bahama Gold and definitely more early Land Rover than modern Range Rover to drive! This charismatic and practical car to own and use has a guide price of £9,000-£11,000.

For those looking for something to get their teeth into for the spring, there’s the 1974 VW Karmann Ghia convertible restoration project. This RHD model has recently been imported from Ireland and is offered at no reserve; a great chance for an enthusiast wanting to take on a project that results in a really pretty and enjoyable classic.

For more information about Barons’ February 26 Sandown Park Classic Winter Warmer sale, please visit www.barons-auctions.com.

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website

Saturday, 19 January 2019

What’s in store for tradespeople in 2019

2019 will be all about Brexit, whatever the outcome. The construction industry, along with the rest of the UK, is still awaiting clarity on what the future may hold and what it will mean for tradespeople and the wider construction industry.

However, besides Brexit, this year a range of regulatory updates and government-led initiatives are expected to have an impact on the construction industry, potentially affecting thousands of tradespeople across the UK.

Building Regulations and Fire Safety following Grenfell

Following the Grenfell tragedy in June 2017, the Government launched an independent review into building regulations and fire safety, which has now resulted in plans to overhaul building regulations.

The Government has now committed to a programme of reform focused on four key areas which include: introducing more effective regulations and accountability; clearer guidance; prioritising residents; and working with the industry to drive change.

A “radically-new system” was promised by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire in response to the tragedy, with the Government also introducing a ban on using combustible cladding on new high-rise homes. This piece of legislation came in effect in December.

The new implementation plan, Building a Safer Future[1], states: “The Government accepts the need to create, in law, a tougher regulatory framework, under which regulators will have greater powers and more opportunities to intervene throughout the lifecycle of a building.”

These new regulations mark the beginning of what is likely to be a thorough and extended period of change for the industry to keep abreast of.

Brexit and the construction industry

Construction output dropped towards the end of 2018 according to the Office of National Statistics, with the continued uncertainty of Brexit highlighted as a contributing factor.

Proposed Government plans for immigration post-Brexit has led to many trade associations raising concerns about the potential impact on the skills shortage, as currently 9% of the UK’s construction workers are from the European Union.

If a limit on low-skilled workers is introduced the industry will need to prepare for the fallout this will have.

Technology continues to be on the rise

With consumers becoming increasingly aware of (and comfortable with) using smart technologies, more suppliers are launching new products in smart home ranges to take advantage of the trend. Considering the growing popularity of these products, tradespeople should look at taking advantage of the increase in customer demand.

Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, said:

“Smart products are redefining the way that a property functions, and there is a clear need for tradespeople to keep well-informed of the developments involving smart technology. With basic home alarm systems now enhanced to monitor, control and interact with a home or business premises from a smartphone or tablet, we are just at the beginning of this smart tech revolution.

“There is still a demand for traditional products, but new smart alternatives should not be ignored. There are some fantastic products on the market, whether you want to specialise in security, lighting, heating or household appliances.”

New VAT rules for building trade in 2019

From 1 October 2019, new rules will be enforced meaning, builders, subcontractors and other trades associated with the construction industry will have to start using a new method of accounting for VAT.

The measure is designed to combat VAT fraud in the construction sector labour supply chain which HMRC argue presents a significant tax loss. HMRC has now published draft legislation to introduce the Reverse Charge for Construction Services.

Tradespeople are advised to keep up to date with the new rules later in the year.

IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest specialist ironmongery supplier, with over 17,000 products in stock, available for next day delivery when you order by 8pm Sunday to Friday and by 4pm on Saturday. Free delivery is available on orders over £45 together with free returns.

For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site

Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog

You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website

Return to The Door Industry Journal Website