Clearview National May 2016 - Issue 174 | Page 66

DOORS&WINDOWS SPONSORED BY [email protected] Clear Benefits »»DIRECT TRADE (YORKSHIRE) Ltd is fully embracing the systems company’s support offering as both an Approved Fabricator and a member of Network VEKA. The Doncaster-based business operates out of two 40,000 square feet facilities where – as part of a comprehensive range of products it manufactures PVCu windows and doors using the Halo profile. “One of the main benefits of working with The VEKA UK Group has always been the renown they hold; both in the industry and with end customers – the home and building owners who use and live with their systems for years to come,” explains Direct Trade’s Managing Director, Steve Green. MEETING THE STANDARD »»AS PART OF AN ONGOING programme of security testing to PAS 24, leading sustainable building envelope specialist Schueco UK reports an increase in the number of its sliding door systems that meet this police-approved standard. Newly qualifying systems include Schueco ASS 70.HI lift/slide double track, bi-parting and triple track doors, as well as the slide-only versions. Schueco ASS 70 FD and ASS 80 FD.HI sliding/folding doors (depending on design) have also been successfully tested. While in general Schueco tests systems to the EN 1627 security standard – which covers primarily manual attack methods – this regime is supplemented in the UK by testing to PAS 24, which is the police-preferred alternative. The PAS 24 tests take the form of manual attacks with a prescribed range of tools, together with numerous mechanical bidirectional loadings to replicate attacks on the locking points, hinges etc. Additionally, approved locking cylinders must have features such as anti-bump and anti-drill. PAS 24 also includes hard and soft body impact tests to prove the strength and integrity of the aluminium frames, jointing methods and hardware, and it mandates the use of at least one sheet of P1A glass, or better, in glazed doors. [email protected] 25,000 sq ft factory acquisition “Being an Approved Fabricator and a Network VEKA member really helps us with clear benefits for repeat business and building rapport with home improvement companies, nationwide.” The Approved Installer Scheme and Network VEKA represent two tiers of support available through The VEKA UK Group. ‘Approved’ status offers an introduction to various incentives, including an exclusive online marketing hub where companies can customise professionally designed marketing materials with their own logo, contact details and more. www.directtradeltd.co.uk 66 » M AY 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M »»A LONG-SERVING TRAILBLAZER IN the glass and glazing industry is celebrating another major business milestone. Family run bi-folding door specialists, TWR Bifolds, has acquired a 25,000 sq ft site that will become its second factory. The new site in Peterlee, Country Durham, represents a major acquisition and will be one of the biggest dedicated bi-folding door manufacturing plants in the UK. TWR will only manufacture bi-folding doors at the site and the new factory will be in addition to its long-standing headquarters and original factory in Sunderland. Terry Richardson, who founded the company over ten years ago, comments, “We were one of the early adopters when it came to bi-folding doors and quickly established ourselves as a UK leading supplier. “Year-on-year the order book has grown and we found ourselves in the privileged position of literally being inundated with orders, so we decided to scale up and take the leap of opening a second factory.” Bending machinery has been ordered alongside new machinery for the production of aluminium bi-folding doors. It is all on co urse to be delivered in the middle of May, with the factory set to open in the summer. www.twrbifolds.co.uk