Garnalex has launched Sheerline Prestige, its most versatile and thermally efficient aluminium window and door system. Featuring a full depth Eurogroove, Prestige lets fabricators use their existing PVC-U hardware to streamline manufacturing, and is set to help redefine installer expectations in 2021.

Garnalex says Prestige offers unrivalled choice and boasts one of the widest range of window styles and includes doors and French doors. The system is available in the same style options and 12 stocked colours as Classic, Sheerline’s ultra slim window system. Prestige also includes 28-44mm glazing options and a choice of small, intermediate and large outer frames to accommodate different plaster lines and window reveals for a perfect finish for any size and style of home.

GQA welcomes news of a surge in job opportunities for glaziers, window fabricators and installers. Reported at www.fenews.co.uk, it is understood that total job posts in these categories were up by just over 111% between June and September.

Commenting on the rise in opportunities in the fenestration sector, Shaun McAllister Director for GQA Qualifications, the industry’s awarding body said:

“This independent report provides evidence to support the impression of a resurgence in activity in the fenestration sector that we began to have once the restrictions of lock-down were lifted in June. There has been plenty of hearsay about the rise in work, and it is very encouraging that this report bears out what is being surmised generally.

As part of a commitment to measure business levels, opinions, and prospects from the front line, FENSA has completed a survey amongst more than 6200 Approved Installers, located throughout England and Wales. Carried out in November and December 2020, the exercise sought to take a snapshot of the market from the installers’ perspective following the end of the first lockdown in May, and to compare the results against anecdotal information carried in the press and online.

Supporting the view that business has been very good in that period, 74.6% of companies responding said that work levels have been good or very good since returning to work. This rose to 81.7% when companies were questioned about demand from homeowners throughout the second half of the year.

ODL Europe has just announced two large scale investments in its business that will support its ambitious growth strategy in 2021 and beyond. Nathan Barr, Managing Director of ODL Europe, said: “As a business, we focus on being a valuable partner for our customers. The investments we are making now will enhance our ability to do this.”

The first investment is a new 1,200 tonne injection moulding machine. The machine will come online during quarter two of this year and will enable the company to run its 764 contemporary door frames in-house. The machine will also increase its capacity to run larger tools that are currently located in other ODL facilities, which will further enhance manufacturing efficiencies.

Mila has redesigned its website to help all those customers who are now working remotely again as a result of the latest government restrictions.

The main changes are to the navigation of the site, which now uses the same drop-down menus as the High Street’s leading retailers, to make it even easier for customers to find exactly the products they need within just a couple of clicks.

Marketing Director Sarah Gyde explained: “The Mila website is a fantastic resource for customers, packed with technical and sales information, fabrication advice, downloadable test certificates, news and blogs.

Hardware expert VBH has added the Q-Smart electronic smart handle to its range of premium quality window and door hardware and furniture.

It’s a keyless product which gives the homeowner 3 methods of gaining access. The first is a proximity fob that communicates with a reader built into the handle unit; the second is via the Blusafe app that allows the user to use their mobile phone as a key, and the third is finger print recognition. The large reader pad is concealed under a hinged tab to keep it dry.

The app enables the main user to send permanent or temporary timed keys to people’s phones, VBH say that this eliminates any need to lose control of physical keys by leaving them with neighbours or in a ‘safe’ place’.

Carl F Groupco’s Regional Sales Team Leader Nathalie McKee and Purchasing Manager Lisa Davy have both celebrated ten years’ service for the hardware distributor. Nathalie and Lisa are the latest in a lengthy list of long servers for Carl F Groupco. During 2020, Credit Controller Edward Barnard also achieved the accolade and they join eighteen other Carl F Groupco employees who have passed the decade milestone.

In 2010, Nathalie joined the company as Sales Co-ordinator and was subsequently promoted to Regional Sales Team Leader. Nathalie enjoys her busy role managing the sales office team in the Peterborough head office, keeping customers updated regarding

ISO-Chemie, a leading foam sealant tape specialist, is investing in its international infrastructure to accommodate expansion and growth plans this year.

In a new move, which boosts customer service, the company is constructing an additional warehouse at its factory headquarters in Aalen, Germany, as part of a multi-million pound project to double current capacity and enhance green production processes.

New investment will allow UK customers, who include door and window installers, designers, architects and housebuilders, to continue to benefit from rapid deliveries of new foam sealant tape products from the European facility.

Andrew Charlesworth has been promoted to technical director for profine UK and KÖMMERLING, having been with the business since July 2014. More recently, he has added to his department to further help support customers and to implement a new five-year product management plan for the business.

Helping support customers across the UK for the Evolve, KÖMMERLING, Legend and WarmCore brands are John Berry, Steve Holloway, Tony Ward and Simon Coleman who combined, have over 166 years’ experience in the industry between them.

Internally the R&D/Product Management function is also supported by Phil Brown, R&D and product management manager,

Mercury Glazing Supplies has just published a new retail brochure to help promote their sash windows into the consumer. Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, said “Our latest high-end consumer brochure showcases our range of quality sash windows to help inspire homeowners. This new brochure helps our customers sell to end users and provides all the information they require to make an informed choice and help them close the sale.”

The Sash Window Collection, as it’s known, has a lifestyle feel, with high quality images throughout that show exactly why the Mercury sash window is a popular choice. The photography is supported with information to help homeowners choose the windows that are right for them, including a choice of standard or mechanical jointed options, colours, security and energy efficiency.

With customer care at the top end of the agenda for Endurance Doors, the pioneering solid and secure composite door manufacturer has just published a new Customer Charter and Welcome Pack.

With some of the UK’s most trusted brands such as John Lewis adopting a culture of delivering a truly wonderful customer experience, Endurance Doors have not only adopted this approach for the last few years, but have backed up their claims in print. Scott Foster, Head of Group Sales and Marketing commented: ‘These publications are a reflection of the way in which we engage with both existing and new customers. It’s ultimately our commitment to the very highest level of customer care.

Hardware specialist VBH have announced the sad news that Des Turnbull, until recently the Area Sales Manager for the Northern Counties, passed away in hospital on the morning of Saturday 16th January.

“Des was an integral part of the VBH team for the best part of 2 decades before retiring last February. He was very well respected and much liked by his customers, suppliers, and all at VBH.

“Des was very knowledgeable, and enjoyed passing on his expertise. He was particularly helpful to newcomers to our industry, helping them understand some of the vagaries of window and door hardware. He was always quick with a joke and will be well missed by his friends across the whole of VBH.

Senior Architectural Systems has provided a high-performance fenestration package for a stunning new residential development in Nottingham.

The Waterside Apartments scheme, aptly named owing to its prominent location on the banks of the River Trent, comprises a mix of luxury residential accommodation, with 121 individual apartments and duplex penthouse developed over 11 storeys, with office and leisure facilities to the ground floor. The project is a key part of the wider regeneration of the area and is located on the site of the former Rushcliffe Borough Council Civic Centre.

Designed by Leonard Design Architects for clients Monk Estates and Harmony Bridge Limited, the Waterside Apartments enjoy

Lake Huron House sees local “cabin country” architecture completely reimagined to create a modern family retreat on the banks of one of North America’s five Great Lakes.

Taking a contemporary architectural approach, the residence maximises its breath-taking lakeside views, while remaining sensitive to its surroundings and sustainability impact in the extremes of the Canadian climate.

To achieve its statement aesthetic and enhance the beautiful natural setting, one of the key components of the design is the use of glass. Glass not only provides distinct visual features throughout the home, functionally it serves as a robust external surface that plays a vital role in maintaining the building’s energy efficiency.