Pro Installer December 2013 - Issue 09 | Page 44

44 DECEMBER 2013 PRO INSTALLER PRO BUSINESS www.proinstaller.co.uk Energy Efficiency Has Never Looked So Good! With the advent of new legislation and the increasingly heated debate over energy pricing the desire for the consumer to make savings using efficient products is reaching new heights. As the politicians try to empathise with the general public from the warmth of number 10 it is the everyday worker and those most vulnerable that are really feeling the pinch. Ofgem are expecting energy prices to rise as much as 13% this winter alone so there appears to be no foreseeable end to price hikes in sight. With this in mind it is really no wonder that the demand for energy rated products is rising sharply. Thermally efficient glass and insulated spacer bar systems are marketed aggressively in trade press. When it comes to decorative glass for doors there are some material hurdles to overcome such as the use of metals within the decorative pane which are arguably not the best options when it comes to energy efficiency. The team at Dual Aspect Glass are keen to tackle the problem head on and are already providing solutions. Their managing Director, Jeremy Town, explains : ‘we have recognised for some time that the age old materials utilised in decorative glazing of lead and metal caming are in our view outdated when it comes to thermal efficiency so we have made it our business to develop decorative glass from more energy friendly materials. For example ‘Outdated when it comes to thermal efficiency’ our triple glazed product is different from our competitors as it is made using new patented technology that does not include any metal within it’s make up. Instead we use UV stable polyesters and acrylics that have superior thermal characteristics. The other big advantage is that our Dual Aspect triple glazing costs far less than conventional triple glazing. This allows us to enhance product performance further with the addition of coated glass and gas filling without making the product expensive. Test simulations have revealed a centre pane U value recorded of just 1.16 w/m2k which we are naturally delighted with. This is sure to help our composite door customers keep pace with the ever more stringent standards that are required.’ Dual Aspect is a leading supplier of decorative glass for composite doors and also market resin bevel products where they believe they have raised the bar on quality and performance after recently retaining unit clarity after a full 10 year UV weathering cycle on this product. Mr Town adds ‘ The success we have achieved with recent UV testing has been a triumph and given our customers the confidence that they are getting the very highest quality of product with no compromise on the materials used. We are now also subjecting our resin bevel panels to thermal testing and hope to unlock further advantages. Indeed w e see thermal performance as key to all products we supply including our fused tile effect, screen prints and triple glazing’. To learn more contact the team at Dual Aspect on 01303 267187 or 07702 308374. ‘Prime example’ of industry shift towards trade counters Acquisition Of Remaining 50% Many in the industry have been saying it for a long time and now it has been officially confirmed by the Insight Data ‘Fabricator and Installer Market Report’ – trade counters are becoming key drivers in the supply chain. HL Plastics Ltd has acquired the 50% of Zoom Conservatory Roof Systems it did not own from The Capulet Club LLP. The annual ‘Insight Report’ is the most comprehensive study into the UK glass and glazing market. Over 15,000 companies were interviewed and it reveals in-depth statistics and industry trends. According to the Insight Report, “a significant shift in distribution channels is occurring across the window, door and conservatory industry. The traditional route of fabricator >> installer >> homeowner is being challenged by a rapidly growing network of trade counters.” The report also states that, “a growing number of specialist operators who neither fabricate nor install have sprung up in recent years. These businesses buy-in products in volume from a fabricator, and sell on to small installers, DIY and builders through the depot.” A real life example of this is Northern trade counter chain Truemans. Truemans has branches in Burnley, Sheffield and Doncaster, and have grown substantially over the past 12 months. Truemans don’t fabricate and as a result are able to focus on the customer and added value services. Joe Trueman, managing director of Truemans, discusses the growth in trade counters in more detail: “Part of the reason trade counters are so popular is the convenience. Installers can pick up their products at time that suits them rather than waiting for a delivery and then having to store the goods. Trade counters can offer a wider product choice, which helps us appeal to a wider audience. “Like Truemans, many trade counters offer a free skip facility, which is very popular with installers. It means they can get rid of old frames quickly and easily and don’t have to pay for the privilege.” Visit www. truemanswindows.co.uk or call the Doncaster branch on 01302 322 223 Capulet is Martin Randall’s investment vehicle, which two years ago bought the assets, designs and intellectual capital from Epwin Group. Roger Hartshorn, Group Managing Director of HL Plastics and Liniar Window Systems, and Martin Randall, Chairman of Crystal Direct, teamed up to invest in Zoom and the conservatory market. HL now owns 100% of Zoom Conservatory Roof Systems. The purchase includes the complete manufacturing facility, assets, customer base, designs and intellectual capital. The Zoom Ready business is relocating to Derbyshire to a site alongside the Zoom Liniar warehouse. Zoom Ready’s existing production team, including Keith Langley General Manager, is also relocating as part of the purchase. The new Division will be headed up by Keith. Martin Randall says: “We invested in Zoom because both Roger and I saw the immense potential for conservatories and conservatory related structures. We still believe in the immense potential for conservatories, but Crystal Direct, my other business is growing very fast so I’ve decided to focus on Crystal Direct.”