29th January 2019

Welcome to the January Edition of Trade Counter News.

Pro-Fitter is the official UK training provider of window, door and conservatory products and thanks to its partnership with the Further Education college Coleg Sir Gâr, certain elements of Pro-Fitter courses fulfil NVQ requirements. It means installers can directly progress onto NVQ courses after successful completion of certain Pro-Fitter grades. Lou Leka, Pro-Fitter’s Director, says: “Become competent with Pro-Fitter and be assessed in competencies by progressing onto a full NVQ has never been easier.”

Pro-Fitter is a fully GQA-accredited and recognised training centre. It provides hands-on and classroom-based training in a variety of products, including removal, replacement and finishing touches. Lou comments: “Pro-Fitter is the only provider delivering bespoke training that allows people to learn in a controlled environment and have their competency levels assessed.”

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Solidor have introduced a new range of handmade glass to their already stunning range. Designed and manufactured exclusively for Solidor by Jo Downs – the internationally recognised fused glass designer – this is a genuine first in the door industry.

Based in Cornwall, Jo’s work draws inspiration from the beautiful coastal landscape, while her advanced fusion techniques allow for the creation of abstract designs of great individuality and depth as can be seen on these new exclusive tiles.

Gareth Busson, head of sales and marketing at Solidor explained the idea behind the new range. ‘Each Solidor is unique and handcrafted and so we wanted to develop a range of glass designs that mirrored that ethos.

Universal Trade Frames has developed a reputation for the quality of its products and its composite doors are no exception. In fact, its composite doors offer superb thermal efficiency, stunning aesthetics and Secured by Design options too.

Brian Kruger, Managing Director of Universal Trade Frames explains: “We manufacture the Solidor® and Nicedor® composite door collections which deliver an outstanding range of solid laminate timber core composite doors. Our composite ranges combine classical, modern or futuristic styling.”

VEKA Group is proud to have been named on the shortlist for one of the most prestigious awards in the North of England. The awards showcase role models and celebrate the many different ways women and men contribute to a thriving Northern Powerhouse.

Elevate, the new lantern roof from industry-leading systems company Liniar is already raising the bar – and looks good doing it.

As soon as one of Liniar’s long-time lovers of the system company’s suite of windows, bi-fold doors and roofs saw the Elevate ad on Facebook; he knew it was time to upgrade his two existing Liniar PVCu roofs.

VEKA Group is proud to have been named ‘Systems Company of the Year’ in the 2018 National Fenestration Awards. Thousands of votes across 24 categories made 2018 the biggest NFA campaign to date.

The awards are decided by the votes of industry participants – which VEKA Group’s Marketing Director Dawn Stockell believes makes the win all the more rewarding: “We’re delighted to see VEKA Group win ‘Systems Company of the Year’ in the 2018 NFAs because it means our customers and friends in the industry took the time and made the effort to vote for us.

To start off 2019 right, Force 8 have now started to spray their range of composite doors on site to ensure quality control and improved delivery dates.

Dennis Sumner, Managing Director of Force 8 comments “This is an exciting new project that we have been working since the beginning of 2018”.

Kestrel has proved that sustainable sourcing is at the heart of its business after achieving the BES 6001 for the sixth year running.

The accreditation means installers, specifiers and distributors can be sure that Kestrel’s fascias, cladding, soffits and trims meet high standrads of sustainability.

Kestrel sales and marketing director Owen Thorogood said: “Kestrel has held BES 6001 since 2012.

“It’s a true ‘gold standard’ in sustainability and shows our customers that they are buying the best, not just in terms of quality fascia, cladding and roofline products, but in our supply chain and manufacturing process.”

Window and door sector fastener specialist Rapierstar has embarked on a number of new initiatives to help reduce the environmental impact of its operations and further strengthen its credentials as a responsible supply chain partner.

Implemented as part of its latest environmental strategy are a series of changes at its Star Business Park HQ, warehouse and distribution centre in Cheshire. Here, better management of waste water has been prioritised with the installation of three new water treatment plants, which will turn waste water from the complex into drinking quality water for release into a nearby brook. An additional new oil capture tank that recycles brown water for further treatment from the large car parking area has also been installed.

Excel Door Supplies, the Yorkshire-based supplier of composite doors, has reported solid business growth throughout its seven years of trading. With recent investment to the tune of £100,000 in new CNC router equipment, the company is also planning to open a distribution depot in the Midlands. Working in close partnership with ERA, the security expert, Excel Door Supplies says it has built up a loyal customer base over the past seven years with installers and homeowners throughout Yorkshire.

Utilising ERA’s comprehensive range of door and window security, including the new SureFire multi-point lock and the Invincible Cylinder, Door Handles and Hinges, Excel supplies bespoke composite doors to complement any property style.

J&P Home Improvements is celebrating a successful ten-year partnership with VEKA Group and Independent Network.

The family-owned, Lampeter-based company, which has been in business for more than 20 years, has spent the most successful part of that period working with VEKA.

Co-owner Barry Thomas explains: “My Father, John, and I set the business up in 1991 as an installation company.

We decided to move into fabrication in 1997 so that we could offer our customers the highest level of quality in both product and service. We originally trialled another system before moving to VEKA, and we’ve never looked back. Our team works incredibly hard, and the business has grown from strength to strength in recent years, establishing a reputation for quality throughout Lampeter and the surrounding area.