Archives for November 2018

Staff, Members and former colleagues at the Glass and Glazing Federation were saddened to hear of the passing of former employee John Weir on Saturday 17 November.

As the GGF’s first Standards Committee Secretary, John was a stalwart of the Federation’s Technical Department who helped develop many of the early standards in the industry. In the late 1980s, he was instrumental in helping the UK to harmonise Standards within the European Union.

From the Federation’s earliest days in 1977, John was involved in the Technical setup as Technical Secretary while his wife Rosemary served as GGF Membership Secretary. Rosemary was involved in the negotiations which brought together the four Glazing Associations (Glass Benders, Safety Glass, Insulating Glass and Flat Glass) to form the Glass and Glazing Federation.

Not only did John drive forward industry standards, but he also helped develop the Federation to ensure it became the credible face for all matters technical. In doing so he enabled technical and legislative discussions at local, national and international Governmental level.

Steve Rice, GGF Director of Technical Affairs, led the tributes:

John was an incredibly knowledgeable, loyal and passionate person. He was pivotal in the co-ordination and production of “The GGF Glazing Manual” in late 1977. It was a landmark, the first significant technical publication the GGF ever launched. I was extremely sorry to hear this news and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

Brian Waldron, Chairman of the GGF Standards Committee:

It was very sad to hear of John’s passing and my sympathies go to his nearest and dearest. He contributed so much to the GGF and industry and those who knew him will never forget his commitment to raising the standards in our industry.

John had been ill for some time and in a nursing home in Hailsham since March 2017. Ian Chisholm (former GGF Deputy Chief Executive) visited John earlier this year and shared his memories:

It was good to see John this year and even though he was far from his old self, we enjoyed some precious moments when his old sense of humour would re-emerge. John was an important figure in not just the GGF’s history, but also that of the entire sector. My thoughts and sympathies are with Rosemary and the rest of the family.

John Agnew, GGF President:

I knew John for many years and admired his vast knowledge and passion for the glass and glazing industry. He was a true pioneer of the industry and advanced the GGF on many fronts. My sincere condolences go to all his family and friends at this difficult time.

John Weir was 79 years old and was married to Rosemary for 36 years. His funeral will take place on Thursday 6 December at 12.15pm at Eastbourne Crematorium.

The GGF bids farewell to one of its longest serving Members and greatest contributors, Dr Bernard Lowe, on his retirement after 58 years in the industry.

Bernard started his career in the industry in 1960 working for Bostik where he was responsible for developing sealants for insulating glass units. During this time he became a qualified chemist and his career of 28 years with Bostik saw him gain a doctorate in adhesion science and become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry as well a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

In the mid-seventies Bernard started to attend meetings of the Insulating Glass Association (a predecessor of the Glass and Glazing Federation). He was active with the GGF from its very start in 1977 and worked on the Federation’s original technical documents including the Glazing Manual.

He joined the GGF board when the Federation was established as a limited company in 2000 and continued in this capacity until 2013. As a Board Member, Bernard oversaw and supported the GGF’s growth strategies that saw the Federation go from being a trade body to a Group of commercial companies focused on serving the industry on many fronts.

Over the years he has chaired the Glazing Components Group, the GGF Standards Committee and the GGF Midlands Region, and has worked on the GGF General Council and Regional Representatives Committee in addition to serving the GGF Glazing Executive for nearly 25 years. His work for the GGF also stretched to acting as a technical consultant serving on various working parties and committees with BSI, ISO and CEN in his illustrious industry career.

Amongst his greatest achievements for the GGF are the chairmanship of the GGF Standards Committee and his consequent guidance in developing the standards for insulating glass manufacture, as well as his work on the British Standard BS5719 prior to the European Standard EN1279 from 1988-92 and the subsequent revision in 2004.

In 1999, Bernard established his GBL Consultancy business which has been a resource the GGF has used for almost twenty years.

Tributes from GGF staff and Members

John Agnew, GGF President:

We have appreciated Bernard’s guidance and wisdom over the many years. He has helped to advance the industry and the GGF, taking on difficult subjects and projects with great passion and applying his expertise to find solutions. I wish him well for the future.

Steve Rice, GGF Director of Technical Affairs:

I have worked with Bernard for over 30 years and his technical knowledge and contribution to the industry is second to none. He has helped make the GGF library of technical publications one of the best sources of information in the industry. May I take this opportunity to offer sincere thanks and wish him a very happy retirement.

Tony Smith, Chairman of the GGF Glazing Executive, delivered a fitting presentation at Bernard’s last GGF meeting on 22 November. A quote from his remarks:

Bernard’s contribution to the GGF and the industry cannot be overstated. On behalf of all connected to the GGF, I thank him for everything he has done for us and wish him all the very best for his retirement.

On his retirement, Bernard commented:

My thanks go to all my fellow Members and the GGF Staff who have helped me during my time in the industry. I have thoroughly enjoyed my career and being part of the GGF has been a great journey, full of many technical achievements and memorable occasions.

Thanks also to my fellow Chairmen for the presentations and gifts which were a great surprise. I wish everyone who is part of the GGF all the best for the future.

The Glass and Glazing Federation is delighted to welcome the following companies into GGF Membership.

Extra Windows Limited

Extra Windows Ltd is a replacement window, door and conservatory installer serving Kent, Essex and Surrey.

> www.extrawindows.co.uk

PJ Trade Windows Doors & Glass Limited

PJ Trade Windows Doors & Glass limited is a local family run business based in Hereford. It supplies and fits quality windows, doors, conservatories, roof lanterns and splashbacks across Herefordshire and beyond.

> pjtradewindows.co.uk

Join the Glass and Glazing Federation

GGF Membership consists of companies from all glass and glazing sectors and we welcome all types of companies including those that are suppliers to the industry.

> Learn more about GGF Membership

Following the announcement of Safeglaze going into administration, Kevin Buckley, Group Chief Executive of the Glass and Glazing Federation, has issued a statement to clarify that Safeglaze was not in any way connected to the GGF and/or its group of commercial companies and to underline the importance of consumer protection when administration or liquidation occurs.

It is always unfortunate to witness the failure of any business within the glass and glazing industry – and doubly so when it is the closure of a large, high-profile business such as Safeglaze.

Even though Safeglaze was neither a GGF Member nor a FENSA registered company, the GGF Group still sympathise with the individuals who may have been affected including employees who have lost their jobs, suppliers who may have suffered financially and homeowners who have possibly been left without any deposit protection or insurance backed guarantees.

Recent media coverage would indicate that a number of current and future Safeglaze customers are in a state of confusion and are concerned as to where they stand with regards to their guarantees, paid deposits and incomplete installations.

We understand that Safeglaze was part of other trade organisations and we hope their customers will be protected and supported through this catastrophic period.

As the leading trade association to the glazing industry, the GGF appreciates that economic uncertainty can affect businesses both large and small. The GGF and its commercial companies often meet with Members and clients to listen to their concerns and to offer help where possible to ensure they continue to run their businesses effectively.

It is important to mention our unrivalled support to thousands of companies connected to the GGF Group. The examples below underline our commitment to consumer facing companies.

• All GGF Member installers have been trading for a minimum of 3 years – there are no phoenix companies in the GGF.
• All GGF Members and FENSA registered companies have been vetted and have premises, products and employees fit for purpose.
• GGF consumer-facing companies comply with the GGF Consumer Code of Practice, which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and has strict requirements regarding the conduct of Member companies ensuring they comply with all relevant consumer legislation.
• Homeowners using GGF Members have free access to the GGF Conciliation Service in the unlikely event of a dispute with a GGF Member company.
• The Glazing Arbitration Scheme (TGAS) is also in place to help GGF Members and FENSA companies reach resolutions with homeowners.
• All GGF Members and FENSA registered companies must offer their customers a warranty insurance policy (insurance backed guarantees) to protect the homeowner in the event that the installation company fails.
• GGF Members offer homeowners free automatic deposit protection using the GGF Deposit Indemnity Fund which was set up in 1981 and is now the industry’s best deposit protection safeguarding deposits and instalments of up to 50% of the contract value or £12,500 (whichever is lesser).
• All FENSA and GGF installers are trained to MTC (Minimum Technical Competency) level to ensure installations are fitted to the standards set in Building Regulations.

These are just some of the main benefits offered by GGF Members and FENSA companies that clearly demonstrate the value of homeowner protection.

We advise all homeowners looking to have glazing work carried out at their home, to thoroughly check the credentials of any firm they are looking to employ and to check what (if any) trade bodies they are registered with. We also recommend that homeowners make sure they are using a recognised Competent Person Scheme such as FENSA and to obtain protection for both guarantees and any deposits paid, to ensure they are protected, should the worst happen.

In the meantime, in order to determine the best avenue for recourse and raise any concerns regarding the closure, we advise Safeglaze customers to contact the relevant associations/schemes to whom Safeglaze were affiliated with and used to offer their customers protection.

Kevin Buckley

GGF Group Chief Executive