Archives for July 2018

A wide-ranging research project commissioned by warm-edge experts Edgetech has seen the company refresh its commitment to customers with a new mission statement.

Edgetech enlisted branding specialists Orb to conduct a thorough analysis of its relationship with its customers, and perceptions of the company in the market more generally.

Over dozens of interviews with customers and staff, Orb sought to build up a picture of what stands Edgetech out from the crowd.

The results have informed Edgetech’s strategy for the years ahead.

“As businesses, we often think we know our customers – but often, we don’t know them quite as well as we think,” comments Head of Marketing Charlotte Mercer.

“For example, we assumed that the key reasons customers continued to work with Edgetech would be very product-centric – and respondents were certainly very complimentary about Super Spacer and our other offerings.

“But actually, they were more focused on the standard of service they receive from us – the consistent product quality, the reliability, the technical support and so on. A comment that comes up more than once was the idea that we were ‘a safe pair of hands’.

“I know a lot of businesses are sceptical of this kind of exercise – but for us, it’s been hugely beneficial.

“It’s provided us with a fantastic opportunity to stop, reflect, and decide how we want to position ourselves in the months and years ahead – and even given us a clearer focus on who we are, what we do, and what makes us special.

“We’re leaders in the insulating glass spacer market, built on a legacy of customer trust and focused on building the future. We’re established, customer-driven, and innovative. And now we’ve got a new mission statement – we exist to create value by putting our customers first, delivering unrivalled performance, and doing the right thing.”

For more information on Edgetech’s range of spacers and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments from the company visit: www.edgetechig.co.uk

Innovative, reliable and widely respected, Hourglass is one of the UK’s leading glass manufacturers – and, over a seven-year partnership with warm-edge experts Edgetech, the firm’s market-leading products have gone from strength to strength.

A fully-automated Super Spacer line has allowed Hourglass to drastically streamline its manufacturing operation, and seen it become one of Edgetech’s biggest customers.

Founded in 1975, Hourglass began life making decorative glass. It expanded rapidly in the decades that followed, beginning to perform all its own bending, UV bonding, laminating, metal work and decorative finishes on-site, and completing work on projects as varied and prestigious as the Royal Barge, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tower of London and F1 team McLaren’s Technology Centre.

Today, the Gloucester-based business is able to offer one of the widest selections of bespoke glass products in the country – thanks in part to cutting-edge Edgetech innovation, as Claire Miller, Marketing Director of Hourglass parent group Customade Group, explains:

“Hourglass has built its business on a commitment to constantly pushing the boundaries of glass technology – and Edgetech has played a vital role in helping us sustain that.

“Super Spacer’s outstanding performance ensures our glass units offer market-leading thermal efficiency and structural strength – while Edgetech’s automation technology has allowed us to maintain quality even as we’ve significantly increased the numbers of units we produce. It’s more important to us now than ever before as we plan to grow our glass sales dramatically over the next few years, so strong mutually supportive trading relationships are at the top of our agenda.

“We’ve enjoyed a good relationship with Edgetech over the past seven years and look forward to seeing how it develops in the months and years ahead.”

Chris Alderson, Edgetech Managing Director, commented: “Hourglass is a classic example of success through innovation. Just like the Customade Group as a whole, which has helped put lantern roofs and domestic aluminium windows on the map, Hourglass is a pioneer in its field, and it’s been a pleasure to watch them expand and develop over the last seven years.

“For us, it’s a massive vote of confidence in Super Spacer and the Edgetech brand. When we’re the spacer manufacturer of choice for such a progressive, growing company, we know we must be doing something right. Here’s to the next seven years!”

For more information on Edgetech’s range of spacers and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments from the company visit: www.edgetechig.co.uk

For information on the Customade group product ranges visit www.customade.co.uk

Edgetech Managing Director Chris Alderson took to the stage to debate the future of fenestration at May’s Glazing Summit.

Well-respected Chris, who worked as European Sales Director for one of the world’s biggest adhesive and sealant companies before joining Edgetech in 2016, discussed how innovation and technology is reshaping the sector as part of a panel of industry experts.

“At Edgetech, we’ve always prided ourselves on focusing on more than just our own day-to-day objectives as a business,” Chris comments. “We’ve got a long track record of helping drive the industry forward, including with our Energy Efficiency in Focus and Triple Glazing Question events, and the Glazing Summit has given us a chance to do so again.

“On stage, while acknowledging that innovation has and is continuing to transform the way we work, I also stressed that fenestration is lagging behind other industries in many ways. Other sectors invest a significant proportion of their annual sales revenue in research and development – in the pharmaceuticals industry, the figure is in double digits. In glass and glazing, by contrast, it’s estimated to be less than 1% – and that’s undoubtedly held us back.

“I also suggested a number of ways fenestration businesses can accelerate and incentivise innovation. At my previous employer, a percentage of our sales targets had to be fulfilled by selling new products, for example.

“At Edgetech, we’re focused on new product development, and we’re also championing modern automated insulated glass manufacturing techniques. We’re seeing other countries already investing significantly in manufacturing automation and the UK needs to embrace these efficient manufacturing methods and technologies to be able to compete in the global marketplace and offset the widespread labour shortages.

“Fenestration faces challenges in the years ahead, there’s no doubt – but seeing the industry come together to intelligently discuss them at events like this makes me optimistic about the future.”

Held at the St John’s Exhibition Centre in Solihull on May 22nd, the Glazing Summit brought together 400 senior figures from across fenestration to discuss new product developments, emerging opportunities, and the future of the sector in the wake of Brexit.

For more information on Edgetech’s range of spacers and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments from the company visit: www.edgetechig.co.uk

Globe-trotting Edgetech has returned from a highly successful showcase at the 2018 China Glass exhibition, one of the biggest events in the glazing industry calendar.

Visiting Shanghai from the 19th to the 22nd of April, China Glass draws glazing professionals from across Asia and the wider world to see the latest cutting-edge products, and discuss the key trends and developments reshaping the industry.

This year, the show captured a snapshot of an industry in transition, as Daniel Zhang from Edgetech’s dedicated agent in China explains:

“The glazing market is changing rapidly – particularly here in China. We’re seeing rising demand for energy-efficient products, and for higher-end, better-performing products in general. What’s more, like their European counterparts, Chinese manufacturers are showing more and more interest in automation.

“This year’s China Glass reflected that – and at Edgetech’s, our market-leading spacer products received a huge amount of attention. We showcased the flagship Super Spacer, the TruPlas rigid bar, and a large curved IGU made with our premium commercial-grade product TriSeal, which seemed to particularly impress visitors.

“Beyond the products themselves, there was also a great deal of interest in the broader manufacturing solution that Edgetech can offer – fully-automated lines, world-class technical assistance, finance packages for key customers and more.

“It’s clear that modern IGU manufacturers are looking for both outstanding products and extensive value-added services – and we’re confident that our ability to offer both will ensure we thrive in the years ahead.”

Chris Alderson, Edgetech UK & Asia Pacific Managing Director commented: “As more and more glass manufacturers move towards automation, it’s clear that not just in China but all over the world, there’s huge demand for the sort of speed, efficiency, and excellent all-around performance than Super Spacer and other Edgetech products can provide.”

Edgetech’s Super Spacer is the leading foam warm edge spacer product on the market, offering easy application, 100% memory and exceptional thermal efficiency and condensation resistance. The firm also manufactures an extensive range of other flexible components, including its commercial-focused TriSeal and T-Spacer, as well as a number of rigid products.

For more information on Edgetech’s range of spacers and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments from the company visit: www.edgetechig.co.uk

NEW WELDER DEBUTS IN TIME FOR 30th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AT MASTERFRAME

The future is indeed bright for Timberweld ® technology at Masterframe Windows in Witham where the substantial investment in a new bespoke four head welder is beginning to reap rewards.

Five days of commissioning was not without challenge as the welder only narrowly fitted into the factory but the commissioning went smoothly and by Monday 2nd July the perfectly sealed, machine welded corners start rolling off the production line.

This momentous occasion is indeed cause for celebration at Masterframe as the company turns 30 and enters a brand a new age in its manufacturing history.  It is now possible to produce these truly authentic corners with all the advantages of machine welding such as strength, speed, efficiency and overall consistency.

Carol Slade, Sales & Operations Director says “We are confident that this development will be well received because we are now the only vertical slider manufacturer who can offer this patented technology in conjunction with all the advantages of machine welding. 

Our customers will receive award winning sash windows with perfectly sealed corners that are manufactured using a state of the art welding machine and the patented Timberweld ® method of corner construction. “

Aesthetically, Timberweld® joints look just like the Mortise & Tenon corners that are associated with original wooden frames.  Blending in with all architectural styles, high quality Masterframe sash windows along with these traditional butt joints will impress the planners and thus be suitable for use in conservation areas.

On Friday 29^th, one day before the official Birthday, the Masterframe team gathered around the welder in the factory to celebrate its arrival but also to review the past 30 years.  There were some emotionally charged speeches from the Directors as they thanked the team for their contributions over and expressed confidence as they moved forward into a bright new future with even greater relevance.

Read more about all the historical developments that lead up to the delivery of the welder here

Hazlemere Window Company Ltd became members of the Glass and Glazing Federation in 2015, after looking into the benefits to both the business and its clients before signing up. This decision continues to be one that the company wished they had taken earlier, as often when clients are seeking a reputable double glazing manufacturer and installer they often start by looking for a Glass and Glazing Federation Member.  The GGF represents over 60% of the home improvement industry by turnover. The Glass and Glazing Fedrerations’s opinion is also regularly sought by Government on Regulation and Consumer issues. The GGF, which was established over 40 years ago, is considered as the Voice of the Industry and their opinion is regularly sought by Government on regulation and Technical Standards. Hazlemere Window Company Ltd joined the GGF to further cement its position as established independent manufacturers and installers with an impressive track record stretching back over 33 years, plus to also benefit from the GGF’s Technical input and advice.

GGF technical department

The Glass and Glazing Federation Technical Team can provide support to Members in the following areas:

GGF free technical advice

The GGF Technical Team are there to help Members with any questions they have. If they do not know the answer they usually know who to contact.

GGF input into technical standards

This means they know what will be required in the future as well as influencing how standardisation should change. GGF Members are able to participate at GGF meetings to guide the way forward with standardisation.

GGF technical library

The GGF hold a comprehensive technical library that contains British, European and International standards relevant to glass and fenestration products. Members can reference these documents via the GGF’s Technical Department.

GGF technical consultation and expert witness

The GGF provide a consultancy service that can provide an independent report on an installation. This service is not free and has to be paid for. However, GGF Members receive a discount on the fees. Consultancy reports can be used for a variety of purposes including giving consumers confidence with their installation to confirming what should be rectified to make an installation fit for purpose. The service also provides expert witness evidence should complaints go to litigation.

GGF product testing and approval

The GGF can give specific advice on how a manufacturer can obtain appropriate approvals, for their products, to national, European and International standards. Through their contacts they can arrange all necessary testing.

GGF Governmental influence

The GGF  consistemtly works to build up the necessary links and access to Government, the opposition parties and legislators. This allows for ‘Members’’ views to be carried through to the decision makers to ensure GGF Members are not disadvantaged.

In conjunction to their excellent links to UK Government they have set up a route to spread their Members messages into Brussels. The GGF is linked to various European organisations that provide access to MEPs and the Commission.

The GGF is also linked into a European Monitoring organisation, the British Business Bureau with our CBI Membership.

England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Building Regulations

These are mandatory requirements that are set by national governments. The GGF provides guidance to Members on what the requirements are, as well as working with the relevant Government Departments to update existing and develop future legislation.

Proper Vetting

All GGF Members who supply, fit or install replacement windows, double glazing, energy efficient windows, doors and conservatories have been trading for at least three years and are regularly vetted to ensure quality of service: this vetting process includes making a site visit to the company’s premises, checking two years of their accounts and taking up trade and consumer references.

Hazlemere Window Company Ltd are proud to be active GGF Members and also that one of it’s Directors, Mark Austin was elected as Chairman of the GGF’s Windows and Doors Group back in January 2017. Mark co-chairs the joint quarterly meetings of the Windows and Doors Group and the Conservatory Association with Phil Goult of Anglian, who is the Chairman of the Conservatory Association.  As such Mark and Phil both sit on the GGF Home Improvement Executive (HIE), with whom all the other chairs sit, representing consumer groups, fenestration hardware suppliers, window and door system manufacturers, technical groups and the Heritage window group etc. In-fact in May 2018 the HIE unanimously elected Mark to be GGF Vice-President, as position that also a position on the GGF Board of Directors assuming they approve the recommendation from the Home Improvement Executive. This is something they also did unanimously on 7th June 2018, so another reason why Hazlemere Window Company Ltd are genuinely proud to be GGF Members.