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When homeowners use a GGF Member company to carry out windows, doors or conservatory work, they are investing in professional workmanship and service of the very highest standard. Companies requiring flat glass or glazing products from a GGF Member can also be assured they are dealing with the best companies in the industry. So if you are wanting to improve your home or property, or simply need a glass and glazing product or service, why not browse our directory and contact a GGF Member Company in your area.

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Archives for December 2022

GGF Gains ISO 14001 Accreditation

Members News |

We are delighted to announce the GGF have gained their ISO 14001 accreditation. The GGF are dedicated to understanding and improving the effects our industry has on the environment and we are proud to be able to offer guidance and support to all GGF Members surrounding environmental issues.

ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to. It maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective EMS (Environmental Management System).
 
An EMS supports businesses in identifying, managing, monitoring and controlling environmental processes.
 
The ISO 14001 Accreditation Comes Hand-in-Hand with the Following:

  • Becoming environmentally friendly and understanding the impact we have on the environment
  • You’ll discover ways to reduce costs on waste, overheads
  • Ensure legislative and compliance awareness
  • An Increase in Employee Engagement
  • Improve your reputation by evidencing your commitment to environmental matters, which in following could ultimately win you more business.

It doesn’t matter what type or size your organisation is, the ISO 14001 is a great standard to have. There are preferential rates available for GGF Members, if you wish to gain this for your business.
 
If this is something you are interested in, please contact GGF Group Health, Safety and Environmental Manager Lauren Mawford, at lmawford@ggf.org.uk or via the button below, and she will be happy to explain further details.

Happy Retirement to Paul Rogers of Express Glazing Contractors

Membership News |

Many of you will have heard recently that Paul Rogers at Express Glazing Contractors has recently decided to retire. Everyone involved at the GGF would like to take a moment to celebrate what has been an incredible career at the forefront of the glazing industry and pay thanks to Paul for his involvement with the GGF over the past 35 years.

Express Glazing were founded in 1981, right in the heart of London, where it continues to operate today and they joined the GGF in 1987. You don’t have to look far across the city to see the influence Paul has had on London’s skyline.

These days mobile cranes are a much more commonly used piece of equipment in the emergency and replacement glazing market sector, but from the early 80’s Express Glazing were one of a small number of companies who were willing to use such technology to glaze large panels in the tight streets of London. Any fellow glassman or woman who find themselves at Leadenhall Market can appreciate the glass in the roof installed under Paul’s guidance and not just the glass in their hand.

From glazing 18.9m2 10mm thick plate in the V&A, glass boats on the Serpentine, the repairs following the bombings in London or more modern installations in London’s iconic buildings, Paul has seen what it really is to be a Glazier and his contribution and support across the industry is notably.

Following the Saint Mary’s Axe Bombing in 1992, Express Glazing boarded up and re-glazed some of the worst hit buildings of which 99 Bishopsgate is the most widely recognised. The Emergency Glazing Group was then formed in response to this, with Paul as a founding member, and has helped provide guidance to our members, insurers, stakeholders, and the government for the protection of people in the city.

It also cannot be overlooked that Paul was the longest serving member of the Marketing & Communications Committee and regularly ensured the GGF were well situated in the trade press to the benefit of the wider GGF community.

Thank you Paul, you are a true gentleman and your contribution to the GGF and the wider sector will be hugely missed. Your retirement is richly deserved, you will always be welcome at the GGF and we wish you all the best for the future.

CE Marking

Uncategorized |

As many of you will be aware, on the 14th of November 2022 the Government issued a statement announcing that the UK would continue to recognise CE marked product until 31st of December 2024. However, this excluded Construction Products amongst others in the following extract:

“There will be different rules for medical devices, construction products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products, and marine equipment. Government departments responsible for these sectors are making sector-specific arrangements….”

In our follow up discussions with Government we were advised that the department responsible i.e. the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities would issue guidance on Construction Products. This was finally issued on the 9th December 2022 and reads as follows:

“Our intention is to end recognition of the CE mark in GB on 30 June 2025. Current rules, which allow for continued recognition of the CE mark, will remain in place until legislation is laid to end recognition of the CE mark.”

This is certainly good news albeit time-limited for members who can continue to use their CE mark and relevant test certificates regardless of test location with no issue until June 2025.

However, due to the shortness and specifics of the statement, there are questions which still need to be answered not least is testing for new products. Following our initial review of the GOV.UK statement and supplementary information, our understanding and interpretation of the most important parts of this change is are as follows: –

  1. It would appear that due to the extension to CE acceptance, any new glass or fenestration product can still be tested by a European Test House and be placed in the UK market using a CE mark up until June 2025.
  2. Previous guidance from DLUHC issued in June 2022 allowed the use of AVCP3s from Europe where product had been tested prior to the end of 2022 to attain UKCA marking. This guidance has now been removed from the GOV.UK website so clarification is required if this is still applicable.
  3. This guidance also allowed UK Test Houses to sub-contract to non-UK Test Houses but only where the UK Test House has the facility and accreditation to carry out the same tests but has no capacity to do so. This is somewhat restricted and testing in non-UK Test Houses also required witnessing by the UK body which would be impractical to adhere to. Does this still apply?

Obviously, the change has removed a large part of the issues that would have been created should the recognition of CE marked product have ceased at the end of this month.

It is obvious that there are a series of issues that need clarification or indeed decisions that need to be made going forward and we must hope that the Government will provide these in a timely manner and not at the last moment as happened in this instance.

Should additional testing for UKCA marking be required prior to June 2025 then the industry really needs to know at the earliest opportunity as capacity for testing is limited as already pointed out to Government. Should we also not be allowed to use non-UK test houses then again we need to know what plans are being put in place to test products such as low-e glasses as there are currently no spectrophotometric test facilities in the UK.

Needless to say we are extremely concerned that pushing back on the date until June 2025 doesn’t become another case of “kicking the can down the road” with no real plan of action in place by all parties on how the move to UKCA marking can reasonably be achieved.

Technical Officer Vacancy

News |

GGF Group, has an opportunity for a professional individual to join our growing team. GGF Group has a requirement to fill a role which exists within our organisation for a Technical Officer supporting various clients across the UK and Ireland.

We offer a competitive salary depending on experience. This is a superb opportunity to utilise your skills, whilst supporting a fast growing business by delivering over and above client expectations and identifying key opportunities.

The planned expansion of the BFRC technical department has created a requirement for a Technical Officer with a background in the Fenestration industry.

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Significant industrial experience in Fenestration Products (windows and doors).
  • Some experience with auditing & certification is desirable.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – both written and oral
  • Confident, outgoing and diplomatic, yet firm as necessary
  • Customer focused, develop strong working relationships
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure
  • Good IT skills and knowledge of systems

A Successful Applicant Will:

  • Have a solid technical knowledge including relevant BS/EN/ISO Standards and Building Regulations.
  • Have prior knowledge of BFRC energy ratings.
  • Provide secretarial services including minute-taking at specialist technical meetings.
  • Respond to technical queries from customers and building professionals through email and by phone.
  • Regularly attend and report at Technical Department meetings

Further Information About the Vacancy:

  • The role is predominantly home based although you may occasionally be required to be based in our offices in London.
  • Flexible working options will be considered.
  • Salary will be commensurate with experience.
  • Travel expenses, subsistence, mileage allowance provided.
  • A laptop and mobile phone will also be provided.

If you wish to apply to this position, please send a CV and cover letter by the 9th of December, to Lis Clarke at lclarke@ggf.org.uk.

Lead Auditor Vacancy at GGF Group

News |

GGF Group has an opportunity for a professional individual to join our growing team. GGF Group has a requirement to fill a role which exists within our organisation for a lead auditor supporting various clients across the UK and Ireland.

As you will be conducting onsite audits, there will be travel within the role. We offer a competitive salary depending on experience. This is a permanent role.

This is a superb opportunity to utilise your skills, whilst supporting a fast growing business by delivering over and above client expectations and identifying key opportunities.

Responsibilities:

  • To undertake audits of manufacturing facilities and associated reporting
  • To understand the requirements of fenestration schemes operated by GGF Group
  • To undertake technical reviews of audit and Initial Type Testing (ITT) reports
  • To support the development of in-house schemes to improve technical knowledge across GGF Group companies
  • To maintain professional status and business requirements and to develop new audit and product skills as required and requested

Skills/Qualifications:

  • Significant industrial experience in Fenestration Products (windows and doors) and in associated  manufacturing facilities
  • Experience with auditing & certification is desirable.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – both written and oral
  • Confident, outgoing and diplomatic, yet firm as necessary
  • Customer focused, develop strong working relationships
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure
  • Good IT skills and knowledge of systems
  • Ability and willingness to travel, occasionally overseas, with overnight stays

To apply to this position, please send a CV and cover letter by the 9th of December, to Lis Clarke at lclarke@ggf.org.uk.

GGF

40 Rushworth Street,
London, SE1 0RB
+44 (0)207 939 9100

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