Clearview South July 2014 - Issue 152 | Page 14

INDUSTRYNEWS Royal Seal of Approval A new specialist outreach centre for disabled children in Wokingham was officially opened by Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex on 6 May - a cause supported in more ways than one by local company and Conservatory Outlet Dealer, TradeMark Windows. ‘Our House’, a project of registered charity Building For The Future (BFTF), offers facilities and community support to disabled children and their families. As BFTF Chairman Mark Ashwell has been involved with the project for five years, but as MD of TradeMark Windows he was able to extend his support: ‘A lot of companies have clubbed together to offer the resources and materials needed to make this possible, and I obviously wanted TradeMark to be one of those companies so we gladly agreed to install new windows,’ said Mark. TradeMark’s main supplier, Conservatory Outlet, supplied the frames free of charge and has since supported TradeMark on a second charitable project, again with a Royal connection, at an equine assisted learning centre opened on 14 May by Zara Tindall. Conservatory Outlet Greg Kane commented: ‘TradeMark’s involvement with so many community and charity projects is both cause and effect of its success.’ www.bftf.org.uk Gemini UPVC achieve SBD status…with a little help from GT Window Products Oldham-based Gemini UPVC recently became the first Network Veka fabricator to achieve SBD accreditation on the Veka French Door. Gemini UPVC achieved this industry first with a ssistance from the Guardian Door Hinge Protector - a newly launched product from leading component supplier GT Window Products. The Guardian is a next generation hinge protector that moves away from the traditional dog bolt solution. It offers the same benefits as a dog bolt but without the hassle of routing the frame, saving significant fabrication time. It also has adjustment features for easy onsite installation. When Gemini UPVC learned GT Window Products was developing this solution, Gemini MD Paul Griffiths approached GT to see if this new innovation could help him achieve the coveted SBD accreditation. As a result of the tests, the Guardian Door Hinge Protector will become a standard feature on the Gemini range of doors. Gemini’s desire to improve is clearly working. Following a surge in new business the company recently expanded into a neighbouring unit and is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. www.gtwindowproducts.co.uk BUILD SHOW RESPONDS TO PICKLES’ PRE-FABRICATED HOUSING PLANS Plans unveiled by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to create hundreds of thousands of new homes in inner London have been cautiously welcomed by the Build Show – with the caveat that the economic benefits must be ploughed back into the construction industry, to continue driving the recovery forwards. But the announcement met with a mixed response from the 14 JUL 2014 industry, with some commentators questioning the wisdom of using pre-fabricated housing solutions, as well as pointing to concerns about creating a potential ‘bubble’ in the property market. Paul Godwin, Build Show MD comments: “While we welcome any initiative designed to get Britain building. The announcement that the government is planning to build thousands of new homes in the capital is certainly welcome news, but more could be done to support growth in the refurbishment market too. Cutting VAT on residential refurbishments, for example, could boost the economy by a further £15 billion and provide job security for tens of thousands of construction industry workers.” The Build Show will take place at the Birmingham NEC from Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30April 2015. www.buildshow.co.uk To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com