27th July 2018

Welcome to the July Edition of Trade Counter News.

In response to the ever-changing regulatory landscape, the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has published its first Quarterly Standards Review to help door and window hardware professionals stay compliant.

The document gives further information on all relevant BS and EN Standards. It also highlights standards that are due for revision and suggests when that revision might be.

In the first of the series, the GAI review covers standards relating to hanging devices, door controls, locks and latches (both mechanical and electro-mechanical), door furniture, exit devices, finger protection, accessibility, doorsets and door assemblies and Building Information Management (BIM).

Douglas Masterson, GAI technical manager, says:

“In addition to our individual Guides to Standards and Technical Briefings, members can now access a comprehensive overview of recent changes to legislation, plus prepare themselves for changes coming in the next quarter. This will help them to give their customers the best possible hardware advice and ensure that any hardware specifications they provide will be compliant with the latest standards.”

To access the Quarterly Standards Review, go to the membership area of the GAI website: http://www.gai.org.uk/technical/quarterly-standards-review

Aberdeen’s renowned home improvement company, Bon Accord Glass, has joined the Conservatory Outlet Network of retailers. The move is part of the company’s strategic plan to strengthen its position as the leading installer within the North East of Scotland.

Since the start of the year, Residor have managed to achieve an OTIF delivery standard of over 99% for their mid-market GRP composite door, with new installation partners coming on board each week and existing customers enjoying strong sales returns.

Residor is arguably the most secure GRP composite door on the market, thanks to the standard specification of the Ultion 3 Star Sold Secure Diamond cylinder, along with a 3.6mm external door skin, twice the thickness of many others in the market and combined this ensures compliance to the latest PAS 24 standards.

Even more Kestrel UPVC roofline products are taking the high road to Scotland thanks to a new distributor near Glasgow.

The newly-opened Scotplas Trade Centre in Bellshill has become the latest distributor of the Kestrel line – and it’s hardly a wee selection to choose from either.

Freefoam Building Products, a leading manufacturer of PVC building products for the Irish, UK and Mainland European markets, announce a brand new homeowner testimonial video. Shot on location in Northamptonshire the short film illustrates the benefits and satisfaction of a homeowner with the Freefoam roofline range and their Freefoam Registered Installer.

The installation work was completed by Peterborough based company Simply Roofline. Kevin had old tired looking fascia, soffit and guttering. His motivation for replacing with PVC was to improve the look of his home and also save himself costly and time consuming ongoing maintenance.

The inventors of the world’s first biodegradable single use nitrile glove now bring you a new addition to their biodegradable hand protection range: SHOWA 707HVO – a chemical resistant glove engineered with SHOWA’s revolutionary Eco Best Technology (EBT), in high-visibility orange

SHOWA, which translates to “finding a balance between different elements” in Japanese, has paved the way in biodegradable innovation within the PPE glove market. Driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the planet, a large proportion of our research is devoted to biodegradable products and to developing fibres that have no impact on the environment

UK Building Plastics are the latest company to be awarded Showroom of the Month by Solidor, though they have in fact two based in Witney and Cowley respectively and combined, serve Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.

Solidor are eager to share best practice for sales environments and the Showroom of the Month competition is there to both reward and encourage. UK Building Plastics have been with Solidor for over 7 years and have seen sales demand for their solid core composite doors increase significantly and with 22 doors on show at Cowley, Oxford and an impressive 10 at Witney, they are perfectly placed to service both the trade and accomplished DIY’ers.

Leading profile bending company Force 8, is constantly developing their innovative ideas and techniques to further improve their manufacturing capabilities. This enables them to create the perfect arch frames with matching arched composite doors, which can improve the appearance and aesthetics of even the most modest of homes.

The Residence Collection has a fully branded showroom that’s not only there to support their growing network of trade partners, but is in fact a fully operational consumer environment which is used to support local installation companies in the Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas, 7 days a week.

Dressed in British vintage styling and radiating period charm, the self-sufficient consumer showroom has independent access to the car park and is visible from the main A38.

The University of Buckingham was established in 1976, has 3 campuses and 65 buildings. It has its own department for maintenance and repair which is led by Operations Manager, Matthew Cross and covers all plumbing, carpentry and electrical needs for the University.