23
PRO INSTALLER AUGUST 2015
PRO NEWS
@proinstaller1
ROGUE TRADER CAUGHT OUT
BFRC technical director Gary Morgan was an expert witness in the prosecution of Direct Choice Home
Improvements Ltd, Swansea, by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Trading Standards.
The charges included describing windows as ‘A+’
energy efficiency rated
that were not. The company
admitted this offence, and a
number of others, and was
fined £3,500 plus costs and
ordered to pay £1,900 in
compensation to the homeowner.
The charges laid before Glamorgan Valleys Magistrates’ Court included: “Being a trader, engaged
in an unfair commercial practice,
namely a misleading action by
describing windows as ‘A+’ under
the provisions regulation 5 of the
Consumer Protection from Unfair
Trading Regulations 2008 contrary
to regulation 9 of the Consumer
Protection from Unfair Trading
Regulations 2008.”
Six further charges were also
brought including “displaying a
trust mark or equivalent, specifically BBA, without having the
necessary authorisation” and
obstruction.
Paul Lewis, Trading Standards
and Licensing Manager, Merthyr Tydfil Council added: “It is
important that consumers can rely
on the accuracy on the energy
efficiency stated by suppliers.
“The homeowner was mis-sold
‘A+’ by the sales representative of
the installation company. She became suspicious after the installa-
tion was completed because of the draughts
that were coming
through the
windows.
“Rogue
installation companies need to be
named and shamed
where illegal practices are
uncovered,” added BFRC managing director Chris Mayne. “BFRC
will pursue any wrongdoers to
protect the interests not just of
BFRC registered businesses but
also of homeowners.”
For further information email
[email protected]
Putting plans
in to action
VEKA Approved Supplier, National Plastics,
has announced its acquisition of Wednesbury’s
former PAL Supercentre, strengthening the trade
counter giant’s position in the West Midlands.
Providing a one-stop
shop for trade and DIY
customers, National Plastics supplies
complete, CE-Marked
VEKA door and window
systems, with frames
provided by leading
Gwent-based fabricator,
Modplan.
The company’s procurement of the Wednesbury
depot continues an unprecedented period of growth,
as Managing Director,
Geoff Foster explains: “Our
long-term plan is to grow
to have over 50 depots in
the next few years. The new
Wednesbury base has given
us a position in the West
Midlands in order to extend
our values of superior quality products, excellent value
and superb service throughout the area.
“With VEKA playing
a massive part in our
window, door and conservatory offerings, and
now supporting us as an
Approved Supplier, our
customers know they’re
getting the very best, from
the country’s leading PVCu
systems supplier. We value
its backing in this exciting
new chapter of National
Plastics’ growth.”
Amy Grundy, National
Sales Manager for VEKA’s
Approved Installer Scheme,
commented: “National Plastics is a fantastic addition
to our line-up of Approved
Suppliers. To have the
UK’s largest independent
network of trade counters
championing high-spec
VEKA systems gives both
customers and Approved
Installers easy access to our
products.”
“We’re proud to be part
of the exceptional service
that National Plastics offers.
Opening new depots such
as Wednesbury, it’s evidently meeting with success!
I’d like to congratulate the
team on their new acquisition and wish them the
best of luck in reaching
their target of 50 outlets.”
Breaking the £1m barrier
The first year of trading for any startup business is always a challenge,
but The Window Outlet in Bristol
exceeded all expectations achieving
£1million sales before its year-end.
The company manufactures residential
and commercial aluminium products for a
growing network of trade customers across
the south west and nationally, and the firm
expect sales to climb rapidly.
Window Outlet managing director, Ben
Warren, commented:
“The first year is always a challenge;
finding premises, agreeing suppliers and
recruiting staff. We knew we had to be
marketing focused from the outset so we
brought in Purplex, the window industry
marketing experts. They developed our
brand and marketing strategy while we
focused on the business.”
The Window Outlet m